Professors about themselves: Olga Sorkine-Hornung
Associate professor Olga Sorkine-Hornung leads the Interactive Geometry Lab. Her research areas include shape representation and editing, digital geometry processing, fabrication, image and video manipulation, and computer animation.
Professor Sorkine-Hornung, what are your interests and hobbies outside of science?
I love hiking and I'm a chocolatier and producer of artisanal spirits.
What is your favourite insporational quote?
"What is now proved was once only imagined."
What would you do if you had one year of paid leave?
Ggo on a backpacking trip around the world with my family.
If you weren't a scientist, what would you be?
A medical doctor.
What is your guiding philosophy for running your lab and doing research?
I try to help every lab member fulfill their potential and push the boundaries of their ability and imagination. Research is a team sport, and my job is to be the coach and team member at the same time, making sure everybody has all they need to be inspired and productive.
Name a fun fact about your field or your research.
Recently one of my doctoral students was asked if he can paint graffiti on a wall in Vienna using an algorithm he had developed.
What does diversity in computer science mean to you and why is it important?
Diversity in CS to me means having the privilege to work in a brilliant, intellectually rich and stimulating working environment. It is important because diversity leads to better ideas and better science.