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Matilde MarcolliView profile

Professor

• Noncommutative Geometry
• Mathematical Physics
• Number Theory
• +5 more

Matilde Marcolli is the Robert F. Christy Professor of Mathematics and Computing and Mathematical Sciences at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). She holds joint appointments in the Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy (PMA) and the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences (EAS). Her research spans noncommutative geometry, mathematical physics, number theory, and mathematical linguistics. She has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Sofja Kovalevskaya Award (2001) and the Heinz Maier Leibnitz Prize (2001). Marcolli has advised numerous PhD students and contributed to over 300 publications. Her work bridges abstract mathematics with applications in cosmology, quantum field theory, and computational linguistics. Education : PhD in Mathematics, University of Chicago, 1997 M.Sc., University of Chicago, 1994 Laurea in Mathematics, University of Pavia, 1993 Research Interests : Marcolli’s research explores the intersection of geometry, number theory, and physics. Key areas include noncommutative geometry models of particle physics and cosmology, motives in quantum field theory, and algebraic models of generative linguistics. She applies advanced techniques such as Feynman integrals, spectral action principles, and Hopf algebras to interdisciplinary problems. Grants & Awards : NSF grants DMS-2104330, DMS-1707882, and others NSERC Discovery Grant RGPIN-2018-04937 FQXi grant FQXi-RFP-1804 Collaborations & Labs : Marcolli collaborates with institutions like the Perimeter Institute and Florida State University. She leads research groups on topics such as quantum statistical mechanics, holography, and neural information networks. Her work on syntax-semantics interfaces and quantum gravity models has been pivotal in interdisciplinary studies.

Peer Christian KunstmannView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Functional Analysis
• Partial Differential Equations
• Harmonic Analysis
• +3 more

Peer Christian Kunstmann is an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Analysis, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). He teaches advanced mathematics courses for physics, electrical engineering, and mathematics students, including Analysis 4 (2025) and Höhere Mathematik II (2025). His research focuses on functional analysis, partial differential equations, and harmonic analysis. Key topics: Spectral theory, Navier-Stokes equations, and nonlinear Schrödinger equations Co-organized conferences: Parabolic Evolution Equations (2019), Evolution Equations (2010) Recent work explores maximal regularity for parabolic equations, modulation spaces in NLS analysis, and seismic imaging via Radon transforms. Publications span 2015-2023, with collaborations on topics like Banach algebras and inverse problems.

• Representation Theory
• Tensor Categories
• Lie Algebras
• +4 more

Pavel Etingof is Professor of Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Department of Mathematics, where he has been a distinguished faculty member for many years. He serves as the Chief Research Adviser of MIT-PRIMES, an all-year high school math research program that provides exceptional research opportunities for talented high school students. Additionally, he holds the prestigious position of Editor-in-Chief of Selecta Mathematica. Professor Etingof's research spans multiple advanced areas of pure mathematics with a particular focus on representation theory, tensor categories, Lie algebras, Hecke algebras, and algebraic structures. His work consistently bridges algebra, geometry, and mathematical physics, revealing deep connections between abstract algebraic structures and physical phenomena. His research has evolved to increasingly explore tensor categories in positive characteristic, connections between representation theory and fractal structures, and applications to quantum field theory. His recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate continued productivity and innovation, with numerous papers on tensor categories in various characteristics, representation theory of Lie groups, and connections to mathematical physics. These works show sophisticated exploration of representation theory in prime characteristic, novel applications to quantum field theory, and deep investigations into the structure of tensor categories. Editor-in-Chief of Selecta Mathematica Chief Research Adviser of MIT-PRIMES Professor Etingof has mentored numerous Ph.D. students at MIT and other institutions, establishing a significant mathematical genealogy in representation theory. His teaching includes advanced courses on algebraic groups, Lie theory, representation theory, and specialized topics. He has also co-organized many student seminars on cutting-edge mathematical topics including Deligne categories, symplectic reflection algebras, quantum cohomology, and double affine Hecke algebras, fostering collaborative research environments for students and colleagues.

