New Faculty Q&A: Zongchen Chen

A graduate of Georgia Tech’s Algorithms, Combinatorics and Optimization Ph.D. program, Zongchen Chen has returned to Tech as a faculty member. Chen joined the School of Computer Science (SCS) as an assistant professor this fall.

Chen’s research focuses on designing efficient algorithms and on the theoretical concepts behind them. While algorithms are common tools, Chen said, we often lack a clear understanding of why they behave the way they do.

“Establishing a solid theoretical foundation is crucial not only for understanding current developments but also for leveraging this knowledge to enhance existing technologies or design new ones,” he said.

After finishing his Ph.D. in 2021, Chen spent two years as a postdoctoral instructor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and one year as an assistant professor at the University at Buffalo.

“I’m very excited to be back in Atlanta and to be a faculty member in SCS,” Chen said.

What interests you about working at Georgia Tech?

Georgia Tech is a top university known for its strong emphasis on research and innovation, especially in fields like engineering, computing, and science. There are many opportunities to collaborate with faculty, postdocs, and students from inside and outside the College of Computing. Additionally, I enjoy the vibrant life in Atlanta.

What will your research consist of?

I work in theoretical computer science. My research is about using mathematical tools to design new efficient algorithms and understand the performance of algorithms in real-world applications.

How did you get interested in this field of research?

As an undergraduate majoring in mathematics, I was always very interested in algorithm design and curious about how mathematics is applied in computer science. After taking several related courses and attending a few seminars in theoretical computer science, I realized that this is the area I’m excited about and would like to explore more.

What are you most looking forward to in your new position?

I look forward to collaborating with others at Georgia Tech. I’m also excited about the opportunity to teach graduate and undergraduate courses and meet with the brilliant students here.