Steven D. Levitt is the William B. Ogden Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, where he directs the Becker Center on Chicago Price Theory. He has been affiliated with the university since 1997, following a PhD from MIT and BA from Harvard. Fields of Interest: Economics, Criminology, Education Policy, Real Estate, Political Economy, Social Policy, Game Theory Levitt's research spans empirical economic analysis across diverse domains, including crime, education, politics, and behavioral economics. His work often employs unconventional data sources and focuses on identifying causal relationships through natural experiments. Recent publications highlight intersections between incentives, social behavior, and policy outcomes. Notable awards include the John Bates Clark Medal (2004) and recognition as one of Time magazine's 100 People Who Shape Our World (2006). He is widely known for co-authoring the Freakonomics book series and blog, which popularized the application of economic principles to real-world phenomena. Contact: SLevitt@UChicago.edu
Alan Montgomery is a Professor of Marketing at Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business, where he has held a tenured position since 2018 (previously as Associate Professor from 2005-2017). He also maintains an affiliation with the Machine Learning Department at CMU's School of Computer Science, demonstrating his interdisciplinary research approach at the intersection of marketing, economics, and computational methods. Dr. Montgomery earned his educational credentials from prestigious institutions: Ph.D. in Marketing/Economics, University of Chicago (1994) MBA, University of Chicago (1994) BS in Economics, University of Illinois at Chicago (1989) His research focuses on applying advanced quantitative methods to marketing problems, with particular expertise in consumer behavior modeling, clickstream data analysis, pricing strategies, and micro-marketing. Dr. Montgomery's work bridges traditional marketing theory with computational approaches, making significant contributions to both academic literature and practical business applications. His research often involves large-scale data analysis to uncover patterns in consumer decision-making processes, with recent work exploring mental accounting, bandit algorithms, and the impact of digital phenomena like movie piracy on traditional markets. Dr. Montgomery has received notable recognition including the 1999 Mitchell Prize from the American Statistical Association for his paper "Estimating Price Elasticities with Theory-based Priors." His work has been published in top-tier journals across marketing, economics, and computer science disciplines, demonstrating the interdisciplinary impact of his research. As an educator and mentor, Dr. Montgomery has advised numerous PhD students and collaborated extensively with researchers across multiple institutions. His interdisciplinary approach has led to collaborations with computer scientists studying web browsing behavior and economists examining consumer decision frameworks. His research has been supported by various grants throughout his career, enabling extensive data collection and analysis projects. Dr. Montgomery's work spans multiple research environments, including collaborations with the Machine Learning Department at CMU's School of Computer Science. His research group likely focuses on applying computational methods to marketing problems, particularly in the areas of consumer behavior modeling, clickstream analysis, and data-driven marketing strategies. His recent work shows increasing integration of machine learning techniques with traditional marketing research methodologies.
Prof. Dr. Markus Bachmayr is a full professor at the Institute for Geometry and Practical Mathematics, RWTH Aachen University, holding the chair for Applied Mathematics. His research focuses on nonlinear approximation, high-dimensional partial differential equations (PDEs), uncertainty quantification, and numerical methods in quantum chemistry. He leads the ERC Consolidator Grant project Computational Complexity of Highly Nonlinear Approximations (COCOA) and contributes to CRC 1481 Sparsity and Singular Structures, and RTG 2326 Energy, Entropy, and Dissipative Dynamics. His recent work emphasizes adaptive low-rank and sparse approximation techniques for parametric and stochastic PDEs, including applications in radiative transfer and poroviscoelastic flow modeling. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Foundations of Computational Mathematics and Associate Editor for multiple journals. Scientific Awards: John Todd Award 2013 Borchers Plakette 2014 Erwin Wenzl Preis 2007 He has taught courses such as Numerische Analysis I/II, Numerische Mathematik für Elektrotechniker, and seminars on numerical methods and approximation theory.
