J. Simon Richard
I'm a first-year PhD student at Purdue University exploring ways to enhance LLM reasoning through formal mathematical methods. I'm particularly interested in how automatic theorem proving and formal verification can help bridge the gap between large language models and precise logical reasoning.
Research interests:
- Large Language Model (LLM) reasoning
- Automated Theorem Proving (ATP)
- AutoFormalization (AF)
- AI Safety
- Formal program verification
Education
Ph.D. in Computer Science
Expected graduation in May 2030 | Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
B.S. Computer Science and Mathematics | 4.0 GPA
May 2025 | Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
- Honors Thesis: "Hybrid Quantum or Purely Classical? Assessing the Utility of Quantum Feature Embeddings."
- Senior Math / Engineering Project: "Large Language Model Reasoning and Verification through AutoFormalization"
Research Experience
Senior Math / Computer Science Project: "Large Language Model Reasoning and Verification through AutoFormalization"
August 2024 — May 2025
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
Advised by Dr. Aditi Singh, Dr. L. Felipe Martins and Dr. Shawn D. Ryan
- Wrote a methods paper describing a novel framework for proposition autoformalization
- Built a system integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) with the LEAN 4 Proof Assistant (via tool use), enabling the verification of definitions and proofs generated by the LLMs
- Managed a team of three other Computer Science and Data Science seniors, directing research and engineering efforts.
- Explored the foundations of formal theorem proving and the LEAN 4 proof language.
Mathematics Research Assistant
August 2023 — May 2025
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
Advised by Dr. Ivan Soprunov
- Wrote exploratory and proof-oriented code using SageMath (an extension of Python).
- Reasoned in the context of geometry (2D and 15D), combinatorics, linear algebra, and group theory.
- Refactored research code, improving readability, usability, and performance.
Honors Thesis: "Hybrid Quantum or Purely Classical? Assessing the Utility of Quantum Feature Embeddings."
August 2023 — May 2024
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
Advised by Dr. Satish Kumar
- Critically evaluated a hybrid quantum-classical machine learning technique using cross-validation and extensive hyperparameter tuning.
- Reproduced the model architecture from scratch using PyTorch and Pennylane.
- Published findings concluding that the classical-only models perform just as well as models using the hybrid quantum-classical methodology.
R&D Intern
May 2023 — August 2023
MIM Software Inc., Beachwood, OH
Advised by Dr. Soroush Pahlavian
- Reviewed and presented on current literature.
- Reproduced several methodologies for adapting an open source 2D image segmentation model in order to segment 3D medical scans using publicly available code and data.
- Fine-tuned those models using a proprietary CT scan dataset.
- Summarized findings in a technical report and presented the results to MIM's R&D Team and Chief Science Officer.
Publications
- J. S. Richard, “Hybrid Quantum or Purely Classical? Assessing the Utility of Quantum Feature Embeddings,” Aug. 2024, doi: 10.12688/f1000research.154428.1.
- G. Averkov, K. von Dichter, S. Richard, and I. Soprunov, “Mixed volumes of zonoids and the absolute value of the Grassmannian (Extended Abstract),” Apr. 03, 2024, arXiv: arXiv:2404.02842. doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2404.02842.
- J. S. Richard, “Making the Transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography,” The Downtown Review, vol. 9, no. 2, May 2023, [Online]. Available: https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/tdr/vol9/iss2/4.
Leadership & Teaching Experience
Computer Peer Teacher (CPT) Coordinator
August 2023 — May 2025
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
- Managed a team of 8 CPTs, including hiring, training, class assignments, & time sheets
- Improved IT infrastructure and cybersecurity.
- Organized 8 computer science events, coordinated with faculty and peer programs.
- Received the Washkewicz Peer Teacher (WPT) Leadership Award
Computer Peer Teacher (CPT)
October 2022 — August 2023
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
- Provided 1-on-1 assistance to students learning Python, Java, and C
- Helped organize computer science events.
Peer Math Tutoring
December 2019 — April 2021
Lakeland Community College, Kirtland, OH
- Tutored other students in the area of mathematics up to and including Calculus 3, both online and in-person.
Additional Technical Experience
Data & DevOps (IT) Intern
May 2025 — August 2025
The Sherwin-Williams Company, Cleveland, OH
- Worked directly with stakeholders to build and launch a NextJS + Snowflake analytics proof-of-concept serving \$100M customer portfolio
- Set up CI for Snowflake schema codebase
- Proved concept for AI-generated KPI reports
- Deployed/debugged web app & Tekton on Kubernetes
- Set up frontend tracing with Grafana Faro
- Delivered rapid, consistent value
Software Engineering Intern
May 2022 — August 2022
MIM Software Inc., Beachwood, OH
- Contributed to a 1M+ line code base by implementing UI features and bug fixes.
- Added support for a legacy file format that will allow the company to drop support for older versions of their flagship product.
- Participated in biweekly stand-up meetings as a part of the Agile development process.
- A publicly released co-op report is available upon request.
Software Engineering Intern
July 2020 — December 2021
Integrated Mill Systems Inc., Willoughby, OH
- Developed a PLC data-logging service for the Raspberry Pi using Python / Bash Scripting, Docker, Rust, and sockets.
- Wrote a locally served data-visualization web app using React and d3.js.