Ting Wang, Our people, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Otago, New Zealand

(PhD (Massey University, Dean’s List of Exceptional Doctoral Theses);
MSc (graduated 1 year ahead of schedule), BSc (Beijing Normal University)) Generic Silhouette

Office: Science III, room 518
Tel +64 3 479 7773
Email ting.wang@otago.ac.nz

About

I completed my BSc and MSc in Mathematical Statistics at Beijing Normal University. During my Master’s study, I worked for a seismologist on a summer project to statistically distinguish earthquake signals from background noise in groundwater level data. I was fascinated by the fact that I could apply my statistical skills to solve a real-world problem, which led me to further my studies in New Zealand. After completing my PhD in Statistics and working as a postdoc at Massey University, I joined the University of Otago as a Lecturer in Statistics in 2012. My research field is multidisciplinary centering on the interface of statistics and geophysics. My main focus has been on the development of novel statistical models and their application to real-world problems in geosciences.

Professional Positions:

2021- Associate Professor, University of Otago
2017-2020 Senior Lecturer, University of Otago
2012-2016 Lecturer, University of Otago
2012.7-2012.11 Visiting Research Fellow, Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo
2010-2011 Postdoctoral Fellow, Volcanic Risk Solutions, Massey University

Teaching responsibilities

My teaching responsibilities include:

STAT 270 Probability and Inference
STAT 370 Statistical Inference
STAT 372 Stochastic Modelling
STAT 402 Regression Models for Complex Data

Research Interests

My research interests span across statistical theories and applications, including:

Point process theory
Stochastic models, especially in geophysics
Hidden Markov models and their applications
Survival analysis

My main application areas include modelling earthquakes, slow slip events, geodetic measurements, volcanic eruptions, and more recently geomagnetic storms.

Research Grants

2022-2025 Principal Investigator, Science Leader, MBIE Smart Ideas, “Forecasting future megaquakes on New Zealand’s biggest fault: The Hikurangi subduction zone”, $1M.
2020-2025 Research Aim leader and Key Researcher, MBIE Endeavour Research Program, “Solar Tsunamis: Space-Weather Prediction and Risk Mitigation for New Zealand's Energy Infrastructure", $15M (Leader: Craig Rodger).
2019-2024 Research Aim leader and Key Researcher, MBIE Endeavor Research Programme, “Transitioning Taranaki to a Volcanic Future”, $13M (Leaders: Shane Cronin, University of Auckland; Garry McDonald, Market Economics Ltd.).
2015-2018 Principal Investigator, Marsden Fund Fast-Start "Developing inversion methods for non-stationary thinning of point processes", $300K.
2015-2017 Associate Investigator, Natural Hazards Research Platform contestable grant, “First steps to a national volcano hazard model: Estimation of time varying hazard from New Zealand volcanoes through expert elicitation and Bayesian analogues”, $289K (Principal investigator: Mark Bebbington, Massey University).

Postdoc opportunities

Fully funded postdoctoral position in earthquake detection/slow slip detection/statistical modelling of seismic swarms

New PhD and MSc opportunities

PhD: Detecting seismic swarms using stochastic models
PhD: Modelling occurrence patterns of slow slip events
MSc: Time series analysis of geomagnetic storms

Awards

2017 University of Otago Early Career Award for Distinction in Research
2013 Worsley Early Career Research Award from the New Zealand Statistical Association

Postgraduate students

PhD Students

Current:

Yiming Ma (co-supervising with: Fabien Montiel)

Completed:

Jonathan Griffin (Department of Geology) (Primary supervisor: Mark Stirling, Co-supervisor: Matt Gerstenberger)
Amina Shahzadi (Co-supervisors: Matthew Parry, Mark Bebbington)
Henry Ndukwe (School of Pharmacy) (Primary supervisor: Prasad Nishtala, Co-supervisors: June Tordoff)
Emily Kawabata (Massey University) (Primary supervisor: Mark Bebbington, Co-supervisors: Shane Cronin, Gill Jolly)

MSc Students

Jessica Allen, 2022
Joel Carman, 2022 (Co-supervisors: Marco Brenna, Mark Bebbington, Shane Cronin)
Lara Najim, 2022 (Co-supervisor: Matthew Parry)
Jodie Buckby, 2018 (completed)
Yunan Wang, 2016 (completed)

Honours and PGDipSci students

Jessica Allen, 2021
Joel Carman, 2021
Willie Huang, 2018
Jie Kang, 2017
Qing Ruan, 2017 (Primary supervisor: Tilman Davies)
Jodie Buckby, 2016
Yunan Wang, 2015

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Publications

Wang, T., Bebbington, M., Cronin, S., & Carman, J. (2022). Forecasting eruptions at poorly known volcanoes using analogs and multivariate renewal processes. Geophysical Research Letters, 49, e2021GL096715. doi: 10.1029/2021GL096715