Lenya Ryzhik is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Stanford University, specializing in analysis and partial differential equations with applications in various physical contexts. His research spans stochastic processes, wave propagation, and front dynamics in random media, with significant contributions to understanding reaction-diffusion systems and their applications in mathematical biology and physics. Professor Ryzhik's research interests focus on the mathematical analysis of partial differential equations arising in physical systems. His work particularly emphasizes stochastic PDEs, wave propagation in random media, front propagation in reaction-diffusion systems, and homogenization theory. He investigates how randomness and complex structures affect wave propagation, front speeds, and transport phenomena, with applications ranging from combustion theory to population dynamics and quantum mechanics. The publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on understanding propagation phenomena in complex environments. Ryzhik's research shows a progression from classical PDE analysis toward increasingly sophisticated stochastic frameworks, particularly examining high-dimensional systems and random media. His recent work has focused on KPZ fluctuations, random heat equations, and non-local reaction-diffusion models, revealing deep connections between probability theory and partial differential equations. Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2002-2004) AFOSR NSSEFF Fellowship (2010-2015) Ryzhik has advised graduate students including Alexandra Stavrianidi, and has secured substantial research funding throughout his career. His grant history includes multiple NSF awards (DMS-9971742, DMS-0203537, DMS-0604687, DMS-0908507, DMS-1311903), ONR funding (N00014-02-1-0089, N00014-04-1-0224), and FRG support for collaborative research on nonlinear evolution problems. He co-organized a Summer School and Workshop on 'Recent Advances in PDEs and Fluids' at Stanford in 2013. Ryzhik maintains an active research group collaborating with leading mathematicians worldwide, particularly with researchers at institutions like NYU, Chicago, and various European universities. His work frequently involves interdisciplinary collaborations bridging mathematics with physics and biology.
Arnab Sen is an Associate Professor at the School of Mathematics, University of Minnesota. His research focuses on probability theory and discrete harmonic analysis, with emphasis on models from statistical physics such as spin glasses, random graphs, random matrices, and random polynomials. PhD in Statistics, UC Berkeley (2010), advised by Steven N. Evans and Elchanan Mossel Postdoctoral Fellow, Statistical Laboratory, University of Cambridge His research spans discrete probability , statistical physics , and random matrix theory , addressing topics like disorder chaos in spin glasses, eigenvalue distributions, and quantum percolation. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses including Random Matrix Theory , Introduction to Stochastic Processes , and Multivariable Calculus . His recent publications analyze spin glass models, random matrices, and combinatorial systems.
Stanislav Smirnov is a Professor at the University of Geneva and holds a part-time position at the Chebyshev Laboratory of St. Petersburg State University. A leading figure in mathematical physics, he works on probability, complex analysis, and dynamical systems, with significant contributions to conformal invariance in statistical mechanics models.
Alex Dunlap is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Duke University. His research focuses on probability theory, partial differential equations (PDEs), and applied mathematics, particularly the asymptotic behavior of stochastic PDEs. Before joining Duke in 2023, he was an NSF postdoctoral fellow at NYU Courant, sponsored by Jean-Christophe Mourrat and Yuri Bakhtin. He earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 2020 under the supervision of Lenya Ryzhik. His work involves studying nonlinear stochastic PDEs such as the KPZ equation, stochastic Burgers equation, and stochastic heat equations. He is particularly interested in universality phenomena, fluctuation scaling, and invariant measures. Dunlap co-organizes the Duke Probability Seminar and has published extensively in top journals including Annals of Probability , Communications on Pure and Applied Mathematics , and Archive for Rational Mechanics and Analysis . His research is supported by NSF grant DMS-2346915. Notable contributions include work on viscous shock fluctuations, Edwards-Wilkinson universality in 2D systems, and stationary solutions of stochastic Burgers equations. He has collaborated with leading researchers such as Cole Graham, Yu Gu, and Lenya Ryzhik.
Dr. Antal Jarai is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Bath, where he also contributes to the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Statistical Applied Mathematics (SAMBa) and the Probability Laboratory at Bath. His work bridges probability theory and statistical physics, focusing on random processes with spatial and/or temporal structure. PhD in Mathematics from Cornell University (2000) BSc from Eötvös Loránd University (1996) Dr. Jarai's research explores problems motivated by statistical physics, including percolation, random walks, branching random walks, uniform spanning trees, and Abelian sandpiles. His recent publications address interlacement limits, asymptotics of optimal policies, resistance scaling, and wireless network proximity. He actively collaborates on interdisciplinary projects in network mathematics and wireless technology. Key trends in his publications include asymptotic analysis (5/5 papers), random walk theory (4/5), and probabilistic methods in statistical physics (4/5). Subfields span interlacement theory, self-organized criticality, stochastic geometry, and disordered systems. Royal Society Grant for 'Zero Dissipation Limit in Abelian Sandpiles' London Mathematical Society Grant for 'Critical Exponents in Sandpiles via Exact Sampling' EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Statistical Applied Mathematics (SAMBa) Dr. Jarai serves as Principal Investigator on multiple research grants and supervises students in probability and applied mathematics. He has contributed datasets on sandpile simulations and collaborates internationally on network mathematics projects.
