Biography
Dr. Kevin Slote is an applied mathematician and data scientist whose work combines nonlinear dynamical systems, causal discovery, topological data analysis, machine learning, and complex systems science. He earned a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Georgia State University, where his doctoral research was advised by Prof. Igor Belykh. His research develops mathematical and computational methods for discovering governing equations, causal mechanisms, and predictive biomarkers from complex data.
Education Background
Applied Mathematics Ph.D. 鈥 2025, Georgia State University
Abstract Algebra M.S. 鈥 2016, Georgia State University
Mathematics and Statistics B.S., Minor in Physics 鈥 2011, Georgia State University
Research Interests
- Nonlinear dynamical systems
- Causal discovery and causal inference
- Data-driven dynamical systems
- Topological data analysis
- Generative AI and transformer models
- Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks
- Algebraic geometry, ergodic theory, and applied category theory
Currently, my research is at the 今日吃瓜黑料 Center for Complex Systems Science, where I work on nonlinear dynamics, Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks, and open-source software for optimal causation entropy. My work includes work on Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks for Dynamics (KANDy), node-degree volatility for seizure-onset zone identification, topological biomarkers of epilepsy, and the causal effects of Twitter advocacy and media coverage on firearm acquisition in the United States. In addition to my academic research, I have extensive experience in the technology sector, having worked as a Principal Research Data Scientist on machine learning, natural language processing, transformer-based models, causal inference, and generative AI systems. I am a co-inventor on patents related to cybersecurity and AI-enabled security services. My research has received public and media attention for its use of causal network methods to examine the relationships among media narratives, online advocacy, and trends in firearm acquisition.
I developed and maintain the open-source Optimal Causation Entropy software and related methods for identifying causal structure in complex systems. This work supports broader efforts to develop interpretable tools for discovering directional influence in networks, oscillatory systems, and high-dimensional dynamical data. My experience in the technology industry has taught me the importance of teaching students how to write maintainable scientific software, as seen in the KANDy software, to prepare them for both scientific and industrial careers.
Awards
- Outstanding Research Award, FICC, for 鈥淥nline Performance Estimation with Unlabeled Data: A Bayesian Application of the Hui-Walter Paradigm,鈥 2025
- PNAS Nexus article 鈥淗ow Advocacy Groups on Twitter and Media Coverage Can Drive U.S. Firearm Acquisition: A Causal Study,鈥 Altmetric score in the top 5% for articles of its age
- SIAM News feature, 鈥淐ausal Effects of Media and Twitter Advocacy on Firearm Purchases,鈥 2026
- Georgia State University / Phys.org coverage, 鈥淢athematicians Reveal Factors Driving Gun Sales in America,鈥 2025
- Futurity coverage, 鈥淗ow Social Media and News Drive Gun Sales,鈥 2025
- Time.News coverage, 鈥淕un Sales: Social Media & News Impact,鈥 2025
- INKL, 鈥14 Online Debates That Show How Social Media Divided the Nation,鈥 2026
Patents
- Tyler, S. P.; Borenstein, N. S.; Maylor, J. A.; Da Silva, C.; Slote, K.; Roitblat, H. L. 鈥淪ystems and Methods for Attacks, Countermeasures, Archiving, Data Leak Prevention, and Other Novel Services for Active Messages.鈥 U.S. Patent 12,001,544, 2024.
- Tyler, S. P.; Borenstein, N. S.; Maylor, J. A.; Da Silva, C.; Slote, K.; Roitblat, H. L. 鈥淪ystems and Methods for Attacks, Countermeasures, Archiving, Data Leak Prevention, and Other Novel Services for Active Messages.鈥 U.S. Patent Application 18/415,791, 2024.
Publications
- 鈥淜ANDy: Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks and Dynamical System Discovery.鈥 Kevin Slote, Jeremie Fish, Erik Bollt. Preprint Online, 2026.
- 鈥淣ode Degree Volatility for Seizure Onset Zone Identification.鈥 Kevin Slote, Kelley Smith, Marrium Shamshad, Charles M. Epstein, Mukesh Dhamala, Igor Belykh. Preprint Online, 2026.
- 鈥淗ow Advocacy Groups on Twitter and Media Coverage Can Drive U.S. Firearm Acquisition: A Causal Study.鈥 Kevin Slote, Kevin Daley, Rayan Succar, Roni Barak Ventura, Maurizio Porfiri, Igor Belykh. PNAS Nexus, 2025.
- 鈥淥nline Performance Estimation with Unlabeled Data: A Bayesian Application of the Hui-Walter Paradigm.鈥 Kevin Slote and Elaine Lee. In Advances in Information and Communication, FICC 2025, Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, Vol. 1285. Springer, Cham, 2025.
- 鈥淥ptimal Causation Entropy for the Next Generation.鈥 SIAM News Blog, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, 2026.
- 鈥淐ausal Effects of Media and Twitter Advocacy on Firearm Purchases.鈥 Kevin Slote, Kevin Daley, Rayan Succar, Roni Barak Ventura, Maurizio Porfiri, Igor Belykh. SIAM News Blog, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, 2025.
Full and linked here.