Hossein Valavi is a Lecturer and Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies at Princeton University, contributing to advancements in computer architecture and hardware acceleration. His research focuses on in-memory computing, neural networks, and energy-efficient systems, with notable work in reconfigurable architectures and mixed-signal processing. He has received multiple teaching awards, including recognition for innovative pandemic-era Car Lab courses and collaborative work honored by the Edison Patent Award. His academic contributions span academic positions since 2018, emphasizing both research and pedagogical excellence. Key technical areas include scalable in-memory computing systems, analog neural network accelerators, and low-power matrix factorization algorithms. His work addresses critical challenges in data movement reduction and hardware-software co-design for modern computing systems. Awards: Teaching Excellence Awards (2021, 2023), Edison Patent Award (2023) Grants & Projects: Leading developments in in-memory computing accelerators and embedded microprocessor designs Research teams under his guidance have produced impactful IP in semiconductor layouts, CNN accelerators, and programmable architectures, aiming to bridge theoretical computer science with practical hardware implementations.
Rupert Klein is a Professor at Freie Universität Berlin in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science , specializing in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics . His research spans atmospheric dynamics, numerical methods, and gas dynamics of combustion. Research Interests : Geophysical Fluid Dynamics and Atmospheric Modeling Multiscale Asymptotic Analysis Wave Propagation and Turbulence Combustion and Pressure Gain Combustion Climate Dynamics and Data Assimilation Scientific Awards : DRS Award for Excellent Supervision (2014) ECMWF Fellowship (renewed 2017) His recent work includes multiscale models for atmospheric flows, vortex dynamics, and combustion processes. Key collaborations involve DFG SPP 1276, CRC 1029 (TurbIn), and CRC 1114 (SCCS) projects. He contributes to numerical methods for low-Mach-number flows and geophysical simulations.
Diane Guignard is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Ottawa. Her research focuses on numerical analysis, partial differential equations, and computational methods with applications to mechanics and stochastic systems. She holds a position in a leading mathematics department and can be contacted at dguignar@uOttawa.ca . Her research interests include finite element methods, model reduction, uncertainty quantification, and optimal transport-based mesh adaptation. She explores nonlinear approximation theories for high-dimensional anisotropic functions and develops computational frameworks for thin structures and colloidal flow simulations. Her work bridges numerical analysis with practical engineering challenges, emphasizing adaptive algorithms and error estimation techniques. Her recent publications (2021-2024) highlight contributions to goal-oriented mesh adaptation, stochastic field approximations on surfaces, and large deformation analyses of prestrained plates. These studies emphasize interdisciplinary approaches combining mathematical rigor with computational innovation. Dr. Guignard has not been explicitly noted for awards in the provided materials. Her advising record is currently unspecified, though her research group likely engages in advanced numerical methods and computational mechanics projects.
Aryeh Kontorovich is a Professor in the Computer Science Department at Ben-Gurion University. His research primarily focuses on theoretical machine learning, with expertise in probability, statistics, Markov chains, and metric spaces. His research interests span theoretical machine learning, with particular emphasis on: Probability theory and concentration inequalities Statistical learning theory Markov chains and mixing time estimation Metric space learning Kernel methods Sample compression schemes Professor Kontorovich's recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate a continued focus on theoretical foundations of machine learning. His work shows strong trends in statistical estimation for Markov processes, distribution learning, metric space analysis, and sample compression. Many papers explore the intersection of probability theory and machine learning, particularly examining concentration inequalities, minimax optimality, and theoretical guarantees for learning algorithms. His research consistently bridges abstract mathematical theory with practical machine learning applications. Scientific awards and recognitions: Distinguished contribution award at MLG 2007 for "A Universal Kernel for Learning Regular Languages" Professor Kontorovich has advised numerous students and collaborated extensively with researchers in theoretical machine learning. His work spans both theoretical foundations and practical applications, with significant contributions to understanding the mathematical limits of learning algorithms. While specific grant information isn't provided in the source material, his extensive publication record in top venues suggests successful funding for his research programs. He maintains active collaborations with researchers worldwide, including prominent names like L. Gottlieb, D. Berend, and S. Hanneke.