Cesare Franchini is a full Professor at the University of Vienna's Faculty of Physics, leading the Computational Materials Physics research group. His work focuses on theoretical understanding and computational modeling of quantum materials using first principles methods, particularly VASP. He maintains an active research program with numerous postdocs, PhD students, and collaborations across multiple institutions including the University of Bologna. Professor Franchini's research centers on quantum materials with many interacting degrees of freedom (lattice, spin, and electron orbital) that enable novel electronic and magnetic phases. His specific interests include metal-insulator transitions, polaron physics (electron-phonon interactions), non-collinear spin orderings, topological Dirac/Weyl phases, multiferroism, and superconductivity. He has increasingly incorporated machine learning data-driven tools and diagrammatic Monte Carlo techniques into his computational approaches. Analysis of his recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong focus on polaron physics across multiple material systems, with significant work on hematite, titanium dioxide, and quantum paraelectrics like KTaO3. His research increasingly integrates machine learning with traditional first-principles methods, particularly for studying hydrogen diffusion, surface science phenomena, and electronic structure calculations. There's also substantial work on single-atom catalysis and the application of advanced computational techniques to understand fundamental charge transport mechanisms in energy materials. Professor Franchini actively supervises numerous PhD students and postdocs, including Andrea Angeletti, Viktor Birschitzky, Lorenzo Celiberti, and several others working on diverse aspects of computational materials physics. He leads or participates in major research projects including TACO (Taming Complexity in Materials Modeling), DCAFM (Doctoral College Advanced Functional Materials), and the recently launched Spin-orbit entangled anharmonic polarons project. His group maintains strong collaborations with experimentalists at Charles University, Technical University of Vienna, and other international institutions.
Yvain Bruned is a Professor of Mathematics at Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France, where he leads research in singular stochastic partial differential equations and related fields. He serves as Principal Investigator for the ERC Starting Grant LoRDeT (2023-2028), which focuses on advancing the theory of decorated trees and Hopf algebraic structures for solving singular SPDEs and dispersive PDEs at low regularity. Previously, he was a Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh (2019-2022) and completed postdoctoral work at Imperial College London and University of Warwick under Martin Hairer. His educational background includes: PhD in Mathematics (2012-2015), UPMC (Paris 6), on "Singular KPZ type equations" under Lorenzo Zambotti Master 2 in Probability and Statistics, ENS Cachan / Rennes 1, with honors Master 1 in Mathematics, ENS Cachan, with honors Bachelor in Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Rennes 1, with honors Student at ENS Cachan Brittany extension (2009-2013) Classes Préparatoires in Mathematics and Physics (2007-2009) Bruned's research centers on singular stochastic partial differential equations, with particular focus on Regularity Structures, renormalization theory, and their connections to Hopf algebras. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with applications in quantum field theory, wave turbulence, and numerical analysis. He has developed novel approaches using decorated trees to handle renormalization procedures for singular SPDEs and has extended these methods to dispersive PDEs with random initial data. His research program aims to establish existence and uniqueness results for quasilinear and dispersive SPDEs while developing algebraic tools through deformations of Hopf algebras. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to the field of singular SPDEs, with a clear trajectory from foundational work on Regularity Structures to more recent applications in dispersive PDEs and numerical methods. The publications reveal a strong collaborative network with leading researchers in stochastic analysis, mathematical physics, and algebra. His work shows increasing sophistication in handling renormalization procedures through algebraic structures, with recent papers exploring connections between different mathematical frameworks. His major scientific recognition includes: ERC Starting Grant LoRDeT (2023-2028) Bruned actively supervises a large group of researchers, currently advising 4 PhD students and 2 postdoctoral researchers at Université de Lorraine, with several former PhD students having completed their degrees at the University of Edinburgh. His ERC grant has enabled him to organize multiple international workshops in Nancy, fostering collaboration between researchers in singular SPDEs, algebraic structures, and numerical analysis. The grant also supports the development of software platforms for decorated trees and their Hopf algebraic structures. As Principal Investigator of the ERC LoRDeT project, Bruned leads a vibrant research team based at the Elie Cartan Institute of Lorraine, which includes postdocs, PhD students, and visiting researchers. The team regularly organizes specialized workshops on topics including operads, symmetries for quantum field theory, and normal forms for singular dynamics, creating a dynamic research environment that bridges multiple mathematical disciplines.
