The Euler Medal, awarded in 2018, stands as a hallmark of Dieter Jungnickel's career in the field of combinatorics. Born in Berlin in 1952, this German mathematician has spent his professional life contributing to discrete mathematics, coding theory, and combinatorial design, primarily through academic positions at institutions in Giessen and Augsburg.
Academic Formation
Jungnickel began his formal study of mathematics at the Freie Universität Berlin in 1971, completing his degree four years later in 1975. During this period, he focused on the finite difference method under the supervision of Hanfried Lenz. His academic qualification, the Habilitation, was successfully achieved in 1978, establishing the foundation for his future research and teaching career.
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His publication history reflects an emphasis on combinatorial structures. In 1985, he co-authored "Design Theory" alongside Thomas Beth and Hanfried Lenz. The text, covering combinatorial design, was released by Cambridge University Press in 1986 and later expanded into a two-volume set in 1999. His other notable works include "Finite Fields: Structure and Arithmetics" published in 1993, and "Graphs, Networks and Algorithms," which originated as a German edition in 1994 before being translated and updated through four subsequent editions ending in 2013.
Institutional Career
Jungnickel transitioned into a professorship at the University of Giessen in 1980. In 1993, he moved to the University of Augsburg to occupy a chair focused on discrete mathematics, optimisation, and operations research. Beyond his teaching and writing, he participated in academic collaborations, including co-editing the proceedings for a 1990 conference at the University of Vermont dedicated to the mathematics of coding theory and the legacy of Marshall Hall.
Fast facts
- Born: 20 March 1952, Berlin
- Nationality: German
- Education: Freie Universität Berlin
- Primary Employers: University of Giessen, University of Augsburg
- Major Award: Euler Medal (2018)
- Fields: Combinatorics, Discrete Mathematics
- Notable Publication: Design Theory (1985)
Questions readers ask
What is Dieter Jungnickel's primary area of mathematical research?
He specializes in combinatorics, with significant work in design theory, finite fields, and combinatorial optimization.
Where did Jungnickel teach during his career?
He held a professorship at the University of Giessen starting in 1980 and later moved to the University of Augsburg in 1993.
Achievements
- Euler Medal — 2018
- Held posts at University of Giessen and University of Augsburg
- Fields: mathematics
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