Dr. Michael R. Berthold is a distinguished German computer scientist renowned for his leadership in data science and bioinformatics. He served as Full Professor and Chairholder for Bioinformatics and Information Mining at the University of Konstanz from 2003 until 2024, where he established a world-class research program in intelligent data analysis. Born in Stuttgart in 1966, he earned his MSc in Computer Science in 1992 and his Dr.rer.nat. in 1997, both from Karlsruhe University, laying the foundation for his pioneering career in machine learning applications. His early academic journey included significant appointments as a visiting researcher at Carnegie Mellon University in 1991, followed by positions at the University of Sydney in 1994 and the University of Karlsruhe in 1993, before becoming a BISC Research Fellow and lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley from 1997 to 2000.
Dr. Berthold's research has profoundly influenced the field of interactive data analysis through his development of innovative machine learning methodologies for extracting meaningful insights from complex information systems. He has authored over 250 scholarly publications that have collectively shaped modern approaches to knowledge discovery and data mining, with particular emphasis on bisociative methods that bridge diverse data sources. His editorial leadership extends to seminal textbooks including 'Intelligent Data Analysis' and 'Guide To Intelligent Data Science,' which have become standard references for researchers and practitioners worldwide. Notably, he initiated and led the European Union FP7 BISON project, which pioneered novel techniques for bisociative knowledge discovery culminating in the influential edited volume 'Bisociative Knowledge Discovery' that established new paradigms in interdisciplinary data analysis.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Berthold has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the scientific community through his presidency of the IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society from 2010 to 2011 and his sustained involvement in organizing the IDA-series of symposia on Intelligent Data Analysis. As co-founder of the KNIME analytics platform, he transitioned to become full-time President and CEO of KNIME AG in Zurich, Switzerland in 2017, transforming an academic research tool into one of the most widely adopted open-source data analytics platforms globally. His commitment to bridging academia and industry continues through his honorary professorship at Óbuda University and his ongoing contributions to advancing data science education and practice. Dr. Berthold remains at the forefront of the field, guiding KNIME's strategic direction while continuing to influence the next generation of data scientists through his publications, mentorship, and thought leadership in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and data analytics.
