Education
Ph.D. in Applied Statistics
Biography
I have always enjoyed analytical thinking and problem-solving. What particularly attracted me to statistics was the opportunity to apply mathematical reasoning to real-world problems. I was already living in the area when a tenure-track faculty position became available in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The opportunity aligned well with my academic background and interests, so I applied and joined the department.
Cooking and baking are among my greatest passions. I see them as a blend of art, creativity, science, and care. I enjoy every step of the process, from exploring the science behind ingredients and selecting quality products to experimenting with recipes and creating beautiful presentations. Whether preparing a family meal, baking homemade bread, or decorating a cake, I find joy in creating food that is both delicious and nourishing. For me, cooking is also a way of expressing love and care, bringing family and friends together, and creating meaningful moments around the table.
Typical Course Load:
- Multivariate Statistics
- Probability & Statistics
Research Interests & Publications
Interests: multivariate statistical modeling, longitudinal and intensive longitudinal data analysis, high-dimensional data analysis, and statistical learning
- Zahed, M., Skafyan, M., & Thornton, P. K. (2026). Sex-Specific Plasma Proteomic Signatures in Venous Thromboembolism: Differential Abundance and Machine-Learning-Based Feature Prioritization. Proteomes, 14, 55.
- Zahed, M., Skafyan, M., & Rasoulianboroujeni, M. (2026). Machine Learning and Ranking-Based Evaluation for Prioritizing High-Potency Ionizable Lipids in LNP-Mediated RNA Delivery. Algorithms, 19(5), 353. https://doi.org/10.3390/a19050353
- Zahed, M., & Skafyan, M. (2025). Silhouette-Based Evaluation of PCA, Isomap, and t-SNE on Linear and Nonlinear Data Structures. Stats, 8(4), 105. https://doi.org/10.3390/stats8040105
- Zahed, M., & Skafyan, M. (2025). Positioning Fractal Dimension and Lacunarity in the IBSI Feature Space: Simulation With and Without Wavelets. Radiation, 5(4), 32. https://doi.org/10.3390/radiation5040032
- Zahed, M., Lalonde, T., & Skafyan, M. (2023). Application of an Intensive Longitudinal Functional Model with Multiple Time Scales in Objectively Measured Children’s Physical Activity. Mathematics, 11(8), 1973. https://doi.org/10.3390/math11081973