Jim Propp

Contrary to many MCMC algorithms, coupling from the past gives in principle a perfect sample from the stationary distribution.

[4][5] His papers have discussed the use of surcomplex numbers in game theory;[6] the solution to the counting of alternating sign matrices;[7] and occurrences of Grandi's series as an Euler characteristic of infinite-dimensional real projective space.

[3] He was recruited for the organisation by colleague Henri Picciotto,[2] cruciverbalist and co-author of the league's first cryptic crossword collection.

[11] Propp is the author of Tuscanini, a 1992 children's book about a musical elephant, illustrated by Ellen Weiss.

[12] In 2015 he was elected as a fellow of the American Mathematical Society "for contributions to combinatorics and probability, and for mentoring and exposition.