DFG honours mathematician from the University of Münster for outstanding research
This year’s von Kaven Prize from the German Research Foundation (DFG) is awarded to Thomas Nikolaus from the University of Münster. The prize honours mathematicians for outstanding achievements in research. It is endowed with 10,000 euros and will be presented on 6 December during the Gauss Lecture of the German Mathematical Society in Erlangen.Thomas Nikolaus’ research focuses on homotopy theory and K-theory, situated at the intersection of topology and algebra. Topology studies the qualitative properties of geometric objects, such as surfaces, which are invariant under continuous deformations. These properties are not related to size or angles but rather to shape and arrangement. In Nikolaus’ field, the geometric objects studied also possess algebraic structures, enabling operations like addition or multiplication.
"The combination of these concepts, together with the modern and sophisticated language of higher category theory, allows for solving old problems that were previously considered unsolvable," explains Thomas Nikolaus. In collaboration with mathematician Peter Scholze, he has fundamentally revolutionized the theory of topological cyclic homology and achieved significant advancements in the theory of quadratic forms over very general rings. In one of his recent works, together with Benjamin Antieau and Achim Krause, he succeeded in computing the algebraic K-groups of the finite rings Z/n. The high international visibility of his research is exemplified by his invitation to speak at the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) in 2022.
Based on these achievements, the DFG’s Mathematics Review Board selected Thomas Nikolaus as this year’s recipient of the prize. The event will be livestreamed at www.fau.tv/livestream starting at 6:00 pm.
About the Prize Winner After studying mathematics, Thomas Nikolaus received his PhD in 2011 at the University of Hamburg, focusing on mathematical physics. He subsequently conducted research at the universities of Regensburg and Bonn before joining the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics, where he led a junior research group from 2016 to 2018. In 2018, he accepted a professorship in theoretical mathematics at the University of Münster. Since February of this year, he has been one of the spokespersons of the Cluster of Excellence "Mathematics Münster: Dynamics - Geometry - Structure."
About the von Kaven Prize The von Kaven Prize honours mathematicians working within the European Union for outstanding scientific achievements. The recipient is selected by the DFG’s Mathematics Review Board. The prize money is provided by a foundation established in 2004 by mathematician Herbert von Kaven in collaboration with the DFG.