CV - Department of Statistical Science - Duke University

Thomas Leininger
2850 Courtney Creek Blvd #122 (919) 609-3976
Durham, NC 27713
tjl13@stat.duke.edu
Education
Duke University, Durham, NC
PhD, Statistical Science expected May 2014
• Advisor: Alan Gelfand
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
MS, Statistics Aug 2010
• Thesis: An Adaptive Bayesian Approach to Continuous Dose-Response Modeling
• Advisor: C. Shane Reese
BS, Statistics Aug 2010
Research Experience
Duke University, Durham, NC
Research Assistant under Alan Gelfand
May 2011 to Present
Developed Bayesian multivariate CAR models for spatial regression analysis of land cover
compositional data in the northeastern United States. Currently developing model diagnostics
and model selection methods for Bayesian spatial point process models.
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Research Assistant under C. Shane Reese Feb 2007 to Aug 2010
Performed research on Bayesian clinical trial design, functional data analysis, and criminology
trajectory modeling. Mentored other students individually in learning the fundamentals of
Bayesian statistics.
Teaching Experience
Duke University, Durham, NC
Instructor
STA 101 – Data analysis and statistical inference May 2013 to Jun 2013
Teaching Assistant
STA 113 – Probability and Statistics in Engineering Jan 2011 to May 2011
STA 213 – Introduction to Statistical Methods Aug 2010 to Dec 2010
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Teaching Assistant
Stat 651 – Applied Bayesian Methods Sep 2009 to Dec 2009
Consulting Experience
US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC
Student Services Contractor
Aug 2011 to Present
Built downscaling models to incorporate numerical output into predicting hourly ozone levels.
Developed Matlab software to analyze current pollution levels across the United States by
fusing monitoring site and numerical model data.
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Publications
• Leininger TJ and Gelfand AE (in preparation).
process models.”
“Posterior analysis of Bayesian point
• Paddock SM, Leininger TJ, and Hunter SB (in preparation), “Analysis of data from openenrollment
therapy groups with correlated fixed and random effects.”
• Osilla KC, Leininger TJ, Paddock SP, D’Amico EJ, Ewing BA, and Watkins K (submitted),
“A randomized controlled trial comparing in-person and web-based motivational interviewing
among adults with a first-time DUI offense.”
• Paddock SM, Hunter SB, and Leininger TJ (submitted). “Does group cognitive behavioral
therapy module type moderate depression symptom changes in substance abuse treatment
clients?”
• Leininger TJ, Gelfand AE, Allen JM, and Silander JA (2013), “Spatial regression modeling
for compositional data with many zeros,” Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental
Statistics, 18(3), 314–334.
• Allen JM, Leininger TJ, Hurd JD, Civco DL, Gelfand AE, and Silander JA (2013), “Socioeconomics
drive woody invasive plants in New England through forest fragmentation,”
Landscape Ecology, 28(9), 1671–1686.
• Lawson J, Aggarwal P, Leininger TJ, and Fairbanks K (2011), “Characterizing Variability
in Smestad and Grätzel’s Nanocrystalline Solar Cells: A Collaborative Learning Experience
in Experimental Design,” Journal for Statistics Education [Online], 19(1).
• Leininger TJ and Reese CS (2008), “An Adaptive Bayesian Approach to Dose-Response
Modeling,” 2008 Journal of Undergraduate Research [Online], Brigham Young University.
Presentations
• “Spatial regression modeling for compositional data with many zeros,” Joint Statistical Meetings,
August 2013, Montreal, Canada
• “A spatial regression model for compositional data with zeros,” 2012 World Meeting of the
International Society for Bayesian Analysis, June 2012, Kyoto, Japan (poster)
• “Criminal career trajectory latent class analysis using a Bayesian hierarchical dynamic linear
model,” 2010 World Meeting of the International Society for Bayesian Analysis, June 2010,
Benidorm, Spain (poster)
• “Criminal career trajectory latent class analysis using a Bayesian hierarchical dynamic linear
model,” Spring Research Conference, Brigham Young University, March 2010, Provo, UT
• “An adaptive Bayesian approach to dose-response modeling,” Spring Research Conference
General Session, Brigham Young University, March 2009, Provo, UT
• “An adaptive Bayesian approach to dose-response modeling,” Utah Conference on Undergraduate
Research, Westminster College, February 2009, Salt Lake City, UT
• “An adaptive Bayesian approach to dose-response modeling,” Spring Research Conference,
Brigham Young University, March 2008, Provo, UT
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Awards
Duke University, Durham, NC
• JSM Student Travel Award, ASA Bayesian Statistical Science Section, 2013
• Young Researchers Travel Award, International Society for Bayesian Analysis, 2012
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
• Alvin C. Rencher Mentorship, 2008–2010
• BYU Spring Research Conference Session Award, 2008
• BYU Office of Research and Creative Activities Mentoring Grant, 2008
• NSF Fellowship (through IDeA Labs), 2007–2008
• BYU Heritage Scholarship, 2003, 2006–2009
Service
• Graduate Consultative Committee Member/Chair, Department of Statistical Science, Duke
University, 2010–2012
• Mu Sigma Rho Vice President, Brigham Young University Chapter, 2009–2010
Memberships
• International Society for Bayesian Analysis, 2010–Present
• American Statistical Association, 2008–Present
• Mu Sigma Rho, 2008–2010
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