Prof. Vladimir Spokoiny is a leading figure in stochastic algorithms and nonparametric statistics at the Weierstrass Institute for Applied Analysis and Stochastics (WIAS) and Humboldt University of Berlin . His work bridges mathematical statistics with practical applications in finance, medicine, and machine learning. Born in 1959 in Moscow, USSR PhD from Lomonosov Moscow State University (1988) Habilitation from Humboldt University (1996) Head of WIAS research group since 2000 Professor at Humboldt University since 2002 Spokoiny's research focuses on adaptive nonparametric methods, high-dimensional data analysis, and statistical finance. His innovations in local homogeneity testing and propagation-separation methods have advanced volatility modeling, image analysis, and manifold learning. He employs Bayesian optimization frameworks and stochastic control techniques for financial instrument pricing. Recent scientific contributions include generalized bootstrap procedures for Bures-Wasserstein barycenters (2024), dimension-free Laplace approximation bounds (2023), and structure-adaptive manifold estimation (2022). His 19+ PhD students and editorial roles in top journals like The Annals of Statistics demonstrate sustained academic impact. International Statistical Institute member American Statistical Association fellow Institute of Mathematical Statistics member Bernoulli Society member
Johannes Maly is an Assistant Professor at the Bavarian AI Chair for Mathematical Foundations of Artificial Intelligence at LMU Munich. He previously held postdoctoral positions at Catholic University of Eichstaett-Ingolstadt and RWTH Aachen University, and completed his PhD at TUM Munich under Prof. Massimo Fornasier. PhD in Mathematics (2019, TUM Munich) M.Sc. in Mathematics (2015, TUM Munich) B.Sc. in Mathematics (2013, TUM Munich) His research focuses on mathematical data science and machine learning, specifically addressing: Robust covariance estimation under quantization Neural network approximation properties Implicit bias in gradient descent training Multi-structured signal recovery Quantization effects in deep learning and compressed sensing His recent publications analyze dithered quantization in covariance estimation, implicit regularization in overparameterized models, and multi-structured data recovery. He applies mathematical rigor to practical challenges in wireless communications (e.g., MIMO systems) and neural network training. Scientific recognition includes: relAI Fellow MCML Associate He supervises code/toolbox development for reproducibility and teaches graduate courses in convex optimization, high-dimensional probability, and mathematical data science. His work bridges theoretical mathematics and applied signal processing.
Bernard Haasdonk is a Professor at the University of Stuttgart, affiliated with the Institute of Applied Analysis and Numerical Simulation (IANS), part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. His research focuses on model reduction techniques for parametrized partial differential equations (PDEs), kernel-based methods, numerical analysis, and machine learning applications in scientific computing. He leads a research group in numerical mathematics and has contributed to software tools like RBMatlab and KerMor. Affiliations: Institute of Applied Analysis and Numerical Simulation, University of Stuttgart Roles: Academic Researcher, Software Developer, Grant Principal Investigator His work bridges numerical simulation, machine learning, and reduced basis methods, addressing challenges in optimal control, fluid dynamics, and biomechanics. Haasdonk has held multiple funded projects, including those on kernel methods for model reduction and certified RB-ML-ROM surrogate models. Research Interests: Model reduction for PDEs, kernel methods, greedy algorithms, numerical analysis, optimal control, and applications in fluid dynamics and porous media. He emphasizes structure-preserving methods for Hamiltonian systems and data-driven approaches for surrogate modeling. Publications: Over 200 articles in journals like SIAM, BIT Numerical Mathematics, and Physica D, focusing on convergence analysis, kernel-based approximation, and reduced-order modeling. Recent trends include adaptive greedy algorithms, symplectic model reduction, and energy-conserving surrogates. Awards: IEEE PerCom 2017 Best Paper Award, Teaching Excellence Awards (2012-2017), and early-career research grants. Grants: DFG-funded projects on model reduction, SimTech Cluster contributions, and collaborations on fuel cells and biomechanics. Teams: Leads the Numerical Mathematics Research Group at IANS, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams on projects like MORCOS (Model Order Reduction of Coupled Systems) and KerMor (Kernel Methods for Model Reduction).
