ECSSN & NZSA webinar-SmP2023: Perspectives from two Early Career Statisticians

SmP2023: Perspectives from two Early Career Statisticians

Join us for a friendly panel discussion where Melissa Middleton and Shih Ching Fu share their experiences as delegates to Science Meets Parliament 2023 (SmP2023).

Every year the SSA sponsors two early career statisticians to attend this event organised by Science and Technology Australia. In 2023, more than 300 attendees and almost 100 parliamentarians spent the day at Parliament House engaged in discussions and meetings about the role of science and technology in Australia’s future.

Come and hear Melissa and Shih Ching answer questions about how their expectations of the day, how they prepared to meet an MP, and other lessons they learned. There will be a time of open questions at the end.

About the presenters:

Melissa Middleton is a postdoctoral biostatistician at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. She completed her PhD in biostatistics through the University of Melbourne in early 2023, where her research focused on evaluating statistical methods for handling missing data in observational studies. More recently, Melissa’s research has focused on Bayesian methods for adaptive platform trials, and she is currently part of the statistical team for an innovative adaptive platform trial developed to improve outcomes from preterm birth.

Shih Ching Fu is a graduate student at the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA) based in Perth, Western Australia. His research involves the application of Bayesian techniques to the analysis of astronomical time-series, namely light curves from radio, optical, and X-ray surveys. His other activities include being Secretary of the WA Branch of the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA) and delivering R training as a certified Carpentries Instructor.