The QUT Centre for Data Science is celebrating its graduates. Meet Dr Laurence Davies who just took part in the latest graduation ceremonies at QUT.
What was your PhD in?
My PhD thesis is titled Contributions to Bayesian Transdimensional Algorithms. It’s primary focus is the investigation of improving the computational efficiency of sampling algorithms that numerically estimate statistical quantities where there is uncertainty in the statistical model. These algorithms are typically applied by domain specialist scientists who need to hypothesise more than one model, sometimes a large space of models, over which they wish to simultaneously estimate the model posterior distribution and its probability of inclusion relative to the other models. Examples include the identification of symbolic elements in a dynamical system and the inclusion probability of covariate data in a predictive model.
How did you come to do a PhD on this? Did things change along the way?
I started my journey before my PhD in a geophysics role where I was exposed to the beauty of Bayesian statistical inference and the algorithms that are used to obtain these inferences. I was fascinated by the methods, in particular the potential to apply these methods to a variety of scientific applications and the ability of the Bayesian methodology to both precisely formulate and answer often difficult research questions.
How was your PhD journey? Any surprises?
There were some surprises. I started the PhD in a neuroscience application before switching mainly to a focus on statistical algorithms. There was also a lot of value in the lasting connections I made with my coauthors.
Did you anything else at QUT besides your PhD?
I enjoyed the experience of tutoring several undergraduate courses during my PhD.
How was your experience with the Data Science Centre?
The CDS provided a great atmosphere for collaboration and learning. Also, there were frequent conferences and opportunities to meet experts in a diverse array of fields. It was overall a very rewarding experience.
What’s next – or what are you doing now?
I am currently a postdoctoral research associate at the University of New South Wales under the mentorship of Professor Scott Sisson, and I am involved in an environment project at Australia’s CSIRO Data61 research centre in Sydney. It is great to be amongst experts in their fields and contributing to high impact research.
Congratulations, Laurence!