Prof. Dr. André Uschmajew is a full professor and holds the Chair of Mathematical Data Science at the Institute of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Materials Engineering, University of Augsburg, Germany. He has held prominent research and academic positions at institutions including the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences (Leipzig), University of Bonn, and EPF Lausanne. 2022–present: Chair of Mathematical Data Science, University of Augsburg 2017–2022: Research Group Leader, Max Planck Institute MiS Leipzig 2014–2017: Bonn Junior Fellow Professorship, University of Bonn 2013: Ph.D. in Mathematics, TU Berlin His research centers on the theoretical and computational aspects of low-rank tensor and matrix approximations, with deep connections to Riemannian optimization, functional analysis, and high-dimensional scientific computing. He investigates the geometry of low-rank varieties, convergence of alternating algorithms, and applications in data science and dynamical systems. His work combines rigorous mathematical analysis with algorithmic innovation. The recent publications (2023–2025) reflect a strong focus on optimization methods for low-rank structures, dynamical low-rank approximation for PDEs like the Vlasov-Poisson equation, randomized SVD, Sinkhorn-type algorithms with overrelaxation, and Kronecker product operator approximation. Key themes include convergence analysis, algorithmic acceleration, and applications in scientific computing and signal processing. Although no specific awards are listed, his publication record in top-tier journals such as Numerische Mathematik , SIAM Journal on Optimization , and Foundations of Computational Mathematics indicates significant recognition in applied mathematics and numerical analysis. He advises students and researchers in mathematical data science and numerical analysis, though specific advisees are not named. He teaches courses such as Kernel Methods and Linear Algebra II. He has collaborated with leading researchers including Bart Vandereycken, Daniel Kressner, and Wolfgang Hackbusch. His work is supported through institutional affiliations and likely research grants, though specific grants are not listed. He is actively involved in the development of numerical methods for high-dimensional problems, particularly using tensor networks and manifold optimization. He is affiliated with research teams at the University of Augsburg and previously led a group at the Max Planck Institute MiS Leipzig, focusing on mathematical aspects of data science and tensor methods.
Nada Sissouno is a Professor of Mathematics and Didactics of Mathematics at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Media and Informatics at Amberg-Weiden University of Applied Sciences since November 2023. She also serves as Vice Dean and Co-head of the Competence Center Grundlagen (CCG). Additionally, she maintains a position as a guest researcher at the Research Group: Applied and Numerical Analysis and Optimization and Data Analysis at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Her educational background includes a Doctorate in Mathematics (Dr. rer. nat.) from TU Darmstadt (2007-2011) and a Diplom in Mathematics with a minor in psychology from TU Darmstadt (2000-2007). She has completed further education as a Diversity Manager in 2021 and holds certificates in teaching in higher education from the Bavarian Universities (2014-2016). Professor Sissouno's research focuses on mathematical methods in signal and image processing, data science, dynamical systems, numerical simulation, and approximation theory. Her work particularly emphasizes spline functions on domains, wavelets and frames, and evidence-based development of teaching methodologies. Her recent publications demonstrate strong expertise in mathematical imaging, phase retrieval problems, and approximation theory, with applications spanning ptychographic imaging, variational inpainting methods, and structural sparsity in multiple measurements. Her collaborative research bridges theoretical mathematics with practical applications in signal processing and image analysis, with a particular focus on developing robust numerical algorithms for complex data analysis problems. She has published in prestigious journals including Advances in Computational Mathematics, Journal of Fourier Analysis and Applications, IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, and Inverse Problems. Referentin für Talentmanagement & Diversity at TUM (2022-2023) Deputy spokesperson of Research Associates' Council of the TUM (2019-2023) Gender equality officer of Department of Mathematics (2019-2022) Professor Sissouno teaches mathematics courses for engineering and computer science students, with a focus on making mathematical concepts accessible and relevant to practical applications. She has been involved in teacher training and the evidence-based development of teaching methodologies, demonstrating her commitment to both research excellence and educational innovation.
