Mark Lewis is the Kennedy Chair in Mathematical Biology at the University of Victoria, holding joint appointments in the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics and Biology. His research focuses on spatial ecology and mathematical modeling, addressing ecological challenges such as animal movement, invasive species, and disease dynamics. Lewis earned his D.Phil. in Mathematical Biology from the University of Oxford and has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society UK. His work integrates mathematical analysis, field studies, and interdisciplinary approaches to solve ecological problems. Current projects include modeling polar bear populations, cyanobacteria dynamics, and the impact of climate change on wildlife. Lewis supervises students across both UVic and his former University of Alberta lab. Education: D.Phil. in Mathematics (Mathematical Biology), University of Oxford Awards: Royal Society Fellowship, CRM-Fields-PIMS Prize, and Okubo Prize Key Research Areas: Animal movement modeling, aquatic ecology, wildlife disease, and invasive species management Publications highlight his contributions to understanding disease spread, parasite dynamics, and ecological responses to environmental changes. Lewis collaborates widely, applying mathematical tools to real-world conservation and health challenges.
Ravi Ramamoorthi is the Ronald L. Graham Professor of Computer Science and Director of the UC San Diego Center for Visual Computing. He holds a faculty position in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and is an affiliate of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). He joined UC San Diego in 2014, previously at UC Berkeley and Columbia University. He also holds a part-time appointment as a Distinguished Research Scientist at NVIDIA. His research focuses on visual computing, including rendering, computer vision, light field cameras, and physics-based modeling. Notable contributions include foundational work on spherical harmonic lighting, neural radiance fields (NeRF), and Monte Carlo rendering techniques. His work bridges graphics, vision, and signal processing with applications in sparse reconstruction, importance sampling, and real-time rendering. He teaches courses like CSE 167 (Computer Graphics), CSE 168 (Rendering), and advanced topics in computer graphics. Awards include ACM and IEEE Fellowships, the Okawa Foundation Grant, and multiple Frontiers of Science Awards. His research is supported by NSF, ONR, and industry collaborators including Adobe, Sony, and Qualcomm. Key projects include the Center for Visual Computing, Light Field research, and educational initiatives like edX MOOCs on computer graphics and rendering. His work has influenced industry tools (e.g., Pixar, RenderMan) and modern real-time rendering pipelines with denoising techniques.
Mikhail (Misha) Belkin is a Professor at the Halicioglu Data Science Institute (HDSI) at the University of California San Diego , with an affiliated appointment in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering . He is also an Amazon Scholar , reflecting his impactful industry collaboration. Since January 2024, he has served as the Editor-in-Chief of the SIAM Journal on Mathematics of Data Science (SIMODS) . Research Interests: Belkin's research centers on the theoretical foundations of machine learning, particularly the mathematical understanding of modern deep learning. His work investigates interpolation , over-parameterization , and feature learning in neural networks. He is renowned for introducing the double descent risk curve, which reconciles classical bias-variance trade-offs with the success of overfitted models. His recent work identifies the Average Gradient Outer Product (AGOP) as a fundamental mechanism of feature learning, applicable across architectures like CNNs and transformers. Scientific Contributions and Trends: His recent publications, appearing in Science , PNAS , and NeurIPS , demonstrate a strong trend toward unifying theories of generalization and optimization in over-parameterized systems. He explores how interpolating models can be statistically optimal, how gradient descent converges in non-convex landscapes via the PL* condition, and how kernel methods can be enhanced to perform feature learning. ACM Fellow (2023) Editor-in-Chief, SIAM Journal on Mathematics of Data Science (2024–present) Advising and Grants: Belkin actively mentors students and collaborators such as Adityanarayanan Radhakrishnan , Daniel Beaglehole , and Chaoyue Liu , who are frequent co-authors. He is a Principal Investigator (PI) in the Collaboration on the Theoretical Foundations of Deep Learning , funded by the NSF and Simons Foundation. He is also an external collaborator with the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Center at the Broad Institute and part of the NSF-funded TILOS AI Institute . Laboratories and Teams: While not explicitly named, his research group at UCSD is deeply involved in theoretical machine learning, focusing on the intersection of statistics, optimization, and deep learning. His work often involves large-scale collaborations and is closely tied to initiatives like SIMODS and TILOS.
