Prof Dr. Juraj Hromkovic, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Evaluation of Prof. Dr. Juraj Hromkovic for the Best Researcher Award
Professional Experience
Prof. Dr. Juraj Hromkovič has held several prestigious academic positions throughout his career. He began as a Professor at Comenius University in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, from 1989 to 1990, where he contributed significantly to the field of informatics. Following this, he served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Paderborn in Germany from 1989 to 1994, gaining international experience and expanding his research collaborations. Prof. Hromkovič then held a C3 Professorship at the Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany, from 1994 to 1997, where he continued to make influential contributions to computer science education and research. He subsequently moved to RWTH Aachen University, Germany, where he served as a C4 Professor from 1997 to 2003, furthering his impact on the academic community. Since November 2004, Prof. Hromkovič has been a Professor at ETH Zürich, Switzerland, where he continues to lead groundbreaking research and education in informatics, solidifying his reputation as a leading scholar in the field.
Dr. Juraj Hromkovič holds a comprehensive and distinguished academic background in informatics and mathematics. He earned his Dr.re.nat. in Informatics in 1982 from Comenius University in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. Building on this foundation, he completed his Ph.D. in Informatics in 1986, also at Comenius University. His academic journey continued with a Habilitation in 1989, further solidifying his expertise and qualifications in the field. In 1990, Dr. Hromkovič expanded his scholarly achievements by obtaining a DrSc in Mathematics and Physics, showcasing his interdisciplinary proficiency and dedication to advancing knowledge in both informatics and mathematical sciences.
Memberships in Academies
Prof. Hromkovic is a respected member of several prestigious academic societies. He has been a member of the Slovak Academic Society since 2001 and joined the Academia Europaea in 2010. His affiliations highlight his esteemed position within the academic community.
Research Interests
Prof. Dr. Juraj Hromkovič’s research spans a wide array of crucial areas in computer science, reflecting his deep expertise and broad intellectual curiosity. His work in Algorithm Theory and Complexity Theory focuses on understanding the fundamental limits of computation and developing efficient algorithms to solve complex problems. He has made significant contributions to Formal Languages and Automata Theory, exploring the theoretical foundations of computer science. In Combinatorial Optimization, Prof. Hromkovič addresses problems of finding optimal solutions within large and complex systems, which has applications across various industries. His research also extends to Computational Learning Theory, where he investigates the theoretical aspects of machine learning and its capabilities. Additionally, Prof. Hromkovič is deeply committed to Educational Informatics, where he plays a pivotal role in developing educational materials and curricula for teaching informatics, spanning from kindergarten to high school, ensuring that the next generation is well-equipped with essential computational thinking skills.
Publications and Contributions
Prof. Dr. Hromkovič has authored over 200 scientific papers and more than 40 books in both English and German, with several of his works translated into languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Slovak. He is also the lead author of the educational series “einfach INFORMATIK,” comprising 15 titles for teaching informatics from kindergarten to secondary school, published by Klett and Balmer Verlag. He has additionally contributed to the development of three advanced textbooks for high school students under the series “Informatik für Maturitätsschulen,” focusing on programming and robotics, data science and security, and algorithms and artificial intelligence.
Memberships
Prof. Dr. Juraj Hromkovič is recognized for his outstanding contributions to academia through his membership in prestigious scholarly organizations. Since 2001, he has been a valued member of the Slovak Academic Society, reflecting his significant influence and active participation in the academic community of his home country. In 2010, his achievements were further acknowledged when he was elected as a member of the Academia Europaea, one of the most respected academic institutions in Europe. These memberships underscore Prof. Hromkovič’s esteemed standing in the global academic community and his commitment to advancing research and education in computer science.
Awards and Recognitions
Prof. Dr. Juraj Hromkovič’s exceptional contributions to science and education have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. In 2015, he was honored as a “Goodwill Envoy” by the Slovak Republic, highlighting his role as an ambassador for his country’s academic excellence. Two years later, in 2017, he received the “Pribina Cross of the First Class” from the President of the Slovak Republic, one of the highest state honors, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to science and education. His scholarly work has also earned him significant accolades, including the First Prize from the Slovak Literary Fund for scientific literature in 2002 and 2004. Furthermore, he has been awarded the First Prize from the Union of Slovak Mathematicians and Physicists on three occasions, underscoring his impact in the fields of mathematics and physics. Additionally, he was bestowed with a Special First Prize from the Union of Czechoslovak Mathematicians and Physicists on the organization’s 125th anniversary, further affirming his status as a leading figure in the academic community.
Prof. Dr. Juraj Hromkovic’s extensive publication record, prestigious memberships, numerous awards, and significant editorial contributions make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His academic journey and continued influence in the field of computer science and mathematics underscore his suitability for this recognition.