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About

Dana Randall is a theoretical computer scientist and mathematician whose research bridges statistical physics, combinatorics, and the design of smart, active matter. She is best known for pioneering the concept of "colloidal robotics," where she and her collaborators demonstrated that simple, micron-scale particles can be programmed to perform complex, collective tasks—work that has garnered 39 citations since its 2023 publication. Her earlier foundational paper on "phototactic supersmarticles" (2018, 19 citations) introduced a new class of light-responsive, self-propelled particles that can be controlled en masse, laying the groundwork for programmable materials. Randall’s major contributions lie in developing rigorous mathematical frameworks—particularly using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods and the theory of phase transitions—to understand and design emergent behavior in both computational and physical systems. Her work has been recognized with a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Simons Foundation Fellowship, and she is a Regents Professor at Georgia Tech. For students and researchers, Randall’s research offers a compelling vision: using the tools of theoretical computer science to engineer the next generation of intelligent, adaptive materials.