Mehtaab Sawhney

Mehtaab Sawhney is a Clay Research Fellow and a tenure-track assistant professor at Columbia University specializing in combinatorics, probability, analytic number theory, and theoretical computer science. His academic journey began at the University of Pennsylvania where he enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science (2016-2017), then continued at MIT where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with Minor in Computer Science (2017-2020), followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (2020-2024) under the advisorship of Yufei Zhao.

His research spans probabilistic combinatorics, random matrix theory, additive number theory, and theoretical computer science. Sawhney's work bridges theoretical mathematics with computational applications, focusing on random structures, additive combinatorics, and spectral properties of discrete objects. His publications demonstrate a strong interdisciplinary approach that connects number theory with probabilistic methods to solve complex combinatorial problems.

The analysis of his publication record reveals a consistent focus on foundational mathematical structures with applications across multiple domains. His work on random graphs, additive bases, and arithmetic progressions has established him as a leading researcher in modern combinatorics, often collaborating with prominent mathematicians including Ashwin Sah, Yufei Zhao, and Vishesh Jain. His research output shows remarkable depth and breadth, with contributions to both pure mathematics and theoretical computer science.

• 2024 Clay Research Fellow
• 2021 Frank and Brennie Morgan Prize for Outstanding Research in Mathematics by an Undergraduate Student (joint with Ashwin Sah)
• Churchill Scholar 2020
• Best Student Paper STOC 2021 (Joint with Ryan Alweiss, Yang Liu)
• Best Student Paper ITCS 2022 (Joint with Yang Liu, Ashwin Sah)
• 2023 Hartley Rogers Jr. Prize
• 2022 Charles W. and Jennifer C. Johnson Prize (joint with Ashwin Sah)
• NSF Graduate Fellowship

Sawhney has established a robust research program with significant contributions across multiple mathematical disciplines. His frequent collaborations with top researchers worldwide indicate an active and influential research network. While specific advisees aren't listed in available information, his extensive publication record with numerous co-authors suggests active mentorship of junior researchers through collaborative projects.