Hello!

I am a Chief Research Scientist in the Department of Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing and Deputy Centre Director of SURE-AI The Norwegian Centre for Sustainable, Risk-Averse and Ethical AI both situated at Simula Research Laboratory in Oslo, Norway.

You can contact me at:

Thomas M. Surowiec
Simula Research Laboratory
Kristian Augusts gate 23
0164 Oslo, Norway
Telephone:
Email:

I previously worked as a professor (W2) at Philipps-Universität Marburg in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science from 2016 to 2022, where I lead the research group on optimization. Prior to that I was an assistant professor (W1) at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin in the Department of Mathematics from 2014 to 2016, where I lead the research group on nonsmooth optimization and variational analysis.

My research is in the development of theory and algorithms in mathematical optimization. More specifically, I am interested in risk-averse optimization of complex systems in engineering and artificial intelligence as well as novel numerical methods for the solution of variational inequalities and partial differential equations.

You can find a more detailed CV here.

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Research

My research is in the development of theory and algorithms in mathematical optimization. More specifically, I am interested in PDE-constrained optimization under uncertainty, nonsmooth optimization and optimal control of partial differential equations. My work makes use of a wide array of techniques from functional and variational analysis, PDE theory, statistics, and management science.

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Papers

    2025

  1. D. Kim, B. Lazarov, T. M. Surowiec, and B. Keith A simple introduction to the SiMPL method for density-based topology optimization Struct. Multidisc. Optim., Vol. 68, No. 4, 74 (2025) journal
  2. B. Keith, D. Kim, B. Lazarov, and T. M. Surowiec Analysis of the SiMPL Method for Density-Based Topology Optimization SIAM J. Optim., Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 1134–1164 (2025) journal
  3. J. S. Dokken, P. E. Farrell, B. Keith, I. P. A. Papadopoulos, and T. M. Surowiec The latent variable proximal point algorithm for variational problems with inequality constraints Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Engrg., Vol. 445, 118181 (2025) journal

    4. 2024

  4. M. Hintermüller, M. Theiss, and T. M. Surowiec On a Differential Generalized Nash Equilibrium Problem with Mean Field Interaction SIAM Journal on Optimization, Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 2005–2030 (2024) journal ResearchGate
  5. B. Keith and T. M. Surowiec Proximal Galerkin: A structure-preserving finite element method for pointwise bound constraints Found. Comput. Math., Vol. 24, pp. 1–97 (2024) journal
  6. W. Römisch and T. M. Surowiec Asymptotic properties of {M}onte {C}arlo methods in elliptic {PDE}-constrained optimization under uncertainty Numerische Mathematik, Vol. 156, No. 5, pp. 1887–1914 (2024) journal arXiv
  7. J. Milz and T. M. Surowiec Asymptotic Consistency for Nonconvex Risk-Averse Stochastic Optimization with Infinite Dimensional Decision Spaces Mathematics of Operations Research, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 1403–1418 (2024) journal arXiv

    8. 2023

  8. P. Manns and T. M. Surowiec On Binary Optimal Control in $H^s(0,T)$, $s < 1/2$ Comptes Rendus Mathématique, Vol. 361, No. G9, pp. 1531–1540 (2023) journal ResearchGate
  9. S. W. Walker and T. M. Surowiec Optimal Control of the Landau-de Gennes Model of Nematic Liquid Crystals SIAM Journal on Control and Optimization, Vol. 61, No. 4, pp. 2546–2570 (2023) journal ResearchGate arxiv
  10. M. Hashemi, R. Herzog, and T. M. Surowiec Optimal control of the stationary Kirchhoff equation Computational Optimization and Applications, Vol. 85, No. 2, pp. 479–508 (2023) journal SpringerLink
  11. D. P. Kouri, M. Staudigl, and T. M. Surowiec A Relaxation-based Probabilistic Approach for PDE-constrained Optimization under Uncertainty with Pointwise State Constraints Computational Optimization and Applications, Vol. 85, No. 2, pp. 441–478 (2023) journal Accepted version. SharedIt link
  12. D.B. Gahururu, M. Hintermüller, and T. M. Surowiec Risk-Neutral PDE-Constrained Generalized Nash Equilibrium Problems. Mathematical Programming, Vol. 199, No. 2, pp. 1287–1337 (2023) journal