Murat Erdogdu is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, jointly appointed in the Department of Computer Science and Department of Statistical Sciences . He is also a faculty member at the Vector Institute and holds the CIFAR Chair in Artificial Intelligence . PhD in Statistics, Stanford University (advised by Mohsen Bayati and Andrea Montanari) MSc in Computer Science, Stanford University BSc in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics, Bogazici University His research focuses on machine learning theory , high-dimensional statistics , and optimization . He has contributed to understanding gradient-based algorithms, sampling methods, and feature learning in structured data. Recent publications address problems in: Heavy-tailed sampling Mean-field Langevin dynamics Robust feature learning Minimax regression Stochastic optimization under infinite noise Scientific Awards: CIFAR Chair in Artificial Intelligence ICLR 2023 Spotlight NeurIPS 2019 & 2021 Spotlights He teaches graduate courses like STA 414/2104 (Statistical Methods for Machine Learning II) and STA 4273 (Modern Learning Theory) , emphasizing probabilistic modeling and theoretical analysis.
Aise Johan de Jong is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Columbia University, where he teaches courses including representations of finite groups and organizes the algebraic geometry seminar. He is a leading figure in algebraic geometry with a particular focus on stacks theory and arithmetic aspects of algebraic varieties. Institution: Columbia University, Department of Mathematics Research Focus: Algebraic stacks, arithmetic geometry, moduli spaces Major Project: The Stacks Project (open-source collaborative textbook) De Jong's research primarily centers on algebraic stacks, arithmetic geometry, and the foundations of algebraic geometry. His work bridges abstract theoretical frameworks with concrete computational aspects, particularly in positive characteristic. He has made significant contributions to understanding Brauer groups, period-index problems, and the geometry of moduli spaces. His research often connects number theory with geometric structures, exploring how arithmetic properties manifest in geometric settings. His publication record shows a consistent focus on fundamental structures in algebraic geometry, with particular emphasis on stacks theory (evident in The Stacks Project), Brauer groups, rational connectivity, and arithmetic properties of algebraic varieties. The trajectory of his work demonstrates increasing sophistication in handling complex geometric structures while maintaining connections to arithmetic questions. His most recent work continues to explore the interplay between algebraic geometry and number theory, particularly through the lens of stacks and moduli spaces. De Jong actively mentors graduate students, with numerous descendants listed in the Mathematics Genealogy Project. His academic lineage includes researchers working across various subfields of algebraic geometry. He has organized multiple conferences including "Moduli spaces and moduli stacks" (2012) and "Spaces of curves and their interaction with diophantine problems" (2009), demonstrating his leadership in the field. He leads The Stacks Project, a major collaborative open-source initiative that has become an essential reference for algebraic geometers worldwide. This project provides comprehensive foundations for algebraic stacks and related concepts, with regular updates and community contributions. De Jong also maintains the Stacks Project Blog where he discusses mathematical topics related to the project and shares updates.
James Briscoe is a Senior Group Leader at The Francis Crick Institute in London, where he leads a research group focused on developmental biology and morphogen signaling. He previously held positions at the Medical Research Council's National Institute for Medical Research, which later became part of the Francis Crick Institute. Education: BSc in Microbiology and Virology from the University of Warwick, UK PhD from Imperial Cancer Research Fund/King's College London Postdoctoral training at Columbia University with Thomas Jessell Dr. Briscoe's research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of graded signaling by morphogens and the role of transcriptional networks in cell fate specification. His laboratory employs a range of experimental and computational techniques using model systems including mouse and chick embryos and embryonic stem cells. His work has significant implications for understanding developmental processes and their relationship to disease. His recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on morphogen gradients, neural tube development, and computational approaches to understanding cell fate decisions. His research increasingly integrates single-cell technologies and computational modeling to unravel the complexities of developmental patterning. Scientific Awards and Honors: EMBO Young Investigator (2001) EMBO Gold Medal (2008) Elected to EMBO (2009) Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (2019) Fellow of the Royal Society (2019) As Editor-in-Chief of the journal Development since 2018, Dr. Briscoe plays a significant role in shaping the field of developmental biology. His leadership extends to mentoring researchers and contributing to scientific policy discussions, as evidenced by his recent publication 'Science under siege: protecting scientific progress in turbulent times.' Dr. Briscoe's laboratory at the Crick Institute is well-equipped with access to advanced facilities including light microscopy, flow cytometry, genomics, and computational resources, enabling a multidisciplinary approach to developmental biology questions.
