Current challenges towards connecting math and computer science into the industrial and commercial reality
Dr. Jonathan Montalvo-UrquizoEscuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Nowadays, we live in a society convinced of the technical advantages of using computers and algorithms to enhance human activities in almost all areas. Core of many solutions we use every day are mathematical methods that are transformed into computer science codes and then in software, apps, and cloud based services. From a mathematical perspective, this trend started long before terms like artificial intelligence, big data or machine learning became words everybody is using. For example, several decades ago, we already had similar concepts like trend prediction, parameter optimization, routing problems, production planning, supply chain, etc. Common feature from all solutions is a strong combination of: wide knowledge from the real phenomena, deep understanding of mathematical methods, and computational skills and infrastructure to run the corresponding numerical methods. During this talk, several examples of mathematical applications will be mentioned, focused on the strong need for interdisciplinary work, as well as on the strengths and weaknesses from the perspective of an applied mathematician and a computer scientist. Serval recommendations for undergraduate and graduate students will be given at the end of the talk.
SHORT BIO
Dr. Jonathan Montalvo-Urquizo is an experienced industrial mathematician active in both academics and industrial environments.
His academic profile includes a B.Sc. degree in Applied Mathematics from the UAdeC (Mexico, 2000), a M.Sc. in Industrial Mathematics from the TU Kaiserslautern (Germany, 2004), and PhD from the Universität Bremen (Germany, 2008). He has worked as full time researcher and Professor at the Centre for Industrial Mathematics (Bremen, Germany, 2008-2013), the CIMAT (Monterrey, México, 2014-2018) and is currently a Full Professor at the School of Science and Engineering from the Tecnológico de Monterrey. He has received several awards as the Sotero Prieto Award from the Mexican Mathematical Society, the National Youth Award from the Mexican Government, and the RP-Germany Award for Postgraduate Studies. He is a SNI-CONACYT member since 2009 and has advised several graduate and postgraduate students both in Germany and Mexico.
Outside academia, Jonathan Montalvo is Head of Mathematical Modeling at the consulting company Aleph5 and runs his own company MOCTECH where mathematical models and numerical solutions are implemented into real industrial applications.