Michael Fop

My research focuses on developing novel statistical and machine learning methods for analyzing high-dimensional and complex data. I work at the intersection of methodological and applied statistics, often motivated by data-driven challenges in scientific and interdisciplinary research. My interests include latent variable models, network analysis, clustering, classification, and dimension reduction.

I teach statistical machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence at graduate and postgraduate levels, and I have experience designing and delivering courses on statistical programming and statistical network analysis to PhD students.

I serve as the programme director for the BSc in Statistics and Data Science and the BA/BScSocSc in Statistics.

I am a principal investigator in the Research Ireland Rinn Artificial Intelligence research centre and a member of the Climate And Displacement Research Ensemble (CADRE) working group, as a UCD Earth Institute Strategic Priority for 2026–27.

I am currently an Associate Editor of the Journal of Data Science, Statistics, and Visualisation, an Associate Editor of Statistical Methods and Applications, and an Editorial Board Reviewer for the Journal of Machine Learning Research.