Max Jerdee

Max researches questions between physics, statistics, and network science. He develops simple models and methods to infer patterns in data observed from complex systems to better understand their underlying structures and mechanisms. He is particularly interested in network data, such as social networks of friendships among schoolmates or dominance interactions among animals, and in the communities and hierarchies they reveal. By building interpretable models across these domains, Max aims for broad insight into the similarities and differences of systems across settings and scales. 

Much of Max's research reckons with the conceptual and computational barriers to this goal. He strives to tighten the correspondence between model and interpretation while systematically exploring and expanding the design space of such methods. This involves ensuring that existing methodological tools provide unbiased assessments and developing new models that more closely align with mechanistic theories, for example of social structure. To apply these models practically, especially on large data sets, Max also develops algorithmic advancements inspired by physical Monte Carlo and message-passing methods. By focusing on these building blocks of inference, Max hopes to enable more flexible and creative approaches to Bayesian network modeling across various applications. 

While at SFI, Max plans to build upon these threads and contribute to a coherent framework for interrogating network data. Much of his past work has aimed to describe the current state of these networks. Going forward, he hopes to investigate the mechanisms that dynamically lead to the formation of observed structures and to create opportunities to design and influence the function of such systems. He is also keen to explore the limitations of specific methods, as well as the general bounds on what complexities can be understood. 

Max holds a B.A. in Physics from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Michigan. Outside of research, he enjoys cooking, music, and creating games and demos.