# Peng-Jun Wan

> professor of computer science

**Wikidata**: [Q102197253](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102197253)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/peng-jun-wan

## Summary  
Peng‑Jun Wan is a Chinese‑born computer scientist and professor of computer science at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago. He earned his Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Minnesota in 1997 and has been a faculty member at IIT’s College of Computing since 2009, where he conducts research, publishes scholarly articles, and mentors graduate students.

## Biography  
- **Born:** 1970  
- **Nationality:** (not specified in source)  
- **Education:**  
  - B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics, Tsinghua University, 1990  
  - M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1993  
  - Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Minnesota, 1997  
- **Known for:** Research and teaching in computer science, particularly algorithmic theory and applications.  
- **Employer(s):** Illinois Institute of Technology – Professor of Computer Science (2009 – present); IIT College of Computing, Department of Computer Science.  
- **Field(s):** Computer science  

## Contributions  
Peng‑Jun Wan has authored a substantial body of peer‑reviewed research in computer science, as reflected by his Google Scholar (author ID TXUhDokAAAAJ) and zbMATH (author ID wan.pengjun) profiles. His work spans algorithm design, computational complexity, and applied mathematics, contributing to both theoretical foundations and practical implementations. Since joining IIT in 2009, he has supervised doctoral candidates, including Taeho Jung, and collaborated with his doctoral advisor Ding‑Zhu Du on several projects. Wan’s publications are frequently cited in the field, influencing subsequent research on combinatorial optimization and network algorithms. His academic service includes participation in the Mathematics Genealogy Project (ID 41568) and involvement with WikiProject IIT, supporting open‑knowledge initiatives.

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Peng‑Jun Wan’s current academic position?  
**A:** He is a professor of computer science in the Department of Computer Science at the Illinois Institute of Technology, a role he has held since 2009.  

### Q: Where did Peng‑Jun Wan earn his doctorate?  
**A:** He received his Doctor of Philosophy in computer science from the University of Minnesota in 1997.  

### Q: Who supervised Peng‑Jun Wan’s Ph.D. research?  
**A:** His doctoral advisor was the Chinese computer scientist Ding‑Zhu Du.  

## Why They Matter  
Peng‑Jun Wan’s career bridges rigorous theoretical work and practical teaching, shaping the next generation of computer scientists through both his research output and mentorship. His publications have advanced understanding in algorithmic theory, influencing scholars worldwide who build on his results in optimization and network analysis. By maintaining active profiles on scholarly databases and contributing to open‑knowledge projects, he promotes accessibility and collaboration in the computing community. His long‑term presence at IIT strengthens the institution’s research reputation and provides continuity for ongoing projects in the College of Computing.

## Notable For  
- Professor of Computer Science at Illinois Institute of Technology since 2009.  
- Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Minnesota (1997).  
- Doctoral advisor: renowned computer scientist Ding‑Zhu Du.  
- Supervised doctoral student Taeho Jung, continuing his academic lineage.  
- Author of numerous peer‑reviewed papers, indexed in Google Scholar (ID TXUhDokAAAAJ) and zbMATH (ID wan.pengjun).  

## Body  

### Early Life and Education  
- Born in 1970; early academic training in China.  
- Completed a B.Sc. in applied mathematics at Tsinghua University (1990).  
- Earned an M.Sc. in applied mathematics from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (1993).  
- Pursued graduate studies in the United States, culminating in a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota (1997) under the supervision of Ding‑Zhu Du.  

### Academic Career at IIT  
- Joined the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2009 as a professor of computer science.  
- Holds appointments in the IIT College of Computing and the Department of Computer Science.  
- Engages in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, curriculum development, and departmental service.  

### Research and Publications  
- Focuses on algorithmic theory, computational complexity, and applied mathematics.  
- Maintains a Google Scholar profile (author ID TXUhDokAAAAJ) that lists a broad portfolio of journal and conference papers.  
- Contributions are indexed in zbMATH (author ID wan.pengjun), indicating relevance to mathematical aspects of computer science.  

### Mentorship and Academic Lineage  
- Doctoral advisor: Ding‑Zhu Du, a prominent figure in combinatorial optimization.  
- Doctoral student: Taeho Jung, continuing research in related areas.  
- Active participant in the Mathematics Genealogy Project (ID 41568), documenting his scholarly ancestry.  

### Professional Affiliations and Service  
- Affiliated with WikiProject IIT and WikiProject Mathematics, supporting open‑access knowledge.  
- Holds library authority identifiers (Library of Congress n98081507, VIAF 43619422) that facilitate bibliographic tracking.  

### Impact and Legacy  
- Through sustained research output and mentorship, Wan has contributed to the development of algorithmic techniques used in both academia and industry.  
- His presence at IIT enhances the institution’s research profile, attracting graduate students and collaborative projects.  
- By publishing openly and participating in knowledge‑sharing platforms, he helps disseminate computer‑science advances globally.

## References

1. Mathematics Genealogy Project
2. [Source](http://www.cs.iit.edu/~wan/)
3. Library of Congress Name Authority File