Peng Ding is an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics and B.A. in Economics from Peking University, followed by an M.S. in Statistics from the same institution. He earned his Ph.D. in Statistics from Harvard University in 2015 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. His research focuses on causal inference, missing data, Bayesian statistics, and applied statistical methods in biomedical and social sciences. Ding is particularly known for his work on improving the robustness of causal inference in observational studies and randomized experiments through sensitivity analysis and design-based approaches. His research interests include methodologies to address contaminated data (e.g., missing values, measurement errors), factorial experiments, and sensitivity analysis for unmeasured confounding. He has contributed to theoretical advancements in rerandomization, regression adjustment, and instrumental variable techniques. His work emphasizes practical applications in fields such as epidemiology, social sciences, and public health. Peng Ding teaches courses on causal inference, statistical theory, and linear models. His most recent courses include Data, Inference, and Decisions and Linear Models . He actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students through directed study programs. His research has been published in top-tier statistical journals and presented at international conferences.
Lexin Li is a Professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, with additional affiliations at the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Program on Computational Precision Health, and the Center for the Theoretical Foundations of Learning, Inference, Information, Intelligence, Mathematics and Microeconomics at Berkeley (CLIMB). He received his BE in Electrical Engineering from Zhejiang University (1998) and PhD in Statistics from the University of Minnesota (2003), followed by postdoctoral training at UC Davis School of Medicine. He joined North Carolina State University as Assistant Professor in 2005, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2011, and served as visiting faculty at Stanford University and Yahoo Research Labs (2011-2013) before joining UC Berkeley as Associate Professor in 2014, where he was promoted to Full Professor in 2018. Dr. Li's research spans statistical methodology development for neuroimaging data analysis, tensor statistics, and machine learning applications to biomedical problems. His work focuses on brain connectivity and network analysis, imaging causal inference, tensor regression, dimension reduction, and statistical machine learning with applications to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders. His methodological innovations bridge theoretical statistics with practical neuroscience applications, particularly in multimodal neuroimaging analysis and brain network modeling. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trajectory in integrating deep learning with classical statistical inference, particularly in tensor analysis, functional data modeling, and causal inference. The research shows increasing sophistication in handling high-dimensional, complex neuroimaging data while developing rigorous statistical frameworks for inference. His work increasingly focuses on multimodal data integration and developing methods that can handle the complexity of real-world neurological data. Dr. Li has received numerous prestigious honors including being elected as a Fellow of the American Statistical Association (2017), Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (2021), Elected Member of the International Statistical Institute, and Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2024). Fellow, American Statistical Association (2017) Fellow, Institute of Mathematical Statistics (2021) Elected Member, International Statistical Institute Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2024) Editor-in-Chief, Annals of Applied Statistics (2025-2027) As an academic leader, Dr. Li serves as Co-Director of the Biostatistics Program (2019-) and Director of Graduate Admissions (2015-) at UC Berkeley. He is an active editor, currently serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Annals of Applied Statistics (2025-2027), and has held associate editor positions at multiple top statistical journals including the Journal of the American Statistical Association and Journal of Computational and Graphical Statistics. He also serves as a Standing Member of the NIH Emerging Imaging Technologies in Neuroscience Study Section (2023-2027). His research has been supported by various NIH grants focused on statistical methodology for neuroimaging analysis. Dr. Li leads a vibrant research group focused on statistical neuroimaging and machine learning methodology, with strong connections to the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute and collaborations across multiple departments at UC Berkeley. His team develops innovative statistical methods that address real challenges in neuroscience research while maintaining rigorous theoretical foundations. The group maintains active collaborations with neuroscientists and clinicians working on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological conditions.
Prof. Patrick Jenny is a Full Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering and Head of the Institute of Fluid Dynamics at ETH Zurich. His research focuses on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), numerical methods for turbulent and multiphase flows, and reservoir simulation. He has held positions at ChevronTexaco and Cornell University, and received the National Latsis Prize 2005. PhD in CFD from ETH Zurich (1997) Postdoctoral work at Cornell University (1997–1999) Senior Researcher at ChevronTexaco (1999–2003) Research interests include: turbulent reactive flows, PDF modeling, multi-scale reservoir simulation, and data assimilation in engineering systems. He teaches courses on fluid dynamics, turbulence, and computational methods. Over 100 peer-reviewed publications span topics like fracture modeling, LES/RANS coupling, and particle-laden flows. His work bridges academia and industry, addressing challenges in energy systems, environmental engineering, and numerical algorithms. Winner: National Latsis Prize 2005 Led over 20 PhD projects and collaborates with institutions globally. His lab develops open-source tools for CFD and energy systems analysis.
