Theoretical & Applied Statistical Innovation

TASiLab

Welcome to TASiLab

I'm Azizur Rahman , obtained my PhD in Computational Biostatistics from University of Manitoba. My research focuses on developing fast approximate Bayesian estimation algorithms for discrete and continuous time models in intensive longitudinal data.

University of Manitoba, Canada Social Innovation Office, Government of Manitoba Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh Graduation Completed: October 2026
Azizur Rahman

Azizur Rahman

PhD (Computational Biostatistics, Univeristy of Manitoba)

About TASiLab

Theoretical and Applied Statistical Innovation Laboratory

Mission

The TASi Lab is dedicated to advancing statistical science by integrating rigorous theoretical foundations with cutting-edge applied methodologies. We develop innovative statistical models and computational tools that address complex, real-world challenges across diverse domains.

Vision

To be a global leader in statistical innovation, shaping the future of data science through pioneering research and transformative applications.

Ongoing Projects

  • Functional Mixed Effects Models for Partial Functional Data
  • Variational Inference for Continuous Time Mixed Effect Hidden Markov Model
  • Data Coreset on Ranked Set Sampling for Mixture Models
  • Improvement on Multiview Machine Learning Models
  • FuzzyLogit R Package Development
  • Measurement Modelling

Publications

29+
Peer-reviewed articles

Team

18
Research members

Awards

4
Competition wins

Grants

6
As Principal Investigator

People

Meet the TASiLab team

About the Director

Background and education

Biography

Azizur Rahman obtained his PhD in Computational Biostatistics from University of Manitoba, worked under Dr. Depeng Jiang. He is on study leave from Associate Professor at Jahangirnagar University and serves as a Senior Data Scientist at the Social Innovation Office, Government of Manitoba.

Education

PhD (Computational Biostatistics)
Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada
Thesis: Fast Approximate Bayesian Estimation Algorithm for Discrete and Continuous Time Models in Intensive Longitudinal Data.
Supervisor: Dr. Depeng Jiang, Professor, University of Manitoba.
Graduation Completed: October 2026

Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Statistics
Dept. of Statistics and Data Science, Jahangirnagar University (2017)
Thesis: Density Estimation of Directional Data - A Circular Kernel Density Estimation.
Supervisor: Dr. Ajit Kumar Majumder, Professor, Jahangirnagar University.

MSc in Statistics — Jahangirnagar University, 1st Position (2008)
BSc in Statistics — Jahangirnagar University, 1st Position (2007)

Contact

Phone
204-290-7542
Location
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Citizenship
Canadian Citizen
Editorial
Statistics Editor, Bangladesh J. Infectious Diseases

Research Areas

Statistical methods at the intersection of theory and application

01

Intensive Longitudinal Data

Fast approximate Bayesian estimation using variational inference for TAR and Hidden Markov models.

02

Functional Data Analysis

FDA methods for mortality forecasting, influenza patterns, climate, and partial functional data.

03

Machine Learning in Healthcare

Interpretable ML for infant mortality, Alzheimer's prediction, and ECG-based AF detection.

04

Bayesian Modeling

Bayesian logistic regression, change point analysis, hierarchical models for public health.

05

Multi-state Markov Models

Disease progression, air pollution dynamics, blood pressure transitions.

06

Public Health Epidemiology

Maternal/child health, HIV testing, nutritional status, erosion trajectory modeling.

Selected Publications

29 peer-reviewed articles (sorted by year)

2026

Approximate Bayesian Estimation Algorithm for Continuous Time Multivariate Mixed Hidden Markov Models

Rahman, A. , Jiang, D., Lix, L.M., & Po, Y.
Manuscript Submitted
2026

Blood Pressure Transitions Among Diabetic Patients: A Multistate Markov Model Approach

Hasan, F., Rahman, A. , Jerin, I., & Asad, M.
Journal of Hypertension (Under Review)
2026

Investigating the Moderation Effect of Education in the Association between HIV Knowledge and HIV Testing Behavior Among Women in Malawi

Munni, M.Y., Rahman, A. , Umam, S., Razzak, R., & Sayeed, M.
BMJ Global Health (Under Review)
2025