Stoltz, M., Stoltz, G., Obara, K., Wang, T., & Bryant, D. (2021). Acceleration of hidden Markov model fitting using graphical processing units, with application to low-frequency tremor classification. Computers & Geosciences, 156(104902). doi: 10.1016/j.cageo.2021.104902

Wang, T., Schofield, M., Bebbington, M., & Kiyosugi, K. (2020). Bayesian modelling of marked point processes with incomplete records: Volcanic eruptions. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series C, 69(1), 109-130. doi: 10.1111/rssc.12380

Buckby, J., Wang, T., Zhuang, J., & Obara, K. (2020). Model checking for hidden Markov models. Journal of Computational & Graphical Statistics, 29(4), 859-874. doi: 10.1080/10618600.2020.1743295

Zhuang, J., Wang, T., & Kiyosugi, K. (2020). Detection and replenishment of missing data in marked point processes. Statistica Sinica, 30(4), 2105-2130. doi: 10.5705/ss.202017.0403

Journal - Research Article

Buckby, J., Wang, T., Zhuang, J., & Obara, K. (2020). Model checking for hidden Markov models. Journal of Computational & Graphical Statistics, 29(4), 859-874. doi: 10.1080/10618600.2020.1743295

Journal - Research Article

Zhuang, J., Wang, T., & Kiyosugi, K. (2020). Detection and replenishment of missing data in marked point processes. Statistica Sinica, 30(4), 2105-2130. doi: 10.5705/ss.202017.0403

Journal - Research Article

Griffin, J. D., Stirling, M. W., & Wang, T. (2020). Periodicity and clustering in the long-term earthquake record. Geophysical Research Letters, 47, e2020GL089272. doi: 10.1029/2020GL089272

Journal - Research Article

Lube, G., Breard, E. C. P., Jones, J., Fullard, L., Dufek, J., Cronin, S. J., & Wang, T. (2019). Generation of air lubrication within pyroclastic density currents. Nature Geoscience, 12, 381-386. doi: 10.1038/s41561-019-0338-2

Journal - Research Article

Peng, M., Coutts, D., Wang, T., & Cakmak, Y. O. (2019). Systematic review of olfactory shifts related to obesity. Obesity Reviews, 20, 325-338. doi: 10.1111/obr.12800

Journal - Research Article

Wang, T., Zhuang, J., Buckby, J., Obara, K., & Tsuruoka, H. (2018). Identifying the recurrence patterns of nonvolcanic tremors using a 2-D hidden Markov model with extra zeros. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 123, 6802-6825. doi: 10.1029/2017JB015360

Journal - Research Article

Wang, Y., Wang, T., & Zhaung, J. (2018). Modeling continuous time series with many zeros and an application to earthquakes. Environmetrics, 29(4), e2500. doi: 10.1002/env.2500

Journal - Research Article

Bebbington, M. S., Stirling, M. W., Cronin, S., Wang, T., & Jolly, G. (2018). National-level long-term eruption forecasts by expert elicitation. Bulletin of Volcanology, 80, 56. doi: 10.1007/s00445-018-1230-4

Journal - Research Article

Wang, T., Zhuang, J., Obara, K., & Tsuruoka, H. (2017). Hidden Markov modelling of sparse time series from non-volcanic tremor observations. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series C, 66(4), 691-715. doi: 10.1111/rssc.12194

Journal - Research Article

Stirling, M., Bebbington, M., Brenna, M., Cronin, S., Christophersen, A., Deligne, N., … Wang, T., White, J. D. L., … Wilson, T. (2017). Conceptual development of a National Volcanic Hazard Model for New Zealand. Frontiers in Earth Science, 5, 51. doi: 10.3389/feart.2017.00051

Journal - Research Article

Zhuang, J., Ogata, Y., & Wang, T. (2017). Data completeness of the Kumamoto earthquake sequence in the JMA catalog and its influence on the estimation of the ETAS parameters. Earth, Planets & Space, 69(1), 36. doi: 10.1186/s40623-017-0614-6

Journal - Research Article

Williams, J. N., Toy, V. G., Massiot, C., McNamara, D. D., & Wang, T. (2016). Damaged beyond repair? Characterising the damage zone of a fault late in its interseismic cycle, the Alpine Fault, New Zealand. Journal of Structural Geology, 90, 76-94. doi: 10.1016/j.jsg.2016.07.006

Journal - Research Article

Kawabata, E., Bebbington, M. S., Cronin, S. J., & Wang, T. (2016). Optimal likelihood-based matching of volcanic sources and deposits in the Auckland Volcanic Field. Journal of Volcanology & Geothermal Research, 323, 194-208. doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2016.05.004