Hanne Hardering is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Numerical Mathematics, Dresden University of Technology, and a principal investigator in the DFG Research Unit 3013 Vector-and Tensor-Valued Surface PDEs . Her work bridges numerical analysis, differential geometry, and partial differential equations, focusing on finite element methods for surfaces and Riemannian manifolds. Education: Dr. rer. nat. in Mathematics, Freie Universität Berlin (2015) Dipl.-Math. in Mathematics, Freie Universität Berlin (2010) Her research emphasizes intrinsic discretization error bounds, symmetry constraints, and applications to tensor-valued surface PDEs. Recent publications highlight error analysis for surface Stokes equations, tangential constraints in finite elements, and geometric data approximation. Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator, DFG Research Unit 3013 (2023–present)
Ralf Hielscher is a Professor at the Institute of Applied Analysis within the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at the Technical University of Freiberg, Germany. His research lies at the intersection of applied mathematics, materials science, and imaging, with a strong focus on crystallographic texture analysis and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). He is a core developer and leading figure behind MTEX, a widely used open-source MATLAB toolbox for texture and orientation data analysis. Research Interests: His work centers on mathematical methods for analyzing crystallographic orientations, including spherical harmonic transforms, kernel density estimation on rotation groups, manifold-valued data processing, and inverse problems in tomography and texture reconstruction. He develops algorithms for parent grain reconstruction, orientation mapping, denoising, and visualization of microstructures. The recent publications reveal a consistent trend in advancing computational techniques for EBSD and texture analysis, particularly through the MTEX platform. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical materials characterization, enabling more accurate and efficient analysis of polycrystalline materials across geology, metallurgy, and engineering. Email: ralf.hielscher@math.tu-freiberg.de Scientific Contributions: While no formal awards are listed, his extensive publication record in high-impact journals such as SIAM Journal on Imaging Sciences , Journal of Applied Crystallography , and Inverse Problems underscores his significant contributions to the field. He has developed foundational algorithms now embedded in MTEX, which is used globally by researchers in materials science and geology. Teaching and Advising: He teaches courses such as Function Theory, Analysis 3, and Mathematics for Engineers. Although specific students are not mentioned, his leadership in MTEX and numerous collaborative publications suggest he mentors researchers and contributes to training the next generation of scientists in computational materials analysis. Labs and Teams: He is part of the team at the Institute of Applied Analysis and leads research efforts related to signal and image processing in crystallography. The MTEX project serves as a virtual research platform involving international collaborators in Germany, France, the UK, and beyond, facilitating open science in texture analysis.
Jan Lellmann is a Professor at the Institute of Mathematics and Image Computing of the University of Lübeck, with affiliations to Fraunhofer MEVIS . His research focuses on variational image processing , emphasizing the systematic formulation of prior knowledge into energy functions for improved accuracy and data efficiency. Applications span medical imaging , earth sciences , and biological data analysis . He develops non-smooth optimization methods for problems with combinatorial aspects like image segmentation . His recent work includes manifold-constrained optimization and quantum algorithms for imaging tasks. He has contributed software libraries like MFOPT (for manifold optimization) and COAL (for convex energy minimization). Scientific Awards: Best Student Paper Award at SSVM 2021 Honorable Mention at CVPR 2016 Recent Research Trends: Integration of quantum computing with classical image registration. Advancements in Riemannian geometry for protein dynamics and cryo-EM. Development of meta-learning frameworks for adaptive image alignment. Focus on non-smooth and higher-order regularization for sparse data reconstruction.
Dr. Christoph von Tycowicz serves as Head of the Research Group "Geometric Data Analysis and Processing" at the Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB), within the "Visual and data-centric computing" department of the "Mathematics of Complex Systems" division. His research bridges advanced mathematical theory with practical applications in medical imaging, biomechanics, and cultural heritage analysis. He leads multiple interdisciplinary projects connecting mathematics, computer science, and biomedical engineering, with funding from major research initiatives. Dr. von Tycowicz earned his doctoral degree from Freie Universität Berlin in 2014 with a dissertation titled "Concepts and Algorithms for the Deformation, Analysis, and Compression of Digital Shapes" under the supervision of Konrad Polthier. His educational background established the foundation for his current work in geometric data analysis and computational shape modeling. His primary research interests center on Geometric Data Analysis , Shape Analysis , and Manifold-valued Data Processing . He develops mathematical frameworks for analyzing complex shapes in medical imaging, biomechanics, and cultural heritage applications. His work bridges differential geometry with machine learning to create robust methods for shape comparison, classification, and prediction. Dr. von Tycowicz has made significant contributions to Riemannian statistical shape modeling and geometric deep learning, with applications spanning knee osteoarthritis assessment, Alzheimer's disease progression analysis, and archaeological artifact analysis. Analysis of his publication trajectory reveals a sophisticated evolution from foundational geometric methods toward integrated approaches combining differential geometry with deep learning. His recent work increasingly focuses on manifold-valued graph neural networks, shape-based disease grading systems, and longitudinal analysis of anatomical changes. There's a clear trend toward clinical translation, with growing emphasis on applying these methods to specific medical problems like osteoarthritis assessment using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative and Alzheimer's disease progression modeling. Dr. von Tycowicz has received significant recognition for his contributions: Best Paper Honorable Mention Award @ Eurographics (2016) Best Paper Award (2020) Student Travel Award (2020) Special Mention @ ICLR Computational Geometry & Topology Challenge (2022) As a mentor, Dr. von Tycowicz has supervised doctoral and master's students including Felix Ambellan (doctoral thesis on Efficient Riemannian Statistical Shape Analysis with Applications in Disease Assessment) and Martha Paskin (master's thesis on Estimating 3D Shape of the Head Skeleton of Basking Sharks). He currently leads multiple substantial research projects including WEAR (mathematical solutions for analyzing ancient tools), Model-Regularized Learning of Complex Dynamical Behavior, and Geometric Learning for Single-Cell RNA Velocity Modeling, demonstrating strong grant acquisition capabilities across interdisciplinary domains. The Geometric Data Analysis and Processing research group, which Dr. von Tycowicz heads, develops the open-source Morphomatics library (v4.0) for statistical shape analysis. This Python library implements intrinsic manifold-based methods that maintain geometric consistency while avoiding bias from arbitrary coordinate choices. The group participates in major research networks including MATH+ and BIFOLD, and collaborates extensively with medical researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and other institutions. Their work spans medical imaging (particularly knee osteoarthritis analysis), biomechanics, archaeology, and machine learning, with a unifying focus on creating geometrically principled methods for analyzing complex shape data.
