Nikola Milicevic

Nikola Milicevic is a Researcher (Postdoctoral Scholar) in the Department of Mathematics at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) within the Eberly College of Science. Starting September 2025, he will assume the role of Assistant Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Texas El Paso. He completed his Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Florida in 2021 under Peter Bubenik, focusing on Topological Data Analysis (TDA). His research bridges theoretical neuroscience, applied topology, and algebraic structures, with applications to biology and machine learning.

Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics, University of Florida (2021); Postdoctoral training at Penn State (2021–2025) and ICERM (2023).

Research interests include applied topology (directed homology, closure spaces), TDA applications in neuroscience and imaging, and foundational work on persistence modules. Notable projects involve modeling neural network dynamics, developing Shapley-based interpretability in olfactory bulb studies, and extending algebraic topology frameworks to non-topological spaces.

Collaborations include work with Vladimir Itskov (neuroscience), the Vitriol Lab (microscopy analysis), and contributions to theoretical frameworks like Eilenberg-Steenrod theories for closure spaces.

Publications emphasize stability of topological features, homology of digraphs, and machine learning interpretability. Advising includes mentoring undergraduates in TDA and algebraic geometry.