TU Braunschweig, Algorithms Group (Prof. Fekete)
I research, teach, and consult in algorithm engineering, specializing in NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems by leveraging Mixed Integer Programming, Constraint Programming, SAT solvers, graph algorithms, and meta-heuristics. My key strength is in my full-stack expertise, blending theoretical computer science, operations research, mathematical optimization, data science, and robust software engineering. In my roles at the university and as a freelance consultant, I have successfully applied my skills across diverse projects, and I am always open to further opportunities that let me deepen and broaden my skill set.
How my combined skills add value:
- Theoretical Computer Science & Algorithm Engineering: My background enables me to abstract problems, identify their complexities, and recognize practical implications beyond worst-case analyses. I know when to trust O-notation, and when not.
- Mathematical Optimization & Software Engineering: I efficiently translate problems into mathematical formulations and troubleshoot solver performance. I also employ Test-Driven Development and strong software engineering practices to ensure robust, maintainable code, minimizing hidden bugs and maximizing agility.
- Operations Research & Practical Deployment: My consulting experience enables me to adapt theoretical algorithms effectively to real-world scenarios, smoothly transitioning between theoretical abstractions and practical deployments (e.g., Linux servers, CI/CD, Docker).
- Generalist Insight: Familiarity with various optimization techniques allows me to choose the most suitable tools, avoid biases toward particular methods, and creatively misuse techniques to solve unconventional challenges effectively.
- Cross-Disciplinary Agility: Working concurrently in research, teaching, and consulting, I rapidly adapt to diverse problems, bridging gaps between academic theory, textbook scenarios, and practical solutions.
Key Contributions:
- CP-SAT Primer: If you are involved with optimization, you might have already stumbled over my CP-SAT Primer.
- CG:SHOP Competitions: If you are active in the computational geometry community, you might recognize me as the technical organizer for the competitions at CG Week.
- Open Problems Project (#53): Provided an intricate NP-hardness proof resolving an open theoretical problem.
- Pairwise Interaction Sampling: Developed a state-of-the-art algorithm achieving provable optimality on numerous benchmark instances for the first time.
- Coverage Path Planning: I (co-)authored multiple papers on coverage path planning, with some further ones in the pipeline.