Welcome to the Data Science Speaker Series at Boston College!

Lo-Hua Yuan is a statistician and storyteller who finds insights in data. She currently works as a Staff Data Scientist on Airbnb’s applied research team. Bridging theory and practice, she uses causal inference and AI to solve business problems in areas such as marketing, pricing, and search. Lo-Hua earned her Ph.D. in Statistics from Harvard University, developing causal methods with applications in education and mental health. 

Talk Title: Causal Inference in the Wild: From Data to Decisions at Airbnb 

Date & Location:  Wednesday, November 19, 2025 , reception 4:30- 5:00 pm, talk 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Hybrid, Campion Hall G16 or via Zoom

Talk Description: Online marketplaces are dynamic, complex systems where understanding cause and effect is key to making better decisions. At Airbnb, causal frameworks help us make sense of this complexity—connecting data to action through a blend of experimental and observational methods to uncover which product changes truly matter for guests and hosts. In this talk, I’ll share examples of how we go beyond standard A/B tests—whether in pricing, search, or global launches—to understand what works, what doesn’t, and why. I’ll also reflect on the practical challenges of applying causal inference at scale, and what it takes to turn open-ended questions with imperfect data into business decisions that shape real user experiences.

Zoom Link to follow!