Prof. Dr. Markus Bachmayr is a full professor at the Institute for Geometry and Practical Mathematics, RWTH Aachen University, holding the chair for Applied Mathematics. His research focuses on nonlinear approximation, high-dimensional partial differential equations (PDEs), uncertainty quantification, and numerical methods in quantum chemistry. He leads the ERC Consolidator Grant project Computational Complexity of Highly Nonlinear Approximations (COCOA) and contributes to CRC 1481 Sparsity and Singular Structures, and RTG 2326 Energy, Entropy, and Dissipative Dynamics. His recent work emphasizes adaptive low-rank and sparse approximation techniques for parametric and stochastic PDEs, including applications in radiative transfer and poroviscoelastic flow modeling. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Foundations of Computational Mathematics and Associate Editor for multiple journals. Scientific Awards: John Todd Award 2013 Borchers Plakette 2014 Erwin Wenzl Preis 2007 He has taught courses such as Numerische Analysis I/II, Numerische Mathematik für Elektrotechniker, and seminars on numerical methods and approximation theory.
Valérie Berthé is a Research Director at CNRS, based at the Institut de Recherche en Informatique Fondamentale (IRIF), Université Paris Cité. Her research lies at the crossroads of theoretical computer science and mathematics, with a focus on symbolic dynamics, combinatorics on words, discrete geometry, and numeration systems. She is a Principal Investigator of the prestigious ERC Synergy project DynAMICs, which unites experts from mathematics and computer science to tackle fundamental problems in dynamical systems and model checking. Research Interests: Her primary research areas include symbolic dynamics, combinatorics on words, discrete geometry, tilings, aperiodic order, continued fractions, and their connections to number theory and automata. She is particularly interested in the algorithmic and arithmetic aspects of dynamical systems, aiming to develop automated verification methods and resolve open conjectures such as the Skolem problem on reachability. Scientific Leadership: She leads a major collaborative research program and is involved in significant national and international projects. Grants & Projects: ERC Synergy Grant: DynAMICs (Model checking seen from a dynamic and arithmetic point of view) ANR PRCI: SymDynAr (2024–2027) ANR Blanc: CODYS (2018) Academic Service: Member, CNRS National Committee, Section 6 Member, Steering Committee of INSMI (Institut national des sciences mathématiques et de leurs interactions) Member, Scientific Council of the Société Mathématique de France (SMF) Advising and Editorial Work: Valérie Berthé has supervised numerous PhD students who have gone on to successful academic careers. She is a co-editor of several influential volumes in her field, including works published by Cambridge University Press and Birkhäuser, covering topics in sequences, automata, number theory, and symbolic dynamics. She is also involved in organizing scientific events and seminars, such as the One World Numeration Seminar, fostering international collaboration in her research community.
Dr. Benjamin Busam is a Senior Research Scientist at the Technical University of Munich , affiliated with the Chair for Computer Science Applications in Medicine under Prof. Nassir Navab. Starting September 2025, he will hold the Professorship for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing at TUM. His career includes leadership roles at FRAMOS Imaging Systems and Huawei Research in London. Education: Mathematics (TUM), Mathematics and Physics (ParisTech, University of Melbourne), PhD in Mathematics (TUM, 2014) His research focuses on 3D computer vision , multi-modal sensor fusion , and their applications in collaborative robotics and augmented reality . He specializes in projective geometry , 6D pose estimation , and neural radiance fields , with a particular emphasis on photometrically challenging environments. Recent publications highlight advancements in 3D scene understanding , neural rendering , and medical imaging , often leveraging machine learning and vision-language models . His work has been recognized through awards like the EMVA Young Professional Award (2015) and Innovation Pioneer of the Year (2019) , along with multiple Outstanding Reviewer distinctions at leading conferences. Dr. Busam has supervised numerous PhD and MSc students on topics including 6D pose estimation , medical augmented reality , and robotic ultrasound , collaborating with institutions like MIT , École Polytechnique , and University of Padova .