    13. 2022

  13. S. Dahlke, H. Harbrecht, and T. M. Surowiec A Wavelet-Based Approach for the Simulation and Optimal Control of NonLocal Operator Equations. SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, vol. 44, no. 4, pp. A2691-A2708 (2022) journal
  14. D. P. Kouri and T. M. Surowiec A Primal-Dual Algorithm for Risk Minimization Mathematical Programming, vol. 193, no. 1, pp. 337–363 (2022) journal
  15. S. Dahlke and T. M. Surowiec Wavelet-based approximations of pointwise bound constraints in Lebesgue and Sobolev spaces IMA J. Numerical Analysis, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 417–439 (2022) journal

    16. 2021

  16. M. Hintermüller, S.-M. Stengl, and T. M. Surowiec Uncertainty Quantification in Image Segmentation using the Ambrosio-Tortorelli Approximation of the Mumford-Shah Energy. Journal of Mathematical Imaging and Vision, vol. 63, pp. 1095-1117 (2021) journal
  17. P.E. Farrell, I. Papadopoulos, and T. M. Surowiec Computing Multiple Solutions of Topology Optimization Problems. SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, vol. 43, no. 3 pp. 1555–1582 (2021) journal
  18. M. Hoffhues, W. Römisch, and T. M. Surowiec On Quantitative Stability in Infinite-Dimensional Optimization under Uncertainty Optimization Letters , vol. 15 pp. 2733–2756 (2021) journal
  19. S. Garreis, M. Ulbrich, and T. M. Surowiec An Interior-Point Approach for Solving Risk-Averse PDE-Constrained Optimization Problems with Coherent Risk Measures SIAM J. Optimization, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 1-29 (2021) journal

    20. 2020

  20. D. P. Kouri and T. M. Surowiec Risk-Averse Optimal Control of Semilinear Elliptic PDEs ESAIM: Control, Optimization and Calculus of Variations vol. 26, no. 53 (2020) journal
  21. D. P. Kouri and T. M. Surowiec Epi-Regularization of Risk Measures Mathematics of Operations Research vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 774-795 (2020) journal
  22. P. E. Farrell, M. Croci, and T. M. Surowiec Deflation for Semismooth Equations Optimization Methods and Software vol. 35, no. 6, pp. 1248-1271, (2020) journal

    23. 2019

  23. L. Adam, M. Hintermüller, D. Peschka, and T. M. Surowiec Optimization of a multiphysics problem in semiconductor laser design SIAM J. on Applied Mathematics vol. 79, no. 1, pp. 257-283, (2019) journal
  24. L. Adam, M. Hintermüller, and T. M. Surowiec A Semismooth Newton Method with Analytical Path-Following for the $H^1$-Projection onto the Gibbs Simplex IMA J. Numerical Analysis vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 1276-1295, (2019) journal

    25. 2018

  25. L. Adam, M. Hintermüller, and T. M. Surowiec A PDE-constrained optimization approach for topology optimization of strained photonic devices Optimization and Engineering vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 521-557, (2018) journal
  26. T. M. Surowiec Numerical Optimization Methods for the Optimal Control of Elliptic Variational Inequalities In: Antil H., Kouri D.P., Lacasse MD., Ridzal D. (eds) Frontiers in PDE-Constrained Optimization. The IMA Volumes in Mathematics and its Applications vol. 163, Springer, New York, NY (2018) journal
  27. D. P. Kouri and T. M. Surowiec Existence and Optimality Conditions for Risk-Averse PDE-Constrained Optimization SIAM/ASA J. Uncertainty Quantification vol. 6, no. 2 787-815 (2018) journal
  28. M. Hintermüller and T. M. Surowiec On the Directional Differentiability of the Solution Mapping for a Class of Variational Inequalities of the Second Kind Set-Valued and Variational Analysis vol. 26, no. 3 631-642 (2018) journal

    29. 2017

  29. H. Antil, M. Hintermüller, R. H. Nochetto, T. M. Surowiec, and D. Wegner Finite Horizon Model Predictive Control of Electrowetting on Dielectric with Pinning Interfaces and Free Boundaries vol. 19, no. 1 1-30 (2017) journal

