Pop-Up Institute on Emerging Methods in Sampling
Semester: Spring 2026
Computational methods that randomly sample probability distributions are the backbone problems in AI, Bayesian statistics, ecological modeling and material science and drug design. Organized by Patrick Charbonneau, David Dunson, Johann Guilleminot, Greg Herschlag and Scott Schmidler, this Pop-up will explore various methods in sampling, including efficiently sampling from high-dimensional, strongly correlated probability distributions. Problems from several different disciplines will serve as motivation and test examples.
Activities:
- Reading Group
- Mini course: Tuesdays 10-11:00 a.m. Gross Hall 330, starting January 27
- Conference: Fall 2026, details to come
Pop-Up Institute on Fault-Tolerant Algorithms in Quantum Computing
Semester: Spring 2026
Quantum computing stands at the forefront of scientific innovation, captivating broad interest as a dynamically evolving field. Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in developing and analyzing quantum computing algorithms (more commonly known as quantum algorithms) for a wide range of scientific computing challenges. These applications include various numerical linear algebra tasks, solving high-dimensional differential equations, learning from quantum systems, and more. This pop-up led by Mathematics professor Di Fang is the product of increased collaboration between the Duke Quantum Center and the Rhodes iiD.
Activities:
- Mini course: Math 790: Selected Topics in Quantum Algorithms and Complexity
Taught by Di Fang
3/18/26-4/22/26: MW 1:25-2:40pm, Gross Hall 330 - Conference: 2026 Gene Golub SIAM Summer School on Fault-Tolerant Algorithms in Quantum Computing
In this summer school, we will introduce quantum algorithms and quantum computing from a numerical analysis and applied mathematics perspective. We will first go over fundamental principles and basics of quantum mechanics and quantum computing and then delve into discussing quantum algorithms of various tasks for scientific computing purposes, including quantum dynamics simulation, numerical linear algebra tasks, numerical differential equation, and quantum learning tasks. During the first week, participants will systematically acquire the mathematical foundations of quantum algorithms and quantum computing. The program will introduce contemporary and essential techniques for constructing quantum algorithms, including quantum phase estimation, Trotterization, Linear Combination of Unitaries (LCU), block-encoding, quantum signal processing (QSP), and quantum singular value transformation (QSVT). In the second week, we will delve into more advanced topics, such as quantum dynamics simulation, quantum advantage, quantum learning theory, etc. No prior knowledge of quantum physics or quantum computing will be assumed.
Past Pop-Up Institutes
Transformers and Generative AI
Semester: Fall 2025
The last several years have seen an explosion in the effectiveness of image generation powered by Generative AI and Large Language Models powered by Transformer. This Pop-up Institute will work to both advance research in AI and introduce researchers to the idea that have made current systems successful so they might contribute to the conversation. Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) professor Larry Carin and his lab group introduced Transformers (the ‘T’ in ChatGPT) in this mini course, followed by a minicourse on “Generative Models” hosted by Faculty in ECE, Mathematics and Statistics.
Activities:
- Reading Group
- Mini courses: Transformers, Generative AI Models
- Conference: Algorithmic Advances in Generative AI Conference
To close out the Pop-up, iiD hosted a conference on Algorithmic Advances in Generative AI, which attracted 120 registrations from Duke, the Triangle, and departments across the university and medical school. It featured both regional and national experts, who brought the cutting edge in AI to Duke.
Each year the Rhodes IID sponsors several Pop-Up Institutes. Each Pop-Up Institute centers on a topic of current scientific importance driven by faculty in the mathematical and computational science community from across the university. Each Pop-Up Institute typically contains several elements spread over several months:
Introductory Mini-Courses
These courses last several weeks and are an invitation for students and researchers new to the topic to enter the conversation. They are also a way for researchers from diverse backgrounds already working around the topic to find a common language and perspective to better seed joint projects.
Reading Group
By reading through a number of recent or seminal papers on the topic from a number of different perspectives, the reading group will bring students and researchers up to the current state of the art. The hope is that the discussion will lead the group to start new collaborations.
Conferences/Visitors
Through conferences and seminars, we’ll bring leading experts on the subject to Duke to connect the conversations to the state-of-the-art in the broader scientific community and to show different perspectives on the subject.
Other elements, such as long-term visitors or collaboration with other centers at Duke or nationally will be considered when available. The initial topics were chosen through conversations with the current IID community. In subsequent years, an open call will be made to solicit topics.
iid-popup-institute-spring26-organizers@duke.edu
Join the Spring 2026 Mailing List
2026 Events
2026 Gene Golub SIAM Summer School on Fault-Tolerant Algorithms in Quantum Computing
July 27- August 7
Hosted by Di Fang
Location: Gross Hall 103
Application link
Application Deadline: March 1, 2026
Duke University will host a summer school from July 27 to August 7, 2026, focused on introducing quantum algorithms and scientific computing. Designed for students without a background in quantum physics or quantum computing, the program covers fundamental principles and advanced techniques while providing financial support for travel and local expenses. Visit the 2026 Gene Golub SIAM Summer School website to learn more.
Digital Humanities Symposium
Sept. 25-26
GH 330
With: Astrid Giugni and Richard So
Richard So (Rhodes Bass Chair in English) and Astrid Giugni (SSRI, iiD, English) have agreed to develop a regional conference around AI, Computing and the Digital Humanities during the Spring of 2026. One of the goals is to sharpen the focus of a future Pop-Up Institute.
Past Events
Pop-up Institute on Emerging Methods in Sampling: Organizational Meeting
January 9, 2026
12-1 pm GH 330
With: Patrick Charbonneau, David Dunson, Johann Guilleminot, Greg Herschlag, Scott Schmidler
Please come to learn more and get involved.
Algorithmic Advances in Generative AI Conference
February 6, 2026 – February 7, 2026
Pop-Up
2/6: GH 330
2/7: GH 103
Please join us for this conference, which is the culmination of the Pop-up Institute on Transformers and Generative Diffusion Models in AI.