Logan Wu

loganbwu@gmail.com
+61 435 056 498

I am an experienced data scientist with a background in engineering, public health, and data infrastructure. I enjoy collaborating with operational units, understanding their day-to-day challenges, and building tech systems that enable them to perform their best. In my previous work I have proven effective as both a technical team leader and an independent contributor.

Work History

Data and Systems Manager

Oct 2024 to present (current role)

Burnet Institute

I lead data collection, data engineering, and analysis for two large clinical implementation studies in Victoria.

My work includes:

  • Mapping data processes to convey information to regulatory bodies, and management
  • Designing data collection protocols and databases, including directing field contractors
  • Producing clean data products and documentation for downstream colleagues
  • Statistical and mathematical modelling
  • Ensuring products provided to (and created by) colleagues using generative AI and LLMs have appropriate documentation and tooling

COVID-19 Analytics Lead

2020 to 2022

Victorian Department of Health

I founded a team develping novel data science software for epidemiologists and operations. Our software reduced the burden of many types of time-critical investigations from hours for a team to minutes for an individual. We succeeded where previous external initiatives failed by building a network with strong domain expertise, and also reduced spend on consultants by providing an in-house data science resource.

My duties included:

  • Interfacing with users, management, IT, and consultants to develop fit-for-purpose software
  • Capability growth through upskilling, hiring, and contracting, growing the team from 3 to 9
  • Statistical, mathematical, and geospatial data modelling
  • Project management and software engineering for COVID-19 testing, surveillance, and outbreak management teams

Co-author of The spread of [COVID-19] via staff work and household networks, Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.

Co-author of The relative effectiveness of three and four doses of COVID-19 vaccine [...], Vaccine.

Consultant

2019 to 2020

Arup

To give our clients and in-house teams a competitive edge, I:

  • Developed software with to accelerate geotechnical and acoustic engineering investigations
  • Advised clients on infrastructure risks faced by vulnerable communities on remote islands
  • Created interactive mapping platforms to help stakeholders minimise the impact of design options on local ecology
  • Developed algorithms for operations research, signal processing, and ETL, reducing engineer workloads from days to hours
  • Managed commercial controls and reporting for design management using automation

Education

MPhil in Computational Epidemiology

2021 to 2024 The University of Melbourne (Walter & Eliza Hall Institute) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

I studied malaria epidemics in the Greater Mekong Subregion. I developed computational Bayesian modelling techniques to quantify factors affecting the severity of seasonal and transient epidemics, allowing costly field studies to be targeted more efficiently.

Thesis: Bayesian Calibration of Dynamic Plasmodium Vivax Transmission Models.

First author of Quantifying the impact of contact tracing interview prioritisation strategies [...], PLOS Computational Bio.

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Engineering Science

2016 to 2018 The University of Auckland

I completed the four-year programme with first class honours, specialising in Operations Research.
Highly commended: Bayesian Modelling of the Wairakei Geothermal Surface Network.

Technical Skills

Basic Intermediate Advanced
  • Bash, Ruby, C#, GAMS
  • Android and web development
  • Desktop app development
  • CAD and CFD/FEM simulation
  • Cloud engineering
  • C/C++, AMPL, SQL, JAGS, MATLAB
  • Keras, OpenCV, SKLearn
  • ETL, API development, system integration
  • Code version control using git
  • Reproducible analysis pipelines
  • R (inc. Shiny), Python, VBA
  • Numerical optimisation and simulation
  • Business intelligence platforms
  • Geographic information systems (GIS)
  • Bayesian statistics
  • Differential equations
  • Stochastic modelling
  • Software engineering for data science

Awards

Emergency Management Award (Winner)
Evidence-based Policy Award (Finalist)

2021 Institute of Public Administration Australia

I was the lead developer for two innovative and impactful projects in the Victorian public sector.

Best Technical Project

2020 Arup, Melbourne office

I developed a signal processing library for wind turbine noise compliance, which automatically analysed months of recordings for a client.