Professor Katrin Tent is a distinguished mathematician specializing in mathematical logic at the University of Münster, where she holds a professorship in the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science within the Institute for Mathematical Logic and Foundations Research. She is an active researcher in Mathematics Münster, an investigator in CRC 1442 Geometry: Deformations and Rigidity, and contributes to multiple research projects including Topics in Mathematics Münster T3: Models and universes, T4: Groups and actions, and T8: Random discrete structures and their limits. PhD in Linguistics, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (1988) Diplom in Mathematics, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (1989) PhD in Mathematics, University of Notre Dame (1994) Habilitation, "Model theory of groups and BN-pairs" (2000) Professor Tent's research bridges model theory, group theory, and geometry, with particular focus on finite Morley rank structures, BN-pairs, and sharply multiply transitive groups. Her work often combines methods from these areas to prove unexpected results, either constructing groups or incidence geometries with surprising model theoretic properties or using model theory to construct new and interesting geometries or groups. Her recent publications reveal a consistent trajectory connecting model theory with group-theoretic structures. She has made significant contributions to understanding sharply 2- and 3-transitive groups, finite Morley rank geometries, and the model theory of generalized polygons. Her work demonstrates how model-theoretic techniques can solve deep problems in group theory and geometry, particularly through the study of BN-pairs and incidence structures. DFG Research Fellowship (1996-1998) Bayerischer Habilitationsförderpreis (1998-2001) Heisenberg-Stipendium (2001-2004) ERC Consolidator Grants expert panel (2016, 2018) Elected to DFG Senate (2019) Professor Tent leads an active research group with current members including Marco Amelio, Dr. Benjamin Brück, Anna Cascioli, Lukas Jonuska, Silke Meissner, Zahra Mohammadi Khangheshlaghi, and Dr. Sam Shepherd. Her former research group members include Dr. Simon Andre, Dr. Isabel Müller, and Dr. Tim Clausen, among others. Her supervisory work spans both theoretical foundations and specific applications in geometric group theory and model theory. Her research group operates within the Institute for Mathematical Logic and Foundations Research at the University of Münster, collaborating closely with other researchers in the Mathematics Münster cluster. The group participates in various projects including CRC 1442 - C04: Group theoretic aspects of negative curvature, contributing to the vibrant mathematical research environment at one of Germany's leading mathematics institutions.
Prof. Dr. Julia A. B. Hegewald is a Professor of Oriental Art History at the University of Bonn, Germany, affiliated with the Institute of Oriental and Asian Studies (IOA) and the Department of Asian and Islamic Art History (AIK). Her research focuses on artistic expressions of dependency in Asian art, particularly South Asian, using 're-use' theory to explore cultural integration and creativity under adversity. She holds a Ph.D. from SOAS, University of London, and a Habilitation from RWTH Aachen. Key academic roles include founding the Cam-Kar Research Institute in Mysore (since 2002) and serving on editorial boards for journals like the Journal of Global Archaeology and Veranda . She has led major projects, including the Emmy Noether Junior Research Group on Jainism in Karnataka (2005–2014). Awards include the DFG Emmy Noether extension (2011–2014) and the Prix en études indiennes (2010). Hegewald has authored over 3 books, edited 6 volumes, and published 77 academic articles. Her work bridges art history with cultural studies, addressing themes like Jaina temple architecture, Indo-Islamic syncretism, and modern Indian urban planning. She actively contributes to global academic networks, including the European Association for Asian Art and Archaeology (EAAA).
