Sam Cooper

Department of Mathematical Sciences Alumnus

What do you do?

I graduated from Durham with a first-class master's degree in mathematics and statistics. My academic interests include machine learning, statistical modelling and also uncertainty quantification which was the focus of my final year dissertation.

How are you involved in this area of science? 

In my final year of study, I used techniques learned from the Uncertainty Quantification module to assist a company with a real-world problem. This formed the subject of my dissertation. The company had a complex computer model that simulated pipeline damage, but this model took a lot of computation time. We aimed to create an emulator that could reproduce the output of this complicated model much faster. The emulators we created showed great promise and will hopefully save the company both time and computing resources in the future.

What do you love about this topic?

I think one of the best things about this topic is the broad generalizability. These techniques can be applied to a diverse range of problems and can be useful in any area of research that employs computer models. I also particularly love the blend of theory and real-world impact that Uncertainty Quantification offers.

How does this work deliver real-world impact?

Uncertainty Quantification ensures the reliability of models in many critical areas like engineering, climate science and finance, where obtaining accurate predictions is crucial. Using tools such as Bayes linear emulators we can significantly reduce computational costs and make complex models more accessible and efficient. This could lead to improved safety standards and more optimal strategies for the future, ultimately contributing to a better society.