Homepage of Frank van der Meulen

Associate professor
Delft University of Technology
Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics
Van Mourik Broekmanweg 6
2628 XE Delft, Phone: 015-2784517
Room: E-1.180
E-mail: f(dot)h(dot)vandermeulen(at)tudelft(dot)nl

Research summary

My research is directed to statistical inference for stochastic processes, with focus on uncertainty quantification and indirect observation schemes. Over the past 5-10 years I have worked on Bayesian computational aspects of inference for discretely observed stochastic processes with particular emphasis on diffusion- and Lévy processes. Within Bayesian estimation for diffusions, the simulation of diffusion bridges is of key importance. Together with Moritz Schauer (Leiden University) and Harry van Zanten (University of Amsterdam) I have developed a general method for simulating conditioned diffusions which goes by the name `guided proposals'. Presently, we are investigating extensions and applications of our method. Simulations in our articles have been performed in Julia: Moritz maintains the Bridge package for this (see Bridge.jl). More recently, Marcin Mider made a clearly documented implementation: see BridgeSDEInference.jl. One exciting application of the developed methods may turn out to be stochastic models for shape deformation. Here a cooperation with Stefan Sommer (University of Copenhagen) and Alexis Arnaudon (Imperial College London) has been initiated.
Together with Shota Gugushvili, Peter Spreij (University of Amsterdam) and Moritz Schauer I have considered various problems of nonparametric function estimation, where it is assumed that the function is piecewise constant, but adjacent bins are coupled such that the values of these have positive dependence. This appears to work well in a wide range of settings and we may expand this work to other settings or possibly work on stronger theoretical validation of this approach.

More generally, I am interested in Bayesian computational methods such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC). On a somewhat more theoretical level I am interested in proving posterior contraction rates for Bayesian procedures (joint work with Geurt Jongbloed and Lixue Pang, in particular on censoring/shape restricted nonparametric problems). Finally an important aspect of my research consists of direct collaboration with researchers in fields outside mathematics. Examples include sports engineering (analysis of longitudinal data) and maritime engineering (fatigue calculations of maritime structures).

Some keywords: statistical inference for stochastic processes (diffusions, Lévy processes); Bayesian computation; Bayesian asymptotics; dynamical systems; longitudinal data.

If we share research interests, feel free to send me an email to discuss possibilities for collaboration.

Preprints / submitted

G. Jongbloed, F.H. van der Meulen and L. Pang (2019) Nonparametric Bayesian estimation of a concave distribution function with mixed interval censored data

J. Bierkens, F.H. van der Meulen and M.R. Schauer, M.R. (2018) Simulation of elliptic and hypo-elliptic conditional diffusions arXiv under review

F.H. van der Meulen and M.R. Schauer, M.R. (2017) Continuous-discrete smoothing of diffusions arXiv

F.H. van der Meulen and M.R. Schauer, M.R. (2017) On residual and guided proposals for diffusion bridge simulation arXiv

R.B. Hageman, F.H. van der Meulen, A. Rouhan and M.L. Kaminski (2018) Improved Risk-Based Inspection planning through in-service Hull Structure Monitoring of FPSO hulls

G. Jongbloed, F.H. van der Meulen and L. Pang (2018) Bayesian estimation of a decreasing density arXiv submitted

S. Gugushvili, F.H. van der Meulen, M.R. Schauer and P. Spreij (2018) Fast and scalable non-parametric Bayesian inference for Poisson point processes arXiv under review at Researchers.one

[corresponding code is on zenodo https://zenodo.org/record/1215901#.Wtg3N9NuZTY]

Publications

S. Gugushvili, E. Mariucci and F.H. van der Meulen (2019) Decompounding discrete distributions: a non-parametric Bayesian approach arXiv accepted for publication in Scandinavian Journal of Statistics

S. Gugushvili, F.H. van der Meulen, M.R. Schauer and P. Spreij (2019) Bayesian wavelet de-noising with the Caravan prior arXiv accepted for publication in ESAIM Probability and Statistics

S. Gugushvili, F.H. van der Meulen, M.R. Schauer and P. Spreij (2019) Non-parametric Bayesian estimation of a Holder continuous diffusion coefficient arXiv To appear in the Brazilian Journal of Statistics.

Di Bucchianico, L. Iapichino, N. Litvak, F.H. van der Meulen and R. Wehrens (2018) Mathematics for Big Data Nieuw Archief voor wiskunde, 282-287. pdf

S. Gugushvili, F.H. van der Meulen, M.R. Schauer and P. Spreij (2018) Nonparametric Bayesian volatility learning under microstructure noise, arXiv, Entropy (special issue on MaxEnt 2018).

S. Gugushvili, F.H. van der Meulen, M.R. Schauer and P. Spreij (2018) Nonparametric Bayesian volatility estimation arXiv, MATRIX Annals, Editors: David R. Wood, Jan de Gier, Cheryl E. Praeger, Terence Tao. MATRIX Book Series, Vol 2, Springer, to appear.

