Santosh S. Vempala

Santosh S. Vempala is the Frederick P. Storey II Chair and Professor of Computer Science at Georgia Institute of Technology's College of Computing with joint appointments in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) and the School of Mathematics. He teaches courses including CS6150: Computing for Good (C4G) and CS6550/CS8803DAA: Continuous Algorithms: Optimization and Sampling.

His research spans multiple interconnected domains:

• Algorithmic convex geometry and high-dimensional sampling
• Continuous optimization methods
• Computational models of brain function
• Randomized algorithms with applications to machine learning

Vempala's recent publications reveal a strong focus on developing efficient algorithms for high-dimensional problems, particularly logconcave sampling and convex body integration. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications in optimization and neuroscience, with increasing attention to the intersection of theoretical frameworks and brain computation models through his collaboration with Christos Papadimitriou.

He leads the Computing for Good (C4G) initiative which applies computational approaches to social challenges, including projects like Safe and Easy Passwords!, LifeNet, C4G BLIS, and Shelter-to-Home that address problems in resource-constrained settings.

Vempala currently advises PhD students Xinyuan Cao, Mirabel Reid, Max Dabagia, and Yunbum Kook, and has authored influential books including 'Spectral Algorithms' and 'The Random Projection Method' that have shaped research in algorithmic convex geometry. His tutorials at major conferences, including STOC 2015 on 'Sampling and Volume Computation in High Dimension' and FOCS 2020 on 'Computation in the Brain,' demonstrate his leadership in connecting theoretical computer science with broader scientific challenges.