Yuri Balasanov, Ph.D. is Professor of Instruction and Deputy Director of the MS in Machine Learning and Data Science (MLDS) program at the McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University.

He earned his M.S. in Applied Mathematics and Ph.D. in Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics from Lomonosov Moscow State University, where he studied under Andrey Kolmogorov and other prominent members of his school. His expertise spans stochastic modeling, advanced data analysis and AI, digital transformation, risk evaluation, and decision-making under uncertainty.

Dr. Balasanov has over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, where he has served as a data scientist, lead quantitative researcher, risk manager, and quantitative trader at major financial institutions. He was a member of the Advisory Committee for the U.S. Department of Energy–funded project, Developing a Deep Learning–Computer Vision Framework to Monitor Avian Interactions with Solar Energy Facility Infrastructure, and has advised several other industry initiatives.

In parallel with his industry work, Professor Balasanov has more than 25 years of academic experience. As Deputy Director of the MLDS program, he leads industry engagement and teaches a wide range of courses including Data Science, Bayesian Decision Making, Financial Engineering, and Generative AI. He previously taught at the University of Chicago in the programs MS in Financial Mathematics (MSFM) and MS in Applied Data Science (hosted by Data Science Institute), where he also served as Curriculum Director. He has provided professional training to organizations such as the Federal Reserve Banks of Chicago and Philadelphia, PwC, and Chicago Trading Company.