Thomas Lam is a professor of mathematics at the University of Michigan , specializing in algebraic combinatorics, total positivity, and connections to mathematical physics. His work bridges cluster algebras, positive geometry, and integrable systems, with applications to scattering amplitudes in quantum field theory. Lam has collaborated extensively with physicists such as Nima Arkani-Hamed and mathematicians like Pavlo Pylyavskyy and Mark Shimozono. Key research areas: Cluster algebras, total positivity, electrical networks, positroid varieties, and quantum cohomology. Notable contributions: Defining polypositroids, proving regularity theorems for totally nonnegative flag varieties, and establishing cluster structures in braid varieties. Recent work focuses on positive geometries , including the amplituhedron and moduli spaces of points on projective lines, with implications for particle physics. His articles often explore dual graded graphs, K-theoretic Schubert calculus, and the interplay between combinatorics and algebraic structures. Lam's research has been supported by NSF grants, including DMS-0748636 and DMS-1249708 .
Yan Huang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Indiana University Bloomington, focusing on security and cryptography. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical systems, emphasizing cryptographic protocols with strong security guarantees for generic computation. University: Indiana University Bloomington School: College of Arts and Sciences Department: Computer Science Academic Rank: Associate Professor His research combines theoretical computer science , program analysis , artificial intelligence , and software engineering to address real-world security problems. Key areas include secure computation , zero-knowledge proofs , and privacy-preserving technologies . Recent publications, such as Phecda (SP'25) and Dubhe (USENIX Security'23), highlight advancements in post-quantum cryptography , AES verification , and privacy-preserving deep packet inspection , reflecting his focus on scalable and practical cryptographic solutions. He has advised notable students including Changchang Ding (PhD, Computer Science) and Ruiyu Zhu (PhD, now at Facebook), and served on program committees for top conferences like ACM CCS and CRYPTO .
David Eppstein is a Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), affiliated with the Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences. He holds academic leadership roles as director of the Center for Algorithms and Theory of Computation and associate director of the Center for Algorithms, Combinatorics, and Optimization. His research focuses on graph algorithms, computational geometry, discrete mathematics, and geometric graph theory. Eppstein earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Stanford University (1984) and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Columbia University (1989). Research Interests: Graph drawing, information visualization, dynamic graph algorithms, mesh generation, optimal triangulation, K-shortest paths, subgraph isomorphism, data depth, exponential-time algorithms for NP-hard problems. Awards: ACM Fellow (2012), AAAS Fellow (2017), Distinguished Professor (2020), Best Paper Awards (2023, 2022), and SIAM recognition. Grants: Co-PI on a $1.2M NSF grant (2022) for geometric graph research, and previous NSF grants for algorithm studies (2016). His work bridges theoretical computer science and practical applications, including contributions to graph visualization, geometric algorithms, and combinatorial optimization. Notable recent achievements include resolving open questions in graph biplanarity and authoring the book Forbidden Configurations in Discrete Geometry (2018).
Mehmet Esat Belviranli is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at the Colorado School of Mines, where he directs the High Performance Systems and Software Lab (HyperSys). His research focuses on increasing resource utilization in heterogeneous architectures through runtime systems, scheduling algorithms, and performance modeling, with publications in top venues including MICRO, PPoPP, and SC. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of California, Riverside (2016) M.S. in Computer Science, Bilkent University (2009) B.S. in Computer Science, Bilkent University (2006) Belviranli's research spans heterogeneous architectures, runtime systems, performance modeling, parallel programming, autonomous computing, deep learning acceleration, cyber-physical systems, and edge-cloud platforms. His work develops analytical models and programming abstractions to address resource management, scheduling, and security challenges in diversely heterogeneous systems, with applications in edge computing, autonomous systems, and machine learning acceleration. Recent projects emphasize real-world constraints and security implications. His publication trends reveal increasing focus on edge-cloud resource management (e.g., HARNESS), security vulnerabilities in heterogeneous systems (e.g., MC3), and deep learning acceleration under resource constraints. Key themes include memory contention modeling, scheduling for cyber-physical systems, and concurrent DNN execution, reflecting a shift toward practical deployment in security-sensitive edge environments. Scientific Awards: U.S. Air Force Research Lab Summer Faculty Fellowship Award (2022) U.S. Air Force Research Lab Summer Faculty Fellowship Award (2021) Oak Ridge National Laboratory Significant Event Award (2019) Best Paper Finalist, IEEE HPEC 2018 Outstanding Paper Award, DATE 2024 Belviranli mentors Ph.D. students Ismet Dagli (MLCommons Rising Star 2024, CGO'24 SRC finalist) and Justin Davis (DATE'24 Outstanding Paper Award winner). He has secured $2M+ in funding from NSF, DoE, and SRC, including an NSF-SaTC grant on mobile security (2024), a DoE grant on superconductive systems (2023), and an NSF FuSe grant on graphene nanoribbons (2023), often leading multi-institutional teams from Rochester, Virginia, Arizona, and Minnesota. The HyperSys Lab develops ecosystems for high-performance heterogeneous systems, with recent projects including HARNESS for edge-cloud resource management and MC3 for mobile SoC security. The lab has received equipment donations from Google Coral.ai and Xilinx, and collaborates with national labs on security challenges and next-generation semiconductor technologies.
