Gregory J. Carbone is a Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of South Carolina. His research investigates climate variability and change impacts on water resources and agriculture, with emphasis on drought monitoring systems and climate scenario development. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1990), M.A. from University of Kansas (1984), and B.A. from Clark University (1982). His research develops tools for drought assessment in data-scarce regions and examines how spatial scale affects climate impact assessments. Research focuses on drought monitoring techniques, climate extremes, and the application of climate information in water resource management. Recent work explores uncertainty in precipitation indices, agricultural sensitivity to drought, and regional climate projections. He co-developed the Carolinas Dynamic Drought Index tool used by water managers. His publications demonstrate consistent innovation in drought monitoring methodologies, with recent advancements in spatial visualization of climate impacts and statistical downscaling techniques. Research integrates geospatial analysis, remote sensing, and statistical modeling. Teaching excellence recognized through multiple awards: Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor of the Year (2025) Mortar Board Excellence in Teaching Award (2012) Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award (2005) He has supervised 6 MS students and served on 50+ thesis committees. Major grants include $3.75 million from NOAA for the Carolinas Integrated Sciences & Assessments program. Professional service includes editorial roles for Physical Geography and leadership in the American Association of Geographers.
Justin Thaler is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Georgetown University, researching algorithms and computational complexity with focus on probabilistic proof systems, verifiable computation, and streaming algorithms. Education: PhD Computer Science, Harvard University BS Computer Science and Mathematics, Yale University Research Interests: Develops protocols for verifying computations (including zero-knowledge proofs), analyzes the power of low-degree polynomials, and designs efficient streaming/sketching algorithms for large datasets. Publications: Research advances theoretical foundations of proof systems, with recent work on SNARKs, lookup arguments, and Fiat-Shamir security. Authored the monograph 'Proofs, Arguments, and Zero-Knowledge'. Advising & Labs: Advises PhD students in theoretical computer science. Contributes to open-source projects including DataSketches library of streaming algorithms. Currently on leave at a16z crypto research.
Hyunwoong "Woody" Chang is an Assistant Professor of Statistics in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas. He holds a B.S. in Business/Mathematics from Seoul National University (2019) and a Ph.D. in Statistics from Texas A&M University (2024). His research focuses on structure learning of DAG models, convergence of Markov chains, and Bayesian learning methodologies. His work bridges statistical theory and computational methods, with applications in high-dimensional data analysis and model selection. Education: Ph.D. - Statistics, Texas A&M University (2024) B.S. - Business/Mathematics, Seoul National University (2019) Chang's research explores topics such as informed MCMC samplers, complexity analysis of Bayesian models, and Lipschitz continuous autoencoders for anomaly detection. His recent publications emphasize methodological advancements in DAG structure learning, regularization techniques, and rapid convergence algorithms. He currently holds no stated academic awards but actively contributes to statistical theory and computational efficiency in complex models. No advising or grant details are explicitly provided in the text. His affiliation with the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics suggests involvement in interdisciplinary research teams, though specific lab affiliations are not mentioned.
Olivier FARGES is a Senior Lecturer and HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches) holder at the University of Lorraine, affiliated with ENSGSI (École Nationale Supérieure de Géologie et Sciences Industrielles) within the Groupe INP. He serves as Director of Industrial Partnerships at ENSGSI and is part of the LEMTA Laboratory (CNRS-University of Lorraine), focusing on multiphysics and multiscale modeling of heat transfer in complex environments. His academic roles include teaching courses such as Heat and Mass Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Scientific Computing Modeling, and Renewable Energy. Dr. FARGES holds a Ph.D. in Energy and New R&D (2014) and an Engineering degree in Energy Engineering (2010), both from the École de Mines Albi. His research emphasizes coupled conductive-radiative heat transfer in porous media, thermal property characterization of heterogeneous materials, and Monte Carlo-based computational methods for energy systems. He has contributed to advancements in photovoltaic system modeling, solar thermal power optimization, and urban climate studies. His work bridges theoretical and applied thermal engineering, with applications in sustainable energy systems, material science, and industrial partnerships. Key research themes include radiative transfer modeling, multiphysics simulation frameworks, and the development of innovative tools for thermal property measurement and energy performance assessment.
