The past, present, and future of Stanford University's Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering (ICME) came together at the institute’s 20th-anniversary celebration on November 21‒22, 2024.
ICME’s new director, Eric Darve, presided over the gathering at the Paul Brest Hall on Stanford’s main campus. Those attending included pioneer computational scientists, alongside emerging researchers, School of Engineering leaders, past and present, and members of Scientific Computing and Computational Mathematics (SCCM), the program that preceded ICME, as well as recent graduates and current students.
As a degree-granting institute at the intersection of mathematics, computing, engineering, and applied sciences, ICME is based in the School of Engineering but draws its over 70 affiliated faculty members from seven Stanford departments, from aeronautics and astronautics to biology, business, and medicine. During the academic year, on average, 170 students are enrolled in the program, and every year, each cohort brings an incredible diversity of interests and experiences to ICME. Darve, who is also a professor of mechanical engineering, emphasized ICME’s pivotal role in advancing technology and scientific research over the last years, noting in particular how high-performance computing has enabled complex simulations in many fields.
“The beauty of computational mathematics,” according to Darve, “lies in its ability to bridge the gap between abstract theory and the concrete data that define our world.” This philosophy drives ICME’s approach to research and education, inspiring students and faculty to uncover the hidden patterns and structures that govern our complex world.
Looking toward the future, Darve predicted that ICME will play important roles in applying computational mathematics and engineering to many challenges facing society, especially climate change, medicine, renewable energy and energy distribution, financial systems, and cryptography, where quantum algorithms will play a key role. In his words, “In a world guided by algorithms, those who speak the language of computational mathematics will shape tomorrow’s narrative.”
Jennifer Widom, Dean of the School of Engineering, noted that Stanford professors across campus whose work involves complex computing challenges often turn to ICME students, who are known for their acumen and dedication, to join their research groups. Jim Plummer, John M. Fluke Professor of Electrical Engineering, was the dean when ICME began. He described discussions about the future of SCCM and said the most powerful argument for expansion was that “Stanford was missing an opportunity to recruit students with an interest in computational mathematics and who wanted to apply these methods and techniques to important problems that were worked on throughout the School of Engineering and beyond.”
Parviz Moin, Professor of Electrical Engineering and ICME’s founding director, noted the growing interest in scientific computing and computational physics then at NASA, national labs, and major industries. ICME, he said, broadened Stanford’s scope in those areas, making it attractive to both graduate students and industry. Peter Glynn, Professor in Management Science and Engineering (MS&E), said ICME’s “secret sauce” is its structure as an institute, rather than a department — it’s what attracts a “phenomenal number of students” to apply each year. Margot Gerritsen, an emerita professor of energy resources engineering, credited Glynn with getting ICME through “four very scary years” and leaving the institute on a sound financial footing before she became director in 2010. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in expanding the institute's academic programs and research initiatives. Notably, she co-founded the Global Women in Data Science (WiDS) Conference in 2015, aiming to inspire and educate data scientists worldwide and support women in the field. Under her leadership, ICME saw a significant increase in female student enrollment.
The alumni panelists and keynote presenters each told a compelling story of transformation, with experiences from seasoned professionals who graduated in the institute's early years to the more recent cohort of computational mathematicians. From Silicon Valley tech giants to pioneering research institutions, these graduates represent a diverse spectrum of intellectual achievement in their field. Each alumnus carries forward ICME's core principle of interdisciplinary problem solving. Their professional journeys demonstrate remarkable intellectual agility, from developing cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions, reimagining medical technologies, and devising innovative solutions to complex environmental challenges. Underpinning these achievements is a culture of collegiality, cooperation, friendship, and shared intellectual curiosity that has remained a defining characteristic of ICME throughout its evolution.
Nostalgia for the institution’s original home in Serra House was a frequent topic among the older alumni, some of them dating back to 1965. They noted the atmosphere of socializing and fun that launched them into their careers and the lasting friendships that developed there. More recent graduates described their fondness and appreciation for the ICME experience, taking particular note of their ability to pursue experiences across campus that aligned with their interests.
ICME students enjoying a laugh at the institute's 20th-anniversary celebration.