Mark Trodden is the Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences and Thomas S. Gates Jr. Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pennsylvania. He previously served as the Fay R. and Eugene L. Langberg Professor of Physics, Department Chair, and Co-Director of the Center for Particle Cosmology. His career includes faculty roles at Syracuse University (2000–2009) and visiting positions at Case Western Reserve University and Cornell University. Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Physics, Brown University (1992–1995) Advanced Study in Mathematics, University of Cambridge (1990–1991) M.A. in Mathematics, University of Cambridge (1987–1990) Trodden’s research focuses on the intersection of cosmology and particle physics, addressing fundamental questions such as the nature of dark energy, dark matter, the baryon asymmetry of the universe, inflation, and modified gravity theories. His work explores how cosmological data can constrain physics beyond the Standard Model and general relativity. His publications span topics like dark energy models , inflationary spacetimes , topological defects , and BPS states in supersymmetric theories , reflecting his expertise in connecting high-energy physics to cosmological observations. At Penn, Trodden has held editorial roles for journals like Physics Letters B and Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics , and has contributed to collaborative workshops advancing cosmology and particle physics.
Dr. Srinivas Peeta is the Frederick R. Dickerson Chair and Professor in Transportation Systems Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He previously held the Jack and Kay Hockema Professorship at Purdue University, where he served for 24 years. He is also the Associate Director of the USDOT Center for Connected and Automated Transportation. Education: B. Tech. from IIT Madras, M.S. from Caltech, and Ph.D. from UT Austin, all in Civil Engineering. His research focuses on large-scale transportation systems, infrastructure interdependencies, and connected/automated vehicles. He has authored over 345 publications and secured over $48M in research funding. Research Interests: Dynamic traffic networks and driver behavior modeling Information-based navigation in vehicular systems Systems perspectives for complex adaptive infrastructure Autonomous vehicle integration and human-vehicle interactions Key Achievements: Developed DYNASMART software for traffic operations Recipient of NSF CAREER Award (1997) and ASCE Walter Huber Prize (2009) Directed NEXTRANS UTC and pioneered USDOT’s real-time route guidance systems Grants & Outreach: Secured funding from USDOT, NSF, FHWA, and international agencies Initiated NEXTRANS internship programs and K-12 outreach Labs/Teams: Active in Georgia Tech’s ACT Lab, focusing on autonomous transportation systems and human-vehicle-environment interactions.
University of California , Santa Barbara (UCSB)United States
David R. Morrison is a Professor of Physics and Mathematics at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB). He holds offices in both the Department of Physics (Broida 6135) and the Department of Mathematics (South Hall 6708). His research focuses on interdisciplinary areas bridging mathematics and theoretical physics. Research Interests: Morrison's work spans Mathematical Physics , with emphasis on Special Holonomy in Geometry, Analysis, and Physics , Quantum Fields and Strings , and collaborations with the Simons Collaboration . He also engages with Geometry, Topology , and Algebraic Geometry through seminars and projects like the Symmetry Seminar and QFT and Geometry initiatives. His affiliations include the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP) and the High Energy Theory Group . Professional Involvement: Morrison serves on editorial boards, participates in conferences on string theory and algebraic geometry, and contributes to the UCSB Distinguished Lectures in the Mathematical Sciences . He mentors postdoctoral scholars through targeted visiting positions in Mathematics and High Energy Physics. Scientific Awards: Distinguished Professor (UCSB)
Sean Carroll serves as the Homewood Professor of Natural Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University and holds External Faculty status at the Santa Fe Institute. His research bridges cosmology, quantum mechanics, and philosophy, focusing on foundational questions about spacetime emergence, quantum interpretation, and complexity across cosmic scales. Carroll earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1993. His academic trajectory reflects deep engagement with theoretical physics and philosophical inquiry, culminating in his current named professorship at Johns Hopkins. Carroll's research centers on the intersection of physics and philosophy, with significant contributions to quantum foundations, cosmology, and the nature of emergence. He is a leading proponent of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics and has pioneered work on the thermodynamic arrow of time, quantum decoherence, and the fine-tuning of initial cosmic conditions. His recent investigations explore discretized quantum systems, holographic principles in gravity, and the philosophical implications of quantum gravity. Analysis of his 2022-2025 publications reveals a pronounced shift toward computational approaches in quantum gravity, with increasing emphasis on finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces and GPU-accelerated modeling. His work consistently integrates quantum information theory with cosmological questions, particularly examining how spacetime geometry emerges from quantum entanglement and how complexity evolves in closed systems. Carroll's scientific recognition includes: National Science Foundation Fellowship NASA Fellowship Sloan Research Fellowship Packard Fellowship Fellow of the American Physical Society American Institute of Physics Award Fellow of the Royal Society Guggenheim Fellowship Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science His research has been sustained through major fellowships from NSF, NASA, Sloan, and Packard foundations, enabling interdisciplinary collaborations across physics and philosophy. Carroll actively mentors graduate students at Johns Hopkins and contributes to public discourse through his popular science books (including the Biggest Ideas in the Universe series) and the weekly Mindscape podcast. As Fractal Faculty at the Santa Fe Institute, Carroll participates in cross-disciplinary research on complex systems, exploring how emergent phenomena arise from fundamental physical laws. His work bridges theoretical physics with broader questions about complexity in biological, cognitive, and social systems.
