Dr. Prince Allotey joined the Department of Statistics at the University of Georgia as a Lecturer in August 2025. He earned his Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Connecticut. Before joining UGA, he served as a Senior Instructor in the Department of Statistics at the University of South Carolina and as an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Washington. Dr. Allotey is passionate about teaching and enjoys mentoring students, particularly by helping them apply statistical techniques to analyze real-world data and critically interpret statistical results. His research interests include spatial survival modeling, methods for handling missing data, and innovations in statistics and data science education. His applied work broadly involves using statistical methodologies to address problems in the social and life sciences. Dr. Allotey is an active contributor to the statistical community. He currently chairs the American Statistical Association (ASA) Diversity Mentoring Program and serves as vice chair of the ASA Committee on Minorities in Statistics. Dr. Man “Manny” Basnet is the Associate Director and Director of Graduate Studies for the Online Master of Science in Applied Data Science (MS-ADS) at the University of Georgia. An Academic Professional in the Department of Statistics, he teaches data science courses that integrate programming, machine learning, and applied statistics, and advises graduate students from admission through graduation. His teaching emphasizes accessibility, hands-on problem-solving, and preparing students for meaningful careers in data science. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Basnet works with industry leaders, companies, and professional organizations to connect students with real-world projects, practicum opportunities, and mentorship. He partners with UGA’s advisory board and external stakeholders to keep the MS-ADS program closely aligned with workforce needs while advancing innovation in responsible and applied data science. Dr. Jennifer Mendoza-Alonzo is a data scientist and public health researcher with a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering. Her work integrates data analytics and mathematical modeling to strengthen health systems and public health. Before joining the University of Georgia, Dr. Mendoza-Alonzo served as a researcher at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she contributed to injury prevention and global health initiatives. Her work involved applying data analytics and modeling methods to large-scale health data to support informed decision-making and advance equity in health systems globally. At UGA, she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in business statistics, focusing on analytical thinking, applied quantitative skills, and organized instruction. Dr. Jennifer Mendoza-Alonzo joined the department as a limited-term lecturer in August, 2025. Assistant Professor Dr. Xiaotian Zheng joined the department on August 1, 2025. Previously, he was a postdoctoral research fellow with Distinguished Professor Noel Cressie and Associate Professor Andrew Zammit-Mangion at the University of Wollongong, Australia. He received his Ph.D. in Statistical Science from the University of California, Santa Cruz, advised by Professor Athanasios Kottas and Professor Bruno Sansó. His research interests are in developing statistical and machine learning methods for inference and prediction from complex, dependent data, with a focus on probabilistic generative modeling and hierarchical modeling in spatial and spatio-temporal settings. His methodological developments are strongly motivated by addressing real-world problems, particularly in ecological and environmental applications, among others. Type of News/Audience: Departmental
