Meet the Lecturer – Sharon Lee

We talk to Dr Sharon Lee about using mathematics to solve real-life problems in STEM fields and her biggest achievement to date

1. How do you explain your work and its real-world impact to people outside of the mathematical sciences?

One of my research focus is in the area of model-based clustering. Clustering is one of the most useful tasks in data analysis. It is the automatic grouping of data/objects based on similar characteristics. Clustering algorithms are powerful tools for discovering interesting patterns and structures in the data, and have important applications in many fields; to name a few, medical image segmentation, sequence analysis in bioinformatics, network intrusion detection, crime analysis, and investment portfolio optimization.

My other research interests include the broad areas of mathematical statistics, computational statistics, statistical modelling, machine learning, pattern recognition, and applications in related areas.

2. Best piece of advice you’ve received (does not have to be career related)?

Don’t try to impress everyone but to inspire them. Inspiring others and seeing them to fulfill themselves is more satisfying and rewarding than trying hard to impress others.

3. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

It would be amazing if I touch my desk with a magic wand and all the work is done in a second. I can have some more time for my loved ones and pets.

4. Rock star scientist, master chef, closet artist, what is something about you that might surprise people?

Friends may be surprised if they know that I have great interest in four-wheel drive vehicles, especially those with special upgrades and interesting modifications. When time allows, I would service or improve my Landcruiser in my equipped garage.

5. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

I would be busy travelling. In the past few years, I have been travelling several times a year to present invited talks at various international conferences. This Christmas/summer break, I would be at London or elsewhere in Europe if not for the COVID-19 and the travel restrictions.

Dr Sharon Lee will be presenting the topic Multivariate Statistical Analysis at the 2021 Summer School at The University of Adelaide in January.