I’m an undergraduate at Harvard studying Mathematics and Classics, with an A.M. in Statistics through the concurrent AB/AM program. My work spans probability theory, statistical modeling, and machine learning—especially interpretable models, stochastic processes, and the mathematics of diffusion.
I’m currently writing two senior theses—one in Statistics on interpretable diffusion models and one in Classics exploring ancient mathematical thought in Greek historiography.
When Rule Learning Breaks: Diffusion Fails to Learn Parity of Many Bits
Binxu Wang, Emma Finn, Bingbin Liu
Workshop paper showing failure modes of diffusion models on parity-like structure. Accepted (oral) to NeurIPS Workshop on Structured Probabilistic Inference & Generative Modeling.
Download PDFWhere the Score Lives: A Wavelet View of Diffusion
Emma Finn, Binxu Wang, T.A. Keller, Demba Ba
Workshop paper introducing a wavelet-based lens on score structure in diffusion models, accepted to NeurIPS Workshop on Structured Probabilistic Inference & Generative Modeling.
Download PDFOrigins of Creativity in Attention-Based Diffusion Models
Emma Finn, T. A. Keller, Manos Theodosis, Demba E. Ba.
ICML 2025 Workshop on High-Dimensional Learning Dynamics. Explores how attention-enhanced score matching uncovers the mechanisms behind creativity in diffusion models.
Read on arXivMathematical Foundations of Interpretable Diffusion
Emma Finn · Math Thesis (2025–26)
Investigating the expressive power of different function classes as score networks in generative diffusion models, with a focus on interpretability and learning dynamics.
Coming SoonLearning Artistic Signatures: Symmetry Discovery and Style Transfer
Emma Finn, T. A. Keller, Manos Theodosis, Demba E. Ba
We propose and validate a mathematically grounded definition of artistic style as global symmetries over local textures.
Read on arXivRader's Algorithm for the Fast Fourier Transform
Emma Finn
Junior Paper in Mathematics. Expository paper on the abstract algebra behind the FFT.
Rader's Fast Fourier TransformScore and Structure
Emma Finn
A blog exploring the intersections of algebraic structures and statistical inference, with visual examples and applications.
Read the BlogQuantifying the Past: Empirical Tropes in Greek Historiography
Emma Finn · Classics Thesis (2025–26)
A study of how Herodotus, Thucydides, and Xenophon employ quantification as a rhetorical device within their historical narratives.
Coming SoonPhaedrus and Fictionality
Emma Finn
Junior paper in Classics connecting Plato's Phaedrus to how technology interacts with fictionality and irony.
Download PDFRuth Hale's Fight for Her Name
Emma Finn, August 13, 2021
Ruth Hale’s legal and cultural battle to keep her name, a landmark fight for women’s identity.
Read hereI love to read, bake (mostly scones and foccacia), and run (slowly!). I’m also a huge NYT-connections enthusiast. If you have advice on surviving your first marathon, please drop me a line!
Email:
efinn@college.harvard.edu
Phone: +1 (646) 668-6116
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/emmaluciafinn/
CV:
EmmaFinnCV.pdf
GitHub:
github.com/EmmaFinn314/
X:
x.com/EmmaFinn314