University Forms Search Committee for Dean of Courant

February 4, 2026

As a first step in identifying a successor to Gérard Ben Arous as the inaugural Dean of the Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science, a faculty-led Search Committee has been formed.

Laure Zanna, the Joseph and Herbert Keller Professor in Applied Math; professor of mathematics and data science; and vice dean, research administration of the Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science & Anupam Gupta, Silver Professor; professor of computer science, Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science, have agreed to co-chair the Committee. We are grateful to them and the other members of the Committee for agreeing to undertake this time-consuming and important work. We are confident they will identify and recommend outstanding candidates.

Representatives on the Committee will be reaching out to the wider Courant community to seek input. Many of you have wide-ranging networks and might therefore suggest qualified candidates for the Courant deanship. The Committee would welcome your input, as well as any questions you may have regarding the search process. Nominations, questions, and other recommendations can be forwarded to Professors Zanna & Gupta and the Search Committee at courantdeansearch@nyu.edu.Thank you in advance for your participation in this important process.

As the Committee begins its work, let us once again thank Dean Ben Arous for his many contributions and outstanding service to Courant and the University.

Courant Dean’s Search Committee Members

Co-Chair Laure Zanna, the Joseph and Herbert Keller Professor in Applied Math; professor of mathematics and data science; and vice dean, research administration of the Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science

Co-Chair Anupam Gupta, Silver Professor; professor of computer science, Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science

Eray Aydil, senior vice dean; Alstadt Lord Mark Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering

Paul Bourgade, professor of mathematics, Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science

Joan Bruna, professor of computer science and data science, Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science

Sylvain Cappell, Silver Professor; professor of mathematics, Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science

Kristen Day, vice provost

Carlos Fernandez-Granda, interim director, the Center for Data Science; associate professor of mathematics and data science, Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science

Rachel Greenstadt, professor, computer science and engineering, Tandon School of Engineering

Mercedes Pascual, Silver Professor; professor of biology and environmental studies, Arts & Science

Jia Qi, undergraduate student, computer and data science major; president of the DataScienceClub@NYU

Sue Taylor, director, administration, Department of Mathematics, Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science

Mohamed Zahran, clinical professor, Department of Computer Science, Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science