CV

General Information

Full Name Kate Wenqi Zhu
Current Position Postdoctoral Researcher, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford; Junior Research Fellow, Exeter College
Research Area Optimization, numerical analysis, algebraic geometry, and AI-integrated mathematical discovery
Languages English, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese

Education and Professional Experience

  • From Nov 2026
    Postdoctoral Research Associate (upcoming)
    Erlangen Hub
  • Jan 2026-present
    Postdoctoral Researcher
    University of Oxford, UK
    • Mathematical Foundations of AI, with Prof. Jared Tanner.
    • Spectral geometry and structured learning for sparse neural networks; higher-order information in training dynamics.
  • 2026-present
    Junior Research Fellow
    Exeter College, University of Oxford, UK
  • 2021-2026
    D.Phil. in Mathematics
    University of Oxford, UK
    • Viva passed with minor corrections in Apr 2026; degree conferred in Jul 2026.
    • Supervisor: Prof. Coralia Cartis; project PI: Prof. Terry Lyons.
    • Dissertation: Tensor Methods for Nonconvex Optimization.
    • Awarded full scholarship.
  • 2020-2021
    M.Sc. Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing
    University of Oxford, UK
    • Distinction; ranked 1st in cohort.
    • Awarded M.Sc. Prize for Excellence, 2021.
  • 2017-2019
    Goldman Sachs Product Specialist Associate
    Goldman Sachs Investment Management, Hong Kong, China
  • 2014-2017
    J.P. Morgan Investment Analyst
    Global Investment Opportunities Group, J.P. Morgan, Hong Kong, China
  • 2010-2014
    BA & MMath Mathematics
    University of Oxford, UK
    • Dean's List 2011; First Class.
    • St Hugh's College Scholarship, 2011-2014.

Research Interests

  • High-order optimization and tensor methods
    • Nonconvex optimization
    • Adaptive regularization methods
    • Computational complexity analysis
    • Tensor approximation
  • Algebraic and polynomial optimization
    • Sum-of-squares techniques
    • Tractable polynomial optimization
    • High-order Taylor model subproblems
  • AI-integrated mathematical discovery
    • Generative AI for mathematical reasoning
    • AI systems for large-scale mathematical discovery

Awards and Grants

  • 2026
    • Junior Research Fellowship, Exeter College, University of Oxford
  • 2025
    • Leslie Fox Prize for Numerical Analysis, Second Prize
    • RisingWISE Training & Development Programme for Women in STEM
  • 2024
    • Outstanding Doctoral Student Forum, Chinese Academy of Sciences, invited participant
    • Jane Street Graduate Fellowship Research Workshop, selected participant
  • 2021-2025
    • Full PhD Studentship, Oxford-HK InnoHK
  • 2021
    • M.Sc. Prize for Excellence, University of Oxford
    • Archibald Jackson Prize, University of Oxford
  • 2011-2014
    • St Hugh's College Scholarship, University of Oxford

Service, Teaching and Outreach

  • 2025
    Session Organizer
    International Conference on Continuous Optimisation (ICCOPT)
    • Advances in Nonlinear Optimization.
    • Techniques for Nonlinear Optimization.
  • 2023-present
    Journal Reviewer
    Mathematical Programming; SIAM Journal on Optimization; Mathematics of Operations Research; European Journal of Operational Research; IMA Journal of Numerical Analysis; Optimization and Engineering; Nature Communications; Operations Research Forum
  • 2023-2025
    Problem Class Tutor, Continuous Optimization
    University of Oxford
    • Part C and MSc problem classes, revision classes, consultations, coursework marking and teaching-assistant mentoring.
  • 2022-2024
    Tutor and Teaching Assistant, Numerical Linear Algebra
    University of Oxford
  • 2025-2026
    Examiner, Theory of Deep Learning
    University of Oxford
    • Marked 60+ MSc mini-project reports and assessed proposal presentations.
  • 2024-present
    Student Supervision and Research Mentoring
    University of Oxford
    • Co-supervised three master's dissertations with Prof. Cartis (Part C 2024-25; two MMSC projects in 2026).
    • Supervising a Part B undergraduate and co-supervising a GNN and rank-collapse project with Prof. Jared Tanner.
    • Mentored K. Li from a first research project to first authorship of SoS1.
  • During D.Phil.
    Undergraduate Admissions Interviews
    Oriel College, University of Oxford
    • Assisted with undergraduate admissions interviews with Prof. Patrick Farrell.
  • 2014-present
    Founder, Mathematics Outreach Community and AI Education Platform
    Mathematics outreach and AI-powered education
    • Founded a mathematics community with 4.09 million+ followers.
    • Built an AI-powered education platform with 15,146 enrolled learners and 343,000+ learning sessions.