Jennifer Chayes

Jennifer Chayes is the Associate Provost for Computing, Data Science, and Society at the University of California, Berkeley, and holds the rank of Professor in four of its departments. She is also a Technical Fellow and Managing Director of Microsoft Research labs in New England, New York City, and Montreal, roles she has held for over two decades. Her research bridges mathematical physics, computer science, and interdisciplinary fields like network science and AI.

Chayes' research focuses on phase transitions in computing systems, structural analysis of large networks, and machine learning applications in healthcare and ethics. She pioneered the field of graphons for modeling large-scale networks and is a leader in applying AI to cancer immunotherapy and fairness in technology. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering innovations at the intersection of computer science and social sciences.

Chayes has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the SIAM John von Neumann Lecture and election to the National Academy of Sciences. She actively advocates for diversity in tech and leads initiatives to ensure ethical AI practices. Her career reflects a commitment to both foundational research and real-world societal impact.