PhD in Computer Science
About Me
📢 I am on the job market. PhD defended in December 2025. Feel free to reach out!
I am Nikita Lagrange, PhD in Computer Science, formerly at Institut Curie in Paris, supervised by Dr. Hervé Isambert.
My thesis focused on the development of a new search-and-score algorithm for causal discovery in the presence of latent variables using information theory.
- Causal Discovery
- Machine Learning
- Probabilistic Methods
- Information Theory
- Computational Biology
PhD in Computer Science
Sorbonne Université
M.Sc. in Bioinformatics & Modelling
Sorbonne Université
B.Sc. in Life Sciences
Sorbonne Université
I completed my PhD at Institut Curie in Paris, where my research focused on causal discovery. More specifically, I developed extensions of the MIIC algorithm, originally developed within the Isambert Lab toward a search-and-score framework.
The objective was to improve the efficiency and robustness of causal discovery methods, particularly in the presence of latent variables and when applied to complex, non-linear biomedical data.
More broadly, my research interests lie in developing machine learning algorithms that are more grounded in human reasoning.
Reliable Causal Discovery from Information Theoretic Principles (State of the art & ongoing project)
Presentation of my thesis work at the retreat for young researchers from Institut Curie, Centre des Cordeliers, and Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague, Czech Republic
Sep 22, 2024
Improving Graphical Models Through Data Generative Approaches
Presentation of my thesis project and preliminary results to the AI-DSCY team
Sep 27, 2023
Former doctoral student representative on the EDITE doctoral school board
Participated in board meetings and contributed to key decision-making processes.
Reviewer for the NeurIPS BDU Workshop 2024
I successfully defended 🎉 my PhD thesis after 3 years at Institut Curie 🇫🇷 and 8 years at Sorbonne Université 🎓.
I would like to warmly thank my PhD advisor, Dr. Hervé Isambert for his guidance, trust, and insightful advice throughout this journey.
My sincere thanks also go to the members of my jury: Pr. Marianne Clausel as president, Pr. Philippe Leray and Dr. Émilie Devijver as reviewers, for their careful reading, constructive feedback, and stimulating scientific discussions.
Finally, heartfelt thanks to my colleagues, friends, and family for their constant support along the way 🙏
I had the pleasure of attending the PRAIRIE/MIAI Artificial Intelligence Summer School (P.A.I.S.S.) in Grenoble 🇫🇷 . It was an unforgettable week of world-class talks from Yann LeCun to Michael Jordan and a community that made the learning stick. I met passionate students from around the world 🌍 and learned a lot through discussions and poster sessions.My gratitude 🙏 goes to the organizers, volunteers and sponsors.
I had the pleasure of attending the Eastern European Machine Learning (EEML) Summer School in Sarajevo 🇧🇦, a vibrant event that brought together participants from 44 countries, with over half representing Eastern Europe. This diversity is a key strength of science and collaboration.My warmest thanks 🙏 to the amazing organizing team, volunteers, lecturers, and sponsors who made this event possible and accessible.