David Shaw
David E. Shaw is a renowned computer scientist, entrepreneur, and quantitative finance pioneer, best known as the Founder of The D. E. Shaw Group, one of the world’s leading investment and technology development firms. He also serves as Chief Scientist at D. E. Shaw Research, a New York–based computational biochemistry laboratory, where he leads an interdisciplinary team and remains personally engaged in advanced scientific research. Widely regarded as one of the fathers of quantitative investing, Shaw revolutionized the hedge fund industry by applying computer science, algorithmic modeling, and data-driven research to financial markets—at a time when most firms relied primarily on traditional analysis. In addition to his leadership roles at the Shaw companies, he is an Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Columbia University’s medical school, further bridging the worlds of computational science, finance, and biochemistry.
David Shaw Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Founder and Chief Scientist
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Founder
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Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science
Academic History
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Ph.D., Computer Science
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B.A., Mathematics and Applied Physics and Information Science
CURRENT APPOINTMENTS
Senior Research Fellow, Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University
David E. Shaw is widely recognized as one of the earliest innovators in quantitative investing and algorithmic trading, pioneering the use of advanced mathematics, computer science, and financial theory to manage complex investment strategies.
Under his leadership, The D. E. Shaw Group expanded into multiple disciplines, leveraging expertise in technology, economics, and engineering to uncover unique opportunities across both public and private markets.
The firm has produced notable alumni, including Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon, and John Overdeck, Co-Founder of Two Sigma, both of whom credit their time at D. E. Shaw was formative to their careers.
Today, the firm manages tens of billions in assets and employs more than 2,500 people worldwide.
In addition to finance, Shaw’s influence extends to D. E. Shaw Research (DESRES), which developed Anton, a groundbreaking supercomputer for molecular dynamics simulations.
EARLY CAREER
Before founding D. E. Shaw served on the Computer Science faculty at Columbia University until 1986, when he left academia to pursue opportunities in the emerging field of computational finance.
His expertise earned him recognition at the highest levels of government—he was appointed to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology by both President Bill Clinton in 1994 and President Barack Obama in 2009.
Over the years, Shaw has also advised the White House and U.S. Congress on matters of science, technology, and innovation, further solidifying his reputation as a thought leader at the intersection of finance, research, and policy.
RECOGNITIONS
2018 IEEE Computer Society Seymour Cray Computer Engineering Award
2014 ACM Gordon Bell Prize
2007 Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science