During his PhD studies, Asbjørn Holk Thomsen researched so-called reflected diffusion processes. These are mathematical objects which move randomly within a confined space, and can for example be used to model how a particle suspended in a fluid moves in a closed room. Asbjørn has investigated how such processes can be used in different statistical applications, including how they offer new methods for controlling random processes and a more natural mathematical background for generative AI.

The PhD study was completed at the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday, 24 July 2026 at 14.15
Place: Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 118, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Reflected Diffusions and their Applications: From Data-driven Control to Generative Models
Contact information: Asbjørn Holk Thomsen, e-mail: a.holk@math.au.dk, tel.: +45 30 26 80 54
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Giovanni Conforti, Department of Mathematics, University of Padova, Italy
Professor Jakob Zech, Department of Mathematics, Heidelberg University, Germany
Professor Peter Jørgensen (chair), Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor: Professor Claudia Strauch, Department of Mathematics, Heidelberg University, Germany
Co-supervisor: Junior professor Lukas Trottner, Institute for Stochastics and Applications, University of Stuttgart, Germany
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C