About Me

I’m a Persian based in Copenhagen. My first name is Abbas, the name of the “Lion King” in Arabic mythology, and [æbˈbɒːs] is the way that I like to be called! My last name is “Karimi Rizi,” and I often go by K. Rizi. “Riz” was the old name of my birthplace. I study how social behavior influences epidemic trajectories. My Orcid is 0000-0002-3710-583X.

As a Scientist

I’m a postdoctoral researcher exploring social behavior at Sune Lehmann‘s group at DTU Compute & Copenhagen Center for Social Data Science. My work involves developing mathematical and computational models to investigate how interventions affect people’s behavior and spread dynamics on social networks. Therefore, spreading patterns, diffusion processes, and epidemic interventions are at the core of my research. I’m also a member of the Nordic Pandemic Preparedness Modelling Network. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked with other scientists and policymakers in the NordicMath Covid project to develop and implement strategies to combat the virus. I earned my D.Sc. degree under the guidance of Mikko Kivelä from the Computer Science Department of Aalto University before the March equinox of 2024. I look up to Galileo Galilei and Michael Faraday for their approach to doing science, and I enjoy combining ideas and techniques from different fields to tackle interdisciplinary problems. I also write about science for the public on sitpor.org. I believe in the power of storytelling, so I have honed my writing and narrative communication skills since my undergraduate years. In March 2022, I was honored to receive the Charkh Award for Best Persian Science Blog from Iran National TV (IRIB TV 4).

I got my BSc in Solid State Physics (2016) and my MSc (2018) in Physics of Complex Systems from Shahid Beheshti University (SBU) in Tehran. I worked on cancer for my MSc project. My MSc project aimed to infer the strength of links in Gene Regulatory Networks (GRNs) in the context of breast cancer using a maximum entropy approach. Then, given the networks of cancerous and healthy cells, compare their networks. In a nutshell, my previous work focused on signed networks and balance theory, but during my doctoral studies, I shifted to temporal networks and the study of spreading phenomena. In particular, I have been extensively involved in modeling interventions for infectious diseases, including epidemics. Before beginning my doctoral studies, I worked temporarily as a data scientist on a project to improve socioeconomic diversity in higher education.

Out of Science

I’m a good cook, and when the light hits right, an alright photographer. See some of my photos here. If I were to step beyond academia, I would find myself drawn to becoming a writer or a filmmaker. Cinema has an irresistible charm that captivates me entirely. I’m particularly fond of dark comedy and drama and appreciate the works of Wilder, McDonagh, Kieślowski, Tarr, Naderi, and Bergman, to name a few. I deeply admire beautifully crafted writing, whether it’s a Persian poem or a novel/essay, either in English or thoughtfully translated. I fancy Kafka, and among contemporary writers, I like Hisham Matar. Rainer Maria Rilke and Albert Camus also hold a special place in my heart, because of their takes on life. Cooking and trying new recipes, particularly in fusion cuisines, are my other hobbies. I also enjoy talking with drunk acquaintances, hosting friends, cycling, and listening to Chopin for long hours. Unlike most of my fellows, I’m neither a fan of bouldering nor board games.

من غلام نظرِ آصف عهدم کو را
صورت خواجگی و سیرت درویشان است

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