Celebrating the first graduate of Laurier’s Mathematical and Statistical Modelling PhD program

Wilfrid Laurier University’s Department of Mathematics is excited to announce that PhD candidate Sean Hellingman will be the first to earn a doctoral degree in Laurier’s Mathematical and Statistical Modelling program. Hellingman defended his dissertation on Nov. 2, 2022, and the doctoral degree is expected to be conferred at convocation in spring 2023.  

 “I was honestly a bit emotional immediately after my defence” said Hellingman. “I am very happy to have gotten through it! It was a lot of work over the past four years, and I am very pleased with the work I was able to produce”. 

Hellingman grew up in Kamloops, B.C. In 2009, he earned a scholarship to play soccer for Daemen University in Amherst, N.Y. and graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a minor in French. After completing his degree at Daemen, Hellingman enjoyed a few years off to pursue his passion for soccer and played around the world.

Hellingman continued his education in the Czech Republic in 2016, completing a two-year master’s degree in quantitative economic analysis with a minor in insurance mathematics before starting his PhD journey at Laurier in 2018. When deciding on where to pursue his PhD, he looked for an institution that would allow him a large say in his research.

“Dr. Zilin Wang, my supervisor, was really open to me having a large say in my research topics,” says Hellingman. “This was a massive selling point for Laurier, because if I was going to spend at least four years of my life working on something I wanted to be interested in it.”

Sean embedded his passion for soccer within his research and focused on developing a technique for modeling computer event-tracking data from professional soccer. 

“I was able to simulate outcomes of games conditioned on different substitution strategies with the intent of helping clubs with their decision-making for substitutions,” said Hellingman. “I also did some research into the Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft. I mainly focused on the impacts of some draft-related rule changes and identifying desirable player characteristics”.

“I would like to continue to conduct research, but in an industry environment,” says Hellingman. “There is so much still to learn, and I am seeking an opportunity that allows me to continue learning.”

Wang, who served as Hellingman’s faculty supervisor, said the entire Department of Mathematics is excited about his accomplishment and can’t wait to celebrate his PhD at convocation in the spring.

“It’s been great to be part of Sean's PhD journey,” says Wang. “His excellent research ability, diligence, and work ethic always impressed me. Despite the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sean completed his PhD within four years. I am very proud of him. I am sure he has a very bright future and I wish him success in his career goals.”

After completing his degree requirements, Sean took some time off and indulged his love of soccer by attending the World Cup. Sean is very thankful for all the help and support of his supervisors and is looking forward to seeing more graduates from the program.

Laurier’s Mathematical and Statistical Modelling program works to tackle ongoing scientific questions, which helps students become independent researchers. The program supports students to succeed following graduation, working in continued research, industry settings, teaching environments, or government.

Learn more about Laurier’s Mathematical and Statistical Modelling program.