Johannes Maly is an Assistant Professor at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) since October 2022, holding the Bavarian AI Chair for Mathematical Foundations of Artificial Intelligence. Previously, he held PostDoc positions at Catholic University of Eichstaett-Ingolstadt (2020-2022) and RWTH Aachen University (2019-2020). His educational background includes: PhD in Mathematics from Technical University of Munich (TUM), 2019 (supervised by Prof. Massimo Fornasier) M.Sc. in Mathematics from TUM, 2015 B.Sc. in Mathematics from TUM, 2013 Prof. Maly's research centers on mathematical data science with core focus areas in covariance estimation , neural network approximation properties , implicit bias of gradient descent , and multi-structured signal recovery . A unifying theme across his work is the theoretical investigation of coarse quantization effects , building on his foundational contributions to compressed sensing and extending into modern AI architectures. Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent exploration of quantization constraints in high-dimensional statistics and neural network training. Key trends include development of tuning-free covariance estimators using dithering techniques, characterization of implicit regularization in overparameterized models, and novel quantization approaches for neural networks that balance hardware efficiency with theoretical guarantees. His scientific recognition includes: relAI Fellow (Zuse School for Reliable AI) MCML Associate (Munich Center for Machine Learning) Prof. Maly's research is supported through his Bavarian AI Chair appointment and fellowships. He teaches advanced courses including Convex Optimization, High-dimensional Probability, and Mathematical Introduction to Data Science at LMU Munich, with prior teaching roles at Catholic University of Eichstaett-Ingolstadt and RWTH Aachen University. While specific student names are not listed in the source material, his position involves supervision of graduate researchers. He leads the Mathematical Data Science and Artificial Intelligence research group at LMU Munich under the Bavarian AI Chair, collaborating with MCML and relAI networks. The group investigates theoretical challenges in quantization, low-rank matrix recovery, and optimization dynamics for next-generation AI systems.
Ronny Bergmann is an Associate Professor (Førsteamanuensis) at the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway, where he has been employed since March 2021. Previously, he served as a postdoctoral researcher and deputy head of the Numerical Analysis of Partial Differential Equations group at Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany, and earlier worked within the Image Processing Group at Kaiserslautern University of Technology where he completed his habilitation in early 2018. His doctoral research was conducted at the University of Lübeck under supervision of Jürgen Prestin. Bergmann's research primarily focuses on nonsmooth optimization on manifolds , with particular emphasis on proximal methods and their applications in manifold-valued image processing. His work extends to optimization methods on manifolds and high-dimensional power manifolds, graph-based approaches for manifold-valued data processing that combine local and nonlocal methods, and anisotropic periodic translation invariant spaces with Fourier-based algorithms. His research bridges theoretical mathematics with practical computational applications in image processing and data analysis. His recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to manifold optimization theory and applications, with a strong emphasis on developing computationally efficient algorithms for manifold-valued data. The publications span topics including Riemannian proximal gradient methods, Newton's methods on manifolds, total variation techniques for mesh processing, and geometric approaches to Kalman filtering. His work often involves developing practical implementations, such as the Manopt.jl and Manifolds.jl packages in Julia, which have demonstrated substantial performance improvements over existing tools. Bergmann's research has been published in top-tier journals including SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, and SIAM Journal on Optimization, reflecting the high quality and impact of his contributions to the field of manifold optimization and its applications. As both a theoretical mathematician and computational scientist, Bergmann has made significant contributions to advancing the state-of-the-art in optimization on manifolds, particularly in developing methods that maintain intrinsic geometric properties while achieving computational efficiency. His work has applications across multiple domains including image processing, computer graphics, robotics, and data science.
