Organizing Committee
Abstract

This workshop focuses on the role of random matrices in data science, machine learning, and theoretical computer science.

Playing a significant role in modern data science, random matrices provide an elegant way to represent both (a) the data and (b) the way we process it. To give an example of (a), the classical model of high-dimensional data is a set of points drawn from a certain distribution in a high-dimensional space which can be represented as a random matrix. An even more natural example is that most data in practice is noisy, so it can be represented as a deterministic matrix plus a random noise, which is a random matrix with a non-zero mean. An example of (b) is data compression, which can be realized by applying a random matrix of smaller sizes to the data in (a), thereby reducing its dimensions. Another example is data completion, where we need to reconstruct data (in the form of a matrix) from a random sub-matrix, given that the original matrix satisfies certain structural constraints (such as being low rank).

To deal with these problems, we need to develop techniques beyond the scope of standard random matrix theory. For example, while the sensitivity of matrix spectrum to small random perturbations is extensively studied in the mean field regime, the problem in the setting of structured random matrices, which allows for more adequate modeling of real-world data, is wide open. As another example, the core mechanism of an artificial neural network is a composition of linear and nonlinear transformations, leading to nonlinear generalizations of random matrices. Our understanding of mathematical principles behind examples like this is still in its infancy.

The goal is to discuss a number of hot topics in these areas, focusing on recent theoretical progress and the potential pool of applications, in a manner that is accessible to a wide audience, including researchers in data science, electrical engineering, statistics, and numerical analysis.

Image for "Random Matrices and Applications"

Confirmed Speakers & Participants

Talks will be presented virtually or in-person as indicated in the schedule below.

  • Speaker
  • Poster Presenter
  • Attendee
  • Virtual Attendee
  • Elie Alhajjar
    RAND
  • Lucas Benigni
    Université de Montréal
  • Tatiana Brailovskaya
    Princeton University
  • Jonathan Chavez Casillas
    University of Rhode Island
  • Qianyong Chen
    UMass Amherst
  • Shabarish Chenakkod
    University of Michigan
  • Hongmei Chi
    Florida A&M University
  • Alperen Ergur
    UTSA
  • Yiyun He
    University of California, Irvine
  • Vishesh Jain
    University of Chicago, Illinois
  • Sungwoo Jeong
    Cornell University
  • Vasileios Kalantzis
    IBM Research
  • Han Le
    University of Michigan
  • Sivan Leviyang
    Georgetown University
  • Shuangping Li
    Stanford University
  • Jackie Lok
    Princeton University
  • Hengrui Luo
    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory/ Rice University
  • Andrea Montanari
    Stanford University
  • Thien Nguyen
    Northeastern university
  • Oanh Nguyen
    Brown University
  • T. H. Molena Nguyen
    North Carolina State University
  • Hoi Nguyen
    Ohio State University
  • Mihai Nica
    University of Guelph
  • Petar Nizic-Nikolac
    ETH Zurich
  • Sean O'Rourke
    University of Colorado Boulder
  • Additi Pandey
    Brown University
  • Jing Qin
    University of Kentucky
  • Raj Rao
    University of Michigan
  • Daniel Reichman
    Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
  • Elad Romanov
    Stanford University
  • Julian Sahasrabudhe
    University of Cambridge
  • Mehtaab Sawhney
    MIT
  • Calum Shearer
    University of Colorado Boulder
  • Paul Simanjuntak
    Texas A&M University
  • Youngtak Sohn
    MIT
  • Konstantin Tikhomirov
    Carnegie Mellon University
  • Linh Tran
    Yale University
  • Phuc Tran
    Yale University
  • Alexander Van Werde
    Eindhoven University of Technology
  • Roman Vershynin
    University of California, Irvine
  • Van Vu
    Yale University
  • Truong Vu
    University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA
  • Jingheng Wang
    Ohio State University
  • Zhichao Wang
    University of California San Diego
  • Xiong Wang
    Johns Hopkins University
  • Haixiao Wang
    University of California, San Diego
  • Ke Wang
    Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  • Lu WEI
    Texas Tech University
  • Garrett Wen
    Yale University
  • Deping Ye
    Memorial University of Newfoundland
  • Yifan Zhang
    University of Texas at Austin
  • Ping Zhong
    University of Wyoming
  • Fan Zhou
    Yale University
  • Yizhe Zhu
    University of California Irvine

Application Information

ICERM welcomes applications from faculty, postdocs, graduate students, industry scientists, and other researchers who wish to participate. Some funding may be available for travel and lodging. Graduate students who apply must have their advisor submit a statement of support in order to be considered.

