Mihai Anitescu

Mihai Anitescu is a Senior Computational Mathematician in the Laboratory for Advanced Numerical Software (LANS) within the Mathematics and Computer Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory, a position he has held since 2002. He is also a part-time Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Chicago since 2009 and an adjunct Associate Professor in the Mathematics Department at the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, he is a Senior Fellow of the Computation Institute, a joint Argonne-University of Chicago initiative. He leads the MACSER (MultiTimescale Control of Electric Power Systems) project and previously led the M2ACS project.

• Ph.D., Applied Mathematical and Computational Sciences, University of Iowa, 1997
• Electrical Engineer, Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Romania, 1992

Dr. Anitescu’s research focuses on numerical optimization, uncertainty quantification, and numerical analysis, with applications spanning nuclear engineering, electric power grids, chemical engineering, materials science, biology, mechanical engineering, and robotics. His work develops scalable computational methods for complex systems, particularly leveraging high-performance computing. He has made significant contributions to optimization under uncertainty, stochastic programming, Gaussian process modeling, and simulation of multibody dynamics with contact and friction using differential variational inequalities.

His recent publications (2020–2023) highlight a strong and consistent trend in applying advanced mathematical and computational techniques to critical energy infrastructure, particularly the electric power grid. Key themes include stochastic optimization for optimal power flow under uncertainty, risk assessment through extreme event simulation, frequency prediction and estimation using spatiotemporal and Bayesian methods, and the simulation of cascading failures. His work bridges core mathematical advances in optimization, sensitivity analysis, and scalable Gaussian process computation with high-impact applications in grid stability, reliability, and control.

Dr. Anitescu is a senior editor of Optimization Methods and Software and a member of the editorial boards of Mathematical Programming and the SIAM Journal on Optimization. He has previously served on the editorial boards of the SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing and the SIAM/ASA Journal on Uncertainty Quantification.

He is a dedicated mentor, having advised numerous postdoctoral fellows, Ph.D. students, and M.S. students at Argonne, the University of Chicago, and the University of Pittsburgh. His advisees have gone on to successful careers in national laboratories, academia (e.g., UC Santa Barbara, Purdue, University of Wisconsin), and industry (e.g., Amazon, Citibank, Morgan Stanley, IBM). He has secured and led significant research grants through projects like MACSER and M2ACS, which focus on the mathematical challenges of managing complex, uncertain energy systems. His work is highly collaborative, involving partnerships across institutions and disciplines.

Dr. Anitescu leads the MACSER project, a major research initiative focused on developing mathematical and computational tools for the multi-timescale control of electric power systems. This work is central to ensuring the stability and reliability of modern power grids, especially as they integrate increasing amounts of renewable energy.