CS Dissertation: Jarno Lintusaari reveals recent developments in approximate computational inference

MSc Jarno Lintusaari got excited about statistical modeling and Bayesian inference already during his MSc studies at University of Helsinki. Encouraged by his MSc thesis supervisor Professor Jukka Corander, Jarno continued to do research and started doctoral studies at Professor Samuel Kaski’s group at the Department of Computer Science Aalto University, where he had been earlier as a research assistant. Under the supervision of both Samuel Kaski and Jukka Corander, he first studied the theory and concepts in Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC). ABC refers to a group of algorithms for approximate inference that use a simulator based model to perform statistical inference. Second, Jarno examined how ABC can provide a firm basis for inferring epidemiologies and transmission dynamics of tuberculosis.

Jarno’s supervisor Samuel Kaski’s research group, Probabilistic Machine Learning group, is very active in developing world-class machine learning methods. In such a lively and collaborative research environment, he and his co-authors were able to develop ELFI - Engine for Likelihood-Free Inference. ELFI is a Python software library for performing likelihood-free inference and a joint effort of researchers of Aalto University, University of Helsinki and University of Edinburgh. Whilst ELFI is an openly available tool, it facilitates the spread of the novel and effective statistical methods to a wider research community. ELFI provides multiple practical features for performing ABC inferences, and it can be seen as a solution for many complex research problems in which traditionally used statistical methods are not enough. Thus, ELFI will likely attract new users from researchers working with large data sets at diverse fields of research, such as in epidemiology, evolutionary biology or genetics. “Collaboration was the key in the development work of ELFI”, Jarno says. “The start of my doctoral studies was more like lonely work, but ELFI project taught me how important successful collaboration is in research.”

While Jarno’s research work in terms of doctoral dissertation is becoming to an end, he has stepped into a new career path as Data Scientist in Digital Goodie Ltd. “My new job doesn’t directly relate to my doctoral thesis, but I find my research background and skills learned during the past years very useful.” Finalizing a doctoral degree in 4 years is a tough journey and may sometimes require some creativity and organizational skills as well. “When it comes to my doctoral studies, the greatest lessons learned have been in-depth knowledge on machine learning but also skills on how to prioritize my time and work.”

MSc Jarno Lintusaari will defend his doctoral dissertation "Steps forward in approximate computational inference" on Monday 18 March 2019 at 12 noon at the Aalto University School of Science, lecture hall H304, Otakaari 1, Espoo.

The electronic version of the thesis can be downloaded at Aaltodoc.

Contact information: MSc Jarno Lintusaari, jarno.lintusaari@aalto.fi