Melis Ilayda Bal

I am a second-year PhD student at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, in Tübingen, Germany, at the Learning and Dynamical Systems (LDS) research group and EPFL-LIONS group, co-advised by Dr. Michael Muehlebach and Prof. Volkan Cevher. I am also a doctoral fellow through the Amazon-MPI Science Hub. I hold an M.Sc. in Operations Research and a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering, with a minor in Computer Engineering, from Middle East Technical University (METU) in Turkey. My research focuses on optimization for machine learning, specifically aimed at developing techniques that enhance the robustness and training efficiency of machine learning models. Previously, I delved into the intersection of algorithmic decision-making and multi-agent systems, examining the intricate interplay between game theory and stochastic optimization. This exploration spanned various contexts, including reinforcement learning, Bayesian optimization, and protein design.