• Database Systems
• Graph Databases
• Data Management
• +7 more

Amol Deshpande is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley, College of Engineering. With over 160 publications spanning from 2000 to 2025, his research has significantly impacted the database systems community. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical systems, evidenced by numerous publications in top-tier venues including SIGMOD, VLDB, and ICDE. Professor Deshpande's research focuses on database systems, with particular expertise in graph databases, data management, probabilistic databases, query optimization, and data provenance. His work addresses fundamental challenges in managing complex data, including efficient graph analytics, dataset versioning, streaming data processing, and privacy-preserving data management. Recent research directions include entity-relationship abstractions beyond traditional relations, standalone catalog engines for large data systems, and graph theoretical approaches to dataset versioning. His publication trends show a consistent focus on evolving database technologies, with early work on probabilistic databases and query optimization, transitioning to graph analytics and data provenance, and more recently addressing modern challenges in data cataloging, privacy-first data management, and serverless stream processing. His research spans both theoretical contributions (e.g., approximation algorithms for stochastic optimization) and practical systems building (e.g., RStore, TreeCat). Professor Deshpande has mentored numerous PhD students who have become active researchers in the database community, including Hui Miao, Souvik Bhattacherjee, and Konstantinos Xirogiannopoulos. His collaborative work spans across institutions, with frequent collaborations with researchers from MIT, University of Maryland, and other leading institutions. His research has been supported by major funding agencies and has influenced both academic research and industry practices in data management. The evolution of his work reflects the changing landscape of data management, from traditional relational systems to modern graph and streaming data challenges.

Jeffrey HeinzView profile

Professor

• Theoretical Linguistics
• Computational Learning Theory
• Phonology
• +3 more

Jeffrey Heinz is a Professor at Stony Brook University, with a joint appointment in the Department of Linguistics and the Institute for Advanced Computational Science. He holds a Ph.D. from UCLA (2007) and previously served on the faculty at the University of Delaware from 2007–2017. His research bridges theoretical linguistics, computational learning theory, and formal language models, focusing on phonology, linguistic typology, and grammatical inference. He has contributed to influential works on computational phonology and edited volumes on topics like phonological stress and learning theory. Key academic achievements include the 2017 Linguistic Society of America Early Career Award for contributions to computational inference in language. His work emphasizes the intersection of formal models and empirical linguistics, with applications to reduplication, phonological processes, and machine learning benchmarks like MLRegTest. Heinz has co-authored a book on grammatical inference and guest-edited special issues in Machine Learning and Phonology . His research also extends to interdisciplinary applications, such as modeling human-robot interaction and pediatric motor rehabilitation through grammatical inference techniques.

Wolfgang SteimleView profile

Professor

• Differential Geometry
• Algebraic Topology
• Algebraic K-theory
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Steimle is a Professor at the Institute of Mathematics within the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology at the University of Augsburg, Germany. He serves as the Erasmus representative for the Institute and is a core member of the Differential Geometry research team, collaborating with Professors Bernhard Hanke and Peter Quast. His office is located in space 3020 (L1) with contact email wolfgang.steimle@math.uni-augsburg.de. Steimle completed his academic training at the University of Münster, earning a diploma (Master's equivalent) in 2007 with thesis "Whitehead-Torsion und Faserungen" and a PhD in 2010 under Tom Farrell and Wolfgang Lück with dissertation "Obstructions to Stably Fibering Manifolds". His research centers on Differential Geometry and Algebraic Topology , with primary focus on manifold classification , automorphisms of manifolds , Algebraic K- and L-theory , and positive scalar curvature . He bridges abstract homotopy theory with geometric applications, particularly through cobordism categories, Waldhausen K-theory, and the assembly map. His work connects higher category theory with classical manifold problems, yielding insights into metric spaces and curvature constraints. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a dominant trend in applying stable infinity-categories to geometric topology, with significant contributions to Hermitian K-theory and the topology of positive scalar curvature metrics. His research consistently integrates algebraic techniques with differential geometric structures, advancing understanding of manifold automorphisms and classification. As an educator, Steimle has taught extensively across all levels, including Bachelor courses in Linear Algebra and Topology, Master lectures in Algebraic Topology and K-Theory, and specialized seminars on Lie Groups, Reflection Groups, and Cobordism Categories. He has supervised doctoral researchers including Georg Frenck, Helge Frerichs, Andreas Huber, and Lukas Schönlinner within the Differential Geometry group.