    30. 2016

  30. M. Hintermüller and T. M. Surowiec A Bundle-Free Implicit Programming Approach for a Class of Elliptic MPECs in Function Space Mathematical Programming vol. 160, no. 1-2 271-305 (2016) journal
  31. D. P. Kouri and T. M. Surowiec Risk-Averse PDE-Constrained Optimization Using the Conditional Value-At-Risk SIAM J. Optimization vol. 26, no. 1 365-396 (2016) journal

    32. 2015

  32. M. Hintermüller, T. M. Surowiec, and A. Kämmler Generalized Nash Equilibrium Problems in Banach Spaces: Theory, Nikaido--Isoda-Based Path-Following Methods, and Applications SIAM J. Optimization vol. 25, no. 3 1826-1856 (2015) journal

    33. 2014

  33. M. Hintermüller, B. S. Mordukhovich, and T. M. Surowiec Several Approaches for the Derivation of Stationarity Conditions for Elliptic MPECs with Upper-Level Control Constraints Mathematical Programming vol. 146, no. 1-2 555-582 (2014) journal

    34. 2013

  34. M. Hintermüller and T. M. Surowiec A PDE-constrained Generalized Nash Equilibrium Problem with Pointwise Control and State Constraints Pacific J. Optimization vol. 9, no. 2 251-273 (2013) journal

    35. 2012

  35. R. Henrion, J. V. Outrata, and T. M. Surowiec On Regular Coderivatives in Parametric Equilibria with Non-Unique Multipliers Mathematical Programming vol. 136, no. 1 111-131 (2012) journal
  36. R. Henrion, J. V. Outrata, and T. M. Surowiec Analysis of M-stationary points to an EPEC modeling Oligopolistic Competition in an Electricity Spot Market ESAIM Control, Optimization and Calculus of Variations vol. 18 295-317 (2012) journal

    37. 2011

  37. M. Hintermüller and T. M. Surowiec First Order Optimality Conditions for Elliptic Mathematical Programs with Equilibrium Constraints via Variational Analysis SIAM J. Optimization vol. 21, no. 4 1561-1593 (2011) journal
  38. R. Henrion and T. M. Surowiec On Calmness Conditions in Convex Bilevel Programming Applicable Analysis vol. 90, 951-970 (2011) journal

    39. 2010

  39. R. Henrion, J. V. Outrata, and T. M. Surowiec A Note on the Relation between Strong and M-stationarity for a Class of Mathematical Programs with Equilibrium Constraints Kybernetika vol. 46, 423-434 (2010) journal

    40. 2009

  40. R. Henrion, J. V. Outrata, and T. M. Surowiec On the Co-Derivative of Normal Cone Mappings to Inequality Systems Nonlinear Analysis: Theory, Methods \& Applications vol. 71, no. 3–4, 1–15, 1213-1226 (2009) journal

    41. 2007

  41. D. Bauer, E. Schmeichel, and T. M. Surowiec Subdivision of Edges and Matching Size Ars Combinatoria vol. 84, 141-153 (2007) journal
  42. D. Bauer, H. J. Broersma, N. Kahl, A. Morgana, E. Schmeichel, and T. M. Surowiec Tutte sets in graphs II: The complexity of finding Maximum Tutte sets Discrete Applied Math. vol. 155, 1336-1343 (2007) journal
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Newsletters, Interdisciplinary, In Preparation, etc.

  • A. Kirschbaum, J. Jonas, T.M. Surowiec, A. Pehl, und N. Mirow Detection of the Lateral Thermal Spread during Bipolar Vessel Sealing in an Ex Vivo Model—Preliminary Results Diagnostics 12(5):1217 (2022) journal
  • A. Kirschbaum, T. M. Surowiec, A. Pehl, T. Wiesmann, D.K. Bartsch, N. Mirow Local lung coagulation post resection - an ex-vivo porcine model Lasers Med Sci. 2021;1-5. doi:10.1007/s10103-021-03280-7 journal
  • D. P. Kouri and T.M. Surowiec PDE-Constrained Optimization under Uncertainty SIAG/OPT Views and News, vol. 25, no. 2, Dec. 2017 pdf
  • A. Kirschbaum, T. M. Surowiec, A. Pehl, A. Gockel, D.K. Bartsch, und N. Mirow Suturing of the laser resection area is recommended over a depth of 2 cm in an experimental porcine lung model Journal of Thoracic Disease 10(9):5339-5345 journal