Fast and Accurate Variational Bayes Inference for Multilevel Threshold Autoregressive Model

Rahman, A. , Jiang, D., & Lix, L.M.
British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, Wiley
2025

Exploring Regional Air Pollution Transition Dynamics: A Multi-state Markov Model Approach

Hossain, M., Sarkar, S., Methun, I.H., & Rahman, A.
PLoS One, 20(10), e0333849
2025

Exploring the Nonlinear Association of Daily Cigarette Consumption Behavior and Food Security

Umam, S., Razzak, R., Munni, M., & Rahman, A.
PLoS One, 20(7), e0328109
2025

A Functional Mixed-effects Model Approach to Explore Regional Climate Patterns in Bangladesh

Munni, M., Rahman, A. , Khan, M.M., & Rois, R.
Discover Atmosphere, 3(3)
2025

Interpretable Bayesian Machine Learning Model for Predicting Undernutrition among Under-Five Children

Ahmed, E., & Rahman, A.
Journal of Public Health, Elsevier (Under Review)
2025

Prediction of Alzheimer's Disease Events Using Interpretable Bayesian Machine Learning Models

Ahmed, E., Rahman, A. , et al.
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (Under Review)
2024

On the Interpretability of SVM Model for Predicting Infant Mortality in Bangladesh

Sayeed, A., Rahman, A. , & Rois, R.
Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 44(170)
2023

Forecasting Canadian Age-Specific Mortality Rate: Application of Functional Time Series

Rahman, A. & Jiang, D.
Mathematics, 11, 3808
2023

Determining the Risk Factors of Under-Five Morbidity in Bangladesh: A Bayesian Logistic Regression Approach

Ismail, M.H., Islam, R., Saleheen, A.A., Rahman, A. , et al.
Discover Social Science and Health, 3-21
2023

Rural-urban Disparities in Nutritional Status Among Ever Married Women in Bangladesh

Ismail, M.H., Jakaria, M., Haq, I., Rahman, A. , et al.
PLOS ONE, 18(12), e0289880
2023

Forecasting Hourly Ozone Concentration Using Functional Time Series Model

Rahman, A. & Nasher, N.M.R.
Journal of Environmental Modeling and Assessment, Springer
2023

REEs Enriched Heavy Minerals from the River and Beach Sands of Bangladesh

Hossain, M.S., Rahman, A. , Shahriar, M.S., et al.
Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 16, 90-108
2023

Double Burden of Malnutrition Among Women of Reproductive Age in Bangladesh

Hossain, I.M., Rahman, A. , Uddin, G., & Zinia, A.F.
Food Sciences and Nutrition
2022

Socioeconomic Correlates of Adequate Maternal Care in Bangladesh

Mithun, I.H., Haq, I., Uddin, G., Rahman, A. , et al.
BioMed Research International, 2022
2022

Performance Evaluation of Machine Learning Algorithms for Classification of Unintended Pregnancy

Ismail, M.H., Jakaria, M.H., Ahmed, A.S.S., Kamruzzaman, M., Rahman, A. , et al.
Journal of Healthcare Engineering, 22, 1-10
2022

Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Dependency on Meteorological Parameters in Chattogram

Nasher, R., Rahman, A. , & Samad, A.
Journal of Indian Geophysical Union, 26(2), 108-119
2021

Regional and Temporal Pattern of Influenza: Application of Functional Data Analysis

Rahman, A. & Jiang, D.
Infectious Disease Modeling, 6, 1061-1070

Monthly Seminars @ TASiLab

Academic events and research talks organized by TASiLab

UPCOMING
Upcoming Seminar

Exploring the non-linear association of daily cigarette consumption behavior and food security

An application of CMP GAM regression

Speakers: Shafeel Umam & Munniara Yesmin Munni

Speaker 1: PhD Student in Public Health, Saint Louis University
Speaker 2: PM&E Officer, CCDB

Date & Time: February 28, 2026

10:30 AM (Central Time) | 10:30 PM (BD Time)

Meeting ID: 685 1516 2411 | Passcode: 745383

PAST
Past Seminar

Can colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) patient outcomes be further improved?

