Institute of Computer Science, University of Bonn
Lamarr Institute for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Hausdorff Center for Mathematics
What I do
I trained as a mathematician until after my PhD. Now I work in computational geometry and topology. My research asks which structures make geometric computations tractable, and how much geometric or topological information an algorithm must recover to answer a given question.
My research starts from the mathematical basis, and develops the machinery and theory for algorithms all the way up to practical implementations. I place a particular emphasis on understanding how structural ideas fit together and the big picture. Topics range from the complexity of persistent homology to algorithms for curves and hyperbolic surfaces, and both lower and upper bounds on the complexity.
How I do it
A typical research project will start in an area of geometry where there are no known algorithms and even presentations of the input are hard, or there is a real efficiency gap holding applications back. Then I develop a mathematical framework that allows presentations and handling of the objects, identifies core structural aspects, together with others. Next, algorithms are designed to exploit the structure, their complexity is analysed, and practical implementations are carried forward.
An important aspect of my work is that I endeavor to do it together with students and collaborators. My motto is that there is no subject that is too hard to study. The trick is identifying each subjects individual quirks and characteristics, the right motivation, and very careful planning. Then students can master any subject, even homotopy theory.
Where have I done it before
Before Bonn I was at Inria Nancy (GAMBLE group). I received my PhD in mathematics in 2020 from the department of mathematics at the Technical University of Berlin, under the supervision of Myfanwy Evans and John Sullivan in the geometry and mathematical physics group.
The best part is that I can talk about mathematics and computer science even when I’m at home.
Honors, Awards, Scholarships
- Teaching award 2023 of the faculty of mathematics and natural sciences of the University of Bonn, included generous cash award
- DAAD scholarship for an extended research stay at the Australian National University, 2017
- Member of the Berlin Mathematical School and Math+, 2016-2020
- JASSO scholarship from the Japanese government and scholarship from the Humboldt University of Berlin for a one-year exchange program at Waseda University, Tokyo, 2012
- Scholarship from the German government for a long term student exchange in Oregon, USA
