Jonathan Mattingly Named Interim Director of Rhodes Information Initiative at Duke
Duke University faculty member Jonathan Mattingly, the Kimberly J. Jenkins Distinguished University Professor of New Technologies in the Department of Mathematics, has been chosen to serve as interim director of the Rhodes Information Initiative at Duke (Rhodes iiD).
Mattingly’s work centers on models of phenomena where randomness plays a significant role, such as air turbulence or Monte Carlo algorithms for Bayesian sampling. He has also worked on biological problems related to cellular metabolism, infectious diseases and coevolution. Another key area of focus has been developing techniques to identify and measure gerrymandering. His work mixes theoretical, computational and modeling aspects.
Established in 2013, Rhodes iiD is an interdisciplinary program designed to increase “big data” computational research and expand opportunities for student engagement in this rapidly growing field. It is among 11 university institutes, initiatives and centers that complement and amplify the widespread interdisciplinarity found in every school at Duke.
Mattingly begins serving as interim director on July 1, 2025, following the founding directorship of Robert Calderbank, the Charles S. Sydnor Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering and Mathematics.
“Jonathan Mattingly is an excellent choice for interim director, and I’m confident that he will skillfully guide Rhodes iiD through its next phase,” said Provost Alec Gallimore. “Building on Robert Calderbank’s legacy, he will ensure that the initiative continues to be a key part of the university in support of our strategic priorities around computational research and education.”
Earlier this year, Mattingly was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, one of the oldest learned societies in the country. He received the Defender of Freedom award from Common Cause for his work to understand and quantify gerrymandering, which led him to provide expert testimony in a number of court cases involving congressional and legislative maps drawn after the last two censuses.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to build on the remarkable foundation Robert built in the Rhodes iiD,” Mattingly said. “I am excited to strengthen Rhodes iiD’s role as a hub for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of computing, data science and AI — and the many areas of the university they influence.”
A North Carolina native, Mattingly grew up in Charlotte, graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and Yale, and earned his Ph.D. at Princeton. He has been part of the Duke community since 2003.
“I am thrilled that Jonathan Mattingly will bring his remarkable talent, deep experience and knack for interdisciplinary community-building to Rhodes iiD,” said Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Studies Edward Balleisen. “I also want to recognize Robert Calderbank for brilliantly leading this initiative over the past decade and helping establish Duke as a leader in big data, machine learning and the quantitative sciences, as well as innovation in team-based, project-focused learning,” Balleisen said.
The initiative is named in honor of Michael George Rhodes and Maureen C. Rhodes. Its mission is to partner with departments and schools to transform data science education at Duke, develop a large and vibrant data science community with Duke at the center, and build a broader base of high-visibility interdisciplinary research.
Rhodes iiD runs the popular summer program Data+, which inspired the creation of a suite of other interdisciplinary “plus” programs that engage students from every major and numerous graduate programs across campus. It also provides crucial intellectual leadership for the highly successful Master in Interdisciplinary Data Sciences program, a joint venture with the Social Science Research Institute.