# Mikhail Belkin

> Ph.D. The University of Chicago 2003

**Wikidata**: [Q102170016](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102170016)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mikhail-belkin-q102170016

## Summary
Mikhail Belkin is a prominent computer scientist and university teacher known for his significant contributions to modern machine learning theory and algorithms. He currently serves as a faculty member at the University of California, San Diego, and was previously a long-time professor at Ohio State University.

## Biography
- **Education**: Ph.D., University of Chicago (2003); University of Toronto
- **Known for**: Contributions to modern machine learning theory and algorithms
- **Employer(s)**: University of California, San Diego (2020–Present); Ohio State University (2005–2020)
- **Field(s)**: Computer Science, Machine Learning

## Contributions
Mikhail Belkin has dedicated his career to the advancement of computer science, with a specific focus on the theoretical foundations of machine learning. After earning his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 2003 under the guidance of doctoral advisor Partha Niyogi, Belkin began a long tenure in academia. He served as a faculty member at Ohio State University for fifteen years, from 2005 until 2020, before joining the University of California, San Diego.

His research contributions are documented across major scientific databases, including DBLP, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar. Belkin is particularly recognized for his work on machine learning algorithms, a field in which he has mentored several doctoral students. His former students include Kaushik Sinha (Ph.D. 2010), Justin Eldridge (Ph.D. 2017), Xueyuan Zhou, and James Voss, many of whom have continued into careers as university teachers and computer scientists. In recognition of his impact on the field, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) named him an ACM Fellow in 2023. This distinction was specifically awarded for his contributions to modern machine learning theory and algorithms, highlighting his role in shaping the mathematical understanding of how contemporary AI systems function.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Mikhail Belkin's primary area of research?
A: Mikhail Belkin specializes in computer science, with a focus on modern machine learning theory and the development of new algorithms. His work is recognized for bridging theoretical mathematics and practical computational applications.

### Q: Where does Mikhail Belkin currently work?
A: As of 2020, Mikhail Belkin is an employer at the University of California, San Diego. Prior to this, he spent fifteen years as a faculty member at Ohio State University.

### Q: What major awards has Mikhail Belkin received?
A: Mikhail Belkin was named an ACM Fellow in 2023. This honor was bestowed by the Association for Computing Machinery for his influential contributions to machine learning theory and algorithms.

## Why They Matter
Mikhail Belkin’s work is essential to the evolution of artificial intelligence and machine learning. By focusing on the "theory" aspect of machine learning, Belkin provides the scientific community with the necessary mathematical frameworks to understand why certain algorithms succeed or fail. This theoretical grounding is critical for the development of more reliable and efficient modern AI systems. 

His influence is further amplified through his extensive career in higher education. By training a new generation of researchers at institutions like Ohio State University and UC San Diego, he has directly shaped the academic lineage of the field. His former doctoral students, such as Kaushik Sinha and Justin Eldridge, now contribute to the industry and academia themselves. The recognition of his work by the ACM as a Fellow underscores his status as a leader in the global computer science community. Without the theoretical insights provided by researchers like Belkin, the rapid advancement of machine learning algorithms would lack the rigorous foundation required for long-term scientific progress.

## Notable For
*   **ACM Fellow (2023)**: Awarded for contributions to modern machine learning theory and algorithms.
*   **Academic Leadership**: Served as a faculty member at Ohio State University (2005–2020) and the University of California, San Diego (2020–Present).
*   **Doctoral Mentorship**: Supervised the Ph.D. dissertations of several computer scientists, including Kaushik Sinha and Justin Eldridge.
*   **Research Prolificacy**: Maintains significant author profiles in major academic indexes including DBLP, IEEE Xplore, and the Mathematics Genealogy Project.

## Body
### Academic Background and Education
Mikhail Belkin completed his doctoral studies at the University of Chicago, receiving his Ph.D. in 2003. His research during this period was conducted under the supervision of Partha Niyogi, a noted computer scientist. Belkin also has educational ties to the University of Toronto.

### Professional Career
Belkin's professional career is defined by two major institutional affiliations:
*   **Ohio State University**: Belkin joined the faculty in 2005 and remained there until 2020. During this time, he established himself as a researcher in machine learning and a mentor to graduate students.
*   **University of California, San Diego (UCSD)**: In 2020, Belkin moved to UCSD, where he continues his work as a computer scientist and university teacher.

### Mentorship and Doctoral Students
Belkin has been the doctoral advisor for several individuals who have entered the fields of computer science and academia:
*   **Kaushik Sinha**: Earned his Ph.D. from Ohio State University in 2010.
*   **Justin Eldridge**: Earned his Ph.D. from Ohio State University in 2017.
*   **Xueyuan Zhou** and **James Voss**: Also completed their doctoral studies under Belkin's supervision.

### Professional Affiliations and Honors
On January 24, 2024, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) officially recognized Belkin as an ACM Fellow for the year 2023. This fellowship is one of the highest honors in the computing field. Belkin is also a member of the Association for Computing Machinery. He is married to Yusu Wang, who is also associated with his professional website and academic circles.

### Digital and Academic Identifiers
Belkin's contributions are tracked through several global identifiers:
*   **DBLP**: 41/2337
*   **Google Scholar**: Iwd9DdkAAAAJ
*   **IEEE Xplore**: 37284652300
*   **Mathematics Genealogy Project**: 19075
*   **MR Author ID**: 771793

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## References

1. [Source](http://misha.belkin-wang.org/)
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. [Source](http://misha.belkin-wang.org/cv.pdf)
4. [Source](https://www.acm.org/media-center/2024/january/fellows-2023)