# CAREER: Heavy-Tailed Priors for Robust Bayesian Inference in Ecology, Machine Learning, and Astronomy

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA) · $450,000

## Abstract

Heavy-tailed probability distributions are routine across many scientific disciplines, from astronomy to ecology and finance and network modeling. Such distributions are often utilized in statistical modeling to incorporate non-linearity, robustness to large observations, and sparsity in high-dimensional data. The overarching goal of this project is to build new scalable statistical methods that incorporate heavy-tailed prior distributions in three disparate application areas: independent component estimation that recovers independent, latent sources from their observed mixtures, astronomical distance estimation from parallax measurements, and statistical modeling of compositional data. The research will result in powerful Bayesian tools with rigorous theoretical justification. This project will also narrow the critical gap between methodological advances in statistics and the tools used by the scientific community and promote increased usage and transparency of state-of-the-art Bayesian tools. The research findings will be incorporated into various educational activities to engage K-12 students. The project will provide research opportunities and training for graduate students and will enhance undergraduate and graduate curricula, accompanied by a monograph.


This project develops Bayesian methodologies to address three significant statistical challenges: (1) unifying feature extraction techniques via novel latent space representations in independent component analysis, 

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2443282
- **Awardee organization:** Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** QDE5UHE5XD16
- **PI:** Jyotishka Datta
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Machine Learning Theory, CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev
- **Estimated total:** $450,000
- **Funds obligated:** $270,000
- **Transaction type:** Continuing Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2030

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2443282

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2443282, CAREER: Heavy-Tailed Priors for Robust Bayesian Inference in Ecology, Machine Learning, and Astronomy. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2443282. Licensed CC0.

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