Name: Andrews Boahen
Pronouns: he/him/his
Institution: Michigan State University
Department: Statistics & Probability
Biography:
I am Andrews Kwasi Boahen, originally from Ghana, and a current PhD candidate in Statistics at Michigan State University. I reflect the values of ambition, thoughtfulness, and generosity and use a philosophical approach to life. I grew up in Lome (Togo) with my two siblings, where I had my education up to high school as a science student. I then transited to my motherland Ghana, to pursue my tertiary education. I grew up watching and playing soccer with neighborhood friends and classmates. Board and video games, puzzles, and story books also occupied a great amount of my time. It was an interesting experience relocating to Ghana because both countries, even though neighbors, have idiosyncratic cultures. I had to quickly adjust to my new environment and slowly found myself immersed in my new society, by joining social groups and making great friends. This adaptation is one of the reasons why I was able to graduate with a first-class honor for my degree in actuarial science and as the valedictorian for my master’s degree at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences. Putting a smile on people’s faces and impacting society through the implementation of innovative research is my main life goal.
Academic Status: PhD Student
Year in program: 2nd
Research Area/Department: Applied Mathematics; Data Science; Machine Learning/AI; other
Other, specify: Probability Theory and its applications
Major/Specialty: Statistics
Degrees Earned or in Progress: Bachelor of Science/ Actuarial Science/ 2019 Master of Science/ Mathematical Sciences/2021 PhD/ Statistics/ In progress
What courses or academic preparation have you completed to prepare for a summer internship experience?
Linear Model Methodology Linear Mixed Models Statistical Inference Probability Theory Numerical Methods Stochastic Processes & Applications Random Fields & Applications Pattern Recognition & Machine Learning Introduction to Differentiable Manifolds Introduction to Python
Have you published any research or worked on research/technical projects? Yes
Where has your research been published or where have you conducted research/technical projects? Our paper titled “”Large deviations for telecommunication systems: The Boolean Model”” has been accepted by the “”Journal of Information and Optimization Sciences.””
Please describe your research/academic interests:
I am interested in probability theory and its various applications. I also enjoy analyzing data and extracting valuable information from it. Building statistical models and establishing statistical properties of estimators is integral to my academic interests. Recently, I have also developed an interest in machine learning theories and some of their applications in medicine, and climate science.
Computational and Data Science Areas:
Applied Mathematics; Computational Science Applications, i.e., Bioscience, Cosmology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Nanotechnology, Climate, etc.; Data Analytics and Visualization; Machine Learning and AI
Research Synergy:
My passion for probability theory, computational, AI/machine learning, and data sciences research is driven by scientific curiosity, a desire to contribute to scientific knowledge, collaborate across disciplines, address real-world challenges, and foster technological innovation. I believe that these interests align well with the mission and objectives of the DOE labs, making me enthusiastic about the opportunity to work on projects that can have a positive impact on society.
Motivation:
First, I view participation in this research program as an invaluable opportunity for personal and intellectual growth. Engaging in state-of-the-art research allows me to expand my skillset, gain expertise in my field of interest, and develop critical thinking abilities. Again, participating in this research program aligns with my long-term career aspirations of becoming a faculty member engaged in research that deeply affects society. This program offers me a unique opportunity to gain hands-on research experience from world leading scientists, build a network of like-minded professionals, and open doors to future career opportunities in academia and industry. Finally, my motivation stems from the prospect of making a meaningful impact on society and addressing pressing global challenges, by proposing solutions that can improve lives, advance technology, and address complex issues in sectors like healthcare, finance, and climate science.
Lightning Talk Title: AKB’s Lightening Talk