Who I Am
Thank you for visiting my page! I am a senior actuarial and risk analyst who combines technical expertise with a psychology background, enabling structured decision-making and clear communication. I strongly believe that rigorous statistical thinking combined with modern data science techniques leads to better performing models and effective risk management. Some may know me as Bavo De Cock. In 2021 I began publishing under the surname Campo to honor my mother, who was also active in academia. She, together with my father, still serve as a big inspiration to me.
I originally started my career as a biostatistical researcher in the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) group. I combined this full-time job with an MSc in Statistics, allowing me to directly apply statistical methods to real-world research challenges. Here I discovered my passion for research, programming and mathematics. I am forever grateful to the IOTA team for providing me with a solid foundation in research and statistical methodology.
Given my growing interest in mathematics and actuarial applications, I pursued my PhD in Actuarial Science at KU Leuven under the supervision of professor dr. Katrien Antonio. My doctoral research focused on developing and evaluating predictive modeling techniques in actuarial science, combining statistical and machine learning methods, and creating fraud detection models using social network features. My work bridged academic research with real industry challenges.
More recently, my professional focus shifted toward reinsurance, where I can combine quantitative modeling, portfolio analytics, and capital-aware decision-making with interpersonal skills. I am drawn to the field because it allows me to apply technical expertise to complex, large-scale risk challenges while working closely with clients, brokers, and cross-functional teams to design tailored solutions. This combination of analytics, business strategy, and relationship-driven impact aligns closely with my skills and long-term career aspirations.
During my career, I have consistently worked in international and multicultural environments. This has taught me to adapt quickly, collaborate effectively with diverse teams, and understand different perspectives, communication styles, and decision-making approaches across contexts. My background in psychology further helps me communicate complex concepts clearly and build strong relationships across all levels of an organization.
Next to research, I love to do sports. Hiking is one of my favorite sports, since it also involves traveling. I love to explore new areas, meet new people and to take a moment to enjoy a breathtaking view on top of a mountain. At the same time, I enjoy quiet activities. I love to learn new things and to deepen my understanding of unfamiliar subjects. In particular about medicine. Sadly, the older we get, the more we are confronted with the limitations of human life. Learning about medicine helps me to better understand some of the things that happen in reality, just as statistics and data science do.
If you are interested in my professional experience, education, and skills, please visit my professional experience page. For a detailed summary, you can also download my CV. For my research contributions, visit my KU Leuven research profile or ResearchGate.