Monique Laurent

Monique Laurent is a Tilburg University professor and senior researcher at CWI (Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica), focusing on discrete mathematics and optimization. Her work bridges algebra, geometry, and computer science to solve complex combinatorial and polynomial optimization problems.

• Part-time full professor at Tilburg University (since 2009)
• Group leader of Networks and Optimization at CWI (2005-2016)
• Current member of CWI Management Team

Research Focus: Semidefinite programming hierarchies, noncommutative polynomial optimization, quantum information theory, and matrix factorization. Her recent work explores applications in quantum entanglement, graph parameters, and combinatorial data analysis.

Key Publications: 15+ articles from 2017-2024 address topics like copositive matrices, sum-of-squares convergence, and hypergraph optimization. Collaborations span institutions in the Netherlands, France, Germany, and the U.S.

Awards:

• 2023 Khachiyan Prize
• SIAM Fellow (2017)
• KNAW member (2018)
• EUROPT Fellow (2021)

Grants & Projects: Leads EU-funded initiatives TENORS (2024) and POEMA (2019), with prior NWO and Marie Curie grants. Organizes international workshops on polynomial optimization and quantum information.