Staff Profile

I am a lecturer in statistics with a research interest in the application of Gaussian processes to surrogate modelling. I am passionate about teaching statistics to non-specialists and student wellbeing. I currently hold administrative posts of the Stage 3 tutor and International Student Champion. y research is primarily focused in engineering and environmental applications, but am open to new avenues. I use Bayesian statistics and Monte Carlo methods for parameter inference, and occasionally other optimisation methods.

I am interested in statistical surrogate modelling and Bayesian inference, with applications to engineering/environmental problems. My current work falls into the following broad categories:

• Gaussian process emulation of static and dynamical models
• Bayesian inference
• Markov chain Monte Carlo methods using STAN, JAGS, and R
• Collaborating with scientists/engineers/industrial stakeholders
• Enabling use of our models through building UI 

I developed the ACHIMULATOR app that allows to predict deterioration of infrastructure assets in real-time.

The current developments in the field of Gaussian processes are very exciting to me, and I am always open to new collaborations.

I was previously part of the ACHILLES consortium.

This academic year Semester 2 I will be teaching engineering statistics in the following modules

• CME1027 Data Analysis in Process Industries. This will be jointly taught with ENG2031 Mathematical Modelling and Statistical Methods for Engineering

I am passionate about student wellbeing and thriving during their University journey.

• Articles

  • Helm PR, Svalova A, Morsy AM, Rouainia M, Smith A, El-Hamalawi A, Wilkinson DJ, Postill H, Glendinning S. Emulating long-term weather-driven transportation earthworks deterioration models to support asset management. Transportation Geotechnics 2024, 44, 101155.
  • Briggs KM, Helm PR, Smethurst JA, Smith A, Stirling R, Svalova A, Trinidad González Y, Loveridge FA, Glendinning S. Evidence for the weather-driven deterioration of ageing transportation earthworks in the UK. Transportation Geotechnics 2023, 43, 101130.
  • Briggs KM, Blackmore L, Svalova A, Loveridge FA, Glendinning S, Powrie W, Butler S, Sartain N. The influence of weathering on index properties and undrained shear strength for the Charmouth Mudstone Formation of the Lias Group at a site near Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology 2022, 55(3), qjegh2021-066.
  • Svalova A, Walshaw D, Lee C, Demyanov V, Parker NG, Povey MJ, Abbott GD. Estimating the asphaltene critical nanoaggregation concentration region using ultrasonic measurements and Bayesian inference. Scientific Reports 2021, 11(1), 6698.
  • Svalova A, Helm P, Prangle D, Rouainia M, Glendinning S, Wilkinson DJ. Emulating computer experiments of transport infrastructure slope stability using Gaussian processes and Bayesian inference. Data-Centric Engineering 2021, 2, e12.
  • Spencer-Jones CL, McClymont EL, Bale NJ, Hopmans EC, Schouten S, Muller J, Abrahamsen EP, Allen C, Bickert T, Hillenbrand C-D, Mawbey E, Peck V, Svalova A, Smith JA. Archaeal intact polar lipids in polar waters: A comparison between the Amundsen and Scotia seas. Biogeosciences 2021, 18(11), 3485-3504.
  • Svalova A, Parker NG, Povey MJW, Abbott GD. Determination of Asphaltene Critical Nanoaggregate Concentration Region Using Ultrasound Velocity Measurements. Scientific Reports 2017, 7. In Preparation.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstracts)

  • Armstrong J, Preston J, Helm PR, Svalova A. ACHILLES: reducing infrastructure whole-life costs. In: Proceedings of 10th International Conference on Railway Operations Modelling and Analysis. 2023, Belgrade, Serbia.
  • Svalova A, Helm P, Prangle D, Rouainia M, Glendinning S, Wilkinson D. Bayesian Emulation of Computer Experiments of Infrastructure Slope Stability Models. In: 8th International Symposium for Geotechnical Safety and Risk (ISGSR). 2022, Newcastle, Australia: Research Publishing.

• Report

  • Loveridge F, Svalova A, Helm PR, Armstrong A, Oakley J. ACHILLES Reading Guide 6: The role of data analytics in decision-making. Newcastle upon Tyne: Newcastle University, 2023.

• Research Dataset/Database

  • Helm P, Svalova A, Morsy A, Rouainia M, Smith A, El-Hamalawi A, Wilkinson D, Postill H, Glendinning S. Data: Emulating long-term weather-driven transportation earthworks deterioration models to support asset management. 2024. Newcastle upon Tyne: Newcastle University, 6.57MB.