Team | Aiperion

Team

Globally distributed multidisciplinary team

Aiperion's principals have been working together since late 1990's, when Drs. Vaduva and Cremene joined Sorina's academic team. Since then they have never stopped collaborating in various ways. Aiperion was formed in 2019 when CoreLabs, the former risk consulting and scientific research arm of Core Capital, was spun out and joined forces with Fortech.

Focused on
IDEATION

R&D

Focused on
DEVELOPMENT

Technology

Supporting engineers

Focused on
AMPLIFICATION

Operations & Compliance

Customer success

NextGen

Sorina founded Aiperion with the vision that the ultimate purpose of scientific research is to create social value and that performing research from a practitioner seat is an ideal path towards fulfilling this purpose. She considers herself extremely lucky to have her former academic team and her investment team join forces at Aiperion, a company that has cutting-edge scientific research as its DNA. Sorina is Aiperion’s CEO and managing partner.

She has 30 years of research experience in finance, AI, mathematics and 15 years of portfolio management. In 2004, Sorina helped establish Core Capital in Chicago. As its CIO/Partner, she has been managing Core’s portfolios and has led all scientific research. She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago. Prior to 2004, Sorina was Professor at Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She holds a Ph.D. degree in artificial intelligence.

Sorina Zahan, Ph.D.
CEO

Andreea is an analytical, results-driven Back-End Developer, who has recently joined the team to help create comprehensive digital solutions for the business needs. She graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. Andreea is a true animal lover, sharing her attention and love equally among her nine cats!

Andreea Bompa
Development

A gifted software architect with more than 20 years of experience in the IT industry, Aurelian is responsible for creating architectural approaches for software design. He ensures there are no flaws in the way RiskKey components intertwine and oversees the highest level design of RiskKey. Aurelian studied telecommunications engineering and, like Marcel and Calin, was an important member of Sorina’s academic team.

Aurelian Maga
Architecture

Bill brings 30 years of investment experience and know-how in early stage ventures to Aiperion as a founding partner. In 2004, Bill started Core Capital Management in Chicago. As Core’s co-Managing Partner, he has most recently been focused on client matters.

Bill Friend
Strategy

Calin is founding partner of Aiperion and is responsible of coordinating the state-of-the-art technological implementation of Aiperion IP. Calin is the co-founder of Fortech, one of the top European software development companies. As Fortech’s CEO, he has helped build the organization into one of the largest IT service providers and fastest growing companies in the region.

Calin Vaduva, Ph.D.
Technology

Curious about how things work and how things might work, Simon joined Aiperion in 2022 on its mission to generate R&D that challenges conventional wisdom. A graduate from the University of Chicago with a Double Major in Economics and Philosophy and a Minor in Physics, Simon likes rock climbing, jiu-jitsu, lacrosse, and, most of all, making pizza.

Simon Rhodes
Research

Daria joined Aiperion in 2019, driven by her passion for science. Her primary role is to think outside the box. She pursued a diverse academic path, studying business administration, finance, and banking at Romania's Babes-Bolyai University. In 2023, she achieved a Ph.D. in finance. Occasionally she stops doing research and modeling and has a lot of fun with puzzles, riddles, and brain-teasers.

Daria Dimcea, Ph.D.
Research

As a founding partner, Don utilizes his expertise in operations, compliance and accounting to contribute to those functions within the Aiperion organization. He joined Core Capital Management in 2011 and serves as the firm’s COO and CCO.

Don DesPain, CPA
Operations & Compliance

With a passion for web development and an inquiring mind, Ionut joined the team in April 2021 aiming to strike the perfect balance between functional and aesthetic design. A holder of a Master’s Degree in Distributed Systems, in his spare time he loves a good chess match. He’s also an avid soccer fan and never misses a match of his favorite team — Manchester City.

Ionut-Cristian Mihoci
Development

At graduation, Marcel joined Sorina’s academic team. After Sorina’s departure in 2004, he led her research group and continued his academic career for 14 years, holding the position of Associate Professor. He specializes in artificial intelligence and game theory. Marcel rejoined Sorina at Core Capital in 2017 as the firm’s Senior Scientist and is a founding partner of Aiperion. He holds a dual Ph.D. in computer science.

Marcel Cremene, Ph.D.
Research

Mihaela joined the Aiperion team soon after inception as an Automation Quality Assurance member with one goal in mind—make sure the app is smooth, bug-free and without errors. It might seem a challenging task, but Mihaela’s got it under control due to her invincible determination and hard work. In her free time, she usually hits the gym, reads or goes skiing.

Mihaela Domsa
QA

Michael joined Aiperion in 2020 to do a very simple job: everything that arises. For the previous eight years, Michael had been Executive Director and/or CIO for two of the Chicago public pensions. Prior to his pension fund work, he held a number of roles with the City of Chicago, including Deputy City Treasurer, where he managed the City’s $6.4 billion fixed income portfolio. Michael loves to play 16-inch softball and weird musical instruments.

Michael Walsh, CFA
Customer success

With excellent programming skills and a passion for developing applications, Silviu joined the Aiperion team at its inception as a Back-End Developer. He has taken part in the entire application lifecycle, continuously improving the software’s quality. When he’s not busy managing cutting-edge technologies, he’s usually training for marathons, including the Cappadocia Ultra Trail!

Silviu Curuciuc
Development

Tomi joined the Aiperion team just as the pandemic restrictions forced us all to take our beloved laptops and work from home. He is an outstanding Front-End Developer with an eye for detail that one could only dream of having. Just look at how neat the website is. Oh, and fun fact: he can’t be beaten at Skribbl!

Tamas Fuci
Development

Free-spirited and detail-oriented, George joined Aiperion in 2022 as an Automation Quality Assurance tester. His role allows him to explore every corner of RiskKey, advocating for a sleek and fulfilling experience within the app. Tireless and energetic, in his spare time he loves playing with his kids, planning a new adventure, or listening to quality tunes.

Andrei-Georgian Dancus
QA

While working as a credit advisor, Alex felt the call to adventure that inspired him to give his career a boost and pursue his passion for technology. Soon afterward, he joined Aiperion, believing his hard work and dedication would help him become a performant AQA Software Tester capable of ironing out all the bugs in the application. As a true nature enthusiast, Alex loves to discover new places while running, hiking, or skiing.

Alex Focsa
QA

Aleta joined the team in 2024 and is set to graduate from the University of Chicago with a degree in Cognitive Science. She combines her academic expertise in human cognition and decision-making with a keen interest in investments and strategic problem-solving. Beyond work, Aleta has a passion for fine arts, enjoys playing the organ, and excels at winning card games—and exploring new destinations around the globe.

Aleta Pushnya
Research

Arthur’s passion for disruptive technologies makes him a natural evangelist of Aiperion’s transformative vision. He started his career at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange showcasing the strategic value of derivatives trading to hedge funds. Later, at Payoneer, he empowered small businesses to expand globally. Arthur joined Aiperion in 2025. He enjoys boxing, listening to – and occasionally making – music, and traveling across the globe.

Arthur Zaharko
Customer success

Nadia is the heart of Aiperion’s process design, operations and accounting functions. Before joining Aiperion in 2023, she led the portfolio operations at the Illinois State Board of Investments, a $23B State of Illinois multi-employer pension fund. Previously, Nadia spent fifteen years at two City of Chicago public pensions as director of investments, manager of accounting and investments, as well as in other investment roles.

Nadia Oumata
Operations