UPEI mourns the loss of faculty member Dr. Kai Liu

The University of Prince Edward Island community is saddened to learn of the recent death of Dr. Kai Liu, assistant professor in the UPEI School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences.

“On behalf of the University community, I extend my sincere condolences to Dr. Liu’s family, friends, and colleagues,” said UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Greg Keefe in a message to the campus community on Thursday, March 30.

Dr. Liu joined UPEI as an assistant professor in 2017 after completing his PhD at the University of Waterloo in Statistics and Actuarial Sciences. He was an accomplished teacher, contributing to courses throughout the School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences at UPEI, and specializing in actuarial science course offerings. He led an active and successful research program, publishing widely on topics related to actuarial science, statistics, and computer science. He supervised several post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and honours students. 

“Dr. Liu’s impact and contributions to UPEI, the School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, and the broader academic community will be truly missed,” said Dr. Andrew Godbout, interim associate dean of the School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences. 

Dr. Liu collaborated broadly and extensively, working with researchers from across Canada and the World. He was an adjunct assistant professor at Dalhousie University and the head of the Machine Learning Group in the Big Data Research Lab at the University of Waterloo. He was a board member of the Atlantic Association of Research in the Mathematical Sciences and held associate status with the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. 

The flags in front of Kelley Memorial Building have been lowered to half-mast in Dr. Liu’s honour. A funeral service will be held in Ontario.