Zachary E. Ross is a Professor of Geophysics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and holds the William H. Hurt Scholar distinction since 2021. His research integrates machine learning, computational mathematics, and seismology to analyze earthquakes and fault zones using large seismic datasets. Education B.S., University of California, Davis (2009) M.S., California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (2011) Ph.D., University of Southern California (2016) His research focuses on high-resolution imaging of fault zones, understanding earthquake sequences in space and time, and applying artificial intelligence to seismic data analysis. He develops scalable algorithms for waveform inversion, ground-motion synthesis, and real-time seismic monitoring. Recent publications highlight his work on neural operators for wave propagation, AI-driven seismicity analysis, and induced earthquake dynamics. He teaches advanced courses including Ge 264 – Machine Learning in Geophysics and Ge 271 – Dynamics of Seismicity . Scientific Awards William H. Hurt Scholar (2021–present)
Prof. Benno Liebchen holds a faculty position at the Technische Universität Darmstadt within the Institute for Condensed Matter Physics , part of the Faculty of Physics. He leads the Liebchen Group , dedicated to advancing research in the Theory of Soft Matter , focusing on active matter, colloidal systems, and non-equilibrium phenomena. His work explores collective behavior in self-propelled particles, phase transitions in active fluids, and adaptive strategies in smart materials. Research Interests include: Active matter dynamics and pattern formation Non-equilibrium statistical mechanics Biophysical systems and biomimetic design Computational modeling of soft matter Recent publications highlight breakthroughs in intelligent active particles , self-reverting vortices , and motility-induced phase coexistence . His lab develops tools like the AMEP Python package to analyze active systems. Teaching responsibilities include advanced modules in soft matter physics. Collaborative projects involve interdisciplinary approaches to microswimmer behavior and machine learning-driven optimization of collective systems. Contact: +49 6151 16-24509 / Office: S2|04 104
Laura Bruckman is a Climo Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University's Case School of Engineering. Her research focuses on predictive lifetime modeling for materials degradation, quantitative spectroscopic characterization of materials, and applying statistical analytics and data science to solve challenges in photovoltaic systems and long-lived engineering materials. Her work emphasizes understanding degradation mechanisms in photovoltaic materials (e.g., backsheets, encapsulants, and silicon cells) under environmental stressors, with applications in improving reliability and service life through advanced data-driven approaches. Dr. Bruckman has contributed to the development of machine learning methods for material characterization (e.g., ToF-SIMS analysis) and spatiotemporal models for predicting degradation patterns in field-deployed PV systems. Her research also extends to curriculum design for applied data science, emphasizing industry-relevant training in statistical modeling and interdisciplinary problem-solving. Her expertise bridges materials science, data science, and energy systems, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications and a patent in classification using multivariate optical computing. Key technical contributions include analyzing environmental impacts on solar module performance, quantifying crack propagation in polymers, and developing predictive frameworks for material aging. Her work has been supported by collaborations with industry partners and federal research initiatives.
Celia Reina is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). Her research focuses on multiscale modeling of materials, bridging statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, and machine learning. She develops novel frameworks for predicting non-equilibrium material behavior using data-driven methods and uncertainty quantification. Her work emphasizes integrating computational tools like neural networks (Stat-PINNs, VONNs) with physical principles to model dissipative systems, phase transitions, and mesoscale dynamics. Key areas include coarse-graining techniques, epistemic uncertainty analysis, and predictive modeling of complex materials under dynamic loading. Recent publications highlight advancements in stochastic systems, resonant metamaterials, and the derivation of thermodynamic models from particle-level fluctuations. She leads efforts in experimental-simulation co-design to enhance predictive capabilities in materials science.
Jonathan Weare is a Professor of Mathematics at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University. He holds affiliations with the Faculty of Arts and Science and the Graduate School of Arts and Science. His academic journey includes roles as an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago (2014–2019) and Assistant Professor (2011–2014), following postdoctoral work as a Courant Instructor at NYU. He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from UC Berkeley in 2007. His research focuses on stochastic algorithms and models, with applications in astrophysics, biophysics, computational chemistry, and climate science. Key areas include Monte Carlo methods, rare event simulation, and machine learning-driven scientific analysis. Collaborations with domain experts ensure his work addresses real-world challenges in diverse fields. Recent publications emphasize advancements in trajectory stratification, rare event prediction using machine learning, and efficient algorithms for high-dimensional problems. Notable contributions include the BAD-NEUS framework and AI-based solar system instability predictions. His group’s interdisciplinary approach bridges computational methods with scientific inquiry. Weare has advised numerous students and mentored postdocs, fostering talent in applied mathematics and computational science. His work on Mercury’s orbital dynamics and extreme weather prediction showcases the societal impact of his research. Current projects explore AI applications in weather modeling and rare event analysis, leveraging cutting-edge machine learning techniques. Labs/Teams: His research group at Courant develops stochastic algorithms and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams in computational chemistry, climate science, and astrophysics. Key collaborations include the University of Chicago and Columbia University.