William Sulis is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and an Associate Member of the Department of Psychology at McMaster University, where he also directs the Collective Intelligence Lab (CILab). With a unique interdisciplinary background spanning mathematics, physics, and psychiatry, Dr. Sulis bridges the gap between theoretical science and clinical practice. His educational journey is exceptionally diverse: B.Sc. (Hon) in Mathematics with minor in Theoretical Physics, Carleton University (1976) M.D., University of Western Ontario (1980) M.A. in Mathematics, University of Western Ontario (1984) Ph.D. in Mathematics, University of Western Ontario (1989) FRCPC in Psychiatry (1984) Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics, University of Waterloo (2014) CRCPC in Geriatric Psychiatry (2015) Dr. Sulis's research explores the intersection of complex systems theory with psychological and psychiatric phenomena. His work on Collective Intelligence investigates how group dynamics emerge from individual interactions, while his research on Temperament and Psychobiology examines the continuum between normal personality variations and mental illness. He has made significant contributions to understanding Synchronization in Complex Systems and developed the concept of Transient Induced Global Response Synchronization (TIGoRS) , which has implications for neural coding and information processing. His theoretical work extends to Quantum Foundations and Process Algebra Theory , where he proposes novel approaches to quantum mechanics. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent thread connecting complex systems theory with psychological and psychiatric applications. His work increasingly focuses on bridging the gap between temperament theory and clinical psychiatry, using mathematical and computational approaches to understand mental illness. Simultaneously, he continues to develop theoretical frameworks in quantum physics through process algebra models, demonstrating remarkable interdisciplinary range. Dr. Sulis has received several prestigious awards including The Governor General's Medal for having the highest overall grade point average in his graduating class, the Henry Marshall Tory Scholarship, and multiple Harry Stevenson Southam Scholarships. Throughout his career, Dr. Sulis has mentored numerous students across disciplines, supervising research projects spanning collective intelligence, semantic space modeling, network dynamics, and temperament studies. His Collective Intelligence Lab has served as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting computer science, psychology, and psychiatry. Dr. Sulis has also been actively involved in professional organizations, serving as President of The Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology and the Life Sciences (1996-1998) and holding editorial positions for several journals including "Dynamical Psychology" and "Nonlinear Dynamics in Psychology and the Life Sciences." As Director of the Collective Intelligence Lab at McMaster University, Dr. Sulis fosters research exploring how complex adaptive systems can model cognitive and social phenomena. The lab serves as an intellectual nexus where mathematics, computer science, psychology, and psychiatry converge to address fundamental questions about intelligence, both individual and collective.
Noam Berger Steiger is a Professor of Stochastic Processes at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), within the School of Computation, Information and Technology and the Department of Mathematics. His office is located at Parkring 11, Garching bei München, and he can be contacted at noam.berger@tum.de. His research focuses on stochastic processes in random environments, percolation theory, and random walks. Key contributions include asymptotic analysis of preferential attachment graphs, quenched invariance principles for non-elliptic random walks, and slowdown phenomena in ballistic random motion. His work bridges theoretical probability with applications in complex systems. Analysis of his 2012-2014 publications reveals consistent focus on random walk dynamics in disordered media, with significant results on ballisticity conditions, trail detection in random scenery, and distributional limits. His research employs advanced probabilistic techniques published in top-tier journals including Annals of Probability and Probability Theory and Related Fields . Professor Berger has supervised 11 theses: 5 bachelor's theses at TUM covering Brownian motion properties and investment strategies for risk-averse investors, and 6 master's theses (3 at TUM, 3 at Hebrew University) on topics including return times for random walks, mass transport principles, and spin-glass percolation. His current teaching includes Markov Chains, Probability on Graphs, and Brownian Motion seminars. He is an active member of TUM's Probability Theory research group, which participates in the TUM-ICL Mathematical Sciences Hub and Exzellenzcluster MCQST. The group collaborates on quantum science initiatives while maintaining strong foundations in classical probability theory and stochastic analysis.
