Elizabeth Collins-Woodfin

I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at McGill University in the Math Department.  My supervisor is Elliot Paquette.  During the Fall of 2024 I will be a Junior Fellow at the Institut Mittag-Leffler in Sweden.  Beginning in Fall 2025 I will be a tenure-track assistant professor at the University of Oregon.

I earned my PhD from the University of Michigan in 2022, advised by Jinho Baik.

Research: I am interested in probability and random matrix theory.  My thesis research involved spin glasses (specifically the spherical Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model and variations of it).  More recently, I have begun studying machine learning applications of random matrices, particularly stochastic gradient descent.

Other credentials: While pursuing my PhD I also earned credentials in several other areas

• Data science certificate

• Graduate teaching certificate

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion certificate

Teaching: I enjoy teaching and have taught a variety of courses including probability, calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, discrete math, and math education.  Prior to graduate school, I was a high school math teacher in Chicago.

Service/leadership: I am involved in various professional and service organizations and have held leadership positions in:

• Student Analysis Seminar 

• Association for Women in Mathematics UM Student Chapter

• Graduate Student Learning Community for Inclusive Teaching