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About #

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics and the Data Science Institute at the University of Chicago. Before joining UChicago, I spent three wonderful years in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics and the Mathematical Institute for Data Science at Johns Hopkins University. Prior to that, I was a Postdoctoral Scholar at Caltech, hosted by Venkat Chandrasekaran and Joel Tropp. I obtained my PhD in Applied Mathematics from Cornell University, where I was advised by Damek Davis. I also earned an MSc in Mathematics and two BS degrees, in Mathematics and in Systems and Computing Engineering, from Universidad de los Andes, where I was co-advised by Mauricio Junca and Mauricio Velasco.

Research interests #

I am interested in the beautiful interplay between optimization, geometry, and statistics and its applications to data science, machine learning and signal processing.

Group #

I’m lucky to advice and learn from:

Alumni #

  • Shengtai Yao (JHU, AMS MSE, 2025), Next position: PhD Student at Stanford University,
  • Haoruo Zhang (JHU, DS MSE, 2025), Next position: PhD Student at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign,
  • Fengsheng Lin (JHU, DS MSE, 2025), Next position: PhD Student at University of Washington,
  • Yun You (JHU, DS MSE, 2024).

If you are interested in working with me: I prioritize students who have taken a class with me and I know before hand. Additionally, please make sure to contact me well in advance; I prefer to have at least a year to develop a project together.

Contact #

email: < first_name > dd < at > uchicago < dot > edu
office: 5460 S. University Ave, 305