About Me

My name is Anna Ly. I completed a Master of Science in Statistics at McMaster University, and prior to that I finished my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto.

I'm an R programmer that likes to contribute to open source statistical software. I have contributed to lme4, reformulas, and I currently maintain mlmRev.

I'm open to roles in data science, biostatistics, and statistical research — both in industry and academia.

The easiest way to reach me is through LinkedIn. I try to practice digital minimalism.

If you try to search for my name, you'll have a rough time finding me. There's even another "Anna Ly" in my extended family… There were multiple Anna Ly's at the University of Toronto. Anyways, here are my actual profiles:

If you want to reach me, please DM me on LinkedIn!

It is a common misconception that "Huynh" is my middle name. I have no middle name; it's my mom's last name.

Since childhood, I have always been interested in probability and data visualization. I vividly recall the excitement of using crayons to colour bar plots, and that is when I knew statistics and I were a dynamic duo.

I also challenged my family's love for lotteries. Even back then, I had a sense of the gambler's fallacy and understood that casinos were not in the business of giving money away, but I could not prove it.

As an undergraduate student, I had the privilege of being a teaching assistant for an introductory probability course. I shared how to compute probabilities and expected values of winning a Lotto 649 jackpot. Unfortunately, I still can't convince my father. :)

I love studying statistics because it allows me to comprehend the results of many studies without being an expert! Unlike previous generations, we live in a world where data and information are easily accessible, yet opinions formed without statistical evidence prevail. Conversely, I shape my perspectives similarly to a Bayesian model: I maintain prior beliefs but am always eager to adapt and refine them in the face of compelling evidence.

I am passionate about teaching statistics because I recognize the importance of a supportive teaching assistant. I've always been inspired by those who guide their students with understanding and without judgment. I am deeply grateful for the effective educators who have positively influenced my academic journey.

• I grew up in Niagara Falls, Canada. From my parent's house, it takes only 45 minutes to walk to the falls. People say I'm lucky to have easy access to the magnificent falls but I've spent more time looking at that waterfall than studying statistics; it's become an eyesore to me.
• I personally identify as Vietnamese Canadian, although my ethnic background is complicated. I do not speak Vietnamese. I learned the English language and communication through television.
• I identify as a first-generation university student. Due to war, my parents did not attend high school. I am the first person on my entire father's side of the family with a graduate degree.
• I collect Pokemon cards and I can play the TCG. I know how to play magic the gathering.
• I love Mega Man, specifically the Battle Network and Zero series.
• I have followed a strict plant-based diet since 2019.
• My favourite YouTubers are Catherine Klein and Lifting Vegan Logic.