CV

A PDF version of my full CV is available here.

Education

• Ph.D. in Statistics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
  Expected: July 2026
  Advisor: Prof. Xiao Zhang

• M.S. in Statistics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
  December 2023

• M.S. in Statistics, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  December 2016
  Supervisor: Prof. Pravat Uprety

• B.S. in Statistics, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  July 2013

Research Interests

• Bayesian computation for latent variable models
• Multinomial probit models and categorical data analysis
• Missing data methods and imputation
• Multivariate data analysis
• Computational statistics and MCMC methods

Research Experience

• Graduate Research Assistant, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
  January 2021 – Present
  • Conducting research on Bayesian modeling for nominal outcomes with missing data using Multinomial Probit (MNP) models
  • Developed a parameter-expanded data-augmentation Gibbs sampler to improve posterior mixing, convergence, and estimation accuracy
  • Extended MNP models to multivariate and longitudinal settings
  • Integrated missing-data handling within PX-Gibbs frameworks through simulation studies and real-data applications
• Data Analyst / Statistician, Solutions Consultant, Kathmandu, Nepal
  December 2017 – July 2021
  • Led statistical modeling and analysis for large survey-based projects funded by international organizations, including NORC, the World Bank, and IRI
  • Designed sampling plans, questionnaires, and reporting frameworks to support rigorous and policy-relevant evidence generation

Teaching Experience

• Graduate Teaching Instructor, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
  August 2021 – December 2023
  • Instructor for Undergraduate Engineering Statistics and Precalculus
  • Designed exams, assignments, and auto-graded quizzes using Canvas, iClicker, and Gradescope
  • Prepared lecture notes, worked examples, and aligned weekly learning outcomes with class activities and homework
  • Ran lab sessions using R for statistical testing, modeling, and visualization, and MATLAB for matrix algebra and optimization
  • Provided office hours, student support, and review sessions
• Teaching Instructor (Part-time), Amrit Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal
  December 2017 – July 2021
  • Taught undergraduate courses in Survey Statistics and Demography
  • Taught graduate courses in Biostatistics and Research Methodology
  • Supervised student projects and supported applied statistical analysis using real datasets
  • Developed course materials and coordinated lab sessions

Technical Skills

• Programming & Statistical Software: R, Python, SQL, SAS
• Data Science & Computing: NumPy, pandas, R Shiny, distributed computing, HPC
• Methods: Bayesian modeling, MCMC simulation, GLM, missing data imputation, A/B testing
• Applied Skills: data wrangling, data visualization, statistical modeling, research design

Conference Presentations

• Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM), Nashville, TN, USA
  August 2–7, 2025
  Bayesian Methods for Analyzing Nominal Measures with Missing Values Using Multinomial Probit Models

• Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM), Portland, OR, USA
  August 3–8, 2024
  Parameter-Expanded Data Augmentation for Analyzing Categorical Data Using Multinomial Probit Models

• Symposium on Data Science and Statistics (SDSS), Richmond, VA, USA
  June 4–7, 2024
  Parameter-Expanded Data Augmentation for Multinomial Probit Models

Grants and Awards

• Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship, Michigan Technological University
  Spring 2026

• ASA Student/Early Career Travel Award
  August 2025
  Awarded support to present at JSM 2025 in Nashville, TN

• Graduate Student Government Travel Grant, Michigan Technological University
  August 2025
  Awarded support to present at JSM 2025 in Nashville, TN

• Graduate Student Government Travel Grant, Michigan Technological University
  June 2024
  Awarded support to present at SDSS 2024 in Richmond, VA

Publications

• S. Silwal & X. Zhang (2025). Parameter-Expanded Data Augmentation for Analyzing Discrete Nominal Measures with Missing Values Using Multinomial Probit Models. Submitted.

• Silwal, S., & Uprety, P. (2019). Assessment of oral health knowledge, attitude and practice among school children in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal. RRJoST, 8, 1–10.

See my Publications page for a complete list.

Professional Membership

• American Statistical Association (ASA)

Leadership and Involvement

• President, Nepali Student Organization, Michigan Technological University
  2023 – 2024

• Vice President, Nepali Student Organization, Michigan Technological University
  2022 – 2023

Training

• IMSI Summer Data Science Bootcamp (Online)
  University of Illinois, Champaign, IL
  June 1–7, 2025