The development of OMDoc provides a structured framework for representing mathematical knowledge, marking a significant contribution by German computer scientist Michael Kohlhase. Born in Erlangen in 1964, he has dedicated his professional career to the intersection of mathematics and artificial intelligence, focusing on how computational systems process, store, and verify complex logical structures.
Academic Foundation
Michael Kohlhase completed his degree in Mathematics at the University of Bonn in 1989. He subsequently moved to Saarland University to pursue advanced studies in computer science, earning his doctorate in 1994 and completing his habilitation in 1999. During this period, he engaged in extensive research visits at several international institutions, including Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Amsterdam, the University of Edinburgh, and SRI International.
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His primary research interests involve automated theorem proving and the development of knowledge representation systems for mathematics. Much of his work utilizes web-based content markup formats such as MathML, OpenMath, and OMDoc. He also focuses on inference-based techniques for natural language processing and computer-supported education. His practical applications include building semantic search engines for mathematical formulae and creating semantic extensions for LaTeX, including tools to convert legacy documents from the arXiv.
Institutional Appointments
Kohlhase has held numerous academic and administrative positions throughout his career. Between 2000 and 2003, he conducted research and taught at the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, where he served as an adjunct associate professor. From 2003 to 2006, he was a Professor of Computer Science at Jacobs University Bremen. Concurrently, he served as the vice director of the Department of Safe and Secure Cognitive Systems at the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Bremen from 2006 to 2008. In September 2016, he began his tenure as the Professor for Knowledge Representation and Processing at the University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, where he also leads the KWARC research group.
Professional Service
Beyond his institutional roles, Kohlhase has contributed to the broader scientific community through leadership and committee service. He serves as the president of the OpenMath Society and is a trustee of the Interest Group for Mathematical Knowledge Management. His past leadership roles include acting as the Conference Chair for CADE-21 and Program Chair for the KI-2006, MKM-2005, and CALCULEMUS-2000 conferences. He has served on the programme committees of over three dozen international conferences and authored or edited four books alongside nearly 100 peer-reviewed papers.
Fast facts
- Born: 1964, Erlangen, Germany
- Education: University of Bonn (Mathematics), Saarland University (Computer Science)
- Current Position: Professor at University of Erlangen–Nuremberg
- Research Group: KWARC (Knowledge Adaptation and Reasoning for Content)
- Notable Work: OMDoc
- Awards: Heisenberg-Stipend (2000), AKI-prize (1996)
- Languages: German, English
Questions readers ask
What is the primary focus of Michael Kohlhase's research?
His research focuses on automated theorem proving, mathematical knowledge representation, and computational systems for managing mathematical content like OMDoc and OpenMath.
Where does Michael Kohlhase currently teach?
He is the Professor for Knowledge Representation and Processing at the University of Erlangen–Nuremberg.
Achievements
- Notable work: OMDoc
- Held posts at University of Erlangen–Nuremberg
- Fields: mathematics