Daniel Tenbrinck is an Academic Councilor and Acting Professor (W3) at the Department of Data Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg). His career spans roles at the University of Münster, ENSICAEN (France), and FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg. He holds a PhD in Computer Science (2013) from WWU Münster. Research Focus: Data Science, Machine Learning, Biomedical Imaging, Variational Methods, Graph Theory, and Numerical Analysis. Recent Publications: Explore hypergraph p-Laplacians, Fourier neural operators for image classification, and Bregman learning frameworks for sparse networks. Awards: Received the 2022 Teaching Award from FAU's Faculty of Natural Sciences and a 2021 performance bonus for outstanding contributions. Secured significant third-party funding, including a €1.98M BMBF grant for "COMFORT" (2024) and a €915k Bavarian Digitalization grant (2023). Teaching: Offers courses in Numerics, Mathematical Image Processing, Inverse Problems, and Data Science seminars. Actively involved in academic program development through grants like the 2023 Innovation Fund for Teaching.
Ronny Bergmann is an Associate Professor at the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) since March 2021. Previously, he held research positions at TU Chemnitz (2018–2021) and TU Kaiserslautern (2013–2018), where he completed his habilitation in 2018. He earned his PhD in 2013 from Universität zu Lübeck under the supervision of Jürgen Prestin. His research focuses on numerical optimization on Riemannian manifolds, geometric computing, and manifold-valued data analysis. Key contributions include the development of the Manifolds.jl and Manopt.jl packages in Julia, which provide frameworks for optimization and data analysis on manifolds. He also works on applications in imaging, inverse problems, and geometric inverse methods. Recent work emphasizes non-smooth optimization on manifolds, Fenchel duality in non-Euclidean spaces, and geometric algorithms for shape analysis. His publications span journals like SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing , Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications , and Applied and Computational Harmonic Analysis . Bergmann teaches courses such as TMA4125 Mathematics 4N and actively promotes reproducible research through tools like Quarto. He collaborates on projects involving Lie groups, mesh denoising, and geometric deep learning.
Robert Beinert is a Senior Lecturer (Privatdozent) in Applied Mathematics at the Technische Universität Berlin, affiliated with the Department of Applied Mathematics within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. He holds a Dr. rer. nat. (Ph.D.) from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (2015) and completed his Habilitation at Technische Universität Berlin in 2025. His research focuses on inverse problems, optimal transport, phase retrieval, and mathematical imaging, with applications in signal processing and data analysis. He has held academic positions including Research Associate roles at TU Berlin (2020–2025), Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz (2016–2020), and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (2016). His work bridges theoretical foundations and practical applications, with contributions to regularization techniques, optimal transport theory, and algorithmic development. Key research interests include phase retrieval uniqueness analysis, Gromov-Wasserstein transport, and denoising methodologies for manifold-valued data. His recent publications emphasize advancements in optimal transport frameworks, regularization strategies, and applications in image processing and machine learning.
Prof. Dr. Benedikt Wirth is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Münster, Germany, affiliated with the Institute for Analysis and Numerics within the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. He is an active researcher and educator specializing in optimization and calculus of variations, with significant contributions to mathematical imaging and shape analysis. His research interests include image processing, scientific computing, numerical analysis, optimization, shape spaces, geodesics in shape space, variational methods, elastic deformation, and optimal transport. Wirth has developed innovative mathematical frameworks for shape analysis, particularly focusing on Riemannian metrics for shape spaces and variational approaches to shape comparison and optimization. His recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate continued leadership in mathematical optimization, with particular focus on PET reconstruction, dimension reduction techniques, manifold embeddings, and branched transport theory. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical applications in medical imaging and computer vision, showing particular strength in connecting geometric analysis with computational methods. CRC 1450 - A05: Targeting immune cell dynamics by longitudinal whole-body imaging and mathematical modelling CRC 1450 - A06: Improving intravital microscopy of inflammatory cell response by active motion compensation EXC 2044 - C1: Evolution and asymptotics EXC 2044 - C2: Multi-scale phenomena and macroscopic structures EXC 2044 - C3: Interacting particle systems and phase transitions EXC 2044 - C4: Geometry-based modelling, approximation, and reduction Prof. Wirth actively supervises numerous bachelor's and master's students, with over 40 theses completed under his guidance since 2015. His teaching portfolio includes courses on inverse problems, numerical methods for partial differential equations, shape spaces, optimization, and optimal transport. He has consistently maintained an active research program while contributing significantly to the education of the next generation of mathematicians.