Journal - Research Article

Ndukwe, H. C., Wang, T., Tordoff, J. M., Croucher, M. J., & Nishtala, P. S. (2016). Geographic variation in psychotropic drug utilisation among older people in New Zealand. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 35(4), 242-248. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12298

Journal - Research Article

Ndukwe, H. C., Nishtala, P. S., Wang, T., & Tordoff, J. M. (2016). Quality use of antipsychotic medicines in residential aged care facilities in New Zealand. Journal of Primary Health Care, 8(4), 335-343. doi: 10.1071/HC15054

Journal - Research Article

Kiyosugi, K., Connor, C., Sparks, R. S. J., Crossweller, H. S., Brown, S. K., Siebert, L., Wang, T., & Takarada, S. (2015). How many explosive eruptions are missing from the geologic record? Analysis of the quaternary record of large magnitude explosive eruptions in Japan. Journal of Applied Volcanology, 4, 17. doi: 10.1186/s13617-015-0035-9

Journal - Research Article

Kawabata, E., Cronin, S. J., Bebbington, M. S., Moufti, M. R. H., El-Masry, N., & Wang, T. (2015). Identifying multiple eruption phases from a compound tephra blanket: An example of the AD1256 Al-Madinah eruption, Saudi Arabia. Bulletin of Volcanology, 77, 6. doi: 10.1007/s00445-014-0890-y

Journal - Research Article

Zheng, H., Li, Y., Chen, J. M., Wang, T., Huang, Q., Huang, W. X., … Jiang, F. (2015). A global carbon assimilation system based on a dual optimization method. Biogeosciences, 12(4), 1131-1150. doi: 10.5194/bg-12-1131-2015

Journal - Research Article

Zheng, H., Li, Y., Chen, J., Wang, T., Huang, Q., & Sheng, Y. (2014). Applying a dual optimization method to quantify carbon fluxes: Recent progress in carbon flux inversion. Chinese Science Bulletin, 59(2), 222-226. doi: 10.1007/s11434-013-0016-5

Journal - Research Article

Nishtala, P. S., Narayan, S. W., Wang, T., & Hilmer, S. N. (2014). Associations of drug burden index with falls, general practitioner visits, and mortality in older people. Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety, 23(7), 753-758. doi: 10.1002/pds.3624

Journal - Research Article

Ndukwe, H. C., Tordoff, J. M., Wang, T., & Nishtala, P. S. (2014). Psychotropic medicine utilization in older people in New Zealand from 2005 to 2013. Drugs & Aging, 31(10), 755-768. doi: 10.1007/s40266-014-0205-1

Journal - Research Article

Wang, T., Zhuang, J., Kato, T., & Bebbington, M. (2013). Assessing the potential improvement in short-term earthquake forecasts from incorporation of GPS data. Geophysical Research Letters, 40(11), 2631-2635. doi: 10.1002/grl.50554

Journal - Research Article

Wang, T., & Bebbington, M. (2013). Robust estimation for the Weibull process applied to eruption records. Mathematical Geosciences, 45(7), 851-872. doi: 10.1007/s11004-013-9461-6

Journal - Research Article

Kawabata, E., Bebbington, M. S., Cronin, S. J., & Wang, T. (2013). Modeling thickness variability in tephra deposition. Bulletin of Volcanology, 75(8), 738. doi: 10.1007/s00445-013-0738-x

Journal - Research Article

Wang, T., & Bebbington, M. (2013). Identifying anomalous signals in GPS data using HMMs: An increased likelihood of earthquakes? Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, 58, 27-44. doi: 10.1016/j.csda.2011.09.019

Journal - Research Article

Wang, T., & Bebbington, M. (2012). Estimating the likelihood of an eruption from a volcano with missing onsets in its record. Journal of Volcanology & Geothermal Research, 243-244, 14-23. doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2012.06.032

Journal - Research Article

Wang, T., Bebbington, M., & Harte, D. (2012). Markov-modulated Hawkes process with stepwise decay. Annals of the Institute of Statistical Mathematics, 64(3), 521-544. doi: 10.1007/s10463-010-0320-7

Journal - Research Article

Wang, T., Bebbington, M., & Harte, D. (2011). Extracting coseismic signals from groundwater level. Mathematical Geosciences, 43, 799-817. doi: 10.1007/s11004-011-9356-3

Journal - Research Article

Wang, T., Bebbington, M., & Harte, D. S. (2010). A comparative study of coherence, mutual information and cross-intensity models. International Journal of Information & Systems Sciences, 6(1), 49-60.

