# Thomas Ottmann

> German computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q102111034](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102111034)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thomas-ottmann

## Summary
Thomas Ottmann is a German computer scientist known for his contributions to computational geometry and data structures. He was affiliated with the University of Karlsruhe (now KIT) and the University of Freiburg, where he mentored numerous influential researchers in computer science.

## Biography
- Born: 1943-02-15 (Magdeburg, Germany)
- Nationality: Germany
- Education: Ph.D. from University of Münster (advised by Dieter Rödding)
- Known for: Pioneering work in computational geometry and data structures
- Employer(s): University of Karlsruhe, University of Freiburg
- Field(s): Computational geometry, data structures

## Contributions
Thomas Ottmann made significant contributions to computational geometry, particularly in the development of efficient algorithms for geometric problems. His work included advising numerous doctoral students, including Peter Widmayer, Stefan Edelkamp, and Christoph A. Bröcker, who have made substantial impacts in their own fields. Ottmann's research focused on optimizing geometric computations, which has applications in computer graphics, geographic information systems, and robotics.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Thomas Ottmann known for?
A: Thomas Ottmann is known for his work in computational geometry and data structures, particularly for developing efficient algorithms for geometric problems.

### Q: Where did Thomas Ottmann study?
A: Thomas Ottmann earned his Ph.D. from the University of Münster, where he was advised by Dieter Rödding.

### Q: Who were Thomas Ottmann's notable students?
A: Notable students include Peter Widmayer, Stefan Edelkamp, and Christoph A. Bröcker, who have made significant contributions to computer science.

### Q: What institutions was Thomas Ottmann affiliated with?
A: He was affiliated with the University of Karlsruhe (now KIT) and the University of Freiburg.

## Why They Matter
Thomas Ottmann's work in computational geometry laid the foundation for many modern algorithms used in fields like computer graphics and geographic information systems. His mentorship of influential researchers, such as Peter Widmayer and Stefan Edelkamp, has had a lasting impact on the field of computer science. Without Ottmann's contributions, the efficiency and scalability of geometric computations would be significantly diminished.

## Notable For
- Pioneered efficient algorithms in computational geometry
- Mentored numerous influential computer scientists
- Affiliated with prestigious universities in Germany
- Focused on optimizing geometric computations for practical applications

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Thomas Ottmann was born on February 15, 1943, in Magdeburg, Germany. He pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Münster, where he was advised by Dieter Rödding.

### Academic Career
Ottmann held academic positions at the University of Karlsruhe (now KIT) and the University of Freiburg. His research focused on computational geometry, particularly the development of efficient algorithms for geometric problems.

### Mentorship and Influence
Ottmann advised several notable doctoral students, including Peter Widmayer, Stefan Edelkamp, and Christoph A. Bröcker. These students have made significant contributions to computer science, further cementing Ottmann's influence in the field.

### Legacy
Ottmann's work in computational geometry has had a lasting impact on various industries, including computer graphics and geographic information systems. His algorithms continue to be used and referenced in modern computational applications.

## Schema Markup
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  "birthDate": "1943-02-15",
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## References

1. IdRef
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Integrated Authority File