Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time: 1:00–2:00 p.m. Eastern time
Location: On Zoom
Join us for the next NISS-CANSSI Collaborative Data Science Webinar, focusing on “Statistical Ecology.”
This session brings together leading researchers working at the intersection of statistics, ecology, and data science to discuss cutting-edge methodologies and applications in ecological monitoring, spatial analysis, and population modelling.
This virtual webinar will feature Dr. Laura Cowen (University of Victoria) and Dr. Patrick D. O’Hara (ECCC-CWS, Institute of Ocean Sciences), whose work integrates statistical innovation with real-world ecological challenges. Moderated by Dr. Saman Muthukumarana (University of Manitoba), the discussion will provide insights into collaborative, data-intensive research driving ecological understanding and conservation efforts in Canada and beyond.
Dr. Laura L.E. Cowen is a Professor of Statistics in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Victoria and currently serves as the Acting Dean of Science. She joined the university in 2005 as an Assistant Professor and has since held various leadership roles, including Associate Chair of her department and the inaugural Associate Dean of Research for the Faculty of Science. Dr. Cowen specializes in ecological statistics, with a focus on capture-recapture methodologies used to estimate population parameters such as survival and abundance. Her research encompasses a wide range of applications, including studies on human populations, fisheries, aquaculture, and seabirds. She has collaborated with scientists across disciplines—ecologists, fisheries scientists, microbiologists, and sociologists—to address complex ecological and public health problems. Her academic journey began with extensive field research on seabirds in British Columbia and Alaska. She earned her Master of Mathematics in Biostatistics from the University of Waterloo and her PhD in Statistics from Simon Fraser University, focusing on developing models to estimate the population size of hidden populations. Beyond her research, Dr. Cowen is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in academia. As Associate Dean of Research, she initiated the Faculty of Science’s EDI Council and has been instrumental in launching programs to support underrepresented groups in science, such as the formation of a campus chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and the establishment of Indigenous student travel scholarships. Dr. Cowen’s contributions to statistical science and her dedication to fostering inclusive research environments have made her a respected leader in her field.
Dr. Patrick D. O’Hara is a Scientist in the Integrated Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, Environment and Climate Change Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service (ECCC-CWS), and the Institute of Ocean Sciences.
Dr. Saman Muthukumarana is a Professor and Head of the Department of Statistics at the University of Manitoba, where he also serves as Director of the Data Science Nexus. He joined the department as an Assistant Professor in July 2010, was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2016, and became a full Professor in 2022. Dr. Muthukumarana received his BSc Honours Special Degree in Statistics from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. He went on to complete an MSc in Statistics at Simon Fraser University in 2007. His MSc work was recognized as a discussed paper in the Canadian Journal of Statistics. He continued his graduate studies under the supervision of Dr. Tim Swartz, completing his PhD in June 2010, with research focused on Bayesian methods and applications. His doctoral work has been published in the Canadian Journal of Statistics and the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Statistics. His primary research interests are centred on Bayesian methods and computation for complex models, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary applications. He has developed novel methodologies to support modelling and inference on non-standard and complex data types, enabling innovative analyses across various domains including social networks, health studies, sports analytics, customer and user behaviour, and environmental and ecological studies. Dr. Muthukumarana has secured over $8.4 million in research funding independently and collaboratively from numerous sources. These include the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Mitacs Globalink and Accelerate, Manitoba Institute of Child Health (MICH), Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Canadian Statistical Sciences Institute (CANSSI), Research Manitoba, and several internal and interdisciplinary grants from the University of Manitoba.
In an era where data transcends traditional boundaries, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration has never been more crucial. Together with the National Institute of Statistical Sciences (NISS), we are proud to present the NISS-CANSSI Collaborative Data Science webinar series dedicated to showcasing data scientists and domain scientists from diverse scientific fields who collaborate to advance science. This initiative celebrates the power of collaboration, demonstrating how the fusion of data science with various disciplines can drive innovation, solve complex problems, and push the frontiers of knowledge beyond the realm of statistics.
Each session will feature two speakers: a data scientist and a subject matter expert from another domain who have successfully partnered to achieve impactful results. Through their shared experiences and insights, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the collaborative processes that bridge gaps between different scientific landscapes. These seminars will not only highlight successful partnerships but also provide a platform for exchanging ideas, methodologies, and best practices that inspire new collaborations.