Evidence from an international sample of CRLM patients

Speaker: Dr Mohammed Moinuddin

Lecturer in Biostatistics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Lancashire

Date & Time: January 24, 2026

08:00 AM (Central Time) | 08:00 PM (BD Time)

Zoom ID: 694 9341 6909 | Passcode: 454958

PAST
Past Seminar

Bayesian Modeling of E. coli Contamination in Household Drinking Water in Bangladesh

Evidence from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019

Speaker: Md. Iqramul Haq

PhD Student, University of Calgary

Date & Time: December 13, 2025

09:00 AM (Central Time) | 09:00 PM (BD Time)

Zoom ID: 640 3612 6609 | Passcode: 247669

Software

Statistical packages developed by TASiLab

Submitted in CRAN

FuzzyLogit

R Package

An R package for fuzzy logistic regression modeling, enabling robust classification and prediction with fuzzy set theory integration.

Teaching

Academic positions and supervision

Academic Positions

2020 – Present (on leave)
Associate Professor
Statistics & Data Science, Jahangirnagar University
2017 – 2020
Assistant Professor
Statistics, Jahangirnagar University
2014 – 2017
Lecturer
Statistics, Jahangirnagar University
2011 – 2014
Lecturer / Assistant Professor
Statistics, Jagannath University

Masters/MPhil Thesis Supervision

Ongoing
Abdul Al Shorif (M.Phil)
Functional Data & Time Series
2023
Munniara Yesmin Munni (MSc)
Functional Mixed Effect Model for Climate
2022
Jay Panchal (MITACS)
FDA for COVID-19 (Co-supervisor)
2017
Piash Paul (MSc)
AIC in Outlier Detection
2016
Md. Shafiqul Islam (MSc)
Bayesian Estimation Methods
2015
Md. Rashedul Islam (MSc)
Time Series Forecasting

Experience

Research and government positions

Jan 2023 – Present

Program Evaluator (SS3)

Social Innovation Office, Government of Manitoba

Data linkages, multivariate analyses, predictive modeling.

Jan 2021 – Mar 2022

Quantitative Data Analyst

MHA Evaluation Program, Government of Manitoba

Mental Health and Addictions program evaluation.

May – Aug 2019

Research Assistant

University of Manitoba

Statistical methodology research with Dr. Depeng Jiang.

May – Aug 2017

Consultant (Statistician)

BSMMU, Dhaka

Sampling design for child health research.

Collaborative Research

Research partnerships and collaborations

University of Manitoba

Dr. Depeng Jiang – Variational Bayes, Longitudinal Data, HMM

University of Victoria

VADA Program – Visual and Automated Disease Analytics

BRAC University

Shuvongkar Sarkar – Air Pollution Modeling, Markov Models

Mississippi State University

Md. Ismail Hossain Riday – Applied ML, Computational Statistics

Saint Louis University

Shafeel Umam – Public Health Informatics, Disease Mapping

BIGM Bangladesh

Md Injamul Haq Methun – Global Health, MCH

University of Otago, New Zealand

Md. Sakaouth Hossain – Remote Sensing, Coastal Geomorphology, Erosion Modeling

Honors & Awards

2026

Honorable Mention

PRIME Research Conference 2026- Trainee Poster Competition

2023

First Prize Poster (PhD)

CSSC, Carleton University

2022

SSC Award Winner

Case Studies in Data Analysis

2021

VADA Big Data Challenge

Winner

2021

AI4PH Big Data Challenge

Winner

2019–21

VADA Scholarship

NSERC, UManitoba & UVictoria

2003–07

Merit Scholarship

University Grant, Bangladesh

Technical Skills

Programming

R / RStudio
Python
SAS
SPSS
LaTeX

Statistical Methods

Variational Bayes
Functional Data Analysis
Bayesian Inference
Survival Analysis
Mixed Effects Models

Machine Learning

Random Forest
SVM
Neural Networks
Clustering
Interpretable ML

Domains

Biostatistics
Public Health
Epidemiology
Time Series Analysis
Longitudinal Data

Contact

Open to collaborations and opportunities

Phone

204-290-7542

Location

Social Innovation Office
Government of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB, Canada