Christofer Edling is a Professor of Sociology at Lund University, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences. Previously, he held a professorship at Jacobs University Bremen (2008–2012) and served as Head of the Department of Sociology at Stockholm University (2006–2008). He earned his PhD from Stockholm University in 1999 and has held prestigious fellowships at the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study (2002–2005), Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin (2004/05), and Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (2013). His research focuses on sociological theory and methods, particularly social network analysis and quantitative methodologies. Key areas include crime and extremism, social inequality, and political sociology. He has published extensively on topics like lone-actor terrorism, social capital, and the dynamics of violent extremist groups. Edling’s work bridges theoretical insights with empirical data, often using register-based and survey data. His recent studies analyze contemporary social phenomena such as gun violence trends in Sweden and the integration of youth immigrants. He collaborates with researchers in criminology, environmental policy, and public health, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Major awards include the Torgny Segerstedt Pro Futura Fellowship and multiple fellowships at leading research institutes. His contributions span books, journal articles, and methodological reviews, emphasizing analytical sociology and mathematical modeling.
Dr. Kenneth Edwin Barker is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science within the Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary, where he also serves as Director of the Institute for Security, Privacy and Information Assurance (ISPIA). His academic career spans several decades with significant contributions to database systems and privacy research. Dr. Barker earned his B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Calgary in 1982 and 1984 respectively, followed by a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Alberta in 1990. His educational background established the foundation for his extensive research career in database systems and information security. His primary research interests focus on Privacy Preserving Data Repositories , with specific attention to protecting privacy in mobile applications, understanding privacy's impact on data analytics, and architecting database management systems that inherently respect user privacy. His work also extends to distributed database environments, integration of legacy systems, and multidatabase environments. Dr. Barker's research bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, making significant contributions to how privacy is implemented in real-world systems. An analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward practical privacy-preserving techniques for cloud data, social networks, and location-based services. His work consistently addresses the tension between data utility and privacy protection, developing innovative methods to maintain data value while safeguarding personal information. The publications span multiple subfields including encrypted search, graph privacy, high-dimensional data privacy, and privacy metrics. Best Paper Award at DBSec 2012 Best Paper Award at CODASPY 2012 Best Paper at BNCOD 2009 Dr. Barker has been instrumental in establishing privacy research infrastructure at the University of Calgary through his leadership of ISPIA. His research has attracted significant funding from various sources supporting privacy and security initiatives. While specific grant details aren't provided in the text, his extensive publication record indicates sustained research funding throughout his career. He has collaborated extensively with researchers both within and outside the University of Calgary, particularly with R. Alhajj and other colleagues on numerous projects. As Director of ISPIA, Dr. Barker oversees a research environment focused on advancing security and privacy technologies. The institute serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research, bringing together computer scientists, social scientists, and legal experts to address complex privacy challenges. His leadership has positioned the University of Calgary as a significant player in privacy research within Canada.
Professor Lilian M. de Menezes is a Professor of Decision Sciences at Bayes Business School within the Faculty of Management at City St George's, University of London. Her expertise spans Management Science, Operations Management, Statistics, and Energy Markets. She holds a BSc and MSc from Pontifícia Universidade Católica in Brazil and a PhD from London Business School. Lilian's research focuses on forecasting methodologies, energy market integration, quality management, and flexible work arrangements. She has contributed to studies on healthcare performance measurement, workforce optimization, and sustainability in business excellence models. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in industries like energy and healthcare. She has received notable awards, including the 2015 EEX Excellence Award for Melanie Houllier's thesis on European electricity markets and the 2014 Best Paper Award for analyzing job satisfaction and quality management links. Her affiliations include the European Operations Management Association and the Royal Statistical Society. Lilian's research also explores flexible working policies and their impact on employee performance and well-being. Her recent work addresses challenges in energy market forecasting and sustainable organizational practices. She maintains a visiting appointment at ESCP Europe’s Research Centre for Energy Management.