Victor VianuView profile

Professor

• database theory
• verification
• computational logic
• +3 more

Victor Vianu is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, San Diego, within the Jacobs School of Engineering. His work focuses on the intersection of database theory and verification techniques, particularly in the context of data-driven business processes and workflows. Research Interests Professor Vianu's primary research interests span database theory, verification of database-driven systems, and computational logic. His current work focuses on automatic verification of interactive data-driven web services and business processes, exploring how to provide customized workflow views for different stakeholders in organizational settings. His research addresses significant technical challenges at the intersection of data management and process modeling, requiring novel approaches that go beyond traditional relational algebra to handle both data and process aspects simultaneously. His work on data-driven business processes investigates how to specify, analyze, and synthesize views of workflows that expose only information relevant to specific user roles. This research has important applications in e-commerce, digital government, healthcare, and scientific infrastructure, where different stakeholders require varying levels of workflow abstraction and detail. Research Contributions and Trends Professor Vianu's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on the integration of data management and workflow processes. His work has evolved from foundational database theory to increasingly practical applications in business process management. A key trend in his research is the development of formal frameworks for workflow views that maintain consistency while providing appropriate abstractions for different user roles. His publications reveal a progression from theoretical foundations to more applied aspects of workflow verification and integration, often in collaboration with researchers from INRIA and other institutions. Advising and Research Support Professor Vianu leads the UCSD Database Laboratory, which conducts research on database systems and theory. He currently advises graduate student Marysia Tran and has likely mentored numerous other students throughout his career. His research is supported by the National Science Foundation under grant "Views of Data-Driven Business Processes: Foundations and Applications" (NSF Project III 1815247). This project brings together techniques from logic, automata theory, complexity theory, algorithms, and automatic verification to address challenges in workflow management. Research Environment Professor Vianu is an active member of the UCSD Database Laboratory, which maintains a regular research seminar series. He has collaborated extensively with researchers including Alin Deutsch (UC San Diego), Serge Abiteboul (INRIA and ENS-Paris), Pierre Bourhis (Univ. of Lille and CNRS), and Adrien Koutsos (ENS Cachan). His foundational work includes co-authoring the influential textbook "Foundations of Databases" with S. Abiteboul and R. Hull, which remains a standard reference in database theory.

Lance RipsView profile

Professor

• cognitive psychology
• reasoning
• concepts and categorization
• +9 more

Lance Rips is a Professor in the Psychology Department at Northwestern University , Evanston, IL. His research focuses on cognitive psychology, particularly concepts, reasoning, and autobiographical memory. Academic Rank: Professor Institution: Northwestern University Department: Psychology Department Contact: ripslab@gmail.com , rips@northwestern.edu Research interests include: Deductive and inductive reasoning Concepts of objects/events over time Causal cognition Mathematical thinking (numbers, non-Euclidean geometry) Informal argumentation and survey methodology His lab investigates foundational questions in cognition, with recent work on conditional reasoning, object individuation, and developmental understanding of substances. Publications span journals like Cognitive Science , Psychological Science , and Cognition .

Gheorghe CraciunView profile

Professor

• Mathematical Biology
• Dynamical Systems
• Chemical Reaction Networks
• +3 more

Gheorghe Craciun is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on mathematical and computational models in biology and medicine, particularly dynamical systems models of biological interaction networks. He has been a visiting researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences during the 2019-2020 academic year and has organized the Madison Workshops on Mathematics of Reaction Networks. Craciun's primary research interests include Mathematical Biology, Dynamical Systems, Chemical Reaction Networks, Computational Biology, Systems Biology, and Algebraic Geometry. He investigates systems of differential equations with polynomial right-hand sides, which are common in biochemical reaction networks, ecological interactions, and epidemiological models. His work often involves proving global stability, analyzing multistability, and characterizing steady states using tools from algebraic geometry and combinatorics. Recent publications demonstrate his focus on toric differential inclusions, endotactic networks, and the global attractor conjecture, extending to applications in biochemical networks and discrete Boltzmann equations. His extensive publication record reveals a strong trend toward algebraic and geometric methods for analyzing complex biological networks, with significant contributions to reaction network theory, stability analysis, and parameter characterization. Craciun's work bridges abstract mathematical concepts with practical applications in biochemistry, ecology, and medicine, including modeling vitellogenin production in trout and peptide mass distributions. He has collaborated extensively with international researchers including Alicia Dickenstein, Anne Shiu, Bernd Sturmfels, Casian Pantea, and Miruna-Stefana Sorea. In education, Craciun teaches graduate courses such as Math 703 and mentors students through the Madison Math Circle and Putnam Club, while organizing specialized workshops that foster collaboration in reaction network theory.

