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Student Spotlight: Lutong Hao

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Meet Lutong Hao, an incoming PhD student in MS&E.

HOMETOWN
Shanghai, China

WHERE I LIVED BEFORE STANFORD
Oxford, UK

ALMA MATER
University of Oxford

DEGREE & MAJOR
MMath, Mathematics and Statistics

RESEARCH THEMES MY WORK REPRESENTS
AI & Data Science

Academic and work experience

During my undergraduate studies at Oxford, I became interested in optimization and decision-making under uncertainty. My research has included projects on computational optimal transport, and diffusion Schrödinger bridges. These experiences inspired me to pursue a PhD at Stanford to explore how theory and applications in optimization, stochastic control, and risk analysis can be combined to tackle real-world challenges.

Impact I hope to have in my field and the world

I'd like my research to help bridge the gap between theory and practice in optimization, stochastic control, and risk analysis. I hope to learn how to ask meaningful research questions and find the right cutting points, whether in healthcare, infrastructure, or finance.

Interests and hobbies

I'm a fencer, I enjoy hiking and exploring nature, and I like to watch movies in free moments.

Published September 22, 2025.

Meet the 2025 cohort of incoming PhD students