F.H. van der Meulen and M.R. Schauer (2017) Bayesian estimation of incompletely observed diffusions, Stochastics 90(5), 641-662.

F.H. van der Meulen, M.R. Schauer, J. van Waaij (2017) Adaptive nonparametric drift estimation for diffusion processes using Faber-Schauder expansions, Statistical Inference for Stochastic Processes 21(3), 603-628.

F.H. van der Meulen and M.R. Schauer, M.R. (2017) Bayesian estimation of discretely observed multi-dimensional diffusion processes using guided proposals, Electronic Journal of Statistics 11(1), 2358--2396.

M.R. Schauer, F.H. van der Meulen and J.H. van Zanten (2017) Guided proposals for simulating multi-dimensional diffusion bridges, Bernoulli 23(4A), 2917--2950

Gugushvili, S., Van der Meulen, F.H. and Spreij, P.J. (2016) A non-parametric Bayesian approach to decompounding from high frequency data. Statistical Inference for Stochastic Processes.

Hartman, K., Wittich, A. Cai, J.J., Van der Meulen, F.H. and Azevedo, J.M.N. (2016) Estimating the age of Rissos dolphins (Grampus griseus) based on skin appearance. Journal of Mammology 97(2), 490--502.

Litvak, N. and Van der Meulen, F.H. (2015) Networks & Big Data. Nieuw Archief voor Wiskunde 5(2), 138--139.

Gugushvili, S., Spreij, P. and Van der Meulen, F.H. (2015) Non-parametric Bayesian inference for multi-dimensional compound Poisson processes. Modern Stochastics: Theory and Applications 2(1), 1--15.

Van der Meulen, F.H., Luca, S. Overal, G., Di Bucchianico, A. and Jongbloed, G. (2014) Modeling a water purification process for quality monitoring. Proceedings of the 98th Study Group Mathematics with Industry, 36--54

Van der Meulen, F.H., Schauer, M.R. and Van Zanten. J.H. (2014) Reversible jump MCMC for nonparametric drift estimation for diffusion processes, Computational Statistics and Data Analysis 71, 615--632.

Van der Meulen, F.H. van Hageman, R. (2013) Fatigue Predictions using Statistical Inference within the Monitas II Project, Proceedings of the Twenty-hrid International Offshore and Polar Engineering, 463--471.

Van der Meulen, F.H. and Van Zanten, J.H. (2013) Consistent nonparametric Bayesian inference for discretely observed scalar diffusions, Bernoulli 19(1), 44–63.

Wauben, L.S.G.L., Van Grevenstein, W.M.U., Goossens, R.H.M., Van der Meulen, F.H. and Lange, J.F. (2011) Operative notes do not reflect reality in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The British journal of surgery. 98(10), 1431-1436.

Jongbloed, G. and Van der Meulen (2011) Geurproef niet meer in gebruik in strafzaken. (in dutch) Stator, pages 38-43..

Van der Meulen, F.H., Vermaat, M.B. and Willems, P. (2010) Case Study: An application of Logistic Regression in a Six Sigma project in Healthcare. Quality Engineering 23, 113-124.

Van der Meulen, F.H., De Koning, H. and De Mast, J. (2009) Non-repeatable gauge R&R studies assuming temporal or patterned object variation. Journal of Quality Technology 41(4), 1-14.

Jongbloed, G. and Van der Meulen, F.H. (2009) Estimating a concave distribution function from data corrupted with additive noise. Annals of Statistics 37(2), 782-815.

Vermaat, M.B., Van der Meulen, F.H. and Does, R.J.M.M. (2008) Asymptotic Behaviour of the Variance of the EWMA Statistic for Autoregressive Processes Statistics and Probability Letters 78(12), 1673-1682

Van der Meulen, F.H., Van der Vaart, A.W. and Van Zanten, J.H. (2006) Convergence rates of posterior distributions for Brownian semimartingale models Bernoulli 12(5), 863-888

Jongbloed, G. and Van der Meulen, F.H. (2006) Parametric estimation for subordinators and induced OU-processes Scandinavian Journal of Statistics 33(4), 825-847

Ramaker, H.JJ., Van Sprang, E.N.M., Westerhuis, J.A., Gorden, S.P., Van der Meulen, F.H., Smilde, A.K. (2006) Performance assessment and improvement of control charts for statistical batch process monitoring Statistica Neerlandica 60(3), 339-360

Jongbloed, G. Meulen, F.H. van der, Vaart, A.W. van der (2005) Nonparametric inference for Lévy driven Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes. Bernoulli 11(5), 759-791

Phd-thesis Statistical estimation for Levy driven OU-processes and Brownian semimartingales (2005), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Short CV

1995-2001: TU Delft, applied mathematics
2001-2005: PhD student at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
2005-2007: Consultant/researcher at the Institute for Business and Industrial Statistics at the University of Amsterdam (IBIS UvA)
2007-2017: Assistant professor at TU Delft
2018-now: Associate professor at TU Delft
2012-now: Scientific advisor for company ProjectsOne