Christopher RamseyView profile

Associate Professor

• Operator Algebras
• Functional Analysis
• Multivariable Operator Theory
• +5 more

Christopher Ramsey is an Associate Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics within the Faculty of Arts and Science at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. He holds a PhD in Pure Mathematics from the University of Waterloo (2013), an MMath from Waterloo, and a BSc Honours from the University of Regina. Dr. Ramsey's research centers on operator algebras and functional analysis, with particular emphasis on non-selfadjoint operator algebras and multivariable operator theory. His work explores connections between analysis and algebra, studying algebras of infinite matrices and their applications to group theory, dynamical systems, free probability, and quantum information theory. He also investigates aperiodic order and its mathematical structures. His recent publications (2020-2025) demonstrate a consistent focus on operator algebras, with significant contributions to C*-algebras, tensor algebras, and their applications. The research spans theoretical foundations in functional analysis while connecting to diverse fields including symbolic dynamics, aperiodic structures, and quantum information. His work often bridges abstract algebraic structures with concrete analytical problems. Dr. Ramsey has received notable recognition including an NSERC Discovery Grant (2019), a MacEwan University Project Grant (2019), and an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013). He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the MacEwan University Student eJournal (MUSe) and Associate Editor of the Canadian Transactions of Operator Theory. As an educator, Dr. Ramsey teaches various mathematics courses and supervises senior students' independent studies. His academic service includes editorial work and active participation in the Canadian Mathematical Society. His research program continues to develop connections between operator algebras and their diverse applications across mathematical disciplines.

• Higher Category Theory
• Homotopy Theory
• Algebraic Topology
• +3 more

Rune Haugseng is a Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at NTNU in Trondheim, Norway, and a member of the Geometry and Topology research group. His work focuses on higher category theory, homotopy theory, and their applications to derived algebraic geometry and topological quantum field theories. He teaches courses such as a 2025 PhD course on higher categories and has supervised multiple PhD and Master’s students, including Louis Martini, Fredrik Bakke, and Tallak Manum. His research explores foundational aspects of ∞-categories and ∞-operads, with contributions to topics like symmetric monoidal structures, Segal spaces, and bispans. His articles often bridge abstract categorical frameworks with concrete applications in algebraic topology and mathematical physics. Haugseng has authored over 20 academic articles in journals such as Advances in Mathematics , Journal of Topology , and Publicacions Matemàtiques . He has also developed lecture notes on ∞-categories and operads, emphasizing pedagogical approaches to advanced topics. He is actively involved in academic collaborations, including with David Gepner, Joachim Kock, and Claudia Scheimbauer. His current teaching and supervision reflect a commitment to advancing research in higher categorical structures and their interdisciplinary applications.

Jose Israel RodriguezView profile

Assistant Professor

• Applied Algebraic Geometry
• Algebraic Statistics
• Nonlinear Algebra
• +5 more

Jose Israel Rodriguez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with additional affiliations in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Institute for Foundations of Data Science. He joined UW Madison in Fall 2020 after completing postdoctoral positions at the University of Chicago (with Lek-Heng Lim) and Notre Dame (with Jonathan Hauenstein). Rodriguez earned his PhD in 2014 from UC Berkeley under the supervision of Bernd Sturmfels. His research focuses on applied algebraic geometry and algebraic methods for statistics, with particular interests in nonlinear algebra and nonlinear eigenvalue problems, algebraic statistics and nearest point problems, and applications of monodromy and Galois groups. Rodriguez has made significant contributions to numerical algebraic geometry, particularly in solving polynomial systems, maximum likelihood estimation, and Euclidean distance degree calculations. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical computational methods. Rodriguez's recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward developing numerical methods for solving complex algebraic problems with applications in statistics, optimization, and engineering. His research shows increasing sophistication in handling decomposable systems, multiparameter eigenvalue problems, and braid group computations, often implementing these methods in software tools like Macaulay2. His work connects abstract algebraic geometry with concrete computational approaches. NSF Postdoctoral Fellow Provost's Postdoctoral Scholar Rodriguez currently advises PhD students Julia Lindberg (expected graduation May 2022, joint with B. Lesieutre) and Zinan Wang. He has organized numerous seminars and conferences including SIAM_SAGA, Algebra in Statistics and Computation Seminar, and Applied Algebra Seminar. His research has been supported by various grants that enable his work in numerical algebraic geometry and its applications. Rodriguez is actively involved in the algebraic geometry and statistics communities, organizing several seminars and minisymposia at major conferences. He has developed several software tools including implementations for decomposable sparse polynomial systems, multiregeneration, algebraic optimization, Galois groups, and maximum likelihood obstruction functions. His work connects theoretical mathematics with practical computational applications across various domains.

