Professor Gritzmann’s research focusses on discrete mathematics, applied geometry and optimization. In addition to his academic research he has also been working with industry on problems of predictive analytics, logistics, optimization of airport schedules, consolidation of farmland, etc.
After studying mathematics (with a minor in economic sciences) at the University of Dortmund, Professor Gritzmann was awarded a doctorate in 1980 and completed his Habilitation 1984 at the University of Siegen. Prior to his appointment as full professor of mathematics at TUM in 1997 (and - by courtesy - of Computer Science in 2008), he held professorships and chairs at various universities in Germany and other countries. Long-term visiting professorships took him to the University of Washington (Seattle, USA), the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, USA) and Université Paris VII. He served, in particular, as President of the German Math. Soc. 2002-2003, and Vice President of TU Munich, 2008 - 2011. He is active as a member of numerous committees and associations, in particular of the Board of Regents of the University Graz, since 2013, of the Academic and Scientific Advisory Council of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, since 2015, and as Chair of the selection committees for the German Research Chairs in Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, South Africa, Tanzania, and Rwanda. His research was recognized, among others, by a Feodor-Lynen Research Stipend of the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation, a Max-Planck Research Award, and the Euro Excellence in Practice Award.
