SECS Representatives

	Muskaan SECS National Representative I'm delighted to serve as your National Representative for the Students and Early Career Statistician Network. My journey into the world of statistics began with a master’s in mathematics, where I delved into the intricacies of numbers and problem-solving. This passion led me to a brief but rewarding stint as a school teacher, where I had the privilege of igniting curiosity and fostering a love for learning in young minds. Presently, I am immersed in the dynamic realm of statistical analysis at Stats NZ, focusing on household surveys and data integration. In my capacity as National Representative, I'm committed to creating engaging events and opportunities for students and early career statisticians. From workshops to networking sessions, my aim is to provide platforms for learning, collaboration, and professional growth. I'm eager to connect with each of you and work together. muskaan@stats.govt.nz
	Hu Jinxian SECS Network Representative Hi, I’m Jinxian, a student at the University of Canterbury, set to graduate at the end of 2024 with a double major in Statistics and Finance. I’m passionate about using statistics to predict the future, especially through time series analysis. There’s something exciting about uncovering what the future holds, and statistics gives us a way to make sense of uncertainty in a practical and inclusive way. During my studies, I’ve taken advanced courses in data mining, time series methods, and computational statistics, which have built my skills in financial modeling and data interpretation using R. I’ve also participated in competitions like the 2024 Oliver Wyman Trans-Tasman Case Competition and the Stock Trading Competition by CMC Markets, as well as UC’s Global Impact Industry Project, where I gained experience in market research and teamwork. In this representative role, I’m excited to help connect early career statisticians across New Zealand, whether through workshops, coding bootcamps, or social events. I look forward to building a stronger, more connected community! jhu115@uclive.ac.nz
	Jyotsna Garg SECS Network Representative I began my academic journey immersed in pure mathematics, first at the University of Delhi, India, and later through a Master’s focused on Applied Mathematics. For a while, I genuinely believed I had managed to steer clear of statistics. That belief didn’t last very long. After exploring actuarial science, working in political data analytics, and spending several years tutoring high school students, I became increasingly drawn to questions that needed more than just clean equations. I wanted to understand behavior, policy, and the stories hidden in data. That curiosity eventually brought me to New Zealand, where I transitioned from pure math to applied statistics and from theory to real-world impact. I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Statistics at the University of Canterbury, where my thesis explores how policy and pricing influence electric vehicle adoption in Aotearoa. My work blends time series and econometric methods with a genuine curiosity about how data can drive sustainable change. This research reflects my broader goal of applying statistical thinking to real-world challenges, especially those at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and consumer behavior. Beyond research, I work as a tutor for different statistics courses, support students on UC’s online platforms, and stay actively involved in the local statistics community. I also volunteer with organisations such as the SPCA and St. John of God Halswell, where I contribute to inclusive community initiatives and support individuals in meaningful ways. I care deeply about making data accessible and meaningful, whether in the classroom, in policy, or through community work. Statistics may not have been part of the original plan, but it has become a place where I feel both inspired and grounded. I am excited to keep learning, contributing, and building something that matters. jyotsna.garg@pg.canterbury.ac.nz
	Andre Macleod Hungar SECS Network Representative Hi, I'm Andre, SECS representative currently working at Stats NZ for just over two years. I graduated first with a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, then more recently with Masters in Applied Data Science, with the intention of pursuing a career in the field of Data Science. I've now been working in this field for two and a half years, first supporting the imputation model in the 2023 Census, and now working in the design of future Census. I have an interest in sports and geography, and always intrigued by the use of data and statistics in these fields. I am excited to and always enjoy giving guidance to other budding statisticians as to what life in the early stages of one's career in Statistics looks like, and happy to answer questions about what to expect - of course, it's different for everyone. andre.macleodhungar@stats.govt.nz
	Yongshi (Agnes) Deng SECS Network Representative Hi, I am Yongshi (Agnes) Deng. I completed my BSc in Mathematics and Statistics, BSc (Hons) in Statistics, and a PhD in Statistics, all at the University of Auckland. My doctoral research focused on investigating the use of statistical learning methods to solve missing data problems for large datasets. After submitting my thesis, I worked as a Data Scientist at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), and since March 2025, I have been working as a Statistical Data Scientist at Oritain Global Limited. I have always enjoyed learning mathematics and statistics, and I am particularly interested in how statistical learning methods can be effectively applied to solve domain-specific challenges. I am so excited to be a volunteer for the Student and Early Career Statisticians Network. yden863@aucklanduni.ac.nz
	Amy Li SECS Network Representative Kia ora, my name is Amy. I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Auckland, where I am in my third year pursuing a Bachelor's of science majoring in psychology and statistics. Originally I only planned to study psychology, however after my first semester I had a mandatory statistics paper, which led me to have a huge interest in the study of data, which really surprised me. I am most interested in data visualisations and how to create visualisations that are aesthetic, interpretable and accessible. I believe that statistics, particularly data, should be straight-forward and easy to understand, so that people are not as intimidated by large amounts of numbers. In my studies I have developed the skills for R, as well as learning Python in my own time. 03.amyli@gmail.com or ali268@aucklanduni.ac.nz
	James Bristow SECS Network Representative Hi, my name is James, and I'm doing a PhD in statistical epidemiology at Massey University. I am passionate about Bayesian modelling, spatiotemporal statistics, and the analysis of climate projection data. Understanding, incorporating, and quantifying various sources of uncertainty within complex spatiotemporal models is something I find very interesting, as I believe it results in more robust inferences and predictions. My current research is focused on investigating and understanding the impacts of climate change on pathogens and food systems, alongside Bayesian phylodynamic modelling to infer the evolutionary history of diseases. Prior to starting my PhD, I worked within data scientist roles at PlantTech Research Institute and Plant and Food Research, where I synthesised computational statistical methods with deterministic process-based simulations to construct semi-mechanistic probabilistic models, which was very unique and exciting work. Outside of statistical modelling, I am enthusiastic about model deployment, automation, and pipeline development using DevOps and MLOps principals. James.Bristow@plantandfood.co.nz