Monash University data scientist wins Victorian Young Achiever Award
Dr François Petitjean, from the Faculty of Information Technology, is the winner of this year’s Victorian Young Achiever Award in the Research Impact category.
Dr Petitjean, whose work is partly funded by the US Air Force, has developed systems which are being applied across a range of scientific disciplines, from monitoring oil spills to fighting insect-borne diseases.
“In my work, I try to focus on today’s important issues in science and industry, to use them as a beacon to tell me where new theories are needed. I am really glad to help other fields and I am humbled to see this recognised by the panel. For me, the next big project is using latest-generation satellites to create an accurate map of Australia’s vegetation; this would serve as the basis for fire-spread models, algae outbreaks detection or pollution management,” said Dr Petitjean.
After completing his PhD in France, where he received two prestigious awards from the French Space Agency, Dr Petitjean joined the Monash Centre for Data Science in 2013. Since then, Dr Petitjean has developed a data analysis tool called Chordalysis, which can reveal relationships and influences between the variables of a dataset. Several research teams around the world have already started using Chordalysis for problems as diverse as discovering symptoms of rare diseases, creating heat-resistant anti-inflammatories, and monitoring oil spills in the Mediterranean Sea.
“I like to think of my discipline as something like the support crew for a Formula One team,” Dr Petitjean said.
“We computer scientists don’t discover new drugs, proteins, or elementary particles. Rather, we build robust and efficient theories, tools, and technologies that will make those discoveries possible”
Dr Petitjean believes that Big Data holds the key to future scientific progress.
“It’s a bit like the difference between trying to stop a tap from leaking or a firehose, the solutions that are great for the former are simply unthinkable for the latter,” he added.
Monash University has built an outstanding global reputation since it was established in 1958. Monash is a founding member of the national Group of Eight, a coalition of Australia’s leading universities. Ranked in the top 100 world universities (Times Higher Education Rankings 2015-2016), Monash attracts some of the world’s best students and researchers.
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Monash Faculties of Engineering and Information Technology are two of the largest in Australia, renowned worldwide for the quality of our teaching and research, and the calibre of our graduates. Monash is ranked the best university in Australia for engineering and technology ((Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2014).
We teach our students to design creatively, to take an innovative approach to both the development and the application of engineering technology. Our academic staff – many of whom are acknowledged leaders in their fields – provide a stimulating learning environment that extends well beyond the lecture hall.
Every graduate is relying on the firm foundation of technical problem-solving skills developed during their time at Monash. All of our students gain valuable practical experience, ensuring they are highly sought after in the job market.
Engineering and Information Technology is by its very nature an outward-looking and international profession. Our graduates come from Australia, from Asia, from all over the world. They leave us to employ the skills they have learnt, to contribute to living standards in their community, in their country, and globally.
One of the Monash alumni, Dr. Humayan Kabir has been awarded the best Deputy Commissioner in Bangladesh.
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