Flatiron Institute × IBM Research

Emerging Directions in Probabilistic Modeling

Methods and Scientific Applications

October 5–7, 2026
New York City
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About the Workshop

This workshop brings together recent advances in probabilistic modeling, with a focus on emerging methods for representing, learning, and sampling complex probability distributions. Topics of interest include kernel and transport-based methods, discrete and structured generative models, conditional and constrained modeling, and new perspectives on density modeling and sampling.

The workshop also highlights scientific applications of these ideas, including molecular dynamics, inverse problems, climate and weather modeling, and related problems in the physical and life sciences. More broadly, it aims to bring together researchers from machine learning, statistics, applied mathematics, and computational science to discuss common ideas, emerging challenges, and new opportunities in modern probabilistic modeling.

Topics of Interest

Kernel & Transport Methods

Optimal transport, kernel-based sampling, and flow-based approaches for distribution modeling

Generative Models

Discrete sampling and generative modeling via diffusion models and flow matching

Sampling & Density

Advanced MCMC methods, diffusion-based sampling, and scientific applications

Conditional & Constrained

Conditional generation, constrained optimization, and model steering

PDEs & Molecular Science

Probabilistic methods for PDEs, molecular simulation, biology, and free energy estimation

Climate & Weather

Probabilistic climate modeling, weather prediction, and uncertainty quantification

Speakers

We are excited to feature talks from leading researchers in probabilistic modeling, machine learning, and scientific applications.

David Alvarez-Melis

David Alvarez-Melis

Harvard SEAS & Microsoft Research

Website
Marianne Arriola

Marianne Arriola

Cornell University

Website
Clément Bonet

Clément Bonet

École Polytechnique, CMAP

Website
Claire Boyer

Claire Boyer

Université Paris-Saclay

Website
Sitan Chen

Sitan Chen

Harvard University

Website
Yongxin Chen

Yongxin Chen

Georgia Tech & NVIDIA

Website
Paula Cordero Encinar

Paula Cordero Encinar

Imperial College London & Oxford

Website
Carles Domingo-Enrich

Carles Domingo-Enrich

Microsoft Research

Website
Pierre Gentine

Pierre Gentine

Columbia University

Website
Arthur Gretton

Arthur Gretton

UCL Gatsby Unit & Google DeepMind

Website
Tommi Jaakkola

Tommi Jaakkola

MIT CSAIL

Website
Yazid Janati

Yazid Janati

MBZUAI

Scholar
Sifan Liu

Sifan Liu

Duke University

Website
Kimia Nadjahi

Kimia Nadjahi

ENS Paris

Website
Kirill Neklyudov

Kirill Neklyudov

Anthropic & Mila

Website
Subham Sekhar Sahoo

Subham Sekhar Sahoo

MBZUAI

Website
Yair Schiff

Yair Schiff

Cornell University

Website
Sherry Yang

Sherry Yang

NYU Courant & Google DeepMind

Website
Soojung Yang

Soojung Yang

Stanford & Microsoft Research

Website

Organizers

Mark Goldstein

Mark Goldstein

Flatiron Institute

Website →
Louis Grenioux

Louis Grenioux

Flatiron Institute

Website →
Jiequn Han

Jiequn Han

Flatiron Institute

Website →
Anna Korba

Anna Korba

ENSAE/CREST

Website →
Youssef Mroueh

Youssef Mroueh

IBM Research

Website →

Venue

Days 1–2 (Oct 5–6)

Flatiron Institute

162 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010

The Flatiron Institute is the internal research division of the Simons Foundation, home to the Center for Computational Mathematics.

Day 3 (Oct 7)

IBM One Madison

One Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10010

IBM's state-of-the-art research and innovation hub in the heart of Manhattan, featuring collaborative spaces and cutting-edge facilities.

Apply to Attend

Registration Process

This workshop is limited to 80 attendees. Due to space constraints, attendance is by application only. Organizers will review applications and notify selected participants.

What we're looking for

  • Researchers working on probabilistic modeling, machine learning, or related areas
  • Scientists applying these methods to physical or life sciences
  • Graduate students and postdocs with relevant research interests

Poster Presentations

Attendees are encouraged to present posters showcasing their research. Indicate your interest in presenting when you apply.

Important Dates

  • Application Deadline: August 22, 2026
  • Notification: TBA
  • Workshop: October 5–7, 2026

Ready to Apply?

Click below to open the application form. No Google account required.

Open Application Form

Application deadline: August 22, 2026