Associate Professor Helen Thompson

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Associate Professor in Statistics, School of Mathematical Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy (University of Glasgow), BSc (Hons) (University of Queensland), Bachelor of Science (University of Queensland)

Helen Thompson is an Associate Professor of Statistics in the School of Mathematical Sciences and the Centre for Data Science at QUT. She specialises in statistical modeling and machine learning. With expertise in high-dimensional data analysis, space-time modeling, and optimum experimental design, she has made significant contributions to various fields including health, environment, and social sciences. She has published extensively in leading journals and her work provides valuable insights into complex datasets, uncovering hidden patterns and informing optimal decision-making processes in projects including Optimal Resource Extraction with BHP, Emergency Department Demand Modelling with Queensland Metro South Health and Hospital Services, Great Barrier Reef monitoring programs, and the Australian Cancer Atals.


Research discipline:

Mathematical Sciences

Areas of expertise:

  • Optimal design of experiments
  • Clinical trial design
  • Bayesian design
  • Spatial modelling and sampling
  • Copula modelling
  • Stochastic frontier modelling
  • Appled statistics

Additional information

Teaching: Helen also has considerable teaching experince in Mathematics and Statistics with other academic institutions in her capacity as Teaching Assistant at the University of Glasgow (2003-2007) and Tutor at the University of Queensland (1999-2001).  

Consulting: Some organisations that Helen has provided statistical consultancy for include:

  • Queensland Academy of Sport
  • Powerlink
  • Integrated Open Space Services

Industry Collaboration: Helen's external collaborative research partners include:

  • The Developing Foundation (QUT ATN IDTC)
  • Princess Alexandra Hospital
  • BHP Billiton, The Quantitative Group (CRC ORE)
  • Roche Pharmaceuticals (ARC Linkage)

Research Supervision:Below is a list of Helen's completed research students, which includes students whom she associate supervised, and positions taken by the students after completion:

  • Gnai Nishani Musafer, PhD (Statistics), "Non-Linear Univariate and Multivariate Spatial Modelling and Optimal Design" (Principal Supervisor), Data Scientist at Dingo Software.
  • Darsy Darssan, PhD (Statistics), "Novel Sequential Methods in Dose-Finding Designs: Extension of the Continual Reassessment Method" (Associate Supervisor), Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool.
  • Elizabeth Ryan, PhD (Statistics), "Contributions to Bayesian Experimental Design" (Associate Supervisor), Statistician at King's College London.
  • Adebayo Aderounmu, PhD (Statistics), "Copula-Based Dependence Modelling of Price Spikes and Contagion-Like Effects in Australian Electricity Markets" (Associate Supervisor), Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Western Ontario.
  • Zhengling Xiong, MPhil (Statistics), "Relationship Between Temperature Derivvtives and Electricity Futures" (Associate Supervisor), PhD student at UQ.
  • Earl Duncan, BAppSc (Hons) (Statistics), "Optimal Designs for Non-Linear Models with Application to Dose-Finding in Phase I Clinical Trials", PhD student at QUT.
Title
Innovative Bayesian Statistics for Enhanced Decision Making for Pharmaceutical Drug Development
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
LP0991062
Start year
2010
Keywords
Bayesian Adaptive Design; Bayesian Decision Procedures; Design for Dose Escalation; Optimal Design; Simulation Modelling; Bayesian Computation