• Computational Mathematics
• Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
• Numerical Software
• +3 more

Prof. David Ham is a Professor of Computational Mathematics at the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London. His research focuses on high-level abstractions for scientific computation, particularly in geophysical fluids and numerical software. He leads the Firedrake project and co-developed the dolfin-adjoint framework, which received the 2015 Wilkinson Prize for Numerical Software. Ham holds a BSc (Mathematics) and LLB from The Australian National University, and a PhD from TU Delft. His career includes roles as a NERC Independent Research Fellow and Grantham Research Fellow at Imperial College. He is affiliated with the Grantham Institute, Mathematics of Planet Earth, and Software Performance Optimisation groups. His research spans computational science, including finite element methods, adjoint-based inversion, and parallel computing. Recent work emphasizes differentiable programming integration with machine learning and geophysical modeling. Ham has contributed to numerous grants and projects, including EPSRC and NERC-funded initiatives. He leads development of software tools like Firedrake and Thetis, advancing computational methods for oceanography and geodynamics.

Gerry BradyView profile

Clinical Professor

• Mathematical Logic
• History of Mathematics
• Categorical Logic
• +3 more

Gerry Brady is a Clinical Professor in the Masters Program in Computer Science at the University of Chicago. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematical Logic from the University of Oslo (1997), an M.A. in Mathematical Logic from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. in Mathematics with honors from the same institution. His research focuses on the history and foundations of mathematical logic, particularly the contributions of figures like C.S. Peirce and Thoralf Skolem. Notably, his doctoral thesis was expanded into the 2000 book From Peirce to Skolem , published by Elsevier. Brady has authored or co-authored works on categorical logic, relational calculus, and the philosophical underpinnings of symbolic logic. He contributed to pioneering efforts in computerizing academic journal production at the University of Chicago Press in the 1990s. His teaching emphasizes problem-solving skills, which he links to workplace success for MPCS graduates. He currently holds an office in Crerar Library and can be reached at brady@cs.uchicago.edu.

• Databases
• Programming Languages
• Compilers
• +7 more

Amir Shaikhha is an Associate Professor (Reader) in the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh. He was previously an Assistant Professor (Lecturer) at the same institution from 2020 to 2024 and a Departmental Lecturer at the University of Oxford until August 2020. He is also a Junior Research Fellow at University College, Oxford. His academic journey began with a Ph.D. from EPFL in 2018, where he was awarded the Google Ph.D. Fellowship in structured data analysis and a Ph.D. thesis distinction. His research centers on the design and implementation of data-analytics systems, drawing upon techniques from databases, programming languages, compilers, and machine learning. He develops high-performance systems such as SDQL.py, StructTensor, and VecHT, focusing on the compilation of data science workloads and optimization of tensor operations. His work bridges the gap between high-level abstractions and efficient execution, particularly in sparse and probabilistic computing domains. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in compiler-driven optimizations for data-intensive applications, including automatic differentiation, loop fusion, probabilistic programming, and domain-specific language (DSL) restaging. His research integrates machine learning for systems decisions and emphasizes reproducibility and performance. He has published consistently in top venues like PLDI, OOPSLA, SIGMOD, and CGO, reflecting sustained impact in programming languages and database systems. Dahl-Nygaard Junior Prize, 2025 Google Research Scholar Award, 2025 Most Influential Paper Award, GPCE 2024 Best Paper Award, GPCE 2017 Most Reproducible Paper Award, SIGMOD 2017 Google Ph.D. Fellowship, 2017 Amir Shaikhha has advised PhD students including Hesam Shahrokhi and has been nominated for Best Supervisor of the Year at the University of Edinburgh. He leads research projects that have received recognition and support through awards and grants, including the Google Research Scholar Award. He actively serves the community through program committees (e.g., GPCE, DBPL, DRAGSTERS), editorial roles, and peer review for premier journals. His leadership in organizing workshops and conferences underscores his role as a central figure in the programming languages and databases research communities. He leads a research group focused on compiler and database systems, with recent open-source releases such as StructTensor and VecHT. His team collaborates with researchers from institutions like MIT, EPFL, and TU Berlin, and he co-chairs workshops like Sparse@PLDI and DRAGSTERS. His lab emphasizes innovation in how data-intensive programs are compiled and executed efficiently across modern hardware.