Lisa Sauermann

Lisa Sauermann is a Professor at the University of Bonn's Institute of Applied Mathematics, specializing in extremal and probabilistic combinatorics. She holds affiliations with the Institute of Mathematics and has been recognized with prestigious awards including the Richard-Rado Prize (2020), European Prize in Combinatorics (2021), and von Kaven Award (2023).

• PhD from Stanford University (2019), supervised by Jacob Fox
• Postdoc at Stanford University and Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), Princeton
• Assistant Professor at MIT (2021-2023)

Her research focuses on additive combinatorics, discrete geometry, and polynomial methods, particularly the slice rank polynomial method. This technique was instrumental in deriving new bounds for three-term progression-free sets in F_pⁿ and solving problems like the Erdős-Ginzburg-Ziv conjecture in high dimensions. Her work bridges theoretical combinatorics with applications in finite field geometry and extremal set theory.

The four lectures she presented at Collège de France in 2025 highlight her innovative use of the slice rank polynomial method to tackle longstanding problems in additive combinatorics, including three-term progression-free subsets and zero-sum configurations.

• Richard-Rado Prize (2020)
• European Prize in Combinatorics (2021)
• von Kaven Award (2023)
• Gauß Lectures (2024)
• Cours Peccot International laureate (2024-2025)

Lisa Sauermann's career spans institutions like Stanford, MIT, and the IAS, with current leadership in advancing combinatorial methodologies at the University of Bonn. Her work continues to influence both theoretical and applied mathematical domains.