Statistics graduate program director Lizhen Lin works to understand the math behind artificial intelligence and machine learning while guiding the next generation of data scientists at UMD.

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Deep within Kirwan Hall, Mathematics Professor Lizhen Lin is always hunting for patterns—but not the kind found in fabrics or wallpaper. Lin, who began her position as director of UMD’s statistics graduate program in July 2023, is on a quest to understand the hidden mathematical patterns that help artificial intelligence (AI) make sense of the world around us.

“Imagine data existing in a three-dimensional space, much like the world we live in,” Lin explained. “Sometimes, even though the data can appear three-dimensional, it might actually center around something simpler, like a circle, which is one-dimensional. Deep learning methods are particularly good at finding these simpler patterns within a lot of complex data. As a statistician, I want to understand the foundational mechanisms behind how modern AI can process these vast amounts of data so effectively.”

Lin’s research dives deep into AI’s mathematical DNA by studying the fundamental theories that support modern machine learning, combining geometry, statistics and deep learning theory. She specializes in analyzing data with geometric properties and develops sophisticated statistical models such as Bayesian models for analyzing these complex data. These complex models work much like human learning: starting with an initial belief and continuously updating it based on new evidence. Holistically, Lin’s work bridges traditional statistics and mathematics with modern real-world applications. 

As AI and machine learning continue to transform industries ranging from social media platforms to health care, Lin’s research provides crucial insights into how these systems work and how they can be improved through understanding the foundations behind AI and machine learning. 

“Lizhen is a global expert in her field with skills of great interest to those pursuing modern data science,” said Mathematics Chair and Professor Doron Levy. “Her arrival at UMD opens many opportunities for our graduate students, including collaborative research efforts both within our community and beyond.”  

Modernizing statistics at UMD

As Lin looks to the future of statistics and its role in the evolution of AI, she also looks to her past for inspiration on how to better prepare a new generation of statisticians for a rapidly changing world. 

“My love for math was always there, starting from when I was a young girl growing up in China years ago. Numbers always made sense to me,” she said. “No one pushed me to love puzzles and logic, but I would not have been able to get where I am, studying what I study now, without some much-needed support from the people around me throughout my journey.”

For Lin, many of the most pivotal moments in her life and academic career were triggered by encountering the right teacher or mentor at the right time.  

“When I was attending college in China, one of my female professors opened my eyes to the possibility of continuing graduate studies in the United States,” she said. “I would never have imagined such a great opportunity for myself, but her guidance at the time opened these doors I never realized existed.”

That encouragement and guidance set Lin on a path that took her from the University of Arizona for her Ph.D. to Duke University for postdoctoral work and to teaching positions at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Notre Dame before she landed at UMD in 2023. It’s the kind of experience she hopes to share with new generations of statistics students. 

“In mathematics, we often talk about building on foundational work,” Lin said. “It applies to artificial intelligence and its advancement, but it’s also true in mentorship. Every student who succeeds becomes a potential mentor for others, creating a network of support that only grows stronger over time.” 

Looking forward, Lin hopes to continue expanding and evolving the statistics graduate program at UMD. As director, she oversees the recruitment of Ph.D students and curriculum development, and she hopes to increase cross-disciplinary initiatives within the statistics program and the Department of Mathematics. 

She is currently contributing to the development of a new bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence—a field she believes will only grow in importance. Lin’s own journey reflects the expanding appeal of computational fields and their potential to inspire new generations of scientists.

“Over the last few decades, so many students have wanted to get into STEM because of these developments in computer science, data science and AI. This is particularly true for women, a traditionally underrepresented population in the field,” she said. “I want to ensure that statisticians and data scientists here at UMD receive the support they need to push the boundaries of what’s possible in this rapidly changing field.” 

Written by Georgia Jiang