Hello.

I am Chengyuan Deng, a fifth-year PhD student at Rutgers Theory Group, where I am fortunate to be advised by Jie Gao.

My research revolves around algorithm design, geometry and trustworthy AI.

I am broadly interested in Theoretical Computer Science and Machine Learning. My experience with the first is on algorithm design for graph and geometry problems. While the second points to building the theoretical foundations of practical learning problems and devising algorithm with rigorous guarantees such as privacy and fairness. I am particularly drawn to problems that have a neat formulation and of intrinsic theoretical interest, yet also surprisingly connect to applications in practice.

Beyond above, I am working on LLMs and Mathematical aspects of music such as combinatorics and geometry.

I am training myself as a researcher and musician on classical music slowly.

I am on the job market looking for a postdoc or a full-time position. Drop me a line if you see a match, thank you!

Research Statement ↗ Google Scholar ↗
Contact:

Publications

As is the convention in Theoretical Computer Science, authorships are in alphabetical order. Empirical ML papers are exceptions in this list.

Recognitions

Invited Talks

  • Low Sensitivity Hopsets, NYC Graduate Student Theory Day, 2024
  • The Discrepancy of Shortest Paths, Rutgers DIMACS Theory Seminar, 2024
  • Explainable Clustering, Harvard Theory Reading Group of Physics ML, 2023

Professional Service

  • Reviewer, SOSA 2026; SoCG 2026; Random 2025; NeurIPS 2023-25; ICLR 2023-25;
  • Guest Lecturer and Advising, Machine Learning course at Quisqueya University, Haiti

Honors and Awards

  • Rizvi Research Excellence Award, 2025
  • Rutgers SGS Travel Award, 2025
  • Travel Award, WADS 2023
  • Travel Award, Neurips 2022
  • Master Graduation with honor, Outstanding Publication Award
  • Yamaha Asian Music Scholarship, 3rd Place, Tongji University

Music

I am gradually constructing this site to include performance recordings, compositions, analysis and notes.

We are organizing regular meetups in New York City to perform solo, chamber and orchestral music, drop me a line if you are interested!

Music Experience

I play the piano on solo and chamber. I am learning to play the cello. Musicianship is my first priority and I am teaching myself on conducting and composition.

  • Muffin Music Piano Intensive — Santa Ynez Valley, California (July 2025)

    It is such a pleasure to study with Ms. Sylvia Jiang and Ms. Yoon Hi Moon! The experience becomes the first thing I missed about the summer of 2025.

  • Alaria Chamber Music — New York (June 2025)

    We played the third movement of Arinsky's Piano Trio, a piece I was not fond of at first but later found it so lovely.

  • Juilliard School Chamber Music — New York (2024)

    You will hear the gorgeous chamber music below.

  • Rutgers Glee Club — New Brunswick, NJ (2022-2023)

    We performed at Cargenie Hall singing Beethoven and Brahms, that is one of my most lovely memories.

Chamber music recording

I recently find much pleasure in chamber music. I do not find it a contradiction to a soloist's strong personality, but rather a different way of expressing it—one that thrives on dialogue, sensitivity, and the subtle interplay between voices. Below are performance recordings of some of my favorite chamber music pieces with musician friends.

Beethoven: Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 97 "Archduke" - Mov I. Allegro moderato

Violin: Seeun Baek, Cello: Jiaxun Yao, Piano: Chengyuan Deng

Date: April, 2024 | Juilliard School, New York

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This is one of the rare occasions in Beethoven’s oeuvre where his music achieves a fully realized sense of peacefulness and pastoral gentleness. The archduke Piano Trio, composed in 1811–12, is not only a masterpiece of his mature chamber style but also a testament to his relationship with Archduke Rudolf of Austria, his student, friend, and generous patron. The first movement opens with a broad, noble piano theme that seamlessly engages in a refined dialogue with violin and cello, blending virtuosic brilliance with intimate expressiveness.

Dvorak: Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81 - Mov I, II, & III

Violin: Julie Minn, Yubin Kim, Viola: Adam Savage, Cello: Edison Liu, Piano: Chengyuan Deng

Date: Dec, 2024 | Juilliard School, New York

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This piece in my opinion, among a few others, is chamber music perfection. It brims with folk-inspired character, drawing on the rhythms, modes, and melodic contours of Bohemian dance and song. hese elements are woven seamlessly into the fabric of the work, giving the piano and strings a natural, conversational energy that feels both spontaneous and deeply expressive. One thing I would do by the ending of the 4th movement is to imagine: does this feel like sunset with reflections, or another dance party is about?