Garvesh Raskutti is an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, affiliated with the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences. He holds joint affiliations with the Departments of Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery Optimization Group. His research focuses on statistical machine learning, optimization, graphical/network modeling, and information theory, with applications to systems biology and neuroscience. Education: MEng from the University of Melbourne (2008), PhD from UC Berkeley (2012, advised by Martin Wainwright and Bin Yu), and postdoctoral work at SAMSI. Teaching awards include Honored Instructor (2014, 2017) and Madison Teaching and Learning Excellence Fellow (2015). He advises multiple PhD and undergraduate students, including Yuan Li, Hyebin Song, and Lili Zheng. His grants include NGA HM0476-17-1-2003 (Co-PI), ARO W911NF-17-1-0357 (Co-PI), and NSF-DMS 1407028 (Sole PI). Research interests span large-scale statistical inference, computational-statistical trade-offs, and applications in systems biology and neuroscience. His work bridges optimization (e.g., gradient descent, convex regularization), high-dimensional regression, and network analysis. Recent trends in publications emphasize methods for non-convex optimization, sparse models, and network structure learning. Awards include teaching recognition and grants in statistical methodology. Advising spans theoretical and applied projects, with former students like Gunwoong Park (now at University of Korea). Collaborations include interdisciplinary teams in machine learning and signal processing.
Pixu Shi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics at Duke University's School of Medicine. Previously, they served as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2018-2020) and as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2016-2018). Dr. Shi earned their PhD in Biostatistics from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016 under advisor Hongzhe Li. They also hold an MS in Biostatistics from the University of Pennsylvania (2015), an MS in Statistics from Rutgers University (2012), and a BS in Statistics from Peking University (2010). Dr. Shi's research focuses on developing statistical methods for Microbiome Research, Longitudinal/Temporal Omic Data analysis, Integration of Omic Data, Spatial Omics, and High-dimensional Statistical Inference. Their work bridges statistical theory with practical applications in biomedical research, particularly in microbiome studies where they've made significant contributions with the TEMPTED (TEMPoral TEnsor Decomposition) method. The article trends show a strong focus on microbiome analysis, statistical methodology development, and applications in obesity, infectious disease, and cancer research. Their most recent work (2024-2025) demonstrates expertise in tensor decomposition methods, longitudinal data analysis, and integrating microbiome data with clinical outcomes across diverse areas including adolescent obesity, viral infections, and cancer metastases. Dr. Shi has secured multiple substantial research grants from major institutions including the National Institutes of Health (NIMH, NIAID, NCI, NIDDK, NIA), totaling over a decade of continuous funding for projects related to microbiome research, HIV/AIDS, cancer biomarkers, and metabolic studies. They actively contribute to education through teaching courses such as BIOSTAT 905: Linear Models and Inference at Duke University and previously taught statistics courses at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Shi has also organized specialized workshop series including Quantitative Methods for HIV/AIDS, Microbiome, Immunology, and Cancer Bioinformatics.
Masatoshi Takano is a Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, specializing in theoretical studies of nuclear physics, particle physics, and astrophysics. His work focuses on nuclear equations of state (EOS) for neutron stars and core-collapse supernovae, incorporating realistic nuclear forces like the Argonne v18 and Urbana IX potentials. He has developed variational methods with explicit energy functionals to model hyperonic nuclear matter, spin-orbit forces, and finite-temperature effects. Education : PhD in Science, Waseda University Professional Memberships : American Physical Society, Japan Physical Society Research spans neutron star structure, supernova simulations, and nuclear matter phase transitions. His recent presentations address neutrino emission rates, braking radiation in nuclear matter, and cluster variational methods. Key collaborations include H. Togashi, K. Nakazato, and K. Sumiyoshi. Scientific contributions involve refining variational energy expressions for asymmetric nuclear matter, incorporating three-body forces, and studying pion condensation effects on neutron star cooling. He has applied his EOS models to multidimensional supernova simulations and cosmic ray detector design.
