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14th High Dimensional Data Analysis Workshop (HDDA-XIV)

Learn more about the 14th High Dimensional Data Analysis Workshop, hosted at the Central Michigan University Biological Station on Beaver Island Aug. 19-22, 2025.

Hybrid - both in-person and online presentation options are available.


An aerial view of the CMU Biological Station on the shore of Lake Michigan.

August 19-22, 2025

Central Michigan University Biological Station

Beaver Island, MI 49782

    In recent times, data analysis has been undergoing a profound technological transformation. The proliferation of data sources and big data sets has been substantial. From social media networks to public health, bioinformatics to personalized medicine, environmental studies to nanoscience, and even financial analysis, diverse domains are continually facing new challenges. This growth surge has not only been confined to academic research; rather, it has permeated the practical spheres of businesses and government at all levels. As a response to this evolving landscape, there is an imperative to design new algorithms that can effectively scale with the dimensions of these enormous datasets. In parallel, the development of new theoretical tools is essential to comprehend the statistical properties inherent to these algorithms. Promising breakthroughs in this realm encompass techniques such as variable selection, penalized methods, and variational inference, marking the frontier of advancements in data analysis and interpretation.

    Since its inception in 2011 at the Fields Institute in Toronto, HDDA has gathered leading researchers in the area of high-dimensional statistics and data analysis. The objectives include:

    • To highlight and expand the breadth of existing methods in high-dimensional data analysis and their potential for the advance of both mathematical and statistical sciences.
    • To identify important directions for future research in the theory of regularization methods and variational inference, in algorithmic development, and in methodology for different application areas, facilitate collaboration between theoretical and subject-area researchers (econometrics, finance, social science, biostatistics…).
    • To provide opportunities for highly qualified personnel to meet and interact with leading researchers in the area.

    HDDA XIV promises to continue the fine tradition of our previous workshops. Leading researchers from across the globe will present their most recent findings. The conference promises to invite dialogue on HDDA advancements and challenges as well as create a forum for networking and stimulating conversation.

    The Workshop on High Dimensional Data Analysis (HDDA) was first introduced by Professor Ejaz Ahmed in Canada 2011. It became a recurring event. In 2022 and 2023, the workshop was held jointly with theJournées d’Économétrie de la Finance (JEF, Days of Econometrics for Finance).The full list of HDDA workshops is as follows:

    • HDDA, 2011, Fields Institute, Canada
    • HDDA-II, 2012, Centre de Recherches Mathématiques, Canada
    • HDDA-III, 2013, University of British Columbia, Canada
    • HDDA-IV, 2014, Banff International Research Station, Canada
    • HDDA-V, 2015, University of Victoria, Canada
    • HDDA-VI, 2016, Fields Institute, Canada
    • HDDA-VII, 2017, CIMAT, Mexico
    • HDDA-VIII, 2018, Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco
    • HDDA-IX, 2019, Uppsala University, Sweden
    • HDDA-X, 2020, Universitats Padjadjaran, Sumedand, Indonesia
    • HDDA-XI, 2022, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco and Brock University, Canada (held jointly with JEF'2022)
    • HDDA-XII, 2023, ESSEC Business School, Africa campus in Rabat, Morocco(held jointly with JEF'2023)
    • HDDA-XIII, 2024, ESSEC Business School, Asia-Pacific campus in Nepal Park, Singapore

    We are thrilled to announce the distinguished experts and thought leaders who will be sharing their knowledge and insights at our upcoming workshop.

    Each speaker brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective, enriching the conversations and discussions that will unfold over the course of the event.

    Get to know our incredible lineup below and learn more about the topics they will cover.