Prof. Dr. Johanna Heitzer is a University Professor for Mathematics Education at RWTH Aachen University since 2011. She leads the Teaching and Research Area of Mathematics Education within the university's mathematics department. Her office is located in Room 352 of the Kreuzherrenstraße 2 building in Aachen. She serves as co-editor of the journal 'mathematik lehren,' co-author of the 'Mathematics - New Ways' textbook series, and holds numerous committee positions including membership in the Faculty Advisory Board and Structural Commission of the Center Council. 1989: High school diploma 1989-1994: Mathematics and Physics Teacher Training at RWTH Aachen 1994-1996: Traineeship at Aachen Teacher Training College 1997: Research assistant at University of Münster 1998-2007: Mathematics and Physics teacher at Korschenbroich Gymnasium 2007-2010: Scientific assistant and doctorate at RWTH Aachen 2011-present: University Professor at RWTH Aachen Professor Heitzer's research focuses on the training and further education of mathematics teachers, development of contemporary teaching materials, applied and interdisciplinary mathematics, and the transition from school to university. Her work emphasizes concept formation, linguistic communication in mathematics, and the historical development of mathematical ideas as teaching resources. She investigates mathematics-specific learning and cognitive processes through multiple research projects including the Aachen school-university project iMPACt. Her recent scholarly output demonstrates a strong trend toward integrating digital technologies in mathematics education, particularly 3D printing and e-learning tools. She has increasingly focused on the social relevance of mathematics, exploring concepts of fairness, sustainability, and citizen empowerment through mathematical modeling. Her work bridges theoretical mathematics education with practical classroom applications, maintaining a strong connection to both historical perspectives and contemporary educational challenges. Special prize from Sparkasse Bad Hersfeld-Rotenburg for best mathematics Abitur (1989) Borchers Plaque for doctoral examinations passed with distinction (2011) DMV honor as Mathemaker of the Month (2013) Brigitte Gilles Prize 2013 for the MINT-L4 Center Professor Heitzer has supervised numerous doctoral students, serving as primary or secondary advisor for at least nine PhD dissertations between 2016-2021. Her research projects include the School-University Project MathePlus Aachen (iMPACt), e-Learning 'Mathematics for Civil Engineers,' and the development of mathematics items for StudiChecks NRW. She has secured funding through the Quality Initiative for Teacher Education (both phases) and participates in the ComeIn project focused on digitalization in teacher training. Her grants consistently emphasize practical applications of mathematics education research with direct impact on classroom practice. As a founding member of the MINT-L4@RWTH center and initiator of the working group Mathematical Education for Sustainable Development, Professor Heitzer has established significant collaborative structures. She participates in the Subject Didactics Forum at the Teacher Training Center of RWTH Aachen and has served in leadership roles including Chair of the Center Council (2014-2016) and Board member of the Teacher Training Center (2014-2017). Her work connects with national and international networks through her membership in the Society for Mathematics Education (GDM), the German Association for Mathematics and Science Education (MNU), and the German Mathematical Society (DMV).
Dr. Svyatoslav Kondrat is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Computational Physics, University of Stuttgart, working in the group of Prof. Holm. His research focuses on computational studies of ionic systems, nanopores, and energy storage materials, utilizing large-scale molecular dynamics simulations to investigate electrolyte behavior under confinement and in bulk solutions. His primary research interests include: Electrolyte physics and ionic transport mechanisms Nanopore design for supercapacitors and energy applications Solvent effects in confined electrochemical systems High-performance computing for molecular simulations Kondrat's publications (2017-2024) demonstrate a consistent focus on optimizing ion transport and screening in nanoporous materials, with applications in energy storage. His work bridges theoretical electrochemistry, computational physics, and nanomaterials engineering, frequently exploring charge dynamics using advanced simulation techniques. He collaborates extensively within Prof. Holm's research group on projects involving confined electrolytes and decay length phenomena in concentrated ionic systems.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Stiller is a full professor at the Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) and serves as the director of the Institute of Measurement and Control Technology (Institut für Mess- und Regelungstechnik, MRT). His work focuses on autonomous driving, sensor fusion, probabilistic estimation, HD mapping, motion planning, and intelligent transportation systems. Education: Details on his academic degrees are not provided in the text, but he holds the title of Dr.-Ing. indicating a doctoral degree in engineering. Research Interests: Prof. Stiller's research spans a wide array of topics critical to the development of autonomous vehicles. His work includes: Sensor Fusion: Integrating data from LiDAR, cameras, and radar to create robust perception systems. HD Mapping & Localization: Developing high-definition maps and precise localization techniques for urban and highway environments. Motion Planning & Decision Making: Creating algorithms for safe and efficient trajectory planning under uncertainty. Machine Learning & AI: Applying deep learning and reinforcement learning to perception, prediction, and control tasks. Publication Trends: His recent publications (2023–2025) emphasize robust traffic light detection, image stitching for panoramic views, motion prediction using redundancy reduction, and safety-enhanced model predictive control. The work increasingly integrates learning-based methods with classical control and estimation theory. Scientific Awards: No specific awards are listed in the provided text. Teaching & Supervision: Prof. Stiller teaches foundational and advanced courses in measurement and control systems, probabilistic estimation, and autonomous driving. He holds regular office hours during both summer and winter semesters and is actively involved in advising students and researchers. Labs & Teams: He leads the Institute of Measurement and Control Technology (MRT) at KIT, which is engaged in cutting-edge research in autonomous systems. The institute collaborates with industry and academia on large-scale projects such as UNICARagil and various European initiatives.