Journal - Research Article

Wang, T., Li, Y., & Cui, H. (2007). On weighted randomly trimmed means. Journal of Systems Science & Complexity, 20(1), 47-65. doi: 10.1007/s11424-007-9004-7

Journal - Research Article

Wang, T., Ma, L., Li, Y., & Huang, J. (2006). Limited power Law formula and Omori law. Earthquake Research in China, 22(3), 321-326.

Journal - Research Article

Wang, T. (2010). Statistical models for earthquakes incorporating ancillary data (PhD). Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. 213p.

Awarded Doctoral Degree

Wang, T. (2006). Weighted randomly trimmed means and their asymptotic and robust properties (MSc). Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China. 34p.

Awarded Masters Degree

Wang, T., Zhuang, J., Kato, T., & Bebbington, M. (2013). Assessing the potential improvement in short-term earthquake forecasts from incorporation of GPS data. Proceedings of the 8th International Workshop on Statistical Seismology. Retrieved from http://geophy.pku.edu.cn/statsei8/file/statsei8_program.pdf

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Kawabata, E., Bebbington, M., Cronin, S., & Wang, T. (2014). Bayesian age reconciliation for the Auckland Volcanic Field. Proceedings of the Australian Statistical Conference in conjunction with the Institute of Mathematical Statistics Annual Meeting. Retrieved from http://ims-asc2014.com/program/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Ndukwe, H. C., Tordoff, J. M., Wang, T., & Nishtala, P. S. (2014). Psychotropic drug utilisation in older people in New Zealand from 2005 to 2013. Proceedings of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT) and the Molecular Pharmacology of G Protein-Coupled Receptors (MPGPCR) Joint Scientific Meeting. (pp. 16). Retrieved from http://www.asceptasm.com/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Wang, T., & Bebbington, M. (2013). Incompletely observed point processes in time: An application to volcanic eruption records. Proceedings of the Joint New Zealand Statistical Association (NZSA) and Operations Research Society of New Zealand (ORSNZ) Conference: Analytics for a Changing World: From Data to Decisions. (pp. 55). Retrieved from https://secure.orsnz.org.nz/conf47/index.php

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Kawabata, E., Bebbington, M. S., Cronin, S. J., Moufti, R., & Wang, T. (2013). Multi-vent/lobe tephra deposition from the 1256 Al-Madinah eruption, Saudi Arabia. Proceedings of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI) Scientific Assembly. Retrieved from http://www.kazan.or.jp/iavcei2013/index.html

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Kawabata, E., Bebbington, M. S., Cronin, S. J., & Wang, T. (2013). Modelling thickness variability in tephra deposition. Proceedings of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI) Scientific Assembly. Retrieved from http://www.kazan.or.jp/iavcei2013/index.html

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Kawabata, E., Bebbington, M., Cronin, S., & Wang, T. (2013). Bayesian age reconciliation for the Auckland volcanic field. Proceedings of the Joint New Zealand Statistical Association (NZSA) and Operations Research Society of New Zealand (ORSNZ) Conference: Analytics for a Changing World: From Data to Decisions. (pp. 64). Retrieved from https://secure.orsnz.org.nz/conf47/index.php

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Ndukwe, H. C., Tordoff, J. M., Wang, T., & Nishtala, P. S. (2013). Utilisation of psychotropic medicines in older people in New Zealand from 2005 to 2011. Proceedings of the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) Conference. Retrieved from http://apsa-online.org/home.html

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Deaker, L., Harraway, J., Wang, T., Parry, M., Schofield, M., Cox, N., & Davie, G. (2014, August). Where is Statistics heading? What should we be doing to future proof the profession? Invited presentation at the Box Plot II Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Wang, T., Bebbington, M., & Harte, D. (2011, June-July). Investigation of seismicity rate using Markov-modulated Hawkes process with stepwise decay. Verbal presentation at the XXV International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) General Assembly: Earth on the Edge: Science for a Sustainable Planet, Melbourne, Australia.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Wang, T., & Bebbington, M. (2011, June-July). Robust estimation for the Weibull process applied to eruption records. Poster session presented at the XXV International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) General Assembly: Earth on the Edge: Science for a Sustainable Planet, Melbourne, Australia.

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Wang, T. (2010, June-July). Markov-modulated Hawkes process with stepwise decay. Verbal presentation at the 61st New Zealand Statistical Association Annual Conference in conjunction with the Statistical Methodologies Symposium, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Wang, T., & Bebbington, M. S. (2009). Mutual information between GPS measurements and earthquakes. Proceedings of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting. Retrieved from http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm09/program/index.php

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

More publications...

Associate Professor Ting Wang

About

Teaching responsibilities

Research Interests

Research Grants

Postdoc opportunities

New PhD and MSc opportunities

Awards

Postgraduate students

PhD Students

MSc Students

Honours and PGDipSci students

Publications