Benjamin Gammage is a Benjamin Peirce Fellow in the Department of Mathematics at Harvard University. Beginning in Summer 2025, he will transition to an Assistant Professor position at the University of Toronto. His academic journey includes a PhD from UC Berkeley under David Nadler, where his thesis focused on microlocal sheaves and mirror symmetry, and an undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Chicago. Dr. Gammage's research centers on quantum geometry, exploring the deep connections between geometry, algebra, and mathematical physics. His work particularly focuses on homological mirror symmetry and 3d mirror symmetry, investigating how quantum field theories reveal profound relationships between seemingly different geometric spaces. He has made significant contributions to understanding how the structure of SYZ fibrations mediates mirror symmetry and how perverse schobers can categorify aspects of geometric representation theory. His research has followed a clear trajectory from foundational work on mirror symmetry for affine hypersurfaces toward increasingly sophisticated structures in 3-dimensional field theories. The most recent publications demonstrate a progression from studying 1- and 2-dimensional quantum field theories toward fully categorified 3d mirror symmetry, revealing deep structural connections between representation theory and symplectic geometry. 2023-present: Principal Investigator, NSF DMS grant #2305257 2020: NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2019: Kenneth Ribet and Lisa Goldberg Award in Algebra 2015: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship 2014: Paul R. Cohen Prize Dr. Gammage has served as a minor thesis advisor for Grant Barkley (2022) and has been actively involved in mentoring through Harvard's Graduate Admissions Committee and as a Math Includes mentor. His research is supported by significant grant funding, including his current NSF grant. He has organized numerous seminars including the Open Neighborhood Seminar, Relative Langlands seminar, and various topics in mirror symmetry and string theory. His collaborative work spans multiple institutions, with frequent collaborations at institutions including the University of Toronto, UC Berkeley, and various international research centers. His research program bridges pure mathematics with theoretical physics, creating new frameworks for understanding geometric structures through quantum field theory perspectives.
Yvonne Davila-Cortes is an Assistant Professor of Orchestra and Director of String Music Education at VanderCook College of Music. She holds a B.M. in Music Business and Violin Performance from DePaul University, an M.M. in Violin Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Doctorate in Music and Human Learning from the University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on children’s musical development, parent education, and Suzuki pedagogy. She has served as Orchestra Director in Round Rock ISD, Director of Austin Youth Concertante Orchestra, and faculty member of the UT Austin String Project. Professional Experience: Rockford Symphony Orchestra Member Madison Symphony Orchestra Substitute Adjunct Instructor at Ripon College Suzuki Violin Studio Founder in Madison & Spring Green Research & Presentations: Presented at Suzuki of the Americas, American String Teachers, and TMEA conferences Focus on practical applications of music education theory
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Sheldon Katz is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), with a joint appointment in the Department of Physics. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Princeton University (1980) and a B.S. from MIT (1976). Previously, he was a Regents Professor of Mathematics at Oklahoma State University before joining UIUC in 2001. Katz's research focuses on algebraic geometry and mathematical physics, particularly string theory and supersymmetric quantum field theories. His work bridges geometry and physics, exploring topics like Gromov-Witten theory, toric varieties, and F-theory. He co-authored the influential book Mirror Symmetry and Algebraic Geometry (1999), a cornerstone in the field. His recent research includes studies on BPS invariants, Calabi-Yau manifolds, and topological string theory. Key contributions include analyses of F-theory, mirror symmetry, and geometric dualities in string compactifications. He teaches advanced courses in algebraic geometry and mathematical physics at UIUC. While no explicit awards are listed, his extensive publication record and academic leadership reflect significant contributions to the field. Katz’s work continues to explore the interplay between algebraic geometry and fundamental physics.
