E.O. Smith Hall of Fame, 2015 Inductee
David Blei - Class of 1992
David Blei distinguished himself in his graduating class as he (along with Alexis Katz) was voted “most unique”. He wasn’t even willing to acknowledge that he was going to college in the yearbook. The Oracle (the student newspaper) took up much of his time. After high school, he did go to college – to Brown University where he majored in computer science, and followed that degree up with a Ph.D. from Berkeley (University of California). He has since taught computer science and statistics, first at Princeton, and currently at Columbia University. He received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 2011, and the Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists in 2013. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals since 2008, and has mentored over twenty graduate and post-doctoral students.
David Blei distinguished himself in his graduating class as he (along with Alexis Katz) was voted “most unique”. He wasn’t even willing to acknowledge that he was going to college in the yearbook. The Oracle (the student newspaper) took up much of his time. After high school, he did go to college – to Brown University where he majored in computer science, and followed that degree up with a Ph.D. from Berkeley (University of California). He has since taught computer science and statistics, first at Princeton, and currently at Columbia University. He received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 2011, and the Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists in 2013. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals since 2008, and has mentored over twenty graduate and post-doctoral students.
