Young Researcher / Outstanding Researcher* Award

Associate Professor TOH Kim Chuan

Department of Mathematics

NUS presents Assoc Prof Toh Kim Chuan with the Outstanding Researcher Award for the high quality of his research in scientific computing and optimisation. His work on semidefinite programming has established him as one the brightest young numerical analysts of this generation.

In the pursuit of excellence that brought Assoc Prof Toh to the University Awards, it was his ability to optimise that unleashed his potential. Growing up in a non-English speaking environment, he fought shy of the expressive arts and gravitated towards the sciences in school. While working on his doctoral thesis, he transformed challenge into opportunity when stumped by an optimisation problem for which existing algorithms fail. Today, the design of efficient and robust algorithms is his core research focus. His portfolio is a quality output mixing theory as well as practical development of algorithms and software.

As a researcher working at the forefront of semidefinite programming, Assoc Prof Toh optimises by building synergies. His best research achievement is based on a collaboration leveraging on his own strengths and those of Prof MJ Todd of Cornell University and Assoc Prof RH Tutuncu of Carnegie Mellon University. Their SDPT3 MATLAB software package is the existing benchmark for new algorithms in semidefinite programming and is acknowledged as one of the current best all-purpose codes. As the main developer of the software, Assoc Prof Toh has propelled NUS to the forefront of optimisation research.

Constantly pushing the boundaries, Assoc Prof Toh is presently designing new algorithms for large-scale semidefinite programming for which existing algorithms are severely handicapped by memory and computational demands.

As the recipient of the University's highest recognition for research excellence, Assoc Prof Toh's thoughts veer naturally towards optimisation. He hopes his award will raise the awareness of the NUS community to the engagement of the Department of Mathematics in applicable as well as theoretical mathematics. With scientific computing and optimisation lying at the heart of most scientific and engineering research, he feels such awareness will be the springboard for a vibrant culture of inter-disciplinary research, where diverse talents contribute their best to achieve the optimal.