Minh Long
Queensland University of Technology
I am an MPhil student at Queensland University of Technology, specialising in computational Bayesian statistics. Before coming to Australia, I completed a bachelor’s degree in statistical sciences at University of Bologna, Italy. I am interested in developing and implementing efficient methods for complex statistical problems.
Can you give me a quick rundown about the type of mathematics you are studying and its potential impacts for the broader community (think how you would explain your work and studies to others who don’t study maths)
I am interested in Bayesian inference, which is particularly useful when one wants to incorporate prior knowledge into the modelling process. However, it can be computationally expensive to perform Bayesian inference. My research focuses on improving the efficiency of existing computational Bayesian statistics methods and proposing novel, efficient methods for complex modelling problems.
How did you get into mathematics/statistics/data science? Was there someone or something that inspired you to this field?
I was interested in applications of agent-based modelling in economics but didn’t want to study economics. That led me to statistics.
You received a Travel Grant to attend AMSI Summer School 2024. How important was this in terms of your ability to attend, fully participate in the program and meet others studying in similar fields? Do you think it was an advantage to attend the program in-person?
Attending the summer school in person was the best part of the program. Without the travel grant, it wouldn’t have been possible due to the high cost of living in Sydney. I had the chance to meet fascinating people with diverse research interests, attend brainteaser and special lecture events, and experience the mesmerising venues at the University of Sydney (definitely feel like Hogwarts sometimes). It was also my first time visiting Sydney, and I really enjoyed the city, including the lovely pigeons and seagulls near Town Hall and the Opera House.
What was the most valuable part of the program for you?
The time series for engineering unit was helpful to me. It will be useful for my future projects. Honourable mentions: I also like “quant” sessions as I always want to become a “quant”. I like Eddie Woo – his talk was quite inspirational.
In the long-term, what do you think are the benefits of having attended Summer School?
I met a lot of people there, whom I keep in touch with after the summer school. These connections are valuable in the long-term. Talking to people from various industries gave me insight into what I need to prepare for in terms of skills and knowledge to secure a job and meet industry demands.
Summer School included a special Careers Day program which aims to help give students an idea of the kinds of career paths available to maths graduates in industry and private sector research areas. Do you feel better equipped to explore career options in the mathematical sciences after attending AMSI Summer School?
Absolutely. I knew a lot more about the recruitment process of various types of positions after the event.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering applying for Summer School in 2026? Should they apply and why?
Just go for it!!! That is going to be a wonderful journey.
What are your current career ambitions in the mathematical sciences sector?
Currently, I am focusing on my research projects. I am generally open to opportunities in academia and industry.
How did connecting with the community at AMSI Summer School support your experience?
To be honest, I had never attended any extracurricular programs with that many “mathematics” people before. Their backgrounds were quite diverse, and there was a lot of fun talking about our research projects and silly mathematics stuff.