Niclas Böhmer and Helene Kretzmer join HPI for research and teaching
The joint Digital Engineering Faculty of the Hasso Plattner Institute and the University of Potsdam welcomes two new professors in winter semester 2024/25. With the two new tenure-track professorships, HPI is encouraging young researchers to pursue independent research and teaching on a reliable basis at an early stage of their academic careers. Niclas Böhmer will strengthen the “Data and AI” research cluster at HPI, Helene Kretzmer the “Digital Health” research cluster.
Niclas Böhmer will head the “Algorithmic Decision Making and Society” department from September 1. The algorithmist previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University, where he conducted research on “AI for Social Good”. He will also dedicate his work at HPI to the social responsibility of computer science. In addition to AI solutions for public health, he is researching the fairness and transparency of AI-based selection systems as well as algorithms for problems in which different interests of stakeholders also play a role, such as the centralized allocation of university places. At 26, Niclas Böhmer is one of the youngest professors in Germany.
On October 1, Helene Kretzmer takes up her professorship at HPI and will head the “Computational Genomics” department. She comes from the field of bioinformatics and most recently conducted research as a group leader in “Computational Genomics” at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics. Her research interests include epigenetic genome regulation, i.e. controlling the way in which a gene appears in humans. She is researching algorithms and methods to better understand changes in this regulation and their molecular causes and consequences, which can also include diseases such as cancer. At HPI, Helene Kretzmer will also focus on the development and application of algorithms for classifying and analyzing diseases.
Prof. Tobias Friedrich, HPI Managing Director and Dean of the joint Digital Engineering Faculty of HPI and the University of Potsdam: “We are very pleased to be able to open up new career paths in the academic world for young researchers through the tenure track at HPI - and thus give them a long-term perspective. With Helene Kretzmer and Niclas Böhmer, we are gaining two outstanding research personalities whose work will make an important contribution to demonstrating the practical benefits of computer science for our society and health.”
The Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) in Potsdam is Germany’s university center of excellence for digital engineering, advancing research and education in IT systems engineering, data engineering, cyber security, entrepreneurship, and digital health. With its bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, the Faculty of Digital Engineering, established jointly by HPI and the University of Potsdam, offers innovative engineering- and application-oriented study programs.
At present, about 800 students are enrolled in the program. The Faculty consistently earns a top-notch place in the CHE University Ranking. The d-school, HPI’s School of Design Thinking, is Europe’s first innovation school for university students. It is based on the Stanford model of the d.school and offers 160 places annually for a supplementary study. The HPI School of Entrepreneurship, or E-School for short, supports and motivates students to recognize and take advantage of the potential of entrepreneurial thinking and action.
A strong focus is placed on the transfer of ideas and digital technologies into customer- and market-centered products and start-ups. At HPI there are currently twenty-three professors and about 50 lecturers. HPI conducts research noted for its high standard of excellence in its IT topic areas. PhD candidates carry out research at the HPI Research Schools in Potsdam and its branches in Cape Town (South Africa) and Irvine (California). The focus of HPI’s teaching and research is on the foundations and applications of large, highly complex and networked IT systems. In addition, HPI concentrates on the development and research of user-oriented innovations for all areas of life.
The Hasso Plattner Institute is a flagship initiative of the Hasso Plattner Foundation, rooted in the belief that innovation and education can drive positive social change. HPI exemplifies this mission and demonstrates the Foundation’s commitment. The Foundation’s philanthropic efforts span the areas of Science and Education, Social and Conservation, as well as Art and Culture.
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Last change: 12/09/2024