Bruce Allen is the Director of the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) in Hannover, Germany, where he also heads the Observational Relativity and Cosmology department. He holds dual academic appointments as Honorary Professor of Physics at Leibniz Universität Hannover and Adjunct Professor of Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA. His career spans over three decades in gravitational physics research, with a leadership role in the LIGO Scientific Collaboration from 1997 to 2018. Dr. Allen's research focuses on gravitational wave detection and data analysis, early universe cosmology, de Sitter space, curved-space quantum field theory, cosmic strings, inflationary models of the early universe, and gravitational radiation emission by cosmic strings. His work extends to large-scale cluster computing and public distributed computing projects like Einstein@Home, which has led to significant discoveries in gravitational wave astronomy. His recent publications demonstrate expertise in pulsar timing arrays, Hellings-Downs correlation analysis, and optimization of computational methods for gravitational wave detection. Allen's scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards including the Richard A. Isaacson Award (2020), the Bruno Rossi Prize (2017), the Princess of Asturias Award (2017), and the Special Breakthrough Prize (2016), all shared with the LIGO team for groundbreaking gravitational wave discoveries. He is also an Elected Fellow of both the American Physical Society and the Institute of Physics, UK. As a research leader, Allen has secured approximately $10 million in research funding from the National Science Foundation (1987-2018) and has mentored numerous students and researchers in gravitational physics. His work on Einstein@Home has engaged the public in scientific discovery through distributed computing, leading to several important astrophysical findings including gamma-ray pulsar discoveries.
Renate Sachse is a Researcher and Responsible Investigator at the Chair of Structural Analysis, Technical University of Munich (TUM), under Prof. Kai-Uwe Bletzinger. She holds a Dr.-Ing. from the University of Stuttgart and has held postdoctoral positions at Harvard University (Bertoldi Lab) and TU Munich's Institute for Computational Mechanics. Her research focuses on biomimetic adaptive structures, biomechanics, and smart materials. Education M.Sc. in Civil Engineering (University of Stuttgart, 2014) – Thesis: "Isogeometric Contact Analysis of Thin-Walled Structures" B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (University of Stuttgart, 2011) – Thesis: "Elementary School Pavilion Structural Analysis" Study Abroad: École Spéciale des Travaux Publics (ESTP, France, 2012) Research Interests Her work integrates principles from biology and mechanics to design adaptive structures, including motion design, soft robotics, and active metamaterials. Notable projects include studying snapping mechanisms in plants (e.g., Venus flytrap) and developing bio-inspired systems like Flectofold shading devices. She also explores isogeometric analysis and structural optimization for thin-walled and slender structures. Grants & Awards Bertha Benz Prize 2022 (Daimler and Benz Foundation) Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellowship (€80,000 interdisciplinary grant) 3rd Place AVK-Prize for Innovations (2017, Flectofold Shading System) GAMM Juniors Fellowship (2020–2022) Teaching & Grants She teaches advanced finite element methods and nonlinear mechanics at TUM and has supervised projects in computational mechanics. Her grants include CareerDesign@TUM funding and the Klaus Tschira Fellowship for high-risk, interdisciplinary research. Labs & Teams Associated with the Chair of Structural Analysis at TUM, collaborating on projects like livMatS (Living Materials Systems) and the Harvard SEAS Bertoldi Lab. Involved in software development (e.g., Carat++, Kiwi!3d) and third-party initiatives (CoDA, FlexWing).
