Tempe, Arizona — Chukwudi Paul Obite, a third-year PhD student in Statistics at Arizona State University (ASU), USA, and a Graduate Teaching Associate, is not just making strides in academia but also carving out a niche for himself as an entrepreneur. In a recent interview, Chukwudi shared insights into his inspiring journey, his passion for statistics, and how he’s balancing his academic pursuits with his growing business.
Chukwudi’s fascination with statistics led him to pursue a PhD at ASU, a decision that has proven to be both challenging and rewarding. “My journey has been enriching, with exposure to cutting-edge research and collaborative opportunities,” he reflects. His experience at ASU has been marked by a blend of rigorous theoretical foundations and practical applications, a contrast he notes when comparing his academic experiences in Nigeria and the USA. “Teaching statistics in Nigeria and the USA differs significantly. In Nigeria, there’s a greater emphasis on theoretical foundations, while in the USA, theoretical foundations, practical applications, and software usage are prioritized.”
Beyond the classroom, Chukwudi is the founder of OCP Analytics, a company dedicated to providing data analysis services and software training in Python, R, SPSS, and more. His motivation for starting the company stemmed from a desire to bridge the gap between statistical theory and practical applications, empowering clients to make informed decisions. “I wanted to bridge the gap between statistical theory and practical applications, empowering clients to make informed decisions,” he explains.
Running a business while pursuing a PhD is no small feat, but Chukwudi manages to balance these responsibilities through meticulous time management and by leveraging his statistical expertise. His previous experience as a lecturer in Nigeria has also been instrumental in adapting to the academic and business environments in the USA.
One of Chukwudi’s notable projects through OCP Analytics was a contract with Family Worship, Abuja, where his company provided SPSS training to staff over three days. His contributions to research are equally impressive, with 22 published papers and at least 158 citations to his name. A significant project he collaborated on, led by Samuel Adekunle, focused on the choice of place of delivery among Nigerian women. Chukwudi applied a logistic regression model to investigate the socio-demographic and cultural factors influencing women’s delivery location choices. The findings, which identified areas and regions at risk for home deliveries, were published in a top peer-reviewed journal and have contributed to understanding factors behind high child and maternal mortality rates in Nigeria.
Chukwudi’s PhD journey at ASU has been marked by excellence. He currently holds a perfect CGPA of 4.0/4.0, and his achievements were recognized in April 2024 with two awards: the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award and the Dennis Young Graduate and Early Scholar Statistics Award. Since 2022, he has taught five undergraduate classes at ASU and, after passing his qualifying and comprehensive exams, will be awarded a master’s degree in passing by ASU in September 2024. His PhD research is focused on developing a Bayesian spatiotemporal model for infectious diseases, a project that is progressing well and promises to make significant contributions to the field.
Chukwudi Paul Obite is a remarkable example of how dedication to one’s passion can lead to success across multiple fields. As he continues to advance in his academic and entrepreneurial pursuits, his work is sure to leave a lasting impact on both the statistical community and the clients he serves through OCP Analytics.