YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering is pleased to announce a new publication by student Arina Pambukyan (BSCS ’26), co-authored with AUA Associate Professor Dr. Sachin Kumar, in Scientific Reports, a Q1 journal published by Nature.
Titled “Ergodicity and regime recoverability in finite Markov-modulated random walks,” the paper originated from a course project developed as part of Dr. Kumar’s Machine Learning course. It explores how machine learning can uncover hidden structures in systems where movement is influenced by unseen and changing conditions.
The study focuses on a type of random process in which a point moves step by step along a one-dimensional line, but its movement is governed by an invisible environment that switches between different states over time. Each hidden state affects how the point moves, creating a system where observable behavior depends on an unobserved, shifting background.
Reflecting on the publication, Pambukyan noted: “The ideas behind this paper had been evolving for quite some time before they began to take real shape during the Machine Learning course. What made the experience possible was that pursuing novel work at a high standard was not treated as extraordinary, but as the expectation, and I believe that is exactly what leads to meaningful results. It was rewarding to bring together my mathematical interests with modern computational and machine learning approaches. I am especially thankful to Dr. Kumar, who guided me through the entire process and whose mentorship made the real difference. It is rare for a course to grow into a true apprenticeship, and for me, this publication reflects exactly that.”
Dr. Kumar added: “In the course, students were encouraged to bring forward their own ideas and explore whether they could grow into meaningful research. From the beginning, Arina’s curiosity and strong discipline stood out, along with her willingness to engage deeply with a challenging problem. My role was to guide the process, helping shape the idea while giving her the space to think independently. It was rewarding to see how this balance between student initiative and mentorship led to a study that connects theoretical insight with modern machine learning approaches. This kind of journey reflects what meaningful learning and research should be.
This publication underscores the strength of student-led research at AUA and the importance of collaboration between students and faculty. By working together, Pambukyan and Dr. Kumar demonstrated how such partnerships can contribute to meaningful scientific inquiry and produce research that advances understanding in the field of computational science.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.