Prof. Johannes Ebert is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Münster, affiliated with the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. He is an investigator in Mathematics Münster and a member of CRC 1442 Geometry: Deformations and Rigidity. His research focuses on topology, differential geometry, and algebraic topology, with particular emphasis on positive scalar curvature, index theory, cobordism categories, and moduli spaces. Ebert teaches courses such as Geometrische Lineare Algebra and Ergänzungen zur Analysis und Linearen Algebra. His current research projects include Topics in Mathematics Münster T1, T2, and T5, as well as CRC 1442 Project B03 on moduli spaces of metrics with positive curvature. He has held a research semester from April to September 2025, during which he is represented by Steffen Dereich. His work bridges geometric and algebraic aspects of topology, contributing to foundational questions in manifold theory and metric geometry. Research Interests: Positive scalar curvature, index theory including secondary invariants, cobordism categories, spaces of diffeomorphisms, characteristic classes of manifold bundles, and applications in geometric analysis. His projects explore the interplay between topology, geometry, and algebraic structures, particularly in high-dimensional manifolds and their moduli spaces. Teaching: Winter Semester 2024/25 courses include Geometrische Lineare Algebra and Ergänzungen zur Analysis und Linearen Algebra. Access course materials via LearnWeb with provided keys. Past teaching records are documented online. Affiliations: Member of the Topology Group at Münster, contributor to the Collaborative Research Centre 1442, and active in the university's mathematics community. His research outputs include over 15 peer-reviewed articles since 2019, with a focus on geometric topology and metric geometry topics.
Barney Bramham is a Professor in the Mathematics Department at Ruhr University Bochum, affiliated with the Faculty of Mathematics and the Floer Center of Geometry. He is a core member of the Symplectic Geometry research group. His work focuses on Symplectic Topology, Dynamical Systems, and Geometric Analysis, with notable contributions to pseudo-rotations, systolic inequalities, and Reeb dynamics. Bramham has collaborated extensively on projects like the SFB/TRR 191 (Symplectic Structures in Geometry, Algebra, and Dynamics) and has authored/co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications. His research bridges pure mathematics with applications in topology and geometric analysis. Research interests include symplectic and contact topology, Hamiltonian dynamics, and the geometric analysis of low-dimensional manifolds. Key contributions involve systolic inequalities for spheres, rigidity of pseudo-rotations, and the use of pseudoholomorphic curves in dynamical systems. His work often intersects with differential geometry and mathematical physics. Publications span high-impact journals like Inventiones mathematicae and Annals of Mathematics , reflecting his expertise in foundational aspects of symplectic geometry. Bramham’s research also involves collaborative projects, such as the SFB/TRR 191 initiative, which explores symplectic structures across multiple mathematical disciplines.
Maks Ovsjanikov is a Professor in the Computer Science Department at École Polytechnique, France , and a Visiting Research Scientist at Google DeepMind. His research focuses on mathematically principled approaches for geometric data analysis and synthesis, including learning on surface meshes, 3D point clouds, and graphs. Key Collaborations: Google DeepMind, Sanofi, Dassault Systèmes Research Themes: Non-rigid shape matching, 3D reconstruction, transfer learning, learning on geometric data, functional maps, deep learning for scientific discovery Recent Article Trends emphasize geometric deep learning, with publications at top venues like SIGGRAPH Asia, ICCV, and CVPR. Topics include surface reconstruction, functional maps, 3D keypoint detection, and diffusion models for shape matching. Scientific Honors include: ERC Consolidator Grant (VEGA Project, 2023) ERC Starting Grant (2017) ACM SIGGRAPH 2023 Test-of-Time Award Best Paper Awards at 3DV 2021 and 3DV 2022 Student Advisees have received prestigious awards, such as the IP Paris Best PhD Thesis Award (Souhaib Attaiki, 2023) and GdR IG-RV Runner-Up (Nicolas Donati, 2024). The GeomeriX Team at École Polytechnique drives his group's research, supported by the VEGA and AIGRETTE projects.
