Djalil CHAFAÏ

Djalil CHAFAÏ is a University Professor of Mathematics at Université Paris-Dauphine - PSL, with dual affiliation at CEREMADE (Centre de Recherche en Mathématiques de la Décision) and DMA (Département de Mathématiques et Applications) at École normale supérieure (Paris) - PSL. He currently serves as Directeur des études du DMA (2021-2026) and Directeur scientifique du RNBM (2021-2025). His extensive research spans multiple areas of probability theory, mathematical physics, and applied mathematics.

CHAFAÏ's research interests center around geometric and probabilistic functional analysis, random matrices, random graphs, free probability, and high-dimensional phenomena. His work connects mathematical theory with applications in biology, physics, and data science. He has made significant contributions to understanding cutoff phenomena in high-dimensional diffusions, Riesz energy problems, and Coulomb gases. His research often combines theoretical analysis with visual illustrations created using computational tools like Octave, Python, and Julia.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on cutoff phenomena in various stochastic processes, equilibrium measures in potential theory, and the mathematical properties of random matrix ensembles. His work demonstrates a consistent pattern of bridging abstract mathematical concepts with concrete physical phenomena, particularly in statistical physics. The interdisciplinary nature of his research is evident in the diverse applications ranging from mathematical biology to data science.

CHAFAÏ has successfully advised numerous doctoral students whose work continues to influence the field. His current doctoral students include Samuel Chan-ashing, Rémi Bonnin, and Kewei Pan, while his former students have gone on to positions at prestigious institutions worldwide. He is actively involved in the mathematical community through organizing conferences, seminars, and workshops, including the Matrices Et Graphes Aléatoires (MEGA) project and the Conviviality project funded by ANR.