David Steurer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at ETH Zurich, where he leads the Institute for Theoretical Computer Science. His research bridges theoretical computer science, mathematics, and practical applications in machine learning and statistics. Steurer has made significant contributions to the understanding of sum-of-squares methods, semidefinite programming, and high-dimensional estimation problems. Steurer earned his B.Sc. & M.Sc. in Computer Science from Saarland University in 2006, followed by a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Princeton University in 2010 under the supervision of Sanjeev Arora. His doctoral dissertation, "On the Complexity of Unique Games and Graph Expansion," received an Honorable Mention for the ACM Doctoral Dissertation Award in 2011. Steurer's research focuses on algorithm design through mathematical programming relaxations, particularly semidefinite programming and the sum-of-squares method. His work addresses computational complexity of high-dimensional estimation problems including tensor decomposition, clustering, Gaussian mixture models, and stochastic block models. He also investigates algorithmic aspects of robustness and differential privacy, especially for estimation tasks. His theoretical contributions have practical implications for machine learning and data analysis in the presence of noise and adversarial conditions. Analysis of Steurer's recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory in advancing the sum-of-squares framework for high-dimensional estimation and robust statistics. His work demonstrates how sophisticated mathematical programming techniques can provide certifiable guarantees for challenging problems in machine learning. The research spans theoretical foundations while maintaining relevance to practical applications, particularly in scenarios involving corrupted or noisy data. A notable trend is the extension of sum-of-squares methods to handle increasingly complex statistical models while providing rigorous performance guarantees. ERC Consolidator Grant (2019) Michael and Sheila Held prize (2018, with Raghavendra) Invited speaker at International Congress of Mathematicians (2018) STOC Best Paper Award (2015) Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2014) NSF CAREER Award (2014) Microsoft Research Faculty Fellowship (2014) FOCS Best Paper Award (2010) Steurer has advised numerous PhD students and postdocs who have gone on to prominent positions, including Sam Hopkins (now faculty at MIT), Jonathan Shi, and Aaron Potechin. His research is supported by multiple prestigious grants, including an ERC Consolidator Grant, an NSF CAREER Award, and a Microsoft Research Faculty Fellowship. He has served on numerous program committees for top theoretical computer science conferences and has been recognized for his service to the community through roles such as internal member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Institute for Theoretical Studies at ETH Zurich. As head of the Institute for Theoretical Computer Science at ETH Zurich, Steurer leads a research group focused on advancing the theoretical foundations of computer science with particular emphasis on mathematical optimization methods. His team explores the boundaries of what can be efficiently computed in high-dimensional settings, with applications spanning machine learning, statistics, and data science. The group maintains strong connections with both theoretical and applied researchers across ETH and the broader academic community.
Florent Krzakala is a Full Professor at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, holding positions across multiple departments including the School of Basic Sciences (SB), School of Engineering (STI), and specifically within the Department of Physics (IPHYS) and Department of Electrical Engineering (IEM). He leads the Information, Learning and Physics Laboratory (IdePHICS) and maintains an office at ELD 239, Station 11, 1015 Lausanne. His research bridges statistical physics and computational disciplines, with significant contributions to understanding the theoretical foundations of machine learning and optimization problems. Dr. Krzakala received his MSc in Physics from Orsay, France in 1999, followed by a PhD in Statistical Physics from Orsay, Paris XI, France in 2002, and completed a postdoctoral position at Roma La Sapienza in 2004. This strong foundation in physics has informed his interdisciplinary approach to computational problems. His research interests span Statistical Physics, Machine Learning, Probability and Statistics, Computer Science, Information Theory, Inference on Graphs, Random Constraint Optimization, and Computational Optics. Krzakala's work focuses on applying methods from statistical physics to problems in theoretical computer science, probability, and machine learning. He investigates how concepts from disordered systems and phase transitions can illuminate computational barriers in optimization and inference tasks. His research has particular relevance for understanding the behavior of neural networks, compressed sensing, and high-dimensional statistical models. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward understanding the fundamental limits of learning in high-dimensional settings, with particular emphasis on phase transitions, statistical-to-computational gaps, and the theoretical properties of deep learning architectures. His work frequently bridges rigorous mathematical analysis with practical machine learning applications, demonstrating how insights from statistical physics can inform algorithm design and theoretical understanding in AI. Krzakala actively mentors the next generation of researchers, supervising numerous PhD students whose work continues to advance these interdisciplinary fields. His laboratory serves as a hub for researchers exploring the intersection of physics and computation, fostering collaborations across traditional disciplinary boundaries. He teaches advanced courses including Fundamentals of Inference and Learning, Statistical Physics, and Statistical Physics for Optimization & Learning, which examine the connections between physical principles and computational methods. His educational materials, including lecture notes on statistical physics methods in optimization and machine learning, have become valuable resources for students and researchers worldwide. As founder and scientific advisor of the startup Lighton, Krzakala has also demonstrated a commitment to translating theoretical insights into practical applications, particularly in the realm of optical computing for machine learning tasks.
