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    Clarifying the NYU Researcher Identity

    31 min
    |
    |
    Jan 25, 2026
    TechnologyScienceEducation

    We investigate a name mix-up, revealing that the researcher in question is likely Tong Liu at NYU Tandon, a PhD candidate specializing in smart transportation and data-driven control systems.

    Clarifying the NYU Researcher Identity

    Best quote from Clarifying the NYU Researcher Identity

    “

    Distributed optimization allows multiple systems to work together, sharing information and making decisions collectively, rather than having one central computer creating bottlenecks and single points of failure.

    ”

    This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member

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    Who is Lisha Tong from NYU

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    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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    "Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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    "BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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    "I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

    @Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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    117

    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

    @Raaaaaachelw
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    "Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

    @Matt, YC alum
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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
    platform
    comments
    254
    likes
    17

    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

    @djmikemoore
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

    @Pitiful
    platform
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    likes
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    "BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

    @SofiaP
    platform
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    "BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

    @Jaded_Falcon
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    "It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

    @OojasSalunke
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    "The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
    platform
    comments
    37
    likes
    483

    "Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

    @Cashflowbubu
    platform
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    Celebrities' reading list
    Elon MuskCharlie KirkBill GatesSteve JobsAndrew HubermanJoe RoganJordan Peterson
    Award winning collection
    Pulitzer PrizeNational Book AwardGoodreads Choice AwardsNobel Prize in LiteratureNew York TimesCaldecott MedalNebula Award
    Featured Topics
    ManagementAmerican HistoryWarTradingStoicismAnxietySex
    Best books by Year
    2025 Best Non Fiction Books2024 Best Non Fiction Books2023 Best Non Fiction Books
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    Key Takeaways

    1

    Unmasking the Real NYU Researcher

    0:00
    0:12
    0:27
    0:30
    0:42
    0:46
    1:04
    2

    The Smart Transportation Revolution

    1:13
    1:34
    1:41
    2:04
    2:10
    2:31
    2:39
    2:56
    3:01
    3:25
    3:32
    3:49
    0:30
    4:19
    4:22
    3

    The Data-Driven Control Revolution

    4:35
    4:44
    5:01
    5:05
    5:22
    5:27
    5:45
    5:49
    6:07
    3:01
    6:27
    6:31
    6:55
    6:59
    7:18
    7:25
    7:38
    7:44
    4

    The Beijing Jiaotong Connection

    7:59
    8:14
    8:32
    8:38
    8:57
    3:01
    9:21
    9:28
    9:44
    0:30
    10:05
    10:11
    10:30
    10:35
    10:51
    5:05
    5

    Engineering the Future at NYU Tandon

    11:18
    11:25
    11:43
    0:30
    12:03
    12:11
    12:26
    12:32
    12:50
    12:55
    13:08
    13:11
    13:23
    3:01
    13:44
    13:52
    14:09
    0:30
    6

    The Distributed Optimization Deep Dive

    14:30
    14:39
    14:56
    14:59
    15:13
    5:05
    2:04
    15:42
    15:53
    15:57
    16:13
    6:31
    16:34
    16:40
    16:54
    16:58
    17:09
    5:05
    7

    Real-World Applications and Future Possibilities

    17:33
    17:40
    17:53
    17:55
    18:12
    18:15
    18:31
    7:44
    18:54
    18:57
    19:13
    3:01
    19:35
    10:35
    19:55
    20:00
    20:16
    0:30
    20:33
    20:38
    20:53
    21:00
    8

    The Academic Journey and Research Process

    21:15
    21:24
    21:40
    21:43
    21:54
    21:59
    22:13
    22:16
    22:28
    22:34
    22:49
    3:01
    23:07
    23:13
    23:26
    0:30
    23:46
    23:54
    24:15
    10:35
    9

    Practical Playbook for Understanding Smart Transportation

    24:39
    24:47
    25:10
    0:30
    25:28
    25:33
    25:46
    25:49
    26:04
    3:01
    26:25
    26:28
    26:40
    26:47
    27:06
    27:11
    27:28
    27:35
    27:52
    27:57
    10

    Looking Forward and Wrapping Up

    28:17
    28:28
    28:41
    0:30
    29:06
    29:22
    29:34
    29:48
    29:59
    30:08
    30:20
    30:25
    30:41
    3:01
    31:05
    31:15
    31:30

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