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Activity Funded

Center for Mathematics and Applications

Centro de Matemática e Aplicações

Reference
UIDP/00297/2020
Project Start Date
2020-01-01
Project End Date
2024-12-31
Principal Investigator
Funding Program
Concurso de avaliação no âmbito do Programa Plurianual de Financiamento de Unidades de I&D (2017/2018) - Financiamento Programático

Abstract

10.2 Summary in English for general dissemination purposes The Center for Mathematics and Applications, CMA, is located at the Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia of the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa at the Caparica Campus. It is the only research unit dedicated primarily to mathematics at NOVA University. As such, CMA benefits from a close relationship with the Department of Mathematics (DM), sharing the same facilities and, informally, being able to influence its overall strategy. Our focus is on cutting edge research in both pure and applied mathematics, with its subsequent publication in top journals. We also value the use of mathematics in the solutions of real-world problems at industrial level and of social relevance. Members of CMA study abstract topics such as the structure of mathematical proofs, integral operators acting on the Lebesgue space, and even provide answers to questions raised by Fields medalists. We also develop better algorithms for industrial problems, such as determining routes for supply chains and designing efficient transportation networks, and also work in close contact with actuarial and financial companies and banks. Finally, we study socially relevant issues, such as aging, droughts, fisheries, child diseases, and vaccines, always using up-to-date mathematical theories and techniques and also in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams. CMA is co-sponsor of the two PhD programs associated with the DM and is involved in four masters programs. CMA is currently ranked "very good" by FCT. Since the last evaluation, the number of scientific publications has grown steadily and CMA began to be involved in European projects. CMA is one of the main institutions behind the European Conference of Mathematical and Theoretical Biology in Lisbon, 2018 and is a founding member of PT.MATHS.IN, the Portuguese node of the European Service Network of Mathematics for Industry and Innovation. A number of computer applications developed by CMA members are available for download free of charge. Besides professors affiliated to the DM, CMA includes Professors at several universities and polytechnic institutes in Portugal, along with the Naval School, and the Portuguese Central Bank. CMA also values outreach activities and is probably the leading unit in Portugal for educational and outreach activities in Mathematics. In fact, CMA was the only Portuguese partner of the project “Mathematics in the Making”, funded by the European Commission, and is the home institution of Rogério Martins, presenter and writer of the award winning TV show “Isto é Matemática”. Finally, members of CMA have received international recognition as members of the Académie Internationale de Philosophie des Sciences and the International Statistical Institute, and as members of the board of the European Society for Mathematical and Theoretical Biology, or members of the Applied Mathematics Committee of the European Mathematical Society, all of them international scientific societies. 10.3 Summary in English for evaluation The Center for Mathematics and Applications (Centro de Matemática e Aplicações, CMA/FCT/UNL, or simply CMA) is located at the Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia of the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (FCT/NOVA) at the Caparica Campus. It is the only research unit dedicated primarily to mathematics at NOVA University and is the only research unit associated to the Department of Mathematics (DM) of the same University. As such, CMA benefits from a close relationship with DM, sharing the same facilities and, informally, being able to influence the overall strategy of the DM. Our focus is on cutting edge research in both pure and applied mathematics, with its subsequent publication in top journals. We also value the use of mathematics in the solutions of real-world problems at industrial level and of social relevance. Members of CMA study abstract topics such as the structure of mathematical proofs, integral operators acting on the Lebesgue space, and even provide answers to questions raised by Fields medalists. We also develop better algorithms for industrial problems, such as determining routes for supply chains and designing efficient transportation networks, and also work in close contact with actuarial and financial companies and banks. Finally, we study socially relevant issues, such as aging, droughts, fisheries, child diseases, and vaccines, always using up-to-date mathematical theories and techniques and also in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams. It is noteworthy that a research project conducted partially at CMA led the World Health Organization to change its recommendations for the Dengue vaccine in late 2017. CMA encompasses four research groups: Algebra and Logic, Analysis, Operations Research, and Statistics and Risk Management along with two thematic lines: “Mathematical Modeling in Ecology, Evolution, and Genetics” and “Mathematical Modeling for the Independent Living of Elderly, Disabled, and Chronic Patients”. Thematic lines seek to develop certain specific and strategic areas of research, and provide a more flexible structure for developing interdisciplinary research. More thematic lines are expected for the near future. In the 2013 Evaluation of R&D Units by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FTC), CMA was ranked "very good". Since then, the number of publications indexed by the Web of Science database has grown steadily, from 36 in 2013, to 63 in 2014, 75 in 2015, 86 in 2016 and 77 (provis) in 2017. FCT funding increased more than 15% in that period, despite the general economic crisis in Portugal. CMA began to be involved in European projects, at both educational (Comenius program) and scientific (COST - European Cooperation in Science and Technology) levels, directly funded post-docs for the first time, and introduced a visitor program to foster interaction with leading scientists at the international level. Several conferences were hosted and co-funded by CMA, and two of its members are funded by the prestigious Investigador FCT program. CMA is one of the main institutions behind the European Conference of Mathematical and Theoretical Biology in Lisbon, 2018 and is a founding member of PT.MATHS.IN, the Portuguese node of the European Service Network of Mathematics for Industry and Innovation. A number of computer applications developed by CMA members are available for download free of charge. CMA is co-sponsor of the two PhD programs associated with the DM, namely in Statistics and Risk Management, and Mathematics. Seventeen PhD candidates completed their dissertations in the last five years, and currently 23 candidates are being advised by CMA members. CMA is also involved, throughout many of its members, in four masters programs: Mathematics and Applications, Big Data (in partnership with the Computer Science Department), Statistics in Health (in partnership with the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), and Mathematics Education. CMA is led by a Scientific Coordinator elected for a four-year term by all of its members who satisfy a certain productivity criterion, in which the indexing in leading databases plays an important role. All research groups have financial autonomy and are led by an elected member. Besides professors affiliated to the DM, CMA includes Professors at Universidade da Beira Interior, Polytechnic Institutes of Lisbon, Setúbal, Tomar, Portalegre, and Beja,the Naval School, and the Portuguese Central Bank. CMA is also committed to gender balance: 52% of the Integrated PhD Members in the current proposal are female. Presently, DM has several job openings in all areas of mathematics, and we therefore expect CMA to have new members soon, with tenure-track positions. At least one of the new hires is expected to open a new area of research in Mathematics of Information. CMA also values outreach activities and is probably the leading unit in Portugal for educational and outreach activities in Mathematics. In fact, CMA was the only Portuguese partner of the project “Mathematics in the Making”, funded by the European Commission, and addressing primary school students in order to promote a stronger interest and greater skills in Mathematics through hands-on activities. Furthermore, CMA is the home institution of Rogério Martins, presenter and writer of the award winning TV show “Isto é Matemática”. Finally, members of CMA have received international recognition as members of the Académie Internationale de Philosophie des Sciences and the International Statistical Institute, and as members of the board of the European Society for Mathematical and Theoretical Biology, or members of the Applied Mathematics Committee of the European Mathematical Society, all of them international scientific societies.

Institutions

Main Institutions

  • Universidade Nova de Lisboa NOVAMath (CMA/FCT/UNL/NOVA FCT/UNL)
  • Universidade Nova de Lisboa Associação para a Inovação e Desenvolvimento da FCT (NOVA.ID.FCT)

Other Institutions

  • Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL)

Funding 911.250,00 €

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Portugal

911.250,00 €