Yukun Li is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Central Florida (UCF), part of the College of Sciences. His research focuses on numerical analysis, stochastic partial differential equations, and computational finance. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2010-2015), followed by postdoctoral roles at Penn State (2015-2016) and The Ohio State University (2016-2019). He has secured grants including NSF REU funding (2023-2026) and led an NSF-funded project on stochastic phase field models (2021-2025). Research interests include: Continuous/Discontinuous Finite Element Methods Numerical Solutions of Stochastic ODEs/PDEs Adaptive Algorithms and Fast Solvers Computational Finance Models Recent publications emphasize stochastic wave equations, phase field models, and financial mathematics. His work spans theoretical analysis and numerical methods for complex systems. Notable recognition includes the 2015 Achievement Award from the University of Tennessee's Mathematics Department. Teaching highlights include advanced graduate courses like Computational Methods for Financial Mathematics and Numerical Linear Algebra, alongside contributions to undergraduate mathematics education. He is proficient in computational tools including MATLAB, Python, FEniCS, and MPI.
A.T. Charlie Johnson serves as the Rebecca W. Bushnell Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences, where he has been a standing faculty member since 1994. His research program focuses on nanoscale systems and has established him as a leading figure in condensed matter physics, earning recognition from major scientific societies. His educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University (1990) B.S. in Physics from Stanford University (1984) Professor Johnson's research centers on the development and application of atomic-layer nanomaterials, particularly graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides , for fundamental studies of transport phenomena and practical biosensor applications. His group employs advanced nanofabrication techniques at Penn's Singh Center for Nanotechnology to create devices that leverage biological molecules for chemical recognition in disease diagnosis, security screening, and environmental monitoring. This work bridges condensed matter physics with biomedical engineering , yielding innovative solutions for real-world detection challenges. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals three dominant research thrusts: (1) scalable graphene-based biosensor development for medical diagnostics, (2) exploration of quantum phenomena like Klein tunneling in novel nanoelectromechanical systems, and (3) interdisciplinary applications spanning oncology, planetary science, and fetal medicine. His work consistently emphasizes materials synthesis , device integration , and practical translation of nanoscale phenomena. His scientific contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors: Defense Science Study Group Fellow (2018-2019) Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2017) Fellow of the American Physical Society (2011) Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching (2003) David and Lucille Packard Foundation Fellowship (1994-1999) As an educator, Professor Johnson has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, with notable alumni like Michael Biercuk (founder of Q-CTRL). His research has been supported through significant leadership roles including Director of the Nano/Bio Interface Center (2014-2017) and Packard Fellowship funding, enabling sustained innovation in nanotechnology. His group actively collaborates across disciplines to advance both fundamental understanding and practical applications of nanomaterials. Based at the Singh Center for Nanotechnology, Johnson leads a dynamic research team utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for nanofabrication and characterization. His laboratory maintains strong campus collaborations through secondary appointments in Electrical and Systems Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, fostering an interdisciplinary environment for developing next-generation nanoscale devices.
Prof. Tobias Müller is a Professor at the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Groningen. His academic journey includes previous positions at Utrecht University, CWI (Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica), Tel Aviv University, and Eindhoven University of Technology, with a doctorate from the University of Oxford under Colin McDiarmid. His research focuses on combinatorics, probability theory, random graphs, percolation, discrete and stochastic geometry, and combinatorial game theory. He has contributed extensively to understanding complex networks, hyperbolic models, and geometric random structures. Research Interests: Random Graphs and Percolation Theory Discrete and Stochastic Geometry Hyperbolic Network Models Probabilistic Combinatorics Geometric Probability Graph Algorithms and Connectivity Notable Contributions: Analysis of Voronoi and Poisson-Voronoi percolation in hyperbolic planes. Studies on Mallows random permutations and their cycle structures. Research on component games and logical limit laws in graph theory. Investigations into the geometry and properties of random geometric graphs. Grants & Collaborations: Active in organizing workshops and conferences on random graphs and geometric networks, including the BIRS Workshop on Random Geometric Graphs and the STAR Workshops series. Labs/Teams: Member of the Bernoulli Institute’s research groups, focusing on stochastic studies, combinatorics, and algorithmic methods.
