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Juan Restrepo sitting in front of beige backdrop

Mathematician receives international recognition as SIAM Fellow

Juan Restrepo, professor in mathematics

Mathematics Professor Juan Restrepo was recently named a 2018 Fellow for the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). Restrepo is one of 28 esteemed researchers in the 2018 Class of SIAM Fellows, who was nominated for his exemplary research contributions as well as outstanding service to the community, which includes projects, innovative programs and leadership roles taken to advance the discipline.

SIAM fellows are recognized by their peers for their distinguished contributions to one or more multiple areas of research, education, technical leadership and service to SIAM or its community. Through their contributions, SIAM Fellows help advance the fields of applied mathematics and computational science.

This year's fellows will be recognized during the SIAM Annual Meeting, during July 9-13, 2018 in Portland, Oregon. The 2018 SIAM Fellows hail from different parts of the world, representing institutions such as the University of Oxford, Technicon-Israel Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, National University of Singapore, Technische Universitaet Wien and Stanford University among others.

Restrepo was "recognized for contributions to the mathematical and computational modeling of the ocean and atmosphere." He received the prestigious 2017 SIAM Geosciences Career Prize for his impressive research in mathematical modeling and numerical simulation of oceanography and climate dynamics, which has had substantial impact in computational geosciences.

Restrepo specializes in geophysical fluid dynamics, scientific computing, and uncertainty quantification. His research encompasses two distinct areas:

  • The application of data science to understanding complex non-equilibrium physical and human systems and to the development of forecasting tools for these systems, and
  • The role of ocean and ocean transport in climate dynamics and in nearshore processes, such as oil-spill dynamics, wave-generated transport and the role of oceans in global climate

He teaches broadly in the areas of numerical analysis and scientific computing, as well as applied analysis. As a proponent of diversity in science and mathematics, Restrepo has mentored numerous students from underrepresented groups.

Restrepo has received several grants by the National Science Foundation for his applied mathematical research in oceanography, meteorology, and the environment. He is a co-principal investigator of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Traineeship at OSU, which has received $3 million to implement the program.

The proposal, “Risk and uncertainty quantification in marine science and policy,” prepares a new generation of natural resource scientists and managers to study, protect and manage ocean systems. The program encourages the development of bold and transformative models for graduate education in STEM fields.

Established in 1952, SIAM is an international community of applied and computational mathematicians, computer scientists and other scientists and engineers that advances the fields of applied mathematics and computational science. The society publishes books and premier journals and also sponsors a selection of conferences and programs.

Read more: Mathematician earns career prize in geosciences