Stephen Pankavich is a Professor and Department Head in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics at the Colorado School of Mines. He holds a PhD in Mathematical Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University, with research focused on partial differential equations, kinetic theory, and mathematical biology. His work bridges theoretical analysis and computational methods, addressing challenges in plasma dynamics, epidemiological modeling, and multiscale systems. Education: PhD, Mathematical Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University (2005) MS, Mathematical Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University (2001) BS, Mathematical Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University (2000) Research interests include the analytical and numerical study of collisionless plasmas, HIV dynamics, and epidemiological models. He has received awards such as the W.M. Keck Mentorship Award and the Colorado School of Mines Alumni Teaching Award. His articles explore topics like plasma decay rates, HIV therapy models, and particle-tracking algorithms. He has advised over 20 graduate and undergraduate students, contributing to impactful research in applied mathematics and computational science.
Scott W. Linderman is an Assistant Professor of Statistics at Stanford University and a Faculty Scholar at the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute. He holds courtesy appointments in Computer Science and is affiliated with Stanford Bio-X and the Stanford AI Lab. His research focuses on developing probabilistic models and statistical methods to analyze neural data, bridging computational neuroscience and machine learning. Linderman earned his PhD in Computer Science from Harvard University, with postdoctoral training at Columbia University under Liam Paninski and David Blei. He previously worked as a software engineer at Microsoft and holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University. Research Interests : Machine learning, computational neuroscience, state space models, neural data analysis, and probabilistic modeling. His lab develops tools like the SSM and Dynamax packages, applying methods to problems such as neural decoding, behavioral tracking, and understanding latent neural dynamics. Awards : 2023 McKnight Scholar Award, 2022 Sloan Research Fellowship, Leonard J. Savage Award (2016). Linderman has advised over 20 PhD students and postdocs, contributing to breakthroughs in neuroscience and machine learning. His work includes collaborations with experimental neuroscientists like David Anderson and Sebastian Seung. Labs & Teams : Linderman Lab focuses on advancing statistical methods for neuroscience. Key projects include state space models (e.g., rSLDS, Gaussian Process SLDS) and behavioral analysis tools like Keypoint MoSeq. The lab emphasizes open-source software and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Joseph Ramsey is a Researcher in the Department of Philosophy at Carnegie Mellon University , affiliated with the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences . He serves as Director of Research Computing and has been instrumental in developing computational infrastructure and algorithms for causal inference. Core projects: Tetrad (causal search algorithms), AProS (proof generator for logic), Causality Lab , and Laboratory for Symbolic and Educational Computing . His research spans causal modeling, algorithm design, and applications in neuroscience, bioinformatics, and education. He has contributed to software tools like Causal-learn and Py-Tetrad , enabling scalable causal discovery in high-dimensional datasets. He has received funding from NASA, NSF, and the University of Pittsburgh for projects ranging from Martian rover software to glaucoma detection models. His work integrates philosophy, computer science, and applied statistics.
Daniel Almirall is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research (ISR) and holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Statistics. He co-directs the Data Science for Dynamic Intervention Decision-making Center (d3c), focusing on developing statistical methods for adaptive interventions in healthcare and education. With a Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Michigan (2007), his career includes roles at Duke University and the Durham VA Center for Health Services Research. His research emphasizes adaptive interventions—dynamic treatment strategies optimized via Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trials (SMARTs)—to address chronic health conditions, mental health (e.g., autism, depression), and substance abuse. Key contributions include methodological frameworks for causal inference, longitudinal data analysis, and implementation science. Notable recognition includes a Top 20 Autism Article (2016) and a US Department of Education-recognized methodology publication (2020). Almirall advises students across statistics, biostatistics, and education, mentoring over a dozen PhD, master’s, and undergraduate researchers. His work bridges theory and practice, collaborating with clinicians and educators to deploy evidence-based interventions. Ongoing efforts focus on scalable strategies for schools and clinics to adopt adaptive interventions, leveraging d3c's collaborative environment.
