Cluster leader at the National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science and part-time professor of Discrete Mathematics and Optimalisation at the Universiteit van Amsterdam.
Professor Schrijver receives the NWO/Spinoza prize 2005 for his work on combinatorial optimisation and algorithmics, and the two standard works which he wrote in this area.
Lex Schrijver (Amsterdam, 4 May 1948) studied Mathematics at the Vrije Universiteit and gained his doctorate there in 1977. After an appointment at the mathematical centre in Amsterdam, a ZWO Bursary at the Attila Jozsef University in Hungary, and a professorship at Tilburg University, he has held a position at the National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science since 1989. In 1990 he also became a part-time professor at the Universiteit van Amsterdam.
For over 25 years Lex Schrijver has been one of the world's foremost researchers in the area of combinatorialism and algorithmics, especially combinatorial optimisation, polyhedral combinatorialism and graphs theory. The mathematician designs clever algorithms which can quickly calculate an answer to complex questions such as: how do you place connections in a new microchip design, or how can you compile an optimum train timetable? His contributions have considerable practical implications. This was confirmed when he received the Lanchester Prize in 1987 and 2004, a prize that is generally awarded to more industrial applications.
Schrijver has published more than 120 articles (he was the sole author in half of these) and he is also the author of two of the most important standard works in his discipline. In 1982 and 2003 he received the Fulkerson prize from the American Mathematical Society. He is only the second mathematician to have received this honour twice.
Schrijver has introduced coherence into combinatorial optimisation, a relatively new field of mathematical research, by writing the books Theory of Linear and Integer Programming and the three-volume Combinatorial Optimization: Polyhedra and Efficiency. His attempt to summarise this research field led to the discovery of gaps in the theory, which he filled in with new proofs and propositions. With this Schrijver has elevated the field to a higher level by simplifying it and discovering new relationships. His immense efforts were recognised when he was awarded the prestigious American Lanchester prize and the Dantzig prize.
Lex Schrijver is methodical, thorough, has a strong personality and enjoys widespread fame under mathematicians. He has clearly put an emerging research field on the map. Further he attaches considerable importance to popularising mathematics and regularly gives lectures for a wider public. It is expected that with this Spinoza prize he will be able to broaden and deepen his fundamental research at the National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science.
Further information for the press available from:
· Prof. A. (Lex) Schrijver (CWI, Probability, Networks and Algorithms)
· t +31 (0)20 592 4087, lex@cwi.nl
· http://www.cwi.nl/~lex
This jury report served as the basis for the speech given by Prof. P.C. van der Vliet at the announcement ceremony for the NWO/Spinoza prizes 2005 on 6 June.