Collin Yuanjie Ren

PhD in Physics, MIT · September 2026

I completed my PhD in Physics at MIT in September 2026, under the supervision of Peter Shor and Aram Harrow. Previously, I earned my MA in Physics at Stony Brook University, where I was advised by Axel Drees.

My research focuses on quantum codes, topological order, and quantum simulation of physical systems. I'm also learning about open quantum systems, quantum complexity theory, as well as quantum algorithms.

In my free time, I think about and experiment with how machine learning can help derive and prove mathematical theorems (auto-formalization) and how large language models can facilitate the design of better video games.

Photo of Collin Yuanjie Ren
MIT Physics Department
Cambridge, MA

Ideas & connections

Research

Google Scholar ↗

Across mathematics, formal methods and quantum computation.

All papers

12 papers

Yuanjie (Collin) Ren*, Zhicheng Zhang*, Junyi Liu*, Jinzheng Li, Yidi Qi, Mingsheng Ying (* equal contribution)
arXiv:2610.17708 · Preprint · 2026

Quantum Hoare logic QHL+ in Lean 4: program semantics, sound proof rules and verified classical–quantum programs.

Formal MethodsQuantum ComputationProgram VerificationAutomated Theorem Proving
Kathleen (Katie) Chang*, Anasuya Lyons*, Yuanjie Ren*, Harald Putterman, Nathanan Tantivasadakarn, Victor V. Albert, Benjamin J. Brown, Dominic J. Williamson (* equal contribution)
arXiv:2610.03920 · Preprint · 2026

Fault-tolerant measurements of logical Clifford operators in QLDPC codes, enabling magic-state preparation and non-Clifford operations.

Quantum ComputationQuantum Error Correction
Liu Ziyin*, Yuanjie Ren*, Adam Levine, Isaac Chuang (equal contribution)
arXiv:2605.21933, preprint (2026)

A mathematical framework relating learning dynamics, time-reversal asymmetry and stochastic-thermodynamic entropy production.

MathStatistical MechanicsMachine Learning
Yuanjie Ren, Kaifeng Bu, Andreas Bauer
2025

A graphical calculus for fermionic tensors, Gaussian states, Majorana operations, fermionization and fermionic codes.

MathQuantum ComputationFermionic SystemsGraphical CalculusQuantum Error Correction
Liyuan Chen, Yuanjie Ren, Ruihua Fan, Arthur Jaffe
npj Quantum Inf. 11, 112 (2025)

Explicit circuits and anyon-charge measurements for universal computation with the S₃ quantum double, including error-correction protocols.

Quantum ComputationQuantum Error CorrectionTopological Order

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Quantum Computation) GPA: 5.0/5.0
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (September 2020 – September 2026)
Main Courses: Quantum Information Science II & III, Quantum Field Theory II & III, General Relativity, Algebraic Topology, Manifold Analysis, Holography, String Theory
Master of Arts (Nuclear Physics) GPA: 3.95/4.00
Stony Brook University (2018 – 2020)
Main Courses: String Theory I & II, Mathematical Physics, Nuclear Physics, Quantum Field Theory I, Group Theory

Atomic Inference

At Atomic Inference, we focus on formal reasoning and formal verification for quantum and classical computation. Formal verification uses mathematical proofs to establish that programs meet precise specifications, helping identify logical errors and provide rigorous guarantees about their behavior.

We are currently raising funds. If you are interested, please contact me by email or on LinkedIn.