Pengfei Guan is a Distinguished James McGill Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at McGill University. He specializes in geometric analysis and nonlinear partial differential equations, with a focus on curvature flows, prescribed curvature problems, and fully nonlinear PDEs. His research bridges differential geometry and analysis, addressing topics such as the Christoffel-Minkowski problem, quermassintegral inequalities, and geometric flows in warped product spaces. Notable contributions include advancements in curvature estimates for hypersurfaces, entropy analysis in Gauss curvature flows, and proofs of uniqueness theorems for convex surfaces. Guan's work often appears in top-tier journals like Duke Math Journal, Inventiones Mathematicae, and Communications on Pure and Applied Mathematics. He maintains active collaborations in geometric analysis and hosts the Geometric Analysis Seminar at McGill. His research interests are reflected in publications spanning geometric flows, curvature equations, and the interplay between PDE theory and geometric structures.
Peng Ding is an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics and B.A. in Economics from Peking University, followed by an M.S. in Statistics from the same institution. He earned his Ph.D. in Statistics from Harvard University in 2015 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. His research focuses on causal inference, missing data, Bayesian statistics, and applied statistical methods in biomedical and social sciences. Ding is particularly known for his work on improving the robustness of causal inference in observational studies and randomized experiments through sensitivity analysis and design-based approaches. His research interests include methodologies to address contaminated data (e.g., missing values, measurement errors), factorial experiments, and sensitivity analysis for unmeasured confounding. He has contributed to theoretical advancements in rerandomization, regression adjustment, and instrumental variable techniques. His work emphasizes practical applications in fields such as epidemiology, social sciences, and public health. Peng Ding teaches courses on causal inference, statistical theory, and linear models. His most recent courses include Data, Inference, and Decisions and Linear Models . He actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students through directed study programs. His research has been published in top-tier statistical journals and presented at international conferences.
Bryan S. Graham is a Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley. He specializes in econometrics, focusing on network formation, social interactions, and panel data analysis. His research explores topics such as peer effects, poverty traps, and small sample properties of econometric methods. Graham holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University (2005) and has held visiting positions at Harvard, CEMFI (Spain), and NYU. He is an elected Fellow of the International Association of Applied Econometrics. Education highlights include a Rhodes Scholarship (1997–2000) at Oxford University, a Fulbright Scholarship (1997–1998) at the Australian National University, and a B.A. in Quantitative Economics from Tufts University (1993–1997). His work has been published in top journals like Econometrica and the Review of Economic Studies . Key awards include NSF grants (multiple), the Review of Economics Studies Tour, and the Daniel Ounjian Prize. Graham’s research has practical applications in policy analysis, particularly in education and social spillover effects. He also actively contributes to academic service, including editorial roles at Review of Economics and Statistics and Journal of Econometrics .
Lexin Li is a Professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, with additional affiliations at the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Program on Computational Precision Health, and the Center for the Theoretical Foundations of Learning, Inference, Information, Intelligence, Mathematics and Microeconomics at Berkeley (CLIMB). He received his BE in Electrical Engineering from Zhejiang University (1998) and PhD in Statistics from the University of Minnesota (2003), followed by postdoctoral training at UC Davis School of Medicine. He joined North Carolina State University as Assistant Professor in 2005, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2011, and served as visiting faculty at Stanford University and Yahoo Research Labs (2011-2013) before joining UC Berkeley as Associate Professor in 2014, where he was promoted to Full Professor in 2018. Dr. Li's research spans statistical methodology development for neuroimaging data analysis, tensor statistics, and machine learning applications to biomedical problems. His work focuses on brain connectivity and network analysis, imaging causal inference, tensor regression, dimension reduction, and statistical machine learning with applications to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders. His methodological innovations bridge theoretical statistics with practical neuroscience applications, particularly in multimodal neuroimaging analysis and brain network modeling. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trajectory in integrating deep learning with classical statistical inference, particularly in tensor analysis, functional data modeling, and causal inference. The research shows increasing sophistication in handling high-dimensional, complex neuroimaging data while developing rigorous statistical frameworks for inference. His work increasingly focuses on multimodal data integration and developing methods that can handle the complexity of real-world neurological data. Dr. Li has received numerous prestigious honors including being elected as a Fellow of the American Statistical Association (2017), Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (2021), Elected Member of the International Statistical Institute, and Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2024). Fellow, American Statistical Association (2017) Fellow, Institute of Mathematical Statistics (2021) Elected Member, International Statistical Institute Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2024) Editor-in-Chief, Annals of Applied Statistics (2025-2027) As an academic leader, Dr. Li serves as Co-Director of the Biostatistics Program (2019-) and Director of Graduate Admissions (2015-) at UC Berkeley. He is an active editor, currently serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Annals of Applied Statistics (2025-2027), and has held associate editor positions at multiple top statistical journals including the Journal of the American Statistical Association and Journal of Computational and Graphical Statistics. He also serves as a Standing Member of the NIH Emerging Imaging Technologies in Neuroscience Study Section (2023-2027). His research has been supported by various NIH grants focused on statistical methodology for neuroimaging analysis. Dr. Li leads a vibrant research group focused on statistical neuroimaging and machine learning methodology, with strong connections to the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute and collaborations across multiple departments at UC Berkeley. His team develops innovative statistical methods that address real challenges in neuroscience research while maintaining rigorous theoretical foundations. The group maintains active collaborations with neuroscientists and clinicians working on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological conditions.
