February 4, 2026
Yuelong Li, in his second year of the Master's Program in Computational and Applied Mathematics, focuses on the mathematics of topological insulators. Born in Shanghai, Yuelong moved to Pittsburgh for high school. Before coming to the University of Chicago, he completed his undergraduate studies at New York University, majoring in math and physics. We interviewed him about his experiences here.
Why did you choose the University of Chicago?
For its academic prestige and unique culture of unrelenting curiosity. The interdisciplinary nature of the CAM program would also allow me to explore my broad interests ranging from complex dynamical systems to quantitative finance. Beyond the curriculum, I’ve found a community of peers who share my drive for inquiry and are always ready to dive into collaborative ‘side-quests’—whether it is developing machine learning models or exploring quantitative trading strategies.
Describe your current research focus.
I am particularly interested in how magnetic interactions within topological insulator materials create non-trivial wave modes at the interface between different insulating ‘bulks,’ which remain robust against perturbations. Parallel to this, I’ve been working on building Pendulum, a visualization software startup. My goal is to bridge the gap between abstract equations and visual intuition, creating a tool that make complex concepts beyond calculus accessible and interpretable for both students and researchers.
What made you interested in your current field of study?
I view mathematics as a powerful lens for understanding the world’s complexities. My interests lie in complex dynamical systems—from the intricacies of plasma dynamics to the evolution of societal frameworks. I find the frontiers of pure mathematics to be untapped goldmines. There is immense potential in translating abstract, high-level theories into applied quantitative frameworks. For me, seeing how pure theory becomes novel ways of solving real-world problems is the most exciting part of applied mathematics.
What has been your most memorable class and why?
Functional analysis, which I took last winter, was likely my most memorable class. It was a demanding journey through the theories of infinite-dimensional spaces that required many late nights in the Regenstein Library. In between intense proofs, I remember walking through the snowy campus to organ concerts or classical symphonies. It was one of the more timeless memories I’ve had here.
What is your favorite campus spot and why?
Tea & Pipes @ Rockefeller Memorial Chapel—great place to destress if you enjoy classical music.
What support or mentorship have you received at UChicago that was particularly valuable to you?
The faculties of CAM have been very accessible in terms of supporting our academic goals and research timelines. Beyond the exceptional academic support from faculty in the department, UChicago’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has been invaluable. The mentorship I received through the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the UChicago Venture Club provided the resources and network necessary to scale my startup, Pendulum. Finding a community that is simultaneously intellectually curious and entrepreneurially ambitious has been crucial in moving my ideas forward.
What are your plans post-UChicago?
I plan to pursue a PhD in Applied Mathematics to further my research into complex systems. Parallel to my academic career, I am dedicated to growing Pendulum. As AI continues to evolve, I believe maintaining ‘human-in-the-loop’ interpretability is vital. I hope that if the day should come when AI begins to generate new theoretical findings, we have the right visualization tools to make those discoveries accessible and interpretable to human researchers.