David W. Jacobs is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, with a joint appointment at the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS). He also served as the interim Director of the University of Maryland Center for Machine Learning starting in 2018. University: University of Maryland School: College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences Department: Department of Computer Science Academic Rank: Professor Education: He received his B.A. from Yale University, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT. Research Interests: His research primarily focuses on computer vision and machine learning, particularly visual object recognition, lighting variation modeling, 3D reconstruction, perceptual organization, motion understanding, and the integration of vision with graphics and human-computer interaction. A major applied contribution is the development of Leafsnap , an electronic field guide app for plant identification, which has been downloaded over 1.5 million times and used in biodiversity and educational contexts. Publication Trends: His recent scholarly output centers on deep learning, convolutional networks, residual architectures, generative models (especially GANs), and interpretability. His work often bridges theoretical insights with practical applications in vision and AI. Scientific Awards: Honorable Mention, Best Paper Award, CVPR 2000 Best Student Paper Award, UIST 2003 Best Paper Award, Eurographics 2016 2011 Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Technology Pioneer Award for Leafsnap Teaching and Advising: He has taught advanced courses such as CMSC 422 (Introduction to Machine Learning) and CMSC 828L (Deep Learning). He mentors students through course projects and research, though specific advisees are not listed. He has collaborated with institutions like Columbia University and the Smithsonian on impactful interdisciplinary projects. Labs and Teams: He is affiliated with UMIACS and leads research efforts in vision and learning, contributing to the University of Maryland Center for Machine Learning. His team has developed several mobile applications including Leafsnap, Birdsnap, and Dogsnap, demonstrating a strong focus on real-world deployment of vision technology.
Adriana Schulz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington's College of Engineering. She leads a research group focused on computational design, computer-aided design (CAD), and digital fabrication. Her work bridges computer science with practical applications in manufacturing, robotics, and sustainable design. Dr. Schulz received her Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT in 2018 under the supervision of Professor Wojciech Matusik. Prior to her doctoral studies, she earned a Master's degree in Mathematics from IMPA (Instituto Nacional de Matemática Pura e Aplicada) in Rio de Janeiro, where she worked with Professor Luiz Velho, and a Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering from UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro). Her research interests center around computational tools that enhance design and manufacturing processes. She develops novel algorithms for CAD systems, computational fabrication techniques, and sustainable design approaches. Her work spans multiple domains including robotics, textiles, electronics, and architecture, with a strong emphasis on creating practical tools that designers and engineers can use in real-world applications. She explores how machine learning, particularly neurosymbolic approaches, can improve design workflows and enable new capabilities in computational design systems. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward more intelligent and user-centered design tools. Her research increasingly integrates machine learning with traditional CAD systems to create more intuitive interfaces, supports sustainable design practices with computational tools, and develops novel fabrication techniques that push the boundaries of what's possible with digital manufacturing. She has made significant contributions to zero-waste fashion design, immersion cooling for high-performance computing, and CAD program understanding through novel representation learning techniques. Innovators Under 35 - MIT Technology Review Bolsa Aluno Nota 10 from FAPERJ Engineer 20000 award Dr. Schulz actively mentors several PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, including Haisen Zhao, Ben Jones, Yuxuan Mei, and others, often in collaboration with colleagues across different departments. Her research has attracted significant media attention, with coverage in major outlets including MIT News, BBC, IEEE Spectrum, Wired, and TechCrunch. Her work on Interactive Robogami was noted as the most read article in the International Journal of Robotics Research in its publication year. She leads a vibrant research group at the University of Washington that focuses on computational design systems, with particular emphasis on creating tools that bridge the gap between digital design and physical fabrication. Her team develops novel algorithms for CAD systems, computational fabrication techniques, and sustainable design approaches that have practical applications across multiple industries.