Jan Draisma is a full professor of Mathematics at the University of Bern and a part-time full professor of Applied Algebra and Geometry at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), where he is affiliated with the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, specifically in Discrete Algebra and Geometry and Coding Theory and Cryptology. He obtained his Master's and Ph.D. degrees from TU/e cum laude and held a postdoctoral position at the University of Basel (2002–2005). He returned to TU/e as an assistant professor, later advancing to associate professor (2011–2016), and served as a part-time full professor at VU Amsterdam (2015–2016). His research focuses on the interplay between combinatorics, statistics, and algebraic geometry. Key areas include tropical geometry, algebraic statistics, symmetric systems of polynomial equations in infinitely many variables, and representation stability. His work often explores the structure of infinite-dimensional algebraic objects and their finite approximations. The most recent publications highlight trends in polynomial functors, topological Noetherianity, amoebas of linear spaces, and the geometry of tensor representations. These works reflect a deep integration of algebraic geometry with combinatorics and category theory, emphasizing stabilization phenomena and symmetry in algebraic structures. NWO Vici Award: Stabilisation in Algebra and Geometry (2015) NWO Vidi Award: Finite thanks to symmetry (2010) Draisma has received significant research funding, including the NWO Vidi and Vici grants, and two NWO Free Competition grants (2008, 2012). He has supervised 16 students and is actively involved in the academic community as an associate editor for Experimental Mathematics, SIAM Journal on Applied Algebra and Geometry, and Linear and Multilinear Algebra. He has held leadership roles in major conferences such as MEGA 2015 and SIAM AG 19. He is affiliated with the research groups in Discrete Algebra and Geometry and Coding Theory and Cryptology at TU/e and leads research activities centered on algebraic methods in discrete mathematics and statistics.
Luo Mai is an Assistant Professor at the University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics , with an upcoming promotion to Associate Professor (UK Reader) in August 2025. He leads the Large-Scale Machine Learning Systems Group and co-leads the UK EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Machine Learning Systems and an ARIA Project on Scaling AI Compute by 1000X . PhD in Computer Science (Imperial College London, 2018) MRes in Advanced Computing (Imperial College London, 2012) His research focuses on the intersection of computer systems , machine learning , and data management . Key contributions include award-winning systems like WaferLLM (wafer-scale LLM inference), Tenplex (elastic ML), and ServerlessLLM (serverless LLM serving), published at top venues (OSDI, SOSP, ICML, NeurIPS, JMLR). Recent publications demonstrate trends in GPU-based distributed systems , LLM optimization , and adaptive machine learning . His team has developed groundbreaking open-source projects including TensorLayer , TorchOpt , and ServerlessLLM . Awarded Microsoft Research StarTrack Scholar (2024) , secured ARIA grant (2024) with Imperial College & Cambridge University, and received Google Fellowship during PhD (2012-2016). As an educator, he designed Edinburgh's popular Machine Learning Systems course (150+ students). His group supervises multiple PhD students including Yao Fu (recognized as 2024 Rising Star in ML & Systems) and Leyang Xue .
