Helen Thompson

Part-time Statistics A/Prof @QUT, full-time mum, terrible at adding fractions.

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

There’s a risk that treating AI like a calculator takes away the logical thinking and problem-solving essential for maths students. In reality, maths is what enables us to innovate with AI, and that’s why we focus so strongly on maths at @QUT. 🔢 #AI #STEM

[Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 @RajeevRC_X]

If you are a student , its in ur interest to read this 👇🏻

In a bold shift from tech’s usual advice, @elonmusk and @nvidia CEO Jensen Huang are urging students to focus less on coding and more on physics and mathematics.

In the age of #ArtificialIntelligence, they argue that deep understanding of the world’s core principles will matter more than ever.

As #AI tools become more capable of writing and debugging code, the value of basic programming skills is decreasing. But what cannot be automated is strong conceptual thinking, creative problem-solving, and the scientific mindset that powers innovation. That starts with mastering equations, energy, forces, and logic.

Both Musk and Huang believe that the next wave of breakthroughs will not come from better coders, but from thinkers who understand how reality operates. Whether it’s building rockets, designing chips, or creating smarter AI, the edge will go to those grounded in science and reasoning.

Their message to students and future innovators is clear. Don’t just learn how to talk to machines. Learn how the universe works so you can teach the machines something truly new.

In a future driven by algorithms and AI, it is your understanding of the fundamentals that will set you apart.💪🏻

#AIAge

Courtesy @TrendFuel

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

Elon Musk’s response “Physics (with math)” is exactly what many of our @QUT double degree students are already doing. Physics + Maths builds powerful foundations for innovation across science, technology, and beyond. ⚛️➕🔢 #STEM #QUT

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

@durov Physics (with math)

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

Couldn’t agree more with @durov. It’s inspiring to see our @QUT maths students building the foundations of innovation, from AI to entrepreneurship. 🔢✨ #STEM #Maths

[Pavel Durov @durov]

📚 If you’re a student choosing what to focus on, pick MATH. It will teach you to relentlessly rely on your own brain, think logically, break down problems, and solve them step by step in the right order. That’s the core skill you’ll need to build companies and manage projects.

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

📣 ICOTS 12 is coming to Brisbane, Australia 🇦🇺, 12–17 July 2026!
Submit your abstract to the International Conference on Teaching Statistics:
🗓️ Main Topics: 31 July 2025
🗓️ Contributed: 31 Aug 2025
🌐 https://t.co/oUobTLWwlM
#ICOTS12 #StatEd #DataScience #Brisbane2026

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

Delishiya De Silva from @QUTDataScience giving the opening talk in the reef modelling and monitoring session at #TIES2024. Mean field variational Bayes seems the way to go over MCMC and Laplace for fast computation.

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

Nice when you finish your PhD and get to continue your research in the same area. Mohomed Abraj at #TIES2024

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

Nice to see some familiar faces at #TIES2024 Conference at Mawson Lakes UniSA. Interesting session on Indigenous rock art preservation

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

Sister Angela 🌟 — living legend, QUT alumna , Qld’er of the Year, an AO, doctorates from Griffith, ACU, and UQ. Her work with the Sisters of Mercy is incredible. Spotlight on this remarkable woman! 🙌✨ #Inspiration #SistersOfMercy
https://t.co/pJhZYPimUk

[Jess Cameron @thejesscam]

The Australian Cancer Atlas 2 is live and we've had so much positive feedback! I'm really excited to hear how the wider community, clinicians & researchers respond to ACA 2 & the new ways the Atlas will be used to make change and improve cancer outcomes across Australia & beyond

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

@HaileyH513142 Yuxin Huang tagging you in

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

Love the cancer maps on your posters for the QUT Cancer Network Showcase Yuxin Huang and @JamieAHogg. Great talk @SusannaCramb on the Australian Cancer Atlas, generated a lot of interest @QUTDataScience @CCQld

[Jamie Hogg @JamieAHogg]

Great turnout at the @QUT Cancer Network showcase yesterday. I was privileged to present a poster on mapping cancer risk factors across Australia. I even got a shot with some of my *many* maps and one of my co-authors @SusannaCramb! @QUTDataScience

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

Not quite enough maps though @JamieAHogg 😛

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

Join us as a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Statistical Data Science at QUT Maths School! 📚🎓
🌟 Benefit from close links to the Centre for Data Science. 📊 Inspire the next generation, and drive cutting-edge research.

Apply here👩‍💻
https://t.co/lFn4zk8QyC

[QUT @QUT]

New @QUTDataScience study in @PLOSONE highlights preschool #regional divide, attendance and developmental vulnerabilities: https://t.co/D6mpWZFuGk #QUT #Education @WalaAreed @KerrieMengersen @MHelenThompson

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

🎉Congrats to @WalaAreed 🌟on the publication of her paper "Assessing the spatial structure of the association between attendance at preschool and children’s developmental vulnerabilities in Queensland, Australia". Grateful to be part of your PhD journey.
https://t.co/9ZCmukfcxX

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. @MohomedAbraj for being awarded his PhD today on “Multivariate Anisotropic Spatial Modelling and Sampling Design Using Copulas”! 🎓🌟 As principal supervisor I couldn’t be prouder. Thanks You-Gan Wang for being on our team #PhD #SpatialModelling #Copulas

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

Congratulations to my PhD student @MohomedAbraj for final submission of his thesis ‘Multivariate Anisotropic Spatial Modelling and Sampling Design Using Copulas’. Co-supervised with You-Gan Wang.

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

The default location for fuse boxes in new build houses I’ve been looking at are *outside*. Physically vulnerable people have to leave the safety of their house when their power goes out. Why?!

[Helen Thompson @MHelenThompson]

Congratulations @LeahFSouth

[j-ISBA @j_ISBA]

We are happily announcing winners of the 2022 Blackwell-Rosenbluth Award! They are:

UTC+1 to UTC+13:
Jeremy Heng
Swapnil Mishra
Leah South

UTC-1 to UTC-12:
Sharmistha Guha
Simon Mak
Akihiko Nishimura