Prof. Dr. Christof Büskensis a professor ofOptimization and Optimal Controlat the University of Bremen and has long served as the head of theOptimization and Optimal ControlResearch Group at the Center for Industrial Mathematics (ZeTeM). After studying mathematics at the University of Münster with a minor in computer science, he earned his Ph.D. there in 1998 and completed his habilitation in 2002 at the University of Bayreuth in the field of real-time optimization and real-time optimal control. He subsequently received appointments to national and international professorships; today, he holds a W3 professorship at the University of Bremen.

His research focuses on the fieldsof industrial mathematics,high-dimensional optimization,digital twins,optimal control,model predictive control,artificial intelligence,and autonomous systemsin mobility, aerospace, and energy technology. He developed the optimization softwareWORHP, which is used by more than 5,000 users worldwide in academia and industry and is employed, among others, by the European Space Agency (ESA).

In addition to his academic work, Prof. Büskens has been deeply involved in knowledge and technology transfer for many years. He is a co-founder ofthe TOPAS Industrial Mathematics Group, Scientific Director of TOPAS Industrial Mathematics, and spokesperson and coordinator of the large-scale transfer project#MOIN – Model Region for Industrial Mathematics. In addition, he heads various Steinbeis Centers and serves on scientific advisory boards and in innovation networks within the Northwest Metropolitan Region.

As the initiator and director of numerous research and technology transfer projects on autonomous vehicles, ships, satellites, and smart energy systems, he works closely with leading industry and research partners such as Volkswagen, MAN, Airbus, OHB, ESA, DLR, and IAV. He has received multiple awards for his outstanding contributions to knowledge and technology transfer, including the prestigiousSteinbeis Foundation Transfer Prize (Löhn Prize) in 2008 and 2026, theNordWest Award 2025, theBernd Artin Wessels Prize, and thePRESTIGE Awardfrom the European Space Agency (ESA) on multiple occasions.

With more than 200 scientific publications, more than 140 funded research projects, more than 50 doctoral and postdoctoral dissertations supervised, and numerous successful spin-offs, Prof. Dr. Christof Büskens is one of the most prominent figures in industrial mathematics and scientific technology transfer in Germany.