Get to Know Our Newest Faculty Members

Mina Lee, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Data Science

Teaching: CMSC 14100-1: Introduction to Computer Science

Mina Lee’s path to becoming a professor at UChicago is marked by curiosity and exploration. From being a somewhat lost college student to discovering her passion for research during a pivotal internship, Lee has been guided by mentors and experiences that opened new doors. Her work today focuses on the intersection of AI and human creativity, particularly in writing. Lee designs AI tools that help writers think differently and create new kinds of content, blending her interests in natural language processing, human-computer interaction, and social science. Outside the lab, Lee is an avid writer, hiker, and piano player. She recently began exploring the world of cocktails and social dance, always on the lookout for new hobbies and creative outlets.

Kexin Pei, Neubauer Family Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Teaching: CMSC 33100-1: Advanced Operating Systems

Kexin Pei’s journey to UChicago started with a fascination for the ways machine learning and program analysis can complement each other, especially in the context of software security. His career has taken him through prestigious institutions like Columbia University, Microsoft Research, and Google Brain/DeepMind, where he honed his multidisciplinary approach to computer science. Pei’s biggest accomplishment, according to him, is bridging two distinct fields to push the boundaries of both. In the classroom, he’s excited to engage with students, learn from their insights, and contribute to their growth as future innovators. Beyond academics, Pei enjoys playing music—both the clarinet and the piano—and finds relaxation on the basketball court.

Tian Li, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Data Science

Teaching: CMSC 25300-1: Mathematical Foundations of Machine Learning

Tian Li’s academic journey reflects her passion for making machine learning not only more efficient but also fair and trustworthy. During her PhD at Carnegie Mellon University and her postdoctoral research at Meta, she explored a wide range of topics, from database theory to computer vision, before finding her niche in machine learning algorithms. Li values the freedom that academia provides, which allows her to explore ideas across different dimensions. As she begins her teaching career at UChicago, Li looks forward to learning from her students and building collaborative relationships within the department. Outside of work, she enjoys connecting with others and exploring new ideas.

Haotian Jiang, Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Teaching: CMSC 31801-1: Topics in Data Science: High-Dimensional Probability with Applications in Data Science, CMSC 39600-1: Topics in Theoretical Computer Science: Geometric Discrepancy Theory

For Haotian Jiang, the allure of theoretical computer science began at home, where his father—a computer engineer—nurtured his love for mathematical puzzles. This early influence shaped Jiang’s career, leading him from the University of Washington to Microsoft Research and now to UChicago. Jiang’s research focuses on developing faster algorithms for optimization problems, with broader applications in mathematics. He describes his biggest accomplishment as developing a keen sense for identifying significant problems and producing high-quality research. Jiang is eager to share his passion for problem-solving with his students and to immerse himself in the rich academic environment at UChicago. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys solving complex puzzles and exploring the vibrant city of Chicago.

Ari Holtzman, Assistant Professor of Computer and Data Science

Teaching: CMSC 14100-5: Introduction to Computer Science I, CMSC 35900-1: Topics in Artificial Intelligence

Ari Holtzman’s work delves into the transformative power of AI, particularly in natural language processing and generative models. His research not only advances the field but also critically examines the societal impacts of these technologies. Holtzman is excited to bring his innovative approaches to UChicago, where he plans to engage with students and colleagues alike. Beyond his academic interests, Holtzman is passionate about the broader implications of AI, and he enjoys exploring how these technologies can be leveraged for social good.

Ce Zhang, Neubauer Associate Professor of Computer and Data Science

Ce Zhang’s journey to UChicago began with a passion for bridging the gap between data, models, computation, and infrastructure in the field of machine learning. As a Neubauer Associate Professor, Zhang continues his mission to democratize AI by developing next-generation platforms that are data-centric, human-centric, and declaratively scalable. Before joining UChicago, Zhang was an Associate Professor of Computer Science at ETH Zurich and the CTO of Together, where he worked on creating a decentralized cloud for AI. His academic journey also includes a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a postdoctoral stint at Stanford under the guidance of Christopher Ré. Recognized by numerous awards, including the SIGMOD Best Paper Award and an ERC grant, Zhang’s work has been featured in prestigious publications like Science, Nature, and the Communications of the ACM, as well as media outlets such as The Atlantic and WIRED. In addition to his research, Zhang is co-Editor-in-Chief of DMLR, a journal dedicated to data-centric machine learning research.