Professor Guoyin Li is a faculty member at the School of Mathematics & Statistics , University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney). He holds a Ph.D. from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2007) and has been at UNSW since 2011, currently serving as Professor and Research Director. Research Interests His work spans optimization , variational analysis , and multilinear algebra , with applications in robust optimization , structural engineering , and machine learning . He specializes in nonconvex nonsmooth optimization , tensor eigenvalue problems , and exact semi-definite programming relaxations . Recent Publications His articles focus on robust optimization for structural design, nonlinear approximation techniques, and conic programming for uncertain data. Key journals include Foundations of Computational Mathematics , Mathematical Programming , and Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering . Awards and Grants Fellow of the Australian Mathematical Society (2023) 2022 AustMS Medal 2024 Marguerite Frank Award ARC Discovery Grants (2021-2023, 2025-2027) ARC Research Hub Project (2017-2021) Professional Roles He serves on editorial boards of SIAM Journal on Optimization , Optimization Letters , and Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications , and has delivered plenary lectures at international conferences in Austria, Spain, and Canada.
Dr. Stefan Klus is a Lecturer at the School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Surrey. His research focuses on data-driven model reduction, transfer operator approximation, and kernel-based machine learning applied to dynamical systems. He specializes in interdisciplinary applications across quantum physics, fluid dynamics, and computational biology. Education: PhD in Industrial Mathematics (2011, Paderborn University) and Habilitation (2020, Freie Universität Berlin). Research Interests : Data-driven modeling and reduced-order methods Koopman operator theory and transfer operators Machine learning for dynamical systems (e.g., Deeptime library) Tensor decompositions and quantum systems analysis Graph-based analysis (e.g., microbiome dynamics) Publications : Klus has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work emphasizing: Kernel methods for quantum chemistry and physics Tensor-based approaches for high-dimensional systems Applications in climate science (e.g., Pacific SST modeling) Agent-based modeling and social systems Technical Contributions : Co-developer of the Deeptime Python library for dynamical modeling Pioneer in Koopman operator-based model reduction Advanced graph kernel methods for microbiome analysis
David P. Woodruff is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, part of the Theory Group within the School of Computer Science. He is actively involved in academic leadership roles, including chairing the CATCS (Conference on Theoretical Computer Science) and serving as PC chair for SODA 2024 and ICALP 2022. His research focuses on algorithms, data streams, machine learning, numerical linear algebra, sketching, and sparse recovery. He has been recognized with awards such as the Herbert Simon Award for teaching and the PODS Best Paper Award. Woodruff has advised numerous students and postdocs, including notable scholars like Ainesh Bakshi, Rajesh Jayaram, and Hongyang Zhang. His work often addresses foundational challenges in theoretical computer science, with contributions to distributed computing, streaming algorithms, and privacy-preserving techniques. He has published extensively in top conferences like NeurIPS, ICML, FOCS, and STOC, covering topics ranging from low-rank approximation to adversarial robustness in data streams. His teaching includes courses like Algorithms for Big Data and core algorithms courses, reflecting his commitment to both research and education. Collaborations span academia and industry, with applications in genomics and secure computation. Woodruff is a key contributor to the Foundations of Data Science program at the Simons Institute.
Ajay Chandra is an Associate Professor in Pure Mathematics at Imperial College London's Faculty of Natural Sciences. He specializes in stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) with applications to statistical mechanics and quantum field theory. His work bridges probability theory, mathematical physics, and rigorous analysis of singular SPDEs. He has affiliations with the Department of Mathematics and focuses on areas like regularity structures, renormalization, and non-linear dynamics. His research interests include the analysis of singular SPDEs, gauge theories, quantum field models, and phase transitions. Notable contributions involve stochastic quantization of Yang-Mills theory, Phi^4 models, and multi-layer KPZ equations. Chandra has collaborated with leading researchers such as Martin Hairer and Hendrik Weber, advancing the field of stochastic analysis through innovative techniques like analytic BPHZ theorems and a priori bounds. His advising record includes PhD students working on topics ranging from dynamical Yukawa models to tensor field theories. Chandra's work often intersects with applied mathematics and theoretical physics, addressing foundational questions in statistical mechanics and quantum systems. He maintains an active research program with publications in top-tier journals like Inventiones Mathematicae and Communications in Mathematical Physics.
