Ying Sun
- Associate Professor, Statistics
- Principal Investigator, Environmental Statistics
KAUST Professor Ying Sun leads a research group focusing on environmental statistics. She is at the forefront of developing advanced models and methodologies in the fields of spatio-temporal statistics, functional data analysis and process monitoring.
Biography
Professor Ying Sun received her Ph.D. in Statistics in 2011 from Texas A&M University, U.S. Following her Ph.D., she joined the research network for Statistical Methods for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (STATMOS) as a postdoctoral researcher, working at both the University of Chicago (UC), U.S., and the Statistical and Applied Mathematical Sciences Institute (SAMSI). She then served as an Assistant Professor of Statistics at Ohio State University, U.S., before joining KAUST in 2014 as an Assistant Professor.
Professor Sun has received numerous awards for her research, including the Section on Statistics and the Environment (ENVR) Early Investigator Award from the American Statistical Association (ASA) in 2017 for her significant contributions to environmental statistics. In 2016, she was honored with the Abdel El-Shaarawi Young Researcher (AEYR) Award from the International Environmetrics Society (TIES) for her outstanding work in spatio-temporal statistics, functional data analysis, and visualization, as well as her service to the profession.
Research Interests
Professor Sun’s research centers on developing statistical models and methods for complex data to address important environmental problems.
Her scientific research has contributed greatly to the understanding of environmental statistics. She is involved in the development of every aspect of spatio-temporal and functional data analysis—from developing informative graphical tools for functional data to building computationally efficient, yet physically realistic models for natural spatio-temporal processes.
Sun also works on broader engineering problems that require reliable statistical process monitoring and quality control.
Awards and Distinctions
- Gordon Bell Prize for Climate Modelling, Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), 2024
- Abdel El-Shaarawi Young Researcher Award, International Environmetrics Society (TIES) Association, 2016
- ENVR Early Investigator Award, American Statistical Association (ASA), 2017
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Statistics, Texas A&M University, United States, 2011
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Mathematics, Tsinghua University, China, 2006
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
- Mathematics, Tsinghua University, China, 2003
Quote
I am excited about statistics by a fascination with randomness, and by the way it brings me to interact with researchers in many areas, to learn and to discover with curiosity.
Research Achievements
Professor Sun has published 55 journal articles. Her publications reflect his research interests on environmental statistics. She is also an Associate Editor of Stat.
Questions and Answers
Why KAUST?
The great people at KAUST and the diverse community brought me to KAUST. KAUST is more than a university. The active living environment makes my body and mind feel nourished and alive.
Why environmental statistics?
I am excited about statistics by a fascination with randomness, and by the way, it brings me to interact with researchers in many areas, to learn and to discover with curiosity.