Scalable and Robust Bayesian Inference for Implicit Statistical Models. This project aims to develop the next generation of efficient methods for fitting complex simulation-based statistical models to data. Practitioners and scientists are interested in such implicit models to enable discoveries, produce accurate predictions and inform decisions under uncertainty. However, the associated computational cost has restricted researchers to implicit models that must have a small number of parameters ....Scalable and Robust Bayesian Inference for Implicit Statistical Models. This project aims to develop the next generation of efficient methods for fitting complex simulation-based statistical models to data. Practitioners and scientists are interested in such implicit models to enable discoveries, produce accurate predictions and inform decisions under uncertainty. However, the associated computational cost has restricted researchers to implicit models that must have a small number of parameters and be well specified, impeding scientific progress. This project will develop new computational methods and algorithms for implicit models that scale to high dimensions and are robust to misspecification. Benefits will arise from the more routine use of implicit models in epidemiology, biology, ecology and other fields.Read moreRead less
Frontiers in Data Science: Analysing Distributions as Data. This project aims to develop the statistical foundations of a new approach to analysing large and complex data, based on building distributional approximations of the data, which can then be analysed by standard statistical methods. The need to analyse very large and complex datasets has become a vital part of everyday life, particularly in the analysis of national problems in public health, environmental pollution, computer network sec ....Frontiers in Data Science: Analysing Distributions as Data. This project aims to develop the statistical foundations of a new approach to analysing large and complex data, based on building distributional approximations of the data, which can then be analysed by standard statistical methods. The need to analyse very large and complex datasets has become a vital part of everyday life, particularly in the analysis of national problems in public health, environmental pollution, computer network security and climate extremes. The project expects to change our way of thinking in how to be smarter about what data we use (and collect) for analysis, rather than relying on brute force analysis of large datasets. The project is expected to transform the knowledge base of the discipline, and the resulting techniques will enable across-the-board research advances for many industries and disciplines.Read moreRead less
Stochastic modelling of genetic regulatory networks with burst process. This project will develop the next generation of stochastic modelling to study the fundamental principles of genetic regulation. Simulations will yield deeper insight into the origin of bistability and oscillation in gene networks.
Advancing tools for the analysis of high-dimensional data in ecology. This project will accelerate the development of advanced tools for answering fundamental questions concerning the potential impact of climate change on ecological communities. These advanced methodologies, more powerful than currently used methods, will fit easy-to-interpret models which can handle all common data types.
Development of population-level algorithms for modelling genomic variation and its impact on cellular function in animals and plants. The purpose of this project is to develop mathematical and computational tools which will enable researchers to model high-throughput biological data at the population level. These models will be used to uncover the effect that genetic variation has on the physiology of the cell and the organism.
New nonparametric statistical methods for imperfectly observed data. Statistical science today is facing the challenge of having to answer questions about data that are more complex than ever before. Some of the major difficulties are caused by the lack of direct access to quantities of interest, and the more intricate structure of the available data. Motivated by applications in areas such as cancer and genetic studies, infectious disease, environmental pollution, and public health and nutriti ....New nonparametric statistical methods for imperfectly observed data. Statistical science today is facing the challenge of having to answer questions about data that are more complex than ever before. Some of the major difficulties are caused by the lack of direct access to quantities of interest, and the more intricate structure of the available data. Motivated by applications in areas such as cancer and genetic studies, infectious disease, environmental pollution, and public health and nutrition, this project aims to develop novel and highly effective statistical methodology for solving contemporary problems involving new types of imperfectly observed data. The expected outcomes will solve frontier problems, where information can only be accessed through sophisticated computer intensive methods.Read moreRead less
Phase transitions in stochastic systems. This project aims to understand models of physical and biological phenomena in the presence of uncertainty/randomness. Such models often exhibit phase transitions if a variable defining the model is modified. For example, a population explosion can occur if the average number of offspring per individual is larger than one, while macroscopic defects can occur in a material if the density of microscopic defects is larger than some threshold. This research c ....Phase transitions in stochastic systems. This project aims to understand models of physical and biological phenomena in the presence of uncertainty/randomness. Such models often exhibit phase transitions if a variable defining the model is modified. For example, a population explosion can occur if the average number of offspring per individual is larger than one, while macroscopic defects can occur in a material if the density of microscopic defects is larger than some threshold. This research could lead to strategies for directing physical and biological systems towards preferred states or phases, and better prediction of adverse events such as fracturing of Antarctic sea ice.Read moreRead less
Developing mathematical models and statistical methods to understand the dynamics of infectious diseases: stochasticity, structure and inference. Infectious diseases remain a major contributor to mortality and illness worldwide. The potential for future severe pandemics also continues to present a substantial threat to our health and well-being. Mathematics and statistics are increasingly becoming part of the arsenal used by governments to combat the invasion and spread of infectious diseases. I ....Developing mathematical models and statistical methods to understand the dynamics of infectious diseases: stochasticity, structure and inference. Infectious diseases remain a major contributor to mortality and illness worldwide. The potential for future severe pandemics also continues to present a substantial threat to our health and well-being. Mathematics and statistics are increasingly becoming part of the arsenal used by governments to combat the invasion and spread of infectious diseases. In such work, three themes have emerged as having the potential to revolutionise the modelling of infectious diseases: stochasticity, structure (both age and spatial), and inference. This project will develop state-of-the-art techniques, at the interface of these themes, of critical importance to understanding the dynamics of infectious diseases.Read moreRead less
Statistical Modelling in the Era of Data Science: Theory and Practice. This project aims to develop innovative statistical methodology that is interpretable, theoretically justified, and scalable to today's growing complex data. With the influx of data being collected in both the public and private sectors, making sense of this data is a fundamental task. Through a rigorous modelling framework, this project intends to facilitate the discovery of knowledge by developing powerful new tools to extr ....Statistical Modelling in the Era of Data Science: Theory and Practice. This project aims to develop innovative statistical methodology that is interpretable, theoretically justified, and scalable to today's growing complex data. With the influx of data being collected in both the public and private sectors, making sense of this data is a fundamental task. Through a rigorous modelling framework, this project intends to facilitate the discovery of knowledge by developing powerful new tools to extract insight from these complex datasets. The outcomes of this project will benefit society by providing techniques to enable research advances and inform decision-making for a broad base of disciplines, including applications to network security, energy forecasting, environmental monitoring, and public health. Read moreRead less
Increasing internet energy and cost efficiency by improving higher-layer protocols. Australians rely heavily on our telecommunications infrastructure due to our geographic dispersion. We are also very susceptible to climate change, given our reliance on agriculture. Information technology is consuming a rapidly increasing fraction of our power and our budget. This research will help to reverse both those trends, by finding novel and practical ways to use our infrastructure more efficiently, and ....Increasing internet energy and cost efficiency by improving higher-layer protocols. Australians rely heavily on our telecommunications infrastructure due to our geographic dispersion. We are also very susceptible to climate change, given our reliance on agriculture. Information technology is consuming a rapidly increasing fraction of our power and our budget. This research will help to reverse both those trends, by finding novel and practical ways to use our infrastructure more efficiently, and to minimise its energy use. This will enable the Australian telecommunications industry to provide better service (including to Australian industries and rural communities) at lower economic and environmental cost. This project will put Australia on the international stage as a leading contributor to energy-efficient internet technology.Read moreRead less