Matt Kerr is a Professor of Mathematics at Washington University in St. Louis, where he has been affiliated since 2010. He holds a doctorate in Mathematics from Princeton University (2003) and has held prior positions at UCLA, the Max Planck Institute, the University of Chicago, and Durham University. His research focuses on Algebraic Geometry, Hodge Theory, and Mathematical Physics, with notable contributions to period maps, normal functions, and the arithmetic of motives. He has been awarded the Guido L. Weiss Teaching and Service Award (2024), a Simons Foundation Travel Grant (2024-2029), and the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (1996-1997). Dr. Kerr has organized numerous conferences, including the Western Algebraic Geometry Symposium (2023), and co-edited volumes such as Period Domains, Algebraic Cycles, and Arithmetic . He currently supervises four Ph.D. students (Xiaojiang Cheng, RJ Acuna, Devin Akman, Rachel Wu) and has mentored postdoctoral researchers like Ivan Horozov and Patricio Gallardo. His teaching spans advanced graduate courses (e.g., Complex Analysis, Algebraic Geometry) and undergraduate programs, including contributions to the Washington University Math Circle and the National Alliance for Doctoral Studies mentorship initiative. His work bridges pure mathematics and theoretical physics, particularly through studies of Feynman integrals, Calabi-Yau varieties, and quantum curves. He is actively involved in academic service, including roles on hiring committees, grant reviewing, and mentoring programs. Recent research themes include regulators of algebraic cycles, singularities in Hodge theory, and compactifications of moduli spaces. Grants: NSF grants (2011–2024), FRG grants, Simons Foundation awards, and EPSRC funding. Awards: Multiple teaching and service recognitions, including the 2024 Weiss Award. Publications: Over 40 peer-reviewed articles and books, including collaborations with leading mathematicians like Phillip Griffiths and Spencer Bloch.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
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.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)United States
David Simmons-Duffin is a Professor of Theoretical Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he has held positions since 2016. He is part of the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy, contributing to the Physics Department. His career progression includes roles as Visiting Associate (2016–17), Assistant Professor (2017–20), and Associate Professor (2020–21) before becoming full Professor in 2021. Education: A.B. and A.M. from Harvard University (2006), CASM from the University of Cambridge (2007), and Ph.D. from Harvard University (2012). His research focuses on conformal field theory (CFT), bootstrap methods, quantum field theory, and AdS/CFT correspondence. Key areas include precision computations in strongly coupled systems, critical phenomena, and applications to holography and quantum gravity. Research highlights include advancing the conformal bootstrap program, analyzing CFT data in 3D Ising models, and exploring connections between CFTs and gravitational theories. His work often bridges theoretical frameworks with numerical methods, yielding insights into operator product expansions (OPE), spectral gaps, and causality constraints. Affiliations include the Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM) and other Caltech research centers. His contributions have shaped modern approaches to understanding universality in critical systems and the geometric aspects of quantum field theories. Notable collaborations involve high-precision calculations, bootstrap island techniques, and studies of thermal QFT and light-ray operators. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary methods, combining analytic tools with computational advancements to tackle complex theoretical problems.
Raphael Bousso is a Professor and holds the Chancellor's Chair in Physics at the University of California, Berkeley, within the Department of Physics. He maintains strong affiliations with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and the Berkeley Center for Theoretical Physics, reflecting his dual institutional presence in theoretical physics research. His academic journey commenced with a Ph.D. from Cambridge University in 1998, followed by pivotal postdoctoral appointments at Stanford University and the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics. In 2002/03, he was a fellow at Harvard University's physics department and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study before joining UC Berkeley in July 2003. Bousso's research centers on quantum gravity and theoretical cosmology , where he confronts fundamental conflicts between quantum mechanics and general relativity. His seminal work on the black hole information paradox—particularly the 'firewall paradox'—challenges whether information is preserved during black hole evaporation. He has pioneered the covariant entropy conjecture and quantum focusing conjecture, reshaping understanding of holography. His landscape research in string theory provides critical frameworks for explaining the cosmological constant and matter abundance coincidences. Analysis of his publication record reveals persistent focus on holographic principles applied to black holes and cosmology. His work consistently bridges abstract quantum gravity concepts with observable cosmological phenomena, demonstrating exceptional continuity in addressing the measurement problem in eternal inflation and the implications of string theory's landscape. No specific scientific awards are documented in the provided materials, though his Chancellor's Chair appointment signifies institutional recognition of his scholarly impact. While student advising details are absent from the source text, his leadership of the Bousso Group drives collaborative research in quantum gravity. The text provides no explicit grant information, though his sustained publication output implies active research funding. He directs the Bousso Group at UC Berkeley, which serves as the primary research hub for exploring holography, black hole physics, and cosmological implications of string theory through theoretical and mathematical approaches.
