Austin Sibu is in his fifth year at Texas A&M University (TAMU), earning BS and MS degrees in statistics in a combined degree program.
Previously, Austin worked as a research assistant at the EconomicStatecraft Program at the Bush School and helped build a COVID-19 dashboard in a joint project between the statistics and public health departments. During 2021, he participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the Center for Industrial Mathematics and Statistics program. Students partnered with an industry sponsor on a research topic in the investment management sector.
Austin is currently working on the NICR project “Congestion Using New Mobility Platforms: Understanding Curb Management and Targeted Incentive Policies to Increase Pooling,” under the guidance of Ipek N. Sener, Ph.D. Austin analyzes survey data about consumer experiences with and usage of transportation network companies and ridehailing, ridepooling, and ridesharing services. He is applying various statistical models to determine which groups are least likely to use ridepooling services and why, as well as what sort of policies would address their concerns and encourage more pooling. The overall goal of the project is to reduce barriers to pooling and increase equity in access to these services.
Austin loves to watch soccer matches and plays in an intermural league at TAMU. Since he is from Chicago, he supports all his home teams. Austin is also part of the TAMU Chess Club, a bar trivia enthusiast, a history buff, and a cinephile.
After graduation, Austin hopes to apply to a doctoral program, but he also is interested in working as a statistician or an economist for a government or international agency.
