Celebrating Kurt Mehlhorn: A Pioneer in Computer Science 🎓

Kurt Mehlhorn was a director of the Max Planck Institute for Informatics for thirty years from 1990 - 2020. He has authored six books and more than 300 publications in areas including algorithms, computational geometry, computer algebra, and theoretical computer science. Among his many broad and impactful contributions, Mehlhorn is known for his important work in the development of algorithm engineering. His honors include receiving the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, which is considered the most important research award in Germany. He was the recipient of the 2010 ACM Paris Kanellakis Theory and Practice Award for contributions to algorithm engineering by creating the LEDA Library for algorithmic problem solving, and was named an ACM Fellow for important contributions in complexity theory and in the design, analysis, and practice of combinatorial and geometric algorithms. Mehlhorn played an important role in the establishment of several research centres for computer science in Germany, including the Max Planck Institute for Computer Science and the Schloss Dagstuhl – Leibniz Center for Informatics. To read Mehlhorn’s People of ACM interview, visit: https://www.acm.org/articles/people-of-acm/2024/kurt-mehlhorn. The People of ACM series highlights the unique scientific accomplishments and compelling personal attributes of ACM members at the forefront of advancing computing as a science and a profession. These bulletins feature ACM members whose personal and professional stories are a source of inspiration for the larger computing community. To read more People of ACM interviews, visit: https://www.acm.org/membership/people-of-acm.