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General

Name Roy T. Forestano
Label PhD Student and Teaching Assistant
Email roy.forestano@ufl.edu
Url https://royforestano.github.io

Interests

Deep geometric methods, Quantum Information and Computing, Quantum/Conformal Field Theories, Generative Modeling, Interpretability, Supervised, Self-Supervised, and Unsupervised Learning, Deep Learning [NNs, CNNs, RNNs, GNNs, GANs, Transformers, NLPs, Normalizing Flows, Diffusion Models ], Reinforcement Learning, Gravity Theory
Current
Quantum Statistical Field Theory, Fermi Liquid Theory, Unconventional Superconductivity
Previous

Education

  • 2021 - Present
    PhD
    University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
    Physics
    • Courses: Particle Physics, Machine Learning, Advanced Machine Learning Theory, High Energy Theory, QFT I-II, General Relativity, Differential Geometry
  • 2017 - 2021
    B.S., Magna Cum Laude
    Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
    Physics, Mathematics
    • Courses: Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Numerical Methods and Scientific Computing, General Relativity, Algebra, Analysis, Complex Variables, Probability, Topology, Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometry
  • 2013 - 2017
    High School Diploma, Valedictorian
    Hamilton High School East, Hamilton Township, NJ
    • Activities and societies: Soccer (3 Seasons, 2013-2015), Baseball (2S, 2014-2015), Winter Track & Field (2S, 2015-2017), Spring Track & Field (2S, 2016-2017), Cross Country (1S, 2017), Math Club, Varsity Math Team (2014-2017), Robotics Club, Varsity Robotics Team (2015-2017), Science Club (2014-2017), STEM Club (2014-2017), Key Club (2013-2017), Italian Club (2013-2017)

Research

  • 2023.05 - 2023.10
    Google Summer of Code Contributor for the Machine Learning for Science (ML4SCI) Organization
    Redeveloped the theoretical frameworks and architectures for invariant and equivariant classical and quantum graph neural networks for HEP Analysis at the LHC alongside fellow GSOC contributors and mentors.
    • Equivariance, Invariance, Quantum Computing, GNN, Self-Attention, Project Management, Communication
  • 2022 - Present
    Graduate Research Assistant in Theoretical High Energy Physics
    Institute for Fundamental Theory, Department of Physics, University of Florida, Group of Matchev/a
    I am developing deep learning algorithms to apply ML/AI techniques to high energy physics and astrophysics. For high energy physics, we have focused on implementing learnable linear and non-linear symmetries into model architectures for enhanced model performance and interpretability. Astrophysics interests include novel ways of analyzing exoplanet system parameters through their spectra, including more efficient deep learning approaches to forward and retrieval models. I have also incorporated quantum information science into my research by solving NP-Hard problems with Quantum Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) algorithms.
    • HEP and ML Theory: Supervised, Self-Supervised, and Unsupervised Learning, Deep Learning (NNs, CNNs, RNNs, GNNs, GANs, Transformers, NLPs, Normalizing Flows, and Diffusion Models), Reinforcement Learning, Quantum Information and Computing, Generative Modeling, Interpretability
  • 2019.01 - 2021.05
    Undergraduate Research Assistant in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
    Department of Physics, Boston College, Group of Kevin S. Bedell
    I extended the 1999 work of Bedell, Engelbrecht, and Blagoev on the Goldstone mode's effect on s-wave superconductivity (SC) in a Ferromagnetic Fermi Liquid (FFL), where I studied the massive Higgs mode which arises due to amplitude fluctuations of spins [Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 133 (1999)]. To understand this mode's role in the FFL, I developed a Green's function approach to include the gapped term in the zero-temperature vertex in order to see how this mode affects the Cooper instability and the superconducting transition temperature, T_C.
    • CM Theory: Quantum Statistical Field Theory, Fermi Liquid Theory, Unconventional Superconductivity.
  • 2018.02 - 2018.08
    Undergraduate Research Assistant in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
    Department of Physics, Boston College, Group of Cyril P. Opeil
    I used different devices and software, including the Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS) custom analyzer and MATLAB, to compare samples for similarities in resonant frequencies and thermoelectric properties.

Experience

  • 2022.05 - Present
    Graduate Discussion Teaching Assistant
    University of Florida
    I taught three sections, with about 30 students per section, of Introductory Physics I Discussions during the Summer 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Summer 2023, and Fall 2023 semesters.
  • 2021.08 - 2022.05
    Graduate Laboratory Teaching Assistant
    University of Florida
    I taught three sections, with about 18 students per section, of Introductory Physics II labs in both the Fall and Spring.

Outreach

  • 2023.01 - Present
    Graduate Student and Postdoc Seminar (GSPS) High Energy Physics (HEP) Division Organizer
    University of Florida
    The GSPS is a group which organizes talks among graduate students and postdocs within various fields including high energy, astrophysics, condensed matter, and biophysics. For the HEP seminars, I gathered speakers for the event, announced event details, ordered refreshments, and introduced the presenters.
  • 2020.08 - 2021.05
    SPS Secretary
    Boston College
    Organized communication among club members, as well as both the planning and leading of events. One hosted event included a public talk from Benedetta Flebus, an Associate Professor of Physics at BC.
  • 2019.08 - 2020.05
    SPS Events Coordinator
    Boston College
    Events planned included the SPS BBQ, liquid nitrogen ice cream night, resume building events, and the senior panel.
  • 2016.07 - 2016.07
    2016 RWJ Hamilton Foundation Youth in Medicine Internship
    Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Hospital Hamilton
    I learned about the science and technology that enhances a hospital's performance, including the da Vinci robot and CT scanners. The most memorable experience was speaking to a radiation oncologist about the physics of cancer.
  • 2016.05 - 2017.06
    Peer Leadership
    Hamilton High School East
    Peer leadership is where junior and senior high school students lead incoming freshman and promote the six pillars of character including trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Peer Leaders would educate and act as mentors to all underclassmen, both in and outside of the classroom.
  • 2015.09 - 2016.06
    Tutor at Yardville Elementary School
    Yardville Elementary School
    Tutored and mentored a first grade student throughout the course of the school year.

Presentations

Conferences

Certifications

Awards

Memberships

Skills

Python, Scikit-learn, Tensorflow, PyTorch, Pennylane, Seaborn, CPLEX,DOCPLEX, C++, C, LaTeX, Mathematica
Fluent
CUDA, Qiskit, Cirq, Java, HTML, MATLAB, LabVIEW
Basic Knowledge

Languages

English
Native
Italian
Conversational
Greek
Basic Knowledge