     

    Invited speakers (topics pending)

    Dr. Ivo D. Dinov, University of Michigan, USA

    Dr. Anand Vidyashankar, George Mason University, USA

    Dr. Shuangge Ma, Yale School of Public Health, USA

    Dr. Daniel Andrés Díaz-Pachón,University of Miami, USA

    Dr. Karim Oualkacha, UQAM,Canada

    Dr. Abdulkader Hussien, U ofWindsor, Canada

    Dr. Jabed H. Tomal,Thompson Rivers University,Canada

    Dr. Shakhawat Hossain, U ofWinnipeg, Canada

    Dr. Kristofer Månsson,Jönköping University,Sweden

    Dr. Azizur Rahman, CSU,Australia

    Dr. Abbas Khalili, McGill U, Canada

    Dr.Guoqing Dio, George Washington University, USA

    Dr. Rauf Ahmed, Uppsala university, Sweden

    Dr. Siyu Heng, NYU, USA

    Dr. Ahmed Elghini, Mohammed V University, Morocco

    Dr. David Kepplinger, George Mason University, USA

    Dr. Frank Hu, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, China

    Dr. Mohamedou O. M. Abdel Haye, Carleton University, Canada

    Dr. Masaaki Imaizumi, University of Tokyo and RIKEN

    Dr. Taoufik Bouezmarni, University of Sherbrooke, Canada

    Dr. Idir Ouassou, Universite Cadi Ayyad, Morrocco

    Dr. Carlos A. Coelho, Nova School of Science and Technology, Portugal


    You are invited to organize emerging topics sessions. If you are interested, please contact the Chair of Scientific Committee, S. Ejaz Ahmedsahmed5@brocku.cawith the session topic and a session abstract (up to 50 words), with names of potential speaker, a minimum requirement to hold the session is 3 speakers.

     

    Special Topic Invites Session:

    Session Title: Analysis of complex structured matrix data

    Organizer: Karim Oualkacha and Aurelie Labbe (HEC, Montreal)

    Speakers:

    Kaiqiong Zhao: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University

    Khaled Fouda: Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montréal

    Mengying Lei: Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University

    Pratheepa Jeganatha: Department of mathematics and statistics, McMaster University

     

    Session Title:Novel Statistical and Machine Learning Methods for Integrating Multiple Data Sources

    Organizer: Siyu Heng, Department of Biostatistics, New York University, U.S.A.

    Speakers:

    Kan Chen:Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, U.S.A.

    Yuyu Chen: Department of Biostatistics, New York University, U.S.A.

    Hai Shu: Department of Biostatistics, New York University, U.S.A.

    Iris Zhang: Department of Biostatistics, New York University, U.S.A.

    If you are interested, please contact the Chair of Scientific Committee, S. Ejaz Ahmed sahmed5@brocku.ca with the abstract (up to 50 words).

    Welcome to the schedule for the HDDA XIV Workshop! Here, you'll find a detailed itinerary of activities planned for this years workshop. Whether you're attending presentations by leading experts, participating in interactive discussions, or networking with fellow attendees, this schedule will help you make the most of your experience. Explore the full lineup of events below and plan your time to ensure you don’t miss a moment of this workshop.

    Organized Topic Invited Sessions

    You're invited to organize emerging topics sessions. If you are interested, please contact the Chair of Scientific Committee, S. Ejaz Ahmed sahmed5@brocku.ca with the session topic and a session abstract (up to 50 words), with names of potential speaker, a minimum requirement to hold the session is 3 speakers.

    Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025

    • 2:30 p.m. Depart Charlevoix, MI (Beaver Island Board Ferry)
    • 4:30 p.m. Arrive on Beaver Island
    • 5:30 p.m. Dinner at the CMUBS dining hall
    • 6-8 p.m.   Registration and Lodging at CMU Biological Research Station

    Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025

    • 7-8 a.m. Continental breakfast in the dining hall
    • 8-9 a.m. Registration and Coffee
    • 9-9:15 a.m. Opening Remarks
    • 9:15-10:15 a.m. KEYNOTE SPEAKER (1)
    • 10:15-10:30 a.m. Break
    • 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Speakers (3)
    • 12:00-1 p.m. Lunch
    • 1-3 p.m. Speakers (4)
    • 3-3:20 p.m. Break
    • 3:20-5:20 p.m. Poster Session
    • 5:30 p.m. Dinner

    Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025

    • 7-8 a.m. Continental breakfast in the dining hall
    • 8:30-9:30 a.m. KEYNOTE SPEAKER (1)
    • 9:30-10 a.m. Speaker (1)
    • 10-10:30 a.m. Break
    • 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Speakers (3)
    • 12:00-1 p.m. Lunch
    • 1-3 p.m. Speakers (4)
    • 3-3:20 p.m. Break
    • 3:20-4:50 p.m. Speakers (3)
    • 5-5:30 p.m. Closing Remarks
    • 5:30 p.m. Dinner

    Friday, Aug. 22, 2025

    • 7-8 a.m. Continental breakfast in the dining hall
    • 9:45-10 a.m. Load luggage and board shuttle vans to the ferry dock
    • 11:20 a.m. Depart Beaver Island for Charlevoix, MI  (Beaver Island Board Ferry)
    • 2:30 p.m. Arrive in Charlevoix, MI

     

    Find details about the dedicated team responsible for bringing this event to life, along with the contact information you need to reach out for any inquiries or support.

  • Dr. John Daniels, Professor of Statistics, Central Michigan University
  • Dr. Mohammed Amezziane, Professor of Statistics, Central Michigan University
  • Dr. Kevin Pangle, Director, CMU Biological Station
  • Juliet Nicholls, Associate Director, CMU Biological Station Operations
  •  

    Scientific Committee

  • Dr. Syed Ejaz Ahmed, (Chair) Professor of Math and Statistics, Brock University
  • Feryaal Ahmed, Western, Canada
  • Yi LI, U of Michigan, USA
  • Pierre Alquier, ESSEC, Asia-Pacific, Singapore
  • Elfreda Nartey, Brock U, Canada
  • Andrei Volodin, U of Regina, Canada
  • Ersin Yilmaz, Aalto U, Finland
  • Armin Hatefi, Memorial U, Canada
  • Alessio Farcomeni, Universita delgi studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Italy
  • Please check back for more information

    Getting to Beaver Island

    Arrivals to Cherry Capital Airport (Traverse City, MI) are available from both Chicago and Detroit.  Once in Traverse City, we will provide transportation to Charlevoix, Michigan. Ferry services and air taxis are available to transport you to Beaver Island and the Central Michigan University Biological Station.   

    It is important to note that the Beaver Island Ferry schedule does change with the seasons. Normally, the ferry departs Charlevoix daily at 2:30 pm, and Beaver Island at 11:20 am, but the website provides a more detailed schedule. Boarding begins approximately 20 minutes before departure, and you must purchase a ticket. The trip to Beaver Island (St. James) takes approximately 2.5 hours.  Please plan your schedule accordingly.

    If a boat trip is not agreeable, there is a flight to the island that can be chartered. 

    Fresh Air Aviation, Inc. 
    06918 Old Norwood Road 
    P.O. Box 328 Charlevoix, MI 49720 
    888-359-7448 
    Fresh Air Aviation 

    Island Airways 
    111 Airport Drive 
    Charlevoix, MI 49720 
    800-524-6895 or 231-547-2141 
    Island Airways

    • Arrive at the airport about 45 minutes before your flight 
    • The flight to Beaver Island takes approximately 20 minutes

    CMU Biological Station

    Once you have arrived at Beaver Island, you will be transported to the CMU Biological Research Station which is about a 15 minute ride. The Biological Station has a number of beachfront units for faculty and cabins located around the station.  Check this page for more information.

    Dining

    The kitchen provides three meals a day, with a cold buffet breakfast and hot meals at lunch and dinner. Healthy snacks are available at all times. Vegetarian options are always provided.   

    Any special dietary needs should be communicated at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival.  

    Those who expect to be in the field over lunchtime can arrange for sack lunches and should order these at least 2 weeks ahead of your arrival. 

    Coffee and tea, as well as a microwave, are always available to residents.  

     

    Early registration (Before May 1st)

    • Students: $150
    • Other participants: $200
    • On-Line participation $100
    • Developing country participation:$50

    Late registration (After May 1st)

    • Student: $200
    • Other participant: $250
    • On-Line participation $120
    • Developing country participation $60

    Register Here