Tim White

Tim White

Statistics PhD student

University of Michigan

Hello!

I’m a third-year PhD student in the Department of Statistics at the University of Michigan. I work with Jeff Regier on developing scalable Bayesian methods and applying them to problems in the physical sciences, namely astrophysics. My work involves a combination of Monte Carlo methods and machine learning. I also help teach courses about data mining, statistical modeling, and Bayesian inference.

Interests
  • Sequential Monte Carlo
  • Variational inference
  • Diffusion models
  • Astrostatistics
Education

  • Ph.D. in Statistics, 2022-Present

    University of Michigan

  • M.A. in Statistics, 2022-2024

    University of Michigan

  • B.S. in Statistical Science, 2018-2022

    University of Minnesota

Publications

Sequential Monte Carlo for detecting and deblending objects in astronomical images
Many of the objects imaged by the forthcoming generation of astronomical surveys will overlap visually. These objects are known as …
Tim White, Jeffrey Regier
PDF Cite Code
Estimating the lifetime risk of a false positive screening test result
False positive results in screening tests have potentially severe psychological, medical, and financial consequences for the recipient. …
Tim White, Sara Algeri
PDF Cite Code R Shiny

Talks and posters

Sequential Monte Carlo for probabilistic object detection in images
Bayesian Methods for Network and Image Analysis, 2024 Joint Statistical Meetings.
Aug 5, 2024 Portland, OR
Tim White, Jeffrey Regier
Slides
Sequential Monte Carlo for detecting and deblending objects in astronomical images
Workshop on Machine Learning and the Physical Sciences, NeurIPS 2023. Also presented at the 2024 U of M Department of Statistics Visit Day and the 2024 Michigan Student Symposium for Interdisciplinary Statistical Sciences (MSSISS).
Dec 15, 2023 New Orleans, LA
Tim White, Jeffrey Regier
Poster Slides
Estimating the lifetime risk of a false positive screening test result
Student paper competition for ASA Section on Medical Devices and Diagnostics, 2022 Joint Statistical Meetings.
Aug 8, 2022 2:00 PM Washington, DC
Tim White, Sara Algeri
Slides

Projects

Sequential Monte Carlo for probabilistic cell detection in microscopy images
BIOSTAT 882 final project, University of Michigan.
PDF Code
Waste-free sequential Monte Carlo for light source detection in astronomical images
STATS 608 final project, University of Michigan. With Jaylin Lowe.
PDF Code Slides
Forecasting the weather with deep learning
STATS 604 project #4, University of Michigan. With Jaylin Lowe and Gabriel Patron.
PDF Code Slides
Did machine learning reveal symbolism, emotionality, and imaginativeness as primary predictors of creativity?
STATS 604 project #3, University of Michigan. With Xuanyu Chen and Gabriel Patron.
PDF Code Slides
Analyzing mortality and its determinants among individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
STATS 601 final project, University of Michigan.
PDF Code
MLBdash
R Shiny dashboard with projected MLB standings and team statistics dating back to 1998.
Code R Shiny

Teaching

DATASCI 451 - Bayesian Data Analysis
Department of Statistics, University of Michigan Aug 2024 – Apr 2025
DATASCI 415 - Data Mining and Statistical Learning
Department of Statistics, University of Michigan Jan 2024 – Apr 2024
STATS 401 - Applied Statistical Methods II
Department of Statistics, University of Michigan Aug 2023 – Dec 2023
STATS 306 - Introduction to Statistical Computing
Department of Statistics, University of Michigan Jan 2023 – Apr 2023
STATS 250 - Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis
Department of Statistics, University of Michigan Aug 2022 – Dec 2022

Work experience

 
 
 
 
 
Minnesota Population Center
Research Assistant, IPUMS International
Minnesota Population Center
January 2019 – May 2022 Minneapolis, MN
 
 
 
 
 
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Intern, Population and Development Branch
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
September 2021 – March 2022 New York, NY (remote)