Alexander Budzier is a Research Fellow in the Department of Technology and Operations Management at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He specializes in managing projects across IT, infrastructure, energy, and mega-events, with a focus on risk mitigation and systems thinking. His roles include teaching on the MSc for Major Programme Management, MBA, and the Major Project Leadership Academy. Education: PhD from Saïd Business School (2014). Prior experience includes roles at T-Mobile International and McKinsey's Business Technology Office in Düsseldorf and Chicago, advising on IT and operations strategy. Research interests center on IT-enabled change, project setups, and risk analysis. Notable contributions include work on cost overruns in IT projects, the uniqueness trap in project management, and sustainable development via mega-events like the Olympics. Publications span journals like Harvard Business Review , iScience , and Event Management , with a focus on megaprojects, risk, and digital transformation. He has advised governments and corporations on infrastructure investments and project governance, emphasizing evidence-based decision-making.
Jonathan Weare is a Professor of Mathematics at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University. He holds affiliations with the Faculty of Arts and Science and the Graduate School of Arts and Science. His academic journey includes roles as an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago (2014–2019) and Assistant Professor (2011–2014), following postdoctoral work as a Courant Instructor at NYU. He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from UC Berkeley in 2007. His research focuses on stochastic algorithms and models, with applications in astrophysics, biophysics, computational chemistry, and climate science. Key areas include Monte Carlo methods, rare event simulation, and machine learning-driven scientific analysis. Collaborations with domain experts ensure his work addresses real-world challenges in diverse fields. Recent publications emphasize advancements in trajectory stratification, rare event prediction using machine learning, and efficient algorithms for high-dimensional problems. Notable contributions include the BAD-NEUS framework and AI-based solar system instability predictions. His group’s interdisciplinary approach bridges computational methods with scientific inquiry. Weare has advised numerous students and mentored postdocs, fostering talent in applied mathematics and computational science. His work on Mercury’s orbital dynamics and extreme weather prediction showcases the societal impact of his research. Current projects explore AI applications in weather modeling and rare event analysis, leveraging cutting-edge machine learning techniques. Labs/Teams: His research group at Courant develops stochastic algorithms and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams in computational chemistry, climate science, and astrophysics. Key collaborations include the University of Chicago and Columbia University.
Dr. James Saunderson is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Education in the Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering at Monash University. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT and has held postdoctoral roles at Caltech and the University of Washington. His expertise spans convex optimization, semidefinite programming, and quantum information theory. Education : PhD in EECS, MIT (2015) MS in EECS, MIT (2011) Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Melbourne (2008) Research Interests : Convex optimization, quantum information theory, signal processing, and algorithm design. Focuses on algebraic and geometric aspects of optimization, with applications in engineering and quantum systems. Recent Projects : Exploiting duality in quantum relative entropy optimization Hyperbolic programming and conic optimization Applications in nanotechnology and bioinformatics Teaching : Courses include Control System Design, Signals and Systems, and Optimization for Engineers. Awards : SIAM Optimization Best Paper Prize (2020) Grants and Collaborations : Australian Research Council Discovery Early-Career Research Fellow (2020–2024) Leading projects in quantum optimization and bioengineering applications.