Aberham Hailu Feyissa is an Associate Professor at the National Food Institute of the Technical University of Denmark , specializing in process modeling and sustainable food engineering. His research bridges complex transport phenomena with practical food manufacturing challenges. Ph.D. in Food Process Engineering, Technical University of Denmark MSc in Food Science, K.U.Leuven and Universiteit Gent BSc in Chemical Engineering, Bahir Dar University His work focuses on coupled mass and heat transfer during solid food processing, aiming to develop robust first-principles models for predictive process optimization. Key applications include Ohmic heating , digital twin technology , and bioactive ingredient extraction . Recent publications highlight his contributions to sustainable food processes , including insect-based feed modeling , seaweed bread kinetics , and clean-label cheese formulation . His methodological innovations span FTIR spectroscopy , computational fluid dynamics , and kinetic modeling . Supervisor for PhD students S. S. Turgut , M. E. Jabali , and Dahal S. Principal Investigator for projects like Modelling and Digitalisation of Food Processes and Sustainable Extraction of Bioactive Insect Fractions Active in conference presentations and peer review , he drives advancements in food process understanding through mechanistic modeling and mathematical simulation .
Yuriy Rogovchenko is a Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Agder. His research spans differential equations, mathematical modeling, and education innovation, with applications in biology, social sciences, and engineering. Rogovchenko has contributed extensively to mathematics education through projects like PLATINUM (Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership) and CPEA-ST-2019/10067 (Eurasia project). PhD in differential equations (Institute of Mathematics, Kyiv, 1987) Regular Associate at Abdus Salam ICTP, Trieste (2004-2011) Editor for 11 international journals Referee for over 70 journals Research Interests: Qualitative theory of differential equations, perturbation methods, mathematical modeling in interdisciplinary contexts. He focuses on enhancing conceptual understanding through inquiry-based learning and nonstandard problems. Publications: Recent works include advancements in linear system observability, parameter identification methods, and educational studies on exact differential equations. His collaborations with Svitlana Rogovchenko and Matthias Pätzold highlight applications in engineering and biology. Awards: Sørlandet kompetansefonds research award (2016).
David Kutasov is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Chicago, affiliated with the Enrico Fermi Institute. His research focuses on string theory and quantum field theory, particularly addressing dynamics of strongly coupled systems, supersymmetry breaking, black hole physics, and cosmological singularities. Kutasov has contributed to understanding the interplay between string theory and field theory, including mechanisms for vacuum selection in early universe scenarios and brane dynamics. His work explores theoretical frameworks such as holography, time-dependent backgrounds, and tachyon condensation, with applications to particle physics and cosmology. Key research directions include analyzing string theory's predictions for nature and applying string-based insights to experimental particle physics and cosmic phenomena. Notable contributions span topics like D-brane interactions, non-supersymmetric vacua, and dualities in Chern-Simons theories. Kutasov's publications often bridge abstract string theory constructs with observable phenomena, emphasizing tools for analyzing string theory's implications in diverse physical contexts. Despite extensive contributions, no specific scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided materials. His research remains active across multiple frontiers of theoretical physics, maintaining a strong focus on foundational questions in high-energy physics.
Joan Bruna is a Full Professor of Computer Science, Data Science, and affiliated Mathematics at New York University's Courant Institute and Center for Data Science. He leads the CILVR group and co-founded the MaD group. His research focuses on mathematical foundations of machine learning, deep learning, signal processing, and their applications in computational science, climate modeling, and geophysics. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from École Polytechnique and has held roles at UC Berkeley, the Institute for Advanced Study, and the Flatiron Institute. Education: Ph.D. (2013) and M.Sc. (2005) in Applied Mathematics, École Polytechnique and ENS Cachan; dual B.Sc./M.Sc. in Telecommunications and Mathematics from UPC Barcelona (2002–2004). Awards include the NSF CAREER Award (2019) and Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship (2018). Research interests span theoretical aspects of deep learning, optimization, and statistical methods, with applications to climate science and inverse problems. He has advised numerous PhD students and postdocs, contributing to seminal work on scattering networks, geometric deep learning, and neural ODEs. Professional service includes editorial roles at TMLR, JMLR, and TPAMI, plus program chairs for major conferences. His work bridges mathematics and machine learning, emphasizing rigorous analysis and real-world impact.