Prof. Felix Krahmer is a TUM Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Optimization and Data Analysis at the Department of Mathematics, Technische Universität München (TUM), part of the School of Computation, Information and Technology. Previously, he held a Junior Professorship (W1) for Mathematical Data Analysis at the University of Göttingen (2012–2015). His research focuses on mathematical foundations of data science, including compressed sensing, signal quantization, uncertainty quantification, and optimization algorithms. He has led an Emmy Noether research group and contributed to the ZeMat interdisciplinary project. Education : PhD in Mathematics (2009), New York University, advisors: Percy Deift & Sinan Güntürk MSc in Mathematics (2007), New York University BSc in Mathematics (2004), Jacobs University Bremen Research Interests : Krahmer’s work bridges theoretical mathematics and applied data science. Key areas include compressed sensing algorithms, high-dimensional signal reconstruction, quantization theory for analog-to-digital conversion, and optimization methods for inverse problems. He also explores applications in imaging (e.g., MRI reconstruction) and stochastic processes. Key Contributions : His research on phase retrieval, sigma-delta quantization, and compressed sensing recovery has advanced signal processing techniques. Recent efforts focus on uncertainty quantification for high-dimensional inverse problems and the mathematical analysis of consensus-based optimization. Grants & Awards : Emmy Noether Research Group Grant (DFG) Funding from BMBF (ZeMat project) Teaching & Outreach : Krahmer has taught advanced courses on compressed sensing, functional analysis, and random matrix theory. He co-organized workshops on probabilistic techniques and clinical risk prediction, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Labs/Teams : Member of the TUM Data Science Research Group, focusing on optimization, imaging, and uncertainty quantification. Active in the Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST).
Ana Serrano is an Associate Professor at Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain, where she is affiliated with the Graphics & Imaging Lab in the EINA (Edificio Ada Byron) school. She earned her PhD at the same institution under the supervision of Prof. Diego Gutierrez and Prof. Belen Masia, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Max-Planck-Institute for Informatics under Prof. Karol Myszkowski. Her research focuses on visual computing , particularly in computational imaging , material appearance perception and editing , and virtual reality . She is especially interested in developing perceptually-driven methods that leverage knowledge of the human perceptual system to enhance user experiences and assist content creation in immersive environments. Her recent publications (2023–2025) span top-tier venues such as SIGGRAPH, CVPR, IEEE TVCG, and Eurographics. These works explore topics like saliency prediction in 3D and 360° video, crossmodal perception in VR, gloss modeling, radiance fields, and perceptual evaluation of immersive content. The research demonstrates a strong integration of machine learning, human perception, and computer graphics to solve real-world problems in visual computing. She has received several prestigious awards, including: Eurographics 2023 Young Researcher Award VGTC VR 2024 Significant New Researcher Award Eurographics 2020 PhD Award Adobe Research Fellowship (honorable mention, 2017) NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship (2018) Ana Serrano actively supervises PhD and Master’s students and has taught courses such as Virtual Reality, Computational Imaging, and Deep Learning applications. She serves as an Associate Editor for Computer Graphics Forum , ACM Transactions on Applied Perception , and Computers and Graphics , and has held leadership roles in major conferences including Eurographics (Tutorials co-chair, 2023), ACM SAP (Program co-chair, 2022), and CEIG (Program co-chair, 2022). Her professional service includes extensive program committee and reviewer roles for SIGGRAPH, IEEE VR, ISMAR, and others. She leads a vibrant research group focused on human perception in virtual environments, with current projects on computational models of attention and perception, integrated with physiological signals. Her lab, the Graphics & Imaging Lab, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in visual computing.
