# Thomas Lengauer

> German computer scientist and mathematician

**Wikidata**: [Q1243222](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1243222)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Lengauer)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thomas-lengauer

## Summary
Thomas Lengauer is a German computer scientist and mathematician recognized for his significant contributions to bioinformatics and medical informatics. He has held professorships at several major German universities and is a director at the Max Planck Institute for Informatics. His work has been acknowledged through numerous awards, including the Konrad Zuse Medal and fellowship in the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).

## Biography
- **Born**: 1952-11-12, Berlin
- **Nationality**: Germany
- **Education**: Freie Universität Berlin, Stanford University
- **Known for**: Contributions to bioinformatics and medical informatics
- **Employer(s)**: Max Planck Institute for Informatics, University of Cologne, Saarland University, University of Bonn, University of Paderborn
- **Field(s)**: Computer science, mathematics, bioinformatics

## Contributions
Thomas Lengauer's primary contributions are in the fields of bioinformatics and medical informatics, an area for which he was named an ACM Fellow in 2021. Throughout his extensive academic career, he has guided the next generation of researchers. His doctoral students include notable computer scientists such as Ina Koch, Oliver Eulenstein, and Onno Garms.

His career has been marked by leadership roles at prominent German research institutions. He was a professor at the University of Paderborn from 1984 to 1992, the University of Bonn from 1992 to 2001, and Saarland University starting in 2001. Since 2018, he has also been affiliated with the Max Planck Institute for Informatics, and since 2019, with the University of Cologne. This long-standing presence in German academia has allowed him to shape research and education in computer science and its application to the life sciences. His work is recognized through prestigious awards, including the 2003 Konrad Zuse Medal and the 2003 Karl Heinz Beckurts Award.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Thomas Lengauer known for?
A: Thomas Lengauer is primarily known for his contributions to the fields of bioinformatics and medical informatics. His work in these areas was formally recognized when he was named an ACM Fellow in 2021.

### Q: What awards has Thomas Lengauer received?
A: Thomas Lengauer has received several prestigious awards, including the Konrad Zuse Medal (2003), the Karl Heinz Beckurts Award (2003), the Hector Wissenschaftspreis (2015), and was named an ISCB Fellow (2015) and an ACM Fellow (2021).

### Q: Where has Thomas Lengauer worked?
A: He has held professorships at the University of Paderborn (1984-1992), the University of Bonn (1992-2001), and Saarland University (since 2001). He is also affiliated with the Max Planck Institute for Informatics (since 2018) and the University of Cologne (since 2019).

## Why They Matter
Thomas Lengauer is a significant figure in the application of computational methods to biological and medical problems. His work has been instrumental in advancing the fields of bioinformatics and medical informatics in Germany and internationally. By holding long-term professorships at multiple universities and a directorship at the prestigious Max Planck Institute, he has shaped the curriculum and research direction for decades.

His influence is also evident through the researchers he has mentored, including several who have gone on to have successful academic careers. His election to esteemed scientific bodies like the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Academia Europaea, and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) as a Fellow underscores his standing in the scientific community. Without his leadership and research, the integration of computer science with life sciences in Germany would likely look very different.

## Notable For
- **ACM Fellowship**: Named an ACM Fellow in 2021 "For contributions to bioinformatics and medical informatics."
- **Konrad Zuse Medal**: Received the Konrad Zuse Medal in 2003, a high honor for computer science in Germany.
- **Academic Leadership**: Held professorships at the University of Paderborn, University of Bonn, and Saarland University, shaping computer science education and research.
- **Mentorship**: Served as the doctoral advisor for several notable computer scientists, including Ina Koch, Oliver Eulenstein, and Onno Garms.
- **Prestigious Memberships**: Elected member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the German Academy of Science and Engineering, and Academia Europaea.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Thomas Lengauer was born in Berlin, Germany, on November 12, 1952. He was educated at the Freie Universität Berlin and Stanford University. During his doctoral studies, he was advised by computer scientists Hans-Joachim Töpfer and Robert Tarjan. His brother is Christian Lengauer.

### Academic Career
Lengauer's academic career spans several decades and prominent German institutions.
- **University of Paderborn**: He worked at the University of Paderborn from 1984 until 1992.
- **University of Bonn**: He was a professor at the University of Bonn from 1992 to 2001.
- **Saarland University**: He began a professorship at Saarland University in 2001.
- **Max Planck Institute for Informatics**: He has been affiliated with the institute since 2018.
- **University of Cologne**: He began working as a scientist at the University of Cologne in 2019.

His work has been based in several German cities, including Paderborn, Bonn, Saarbrücken, and Berlin.

### Awards and Honors
Lengauer's contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and memberships in prestigious scientific societies.

**Awards:**
- **Konrad Zuse Medal** (2003)
- **Karl Heinz Beckurts Award** (2003)
- **Hector Wissenschaftspreis** (2015)
- **ISCB Fellow** (2015)
- **ACM Fellow** (2021)

**Memberships:**
- **German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina**
- **German Academy of Science and Engineering**
- **Academia Europaea** (elected 2010)
- **Association for Computing Machinery** (ACM Fellow, inducted 2022-01-19)

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Person",
  "name": "Thomas Lengauer",
  "jobTitle": "Computer Scientist",
  "worksFor": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Max Planck Institute for Informatics"
  },
  "nationality": {
    "@type": "Country",
    "name": "Germany"
  },
  "birthDate": "1952-11-12",
  "birthPlace": {
    "@type": "Place",
    "name": "Berlin"
  },
  "alumniOf": [
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
      "name": "Freie Universität Berlin"
    },
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
      "name": "Stanford University"
    }
  ],
  "knowsAbout": [
    "Computer Science",
    "Mathematics",
    "Bioinformatics",
    "Medical Informatics"
  ],
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Lengauer",
    "https://viaf.org/viaf/266353543/",
    "https://d-nb.info/gnd/1021379298"
  ],
  "description": "Thomas Lengauer is a German computer scientist and mathematician recognized for his significant contributions to bioinformatics and medical informatics.",
  "award": [
    "Konrad Zuse Medal",
    "Karl Heinz Beckurts Award",
    "Hector Wissenschaftspreis",
    "ISCB Fellow",
    "ACM Fellow"
  ]
}

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. [Source](https://www.mpg.de/303313/informatik_wissM1)
4. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0003-3801-2640/employment/13770284)
5. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0003-3801-2640/employment/13770335)
6. [Source](https://www.beckurts-stiftung.de/karl-heinz-beckurts-preis-2003/)
7. [Source](https://www.acm.org/media-center/2022/january/fellows-2021)
8. general catalog of BnF
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. [Source](https://www.ae-info.org/ae/User/Lengauer_Thomas)
11. [Source](https://www.leopoldina.org/fileadmin/redaktion/Mitglieder/CV_Lengauer_Thomas_D.pdf)
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File