Apply with Cube

Your Visit to ICERM

ICERM Facilities
ICERM is located on the 10th & 11th floors of 121 South Main Street in Providence, Rhode Island. ICERM's business hours are 8:30am - 5:00pm during this event. See our facilities page for more info about ICERM and Brown's available facilities.
Traveling to ICERM
ICERM is located at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Providence's T.F. Green Airport (15 minutes south) and Boston's Logan Airport (1 hour north) are the closest airports. Providence is also on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. In-depth directions and transportation information are available on our travel page.
Lodging
ICERM's special rate will soon be made available via this page for our preferred hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown. Contact housing@icerm.brown.edu before booking anything.
The only way ICERM participants should book a room is through the hotel reservation links located on this page or through links emailed to them from an ICERM email address (first_last@icerm.brown.edu). ICERM never works with any conference booking vendors and never collects credit card information.
Childcare/Schools
Those traveling with family who are interested in information about childcare and/or schools should contact housing@icerm.brown.edu.
Technology Resources
Wireless internet access ("Brown-Guest") and wireless printing is available for all ICERM visitors. Eduroam is available for members of participating institutions. Thin clients in all offices and common areas provide open access to a web browser, SSH terminal, and printing capability. See our Technology Resources page for setup instructions and to learn about all available technology.
Accessibility
To request special services, accommodations, or assistance for this event, please contact accessibility@icerm.brown.edu as far in advance of the event as possible. Thank you.
Discrimination and Harassment Policy
ICERM is committed to creating a safe, professional, and welcoming environment that benefits from the diversity and experiences of all its participants. Brown University's "Code of Conduct", "Discrimination and Workplace Harassment Policy", "Sexual and Gender-based Misconduct Policy", and "Title IX Policy" apply to all ICERM participants and staff. Participants with concerns or requests for assistance on a discrimination or harassment issue should contact the ICERM Director or Assistant Director Jenna Sousa; they are the responsible employees at ICERM under this policy.
Fundamental Research
ICERM research programs aim to promote Fundamental Research and mathematical sciences education. If you are engaged in sensitive or proprietary work, please be aware that ICERM programs often have participants from countries and entities subject to United States export control restrictions. Any discoveries of economically significant intellectual property supported by ICERM funding should be disclosed.
Exploring Providence
Providence's world-renowned culinary scene provides ample options for lunch and dinner. Neighborhoods near campus, including College Hill Historic District, have many local attractions. Check out the map on our Explore Providence page to see what's near ICERM.

Visa Information

Contact visa@icerm.brown.edu for assistance.

Eligible to be reimbursed
B-1 or Visa Waiver Business (WB)
Ineligible to be reimbursed
B-2 or Visa Waiver Tourist (WT)
Already in the US?

F-1 and J-1 not sponsored by ICERM: need to obtain a letter approving reimbursement from the International Office of your home institution PRIOR to travel.

H-1B holders do not need letter of approval.

All other visas: alert ICERM staff immediately about your situation.

ICERM does not reimburse visa fees. This chart is to inform visitors whether the visa they enter the US on allows them to receive reimbursement for the items outlined in their invitation letter.

Financial Support

This section is for general purposes only and does not indicate that all attendees receive funding. Please refer to your personalized invitation to review your offer.

ORCID iD
As this program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), ICERM is required to collect your ORCID iD if you are receiving funding to attend this program. Be sure to add your ORCID iD to your Cube profile as soon as possible to avoid delaying your reimbursement.
Acceptable Costs
  • 1 roundtrip between your home institute and ICERM
  • Flights in economy class to either Providence airport (PVD) or Boston airport (BOS)
  • Ground Transportation to and from airports and ICERM.
Unacceptable Costs
  • Flights on U.K. airlines
  • Seats in economy plus, business class, or first class
  • Change ticket fees of any kind
  • Multi-use bus passes
  • Meals or incidentals
Advance Approval Required
  • Personal car travel to ICERM from outside New England
  • Multiple-destination plane ticket; does not include layovers to reach ICERM
  • Arriving or departing from ICERM more than a day before or day after the program
  • Multiple trips to ICERM
  • Rental car to/from ICERM
  • Arriving or departing from airport other than PVD/BOS or home institution's local airport
  • 2 one-way plane tickets to create a roundtrip (often purchased from Expedia, Orbitz, etc.)
Travel Maximum Contributions
  • New England: $350
  • Other contiguous US: $850
  • Asia & Oceania: $2,000
  • All other locations: $1,500
  • Note these rates were updated in Spring 2023 and superseded any prior invitation rates. Any invitations without travel support will still not receive travel support.
Reimbursement Requests

Request Reimbursement with Cube

Refer to the back of your ID badge for more information. Checklists are available at the front desk and in the Reimbursement section of Cube.

Reimbursement Tips
  • Scanned original receipts are required for all expenses
  • Airfare receipt must show full itinerary and payment
  • ICERM does not offer per diem or meal reimbursement
  • Allowable mileage is reimbursed at prevailing IRS Business Rate and trip documented via pdf of Google Maps result
  • Keep all documentation until you receive your reimbursement!
Reimbursement Timing

6 - 8 weeks after all documentation is sent to ICERM. All reimbursement requests are reviewed by numerous central offices at Brown who may request additional documentation.

Reimbursement Deadline

Submissions must be received within 30 days of ICERM departure to avoid applicable taxes. Submissions after thirty days will incur applicable taxes. No submissions are accepted more than six months after the program end.