Tengyu Ma is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University. His research focuses on machine learning, deep learning, optimization, and theoretical computer science. He is particularly known for work on neural networks, reinforcement learning, and algorithmic guarantees in AI systems. His email is tengyuma@stanford.edu . Ma's research interests span foundational aspects of machine learning, including generalization theory, optimization algorithms, and the theoretical underpinnings of deep learning. He has contributed to areas such as self-play theorem provers, learning rate schedules, and robustness in low-light vision tasks. His work often bridges theoretical insights with practical algorithm design. His recent publications emphasize advancements in large language models (LLMs), theorem proving via self-play, and understanding training dynamics in deep networks. Despite prolific output, no specific scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. Ongoing work includes exploring in-context learning mechanisms, formal verification of AI systems, and efficient pretraining techniques. His research has implications for both theoretical understanding and real-world applications of AI.
Alexander Mathis is an Assistant Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in the Brain Mind Institute (School of Life Sciences). His research bridges computational neuroscience and machine learning to decode sensorimotor behaviors and develop AI tools for behavioral analysis. Pure Mathematics MSc, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich PhD in Computational Neuroscience, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich His work focuses on understanding how the brain generates behavior through computational models and algorithms. Key contributions include the DeepLabCut toolbox, hBehaveMAE , and other frameworks for pose estimation, action segmentation, and brain-inspired AI. His group also explores proprioception, motor control, and neural coding theories. Recent publications include unsupervised hierarchical behavior modeling via masked autoencoders (ECCV 2024), synthetic basketball benchmarks (Shot7M2), and extensions of BABEL into hBABEL. These works highlight his interest in temporal hierarchies in behavior and scalable AI solutions for neuroscience. Scientific Honors Robert Bing Prize (2024) Eric Kandel Young Neuroscientists Prize (2023) Frontiers of Science Award (2023) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes scholarship He advises PhD candidates in neuroscience and life sciences, leads courses on brain-like computation and software engineering for life sciences , and collaborates across AI4Science initiatives. His group actively participates in competitions, such as NeurIPS' MyoChallenge, where brain-inspired reinforcement learning algorithms have won awards.
Danica Kragic is a Professor of Computer Science at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden. She serves as the Director of the Centre for Autonomous Systems and leads the Robotics, Perception and Learning Lab at KTH. Her research focuses on advancing robotics capabilities through computer vision and machine learning approaches. MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Rijeka, Croatia (1995) PhD in Computer Science from KTH (2001) Professor Kragic's research primarily centers on robotics, computer vision, and machine learning, with particular emphasis on robotic manipulation, grasp planning, and human-robot interaction. Her work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, exploring how robots can understand and interact with objects in complex environments. She investigates how visual and tactile sensing can be integrated to improve robotic perception and manipulation capabilities, with applications ranging from industrial automation to assistive robotics. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on advanced grasp planning techniques, tactile sensing for manipulation, and mathematical representations for robotic control. Kragic's research shows increasing integration of machine learning approaches with traditional robotics frameworks, particularly in the areas of grasp synthesis, object recognition, and human-robot collaboration. Her work spans theoretical contributions in mathematical representations of grasps to practical implementations of robotic systems capable of adapting to novel objects and situations. 2007 IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Early Academic Career Award IEEE Fellow ERC Starting Grant (2012) Member of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Member of The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences Honorary Doctorate from Lappeenranta University of Technology Professor Kragic's research has been supported by major funding bodies including the EU, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, and Swedish Research Council. While specific student names aren't listed in the provided information, her publication record suggests extensive mentorship of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in robotics and computer vision. Her lab, the Robotics, Perception and Learning Lab, serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting computer science, engineering, and cognitive science perspectives on robotic systems. As Director of the Centre for Autonomous Systems at KTH, Kragic oversees a major research initiative focused on advancing autonomous technologies. Her Robotics, Perception and Learning Lab brings together researchers working on visual perception, machine learning, and robotic manipulation, with particular emphasis on developing systems that can understand and interact with objects in unstructured environments. The lab's work spans theoretical foundations of robotic manipulation to practical implementations of systems capable of learning from experience.