Mohsen Pourahmadi is a Professor in the Department of Statistics at Texas A&M University, part of the College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on developing methodologies for modeling covariance matrices in multivariate and time series data, with applications to financial analysis, longitudinal studies, neuroeconomics, and high-dimensional data. Key tools include graphical lasso algorithms, Cholesky decomposition, and Bayesian approaches. He emphasizes extending generalized linear models (GLM) to covariance matrix estimation, leveraging prediction theory and stochastic processes. Education details are not explicitly provided in the text. His work spans theoretical advancements in covariance estimation, such as sparse VAR models, nonstationary process analysis, and regularized multivariate regression. He has contributed to applications like detecting cyber attacks on infrastructure systems and analyzing breast cancer data through Bayesian networks. Research interests include time series graphical models, antedependence models for longitudinal data, and regularization techniques for high-dimensional covariance matrices. His recent work explores fused-lasso penalties, Bayesian correlation matrix estimation, and stationary subspace analysis. Pourahmadi has authored numerous articles on topics ranging from multivariate volatility modeling to nonparametric covariance estimation, emphasizing both computational efficiency and theoretical rigor.
Joshua Loftus is a Professor of Statistics and Data Science at the London School of Economics (LSE), Department of Statistics. His research focuses on improving data science practices to reduce bias and enhance fairness in algorithms, particularly addressing social harms and scientific reproducibility. He develops methods for statistical inference post-model selection and uses causality to analyze algorithm fairness and interpretability. His work bridges high-dimensional statistics, causal inference, and ethical AI, with a strong emphasis on practical applications using R in data science education. Before joining LSE, Loftus earned his PhD in Statistics at Stanford University, served as a Research Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute (affiliated with the University of Cambridge), and was an Assistant Professor at New York University (2017–2020). His research interests extend to the societal implications of technology, advocating for systems that prioritize human values over technical efficiency. Key research themes include counterfactual fairness, causal reasoning in algorithmic systems, and disaggregated interventions to reduce inequality. His recent work explores temporal aspects of fairness, model-agnostic auditing, and the integration of ethical frameworks into machine learning pipelines. While no scientific awards are explicitly listed, his contributions to foundational AI ethics and statistical methodology are widely recognized in academic circles. Advising and grant details are not provided in the source text, but his leadership in interdisciplinary research collaborations, such as the Turing Institute affiliation, highlights active engagement in research networks. Loftus is part of the LSE’s vibrant data science community, contributing to both theoretical advancements and applied solutions for equitable technology deployment.
Ronald Coifman is the Sterling Professor of Mathematics and Professor of Computer Science at Yale University. His research focuses on nonlinear analysis, scattering theory, complex analysis, numerical analysis, and their applications in data science, signal processing, and biomedical imaging. He holds the National Medal of Science and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Coifman's work bridges pure mathematics and applied sciences, emphasizing harmonic analysis, manifold learning, and data-driven modeling. His contributions include foundational advancements in wavelet theory, diffusion maps, and nonlinear dimensionality reduction techniques. Key innovations include the development of empirical intrinsic geometry for analyzing complex systems and the use of Wasserstein distances in high-dimensional data analysis. His academic portfolio includes over 250 publications since the 1960s, spanning topics from theoretical mathematics to practical medical diagnostics. Notable applications include methods for stroke detection, medical imaging analysis, and anomaly detection in dynamic systems. Coifman collaborates across disciplines, integrating computational methods with domain-specific challenges in biology, chemistry, and engineering. Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Geneva (1965) Awards: National Medal of Science (2001), Member of NAS (1993), Member of AAAS (2006) Key Projects: Development of diffusion maps, manifold learning algorithms, and empirical geometry frameworks Coifman's current research explores the intersection of machine learning and mathematical analysis, with recent focus on intrinsic data organization, emergent dynamical models, and scalable computational methods for large datasets.
Ruben Loaiza-Maya is an Associate Professor (Research) in the Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics at Monash University. He holds a PhD in Econometrics from the University of Melbourne and an undergraduate degree in Economics from Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Medellin). His research focuses on Copula Modelling, Bayesian Estimation Methods, Time Series Analysis, and Macroeconomic/Financial Forecasting. Key contributions include advancements in variational inference, state space models, and robust forecasting techniques under model misspecification. He leads the active project 'Variational Inference for Intractable and Misspecified State Space Models' (2023–2026), funded as a Primary Chief Investigator. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through methodological advancements in economic and financial analysis. Recent research emphasizes scalable Bayesian methods, hybrid variational approaches, and efficient computational techniques for high-dimensional models. Publications span prestigious journals like the International Journal of Forecasting, Journal of Econometrics, and Journal of Business and Economic Statistics. Notable collaborations include studies on copula-based time series forecasting and robust approximate Bayesian computation. His work bridges theoretical econometrics with practical applications in risk management and macroeconomic policy.
