Tony F. Chan

Tony F. Chan is currently President and Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science and Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). He holds the title of Professor Emeritus in the Department of Mathematics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he previously served as Professor with joint appointments in Computer Science and Bioengineering. He was Dean of the Division of Physical Sciences at UCLA (2001–2006) and Assistant Director at the National Science Foundation (NSF) for Mathematics and Physical Sciences (2006–2009).

• President, HKUST
• Professor, Mathematics & Computer Science and Engineering, HKUST
• Professor Emeritus, Mathematics, UCLA
• Assistant Director, NSF (2006–2009)
• Dean, Division of Physical Sciences, UCLA (2001–2006)

His research interests are centered around mathematical image processing, computer vision, computational brain mapping, and numerical algorithms. He has made seminal contributions to variational methods, total variation regularization, level set methods, and multiscale computational techniques. His work bridges pure mathematics with applications in biomedical imaging, VLSI design, and scientific computing.

His recent publications focus on image segmentation, inpainting, brain surface mapping, and nonlocal filtering. These works demonstrate a strong trend toward geometric and variational models for image analysis, with increasing emphasis on medical and biological applications such as neuron tracking and cortical mapping.

• One of the most cited mathematicians (ISI Highly Cited)

Chan has mentored over 25 PhD students and 15 postdoctoral fellows, contributing significantly to the training of next-generation researchers in applied mathematics and computational science. He has led major research initiatives including the Institute for Pure & Applied Mathematics (IPAM) and has been involved in numerous professional services at national and international levels. His work has been supported by major funding agencies including the NSF.

He leads the Image Processing Group at UCLA and has been instrumental in advancing interdisciplinary research at the intersection of mathematics, engineering, and neuroscience.