Meet Bowen Gang

Bowen Gang

In an era dominated by rapid AI development and vast data streams, the need for trustworthy statistical foundations has never been greater. The challenge of making AI more reliable fuels Dr. Bowen Gang’s research. A new assistant professor in the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Bowen creates tools to quantify uncertainty and analyze live data streams as they happen, equipping scientists to make dependable, real-time decisions.

Prior to joining the U of A in July, Bowen was a faculty member in the Department of Statistics and Data Science at Fudan University’s School of Management from 2020 to 2026. An avid board gamer in his free time, Bowen looks forward to partnering with world-class researchers to build a more reliable and automated future. 

Welcome Bowen!

What brought you to the University of Alberta? 

The U of A has an outstanding reputation, and I was particularly drawn to the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, which boasts some truly exceptional statisticians.

Tell us a bit about your research and what you'll be studying. 

My research focuses on model-free inference and sequential inference. Specifically, I work on achieving reliable uncertainty quantification for "black-box" models and developing methods to effectively handle and analyze continuous data streams.

In plain language, I develop statistical tools that can tell us how much confidence to place in an AI system’s predictions, even when its inner workings are too complex to fully understand. I also study methods for monitoring data as it arrives, so that we can detect meaningful patterns promptly while avoiding false alarms.

What inspired you to enter this field?

I believe these two areas are incredibly relevant in our current era of Big Data and AI. As we rely more on complex, opaque models, the ability to quantify uncertainty and process data in real-time is essential for making trustworthy and accurate scientific decisions.

Tell us about your teaching. What courses will you be teaching, or what is your philosophy when it comes to teaching? 

I will be teaching STAT 512 - Techniques of Mathematics for Statistics and STAT 578 - Regression Analysis. My teaching philosophy centres on conceptual understanding and intuition. I want my students to grasp the "why" and the core logic of the material, enabling them to master the essential concepts without becoming overwhelmed by excessive mathematical minutiae.

What are some of your favourite things to do outside of work?

To stay balanced, I enjoy hitting the gym and reading non-fiction to gain a broader understanding of the world. I am also a competitive board gamer, I am currently ranked 5th all-time on Board Game Arena for the game Century.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I am looking forward to meeting and collaborating with everyone in the faculty!