Thorsten Theobald

Thorsten Theobald

Thorsten Theobald is a Professor of Mathematics at the Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, affiliated with the Institute of Mathematics within the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. His research focuses on discrete and computational geometry, algebraic geometry, optimization, and their applications. He has held visiting positions at institutions such as the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing (Berkeley), the Mittag-Leffler Institute (Sweden), and Yale University.

Education and Career

• Ph.D. (Dr. rer. nat.) in Computer Science, University of Trier (1997)
• Habilitation in Mathematics, Technical University of Munich (2003)
• Professor (W3) at Goethe University Frankfurt since 2006

Research and Awards

His work bridges algebraic geometry and optimization, with contributions to polynomial optimization, tropical geometry, and semidefinite programming. Key awards include the Felix Klein Teaching Award (2003), Walther von Dyck Award (2000), and recognition as a Fellow of the German National Merit Foundation (1991–1995).

Teaching and Mentorship

He teaches courses on optimization, algebraic geometry, and discrete mathematics, and has mentored over 70 students (Bachelor, Master, and Ph.D.). Notable Ph.D. students include Constantin Ickstadt and Timo de Wolff. He has also mentored postdoctoral researchers such as Giulia Codenotti and Mahsa Sayyary Namin.

Professional Activities

• Principal Investigator in DFG Priority Program 2458 (Combinatorial Synergies)
• Editorial Board Member of Beiträge zur Algebra und Geometrie and SIAM Journal on Applied Algebra and Geometry
• Organizer of conferences such as the Summer School on Nonlinear Optimization and Combinatorics (2025) and the Frankfurt-Darmstadt Afternoons on Optimization

Labs and Collaborations

He co-leads the DIGO Research Seminar (Discrete Mathematics, Geometry, and Optimization) and collaborates with institutions like École Polytechnique (Paris) and the Simons Institute. His work integrates theoretical advances with computational tools, emphasizing interdisciplinary applications.