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Preprints (Submitted & In Revision)

  • A. S. Javeed, D. P. Kouri, and T. M. Surowiec Inference as Risk Identification Submitted to Computational Risk Management arXiv

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Optimization in Oslo (OiO) Seminar

The seminar will showcase internationally renowned speakers with a strong emphasis on topics involving, but not limited to, optimization under uncertainty, PDE-constrained optimization, optimal control of complex systems, uncertainty quantification, scientific machine learning, and application areas such as image processing, materials science and more. The OiO seminar is a part of a broader effort to grow interest in continuous optimization in Oslo and is open to students, postdoctoral researchers, and beyond.

The planned format of the talk is 50 minutes for your presentation and 10 minutes for questions. We are planning to allow people to remotely attend the event and, pending each speaker's consent, we will record the events and host them on YouTube. If you'd like to attend an event in person then please contact me directly.

Click each title for full a abstract and bio!

Date Speaker Affiliation Title Video
October 19, 2022 Karl Kunisch University of Graz & Radon Institute Solution Concepts for Optimal Feedback Control of Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations Video
October 26, 2022 Niels Aage Technical University of Denmark Ultra-high resolution structural optimization: Current state-of-the-art and new frontiers Video
November 2, 2022 Coralia Cartis University of Oxford Sparse random embeddings and their applications to optimization Video
November 9, 2022 Lars Ruthotto Emory University Neural Network Approaches for High-Dimensional Optimal Control Video
November 16, 2022 Drew P. Kouri Sandia National Laboratories An Inexact Trust-Region Algorithm for Nonsmooth Nonconvex Optimization Video
November 23, 2022 Brendan Keith Brown University Adaptive Sampling for Constrained Optimization under Uncertainty Video
November 30, 2022 Mathias Staudigl Maastricht University Conditional Gradient methods for generalised self-concordant minimization Video
December 7, 2022 Michael Hintermüller Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin & Weierstraß-Institut PDE-Constrained Optimization with Learning-Informed Structures Video
December 14, 2022 Johannes Royset Naval Postgraduate School Rockafellian functions: The most important concept in optimization that you havent heard of Video
December 21, 2022 Johannes Milz Technische Universität München Consistency of Monte Carlo Estimators for Risk-Neutral PDE-Constrained Optimization Video
March 8, 2023 Paul Manns Technische Universität Dortmund Regularization in Integer Optimal Control -- Lessons Learned and Challenges Ahead Video
March 29, 2023 Vyacheslav Kungurtsev Czech Technical University, Prague Simultaneous Online Model Identification and Production Optimization Using Modifier Adaptation as a POMDP Video
April 25, 2023 Alfio Borzi Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg Quantum models and optimal control problems Video
May 3, 2023 Boris Mordukhovich Wayne State University, USA Generalized Newton Methods in Nonsmooth Optimization Video
May 24, 2023 Harbir Antil George Mason University Optimization, Digital Twins and Augmented Lagrangian Methods Video
October 4, 2023 Sören Bartels Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Error estimates for nonconforming and discontinuous discretizations of nonsmooth problems via convex duality Video
October 11, 2023 Michael Ulbrich Technische Universität München A Semismooth Newton Stochastic Proximal Point Algorithm with Variance Reduction Video
October 18, 2023 Ronny Bergmann Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU) Nonsmooth, nonconvex Optimization on Riemannian Manifolds Video
October 25, 2023 Peng Chen Georgia Institute of Technology Derivative-Informed Neural Operator for PDE-Constrained Optimization under Uncertainty Video
November 2, 2023 Shawn W. Walker Lousiana State University Controlling defects in the Landau-de Gennes model of nematic liquid crystals Video
November 8, 2023 Juan Carlos de Los Reyes Escuela Politécnica Nacional de Ecuador Bilevel learning for inverse problems Video
November 15, 2023 Florian Schäfer Georgia Institute of Technology Solvers, Models, Learners: Toward Statistical Scientific Computing Video
November 22, 2023 Carlos Rautenberg George Mason University Non-diffusive Variational Problems with Distributional and Weak Gradient Constraints Video

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Education

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