Professor · Theoretical Computer Science
Shi Li 栗师
Theory Group, School of Computer Science
Nanjing University
Email: shili [at] nju [dot] edu [dot] cn
Curriculum vitae PDF · updated Oct 3, 2026Research
My research is in theoretical computer science, with a focus on the design and analysis of algorithms for combinatorial optimization problems.
- Resource allocation
- Clustering and facility location
- Scheduling and network design
- Online and learning-augmented algorithms
Selected Publications
Full publication list- Simpler Algorithms for Capacitated k-Median with (1 + ε)-Violations Using New Inequalities
- k-Clustering via Iterative Randomized Rounding
- Randomized Rounding over Dynamic Programs
- Approximating Unrelated Machine Weighted Completion Time Using Iterative Rounding and Computer Assisted Proofs
- A Note on Approximating Weighted Nash Social Welfare with Additive Valuations
- Online Load and Graph Balancing for Random Order Inputs
- O(log2k/loglog k)-Approximation Algorithm for Directed Steiner Tree: A Tight Quasi-Polynomial-Time Algorithm
- A Polylogarithmic Approximation for Edge-Disjoint-Paths with Congestion 2
- A 1.488-Approximation Algorithm for the Uncapacitated Facility Location Problem
Teaching
- Design and Analysis of Algorithms (Spring 2026)
- Advanced Algorithms (Fall 2025)Co-teaching with Yitong Yin and Jingcheng Liu
- Design and Analysis of Algorithms (Spring 2025)
- Advanced Algorithms (Fall 2024)Co-teaching with Yitong Yin and Jingcheng Liu
- Design and Analysis of Algorithms (Spring 2024)
- Advanced Algorithms (Fall 2023)Co-teaching with Yitong Yin and Jingcheng Liu
Earlier teaching at Buffalo, Northwestern, and TTIC
University at Buffalo
- CSE431/531: Analysis of Algorithms I (Fall 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2021, Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Spring 2019, Spring 2018, Fall 2016, Spring 2016)
- CSE632: Analysis of Algorithms II (Topics Vary) (Fall 2017, Fall 2019, Fall 2020)
- CSE7xx Seminars (Topics Vary) (Fall 2015, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020)
Other courses
- EECS336: Design and Analysis of Algorithms at Northwestern University (Winter 2015)
- co-taught Information and Coding Theory at TTIC with Madhur Tulsiani (Fall 2014)
Students
- Current PhD students
- Yuda Feng (冯昱达), Han Dai (代涵), Zaixuan Wang (王在烜), Weijiang Hu (胡伟江), Yuhang Chen (陈煜航), Zizheng Guo (郭子正)
- Current master’s students
- Zihao Liang (梁梓豪), Jia Ye (叶佳)
- Former PhD students
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- Xiangyu Guo (郭翔宇), PhD 2022Now Lecturer, University at Buffalo.
- Jiayi Xian (冼嘉颐), PhD 2023Now at Meta.
- Yunus Esencayi, PhD 2023Now at Meta.
- Former postdoc
- Ruilong Zhang (张瑞龙), 2022–2023Now Assistant Professor, City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan).
Background
Appointments
- Apr 2023 – present
- ProfessorTheory Group, School of Computer Science, Nanjing University
- Sep 2020 – Jan 2023
- Associate ProfessorComputer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo
- Sep 2015 – Aug 2020
- Assistant ProfessorComputer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo
- Sep 2013 – Jun 2015
- Research Assistant ProfessorToyota Technological Institute at Chicago
Education
- Sep 2008 – Jan 2014
- Ph.D., Princeton UniversityDepartment of Computer Science
Advisor: Moses Charikar - Sep 2004 – Jun 2008
- B.S., Tsinghua UniversityDepartment of Computer Science and Technology
- Sep 2006 – Jun 2008
- Andrew Chi-Chih Yao’s Special Pilot Class
Professional Activities
- PC member for APPROX+RANDOM 2017, SWAT 2018, MAPSP 2019, ISAAC 2019, TAMC 2020, ESA 2020, SODA 2021, ICALP 2021, APPROX 2021, STOC 2022, SODA 2023, IJTCS-FAW 2023, COCOON 2024, ISAAC 2024, WAOA 2024, STOC 2025, ICALP 2025, ICALP 2026, FOCS 2026, APPROX + RANDOM 2026, ISAAC 2026, SODA 2027
- Editorial Board Member of the ACM Transactions on Algorithms (since March 2019)