Dr Mahdi Abolghasemi

Biography

Summary

I am a Senior Lecturer in Statistical Data Science, specialising in time series forecasting, decision optimisation, and machine learning for retail and energy applications.

I have held academic positions at Monash University and The University of Queensland before joining Queensland University of Technology. I serve on the editorial board of the International Journal of Forecasting as Book Review Editor.  I am also the founder and host of the "Forecasting Impact" scientific podcast.

Research
My research methodology integrates advanced statistical techniques with machine learning approaches to solve complex forecasting and optimization problems. I focus on developing novel algorithms that can handle hierarchical structures, systematic events, and volatility in time series data.

My primary research areas include demand forecasting in supply chains, energy forecasting for renewable sources, and decision-focused predictive analytics. I have received more than $900k funding for my research from national and international organisations. My work has been recognized with awards from International Institute of Forecasters, Australian Mathematical Society, IEEE Computational Intelligence Society, and Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute.

Teaching
I am a Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA). My teaching philosophy centers on bridging theoretical concepts with practical applications, preparing students for real-world challenges in data science and analytics. I emphasize hands-on learning experiences and industry-relevant projects to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

I have taught courses in data science, business analytics, time series forecasting, and statistical machine learning at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. My commitment to teaching excellence has been recognized with awards such as the Faculty of Science Highly Regarded Early Career Teaching Excellence Award from The University of Queensland.