The 2025 Knuth Prize recipient Micha Sharir remains a significant figure in computational and combinatorial geometry. Born in 1950 in Tel Aviv, Israel, he established an academic career spanning several decades, contributing foundational work in algorithmic languages and robotics while serving at both Tel Aviv University and New York University as a mathematician and computer scientist.
Early Education and Military Service
During his youth, Sharir earned first place in the Weizmann Institute of Science youth mathematics olympics and secured the Technion Grossman Award. Following his 1970 undergraduate graduation, he served in unit 8200 of the Israel Defense Forces. His military service included participation in a research team that received the 1975 Israel Defense Prize.
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In 1976, Sharir completed his Ph.D. in pure mathematics at Tel Aviv University, advised by Aldo Lazar. He subsequently pursued postdoctoral work at the Courant Institute of New York University under Jack Schwartz. He joined the faculty of Tel Aviv University in 1980 and holds the Isaias Nizri Chair in Computational Geometry and Robotics.
Institutional Leadership and Standardization
Sharir has held multiple administrative roles at Tel Aviv University, including two terms as head of the computer science department and head of the school of mathematics from 1997 to 1999. He also cofounded the Minerva Center for Geometry. Beyond university administration, he contributed to the International Federation for Information Processing Working Group 2.1, focusing on the maintenance and support of ALGOL 60 and ALGOL 68.
Professional Recognition
His research has earned him status as an Institute for Scientific Information Highly Cited researcher. Major honors include the 1996 honorary doctorate from Utrecht University, the 1999 Feher Foundation Prize in Computer Science, the 2002 Landau Prize for Science and Research, and the 2007 EMET Prize for Art, Science and Culture. He was named an Association for Computing Machinery Fellow in 1997.
Fast facts
- Born: 8 June 1950, Tel Aviv
- Citizenship: Israel
- Primary Fields: Mathematics, Computer Science
- Notable Award: Knuth Prize (2025)
- Alma Mater: Tel Aviv University
- Military Service: Unit 8200, Israel Defense Forces
- Professional Membership: Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities
Questions readers ask
Which major academic chair does Micha Sharir hold?
He holds the Isaias Nizri Chair in Computational Geometry and Robotics at Tel Aviv University.
What programming languages did he help support?
He worked with the IFIP Working Group 2.1 on the development and maintenance of ALGOL 60 and ALGOL 68.
Achievements
- The EMET Prize for Art, Science and Culture — 2007
- Knuth Prize — 2025
- Held posts at New York University and Tel Aviv University
- Fields: computer science
