Noga Alon

"Combinatorics is primarily the mathematics of finite objects, investigating the properties of combinatorial structures. Its areas of study include exact and asymptotic enumeration, graph theory, probabilistic and extremal combinatorics, designs and finite geometries."

"The relations between combinatorics and other mathematical and scientific areas have been crucial in the development of the modern theory. Combinatorial concepts and questions appear naturally in many branches of mathematics, and the area has found applications in other disciplines as well."

"The core of most of the fundamental questions in theoretical computer science is combinatorial, as the notion of computation is based on manipulations with finite structures. The investigation of the limits of computation leads to basic combinatorial questions, and much of the design and analysis of efficient algorithms is also combinatorial in nature"

"In my research I tried (and still try) to develop effective techniques by tackling interesting problems. Solving such problems, especially ones with a history, is an important goal, but an even more important goal is the introduction of novel ideas and tools that can lead to further progress."

"Israel has traditionally always been a strong center of mathematical research. The Hebrew University has been particularly strong in Set Theory, Logic and Ergodic Theory. As mentioned, I used to come to the university only once a week."