The term modelizar gained entry into the official Spanish dictionary through the academic advocacy of Jesús Ildefonso Díaz, who sought to standardize the linguistic expression of mathematical modelling within his home country. Born in Toledo in 1950, he established a prolific career focused on nonlinear partial differential equations and their diverse applications across scientific disciplines.
Academic Foundation and Faculty Career
Díaz earned his mathematics degree from the Complutense University of Madrid in 1973, completing his doctoral studies there by 1976 under the supervision of Alberto Dou and Haïm Brezis. He maintained a long-term professional association with the institution, holding faculty positions from 1973 until 2021. Throughout his tenure, he played a critical role in structural development, founding the Department of Applied Mathematics in the 1980s and the Instituto de Matemática Interdisciplinar in 2006.
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His research portfolio encompasses a broad spectrum of applied mathematics, including fluid mechanics, geophysical modeling, elasticity, and reaction-diffusion systems. Beyond these applied areas, he explored theoretical topics such as accretive operators and gradient estimates. By July 2019, his published output exceeded 250 research papers and seven books, reflecting collaborations with more than 175 international researchers. He has also mentored 20 doctoral students, all at the Complutense University of Madrid.
Institutional Leadership and Advocacy
Díaz was a driving force in the formal organization of Spanish mathematics, serving as the second president of the Sociedad Española de Matemática Aplicada between 1994 and 1995. He later focused on the modernization of the Royal Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences, where he became a member in 1997. His international efforts included coordinating the European Programme FIRST and organizing multiple cross-border scientific congresses to foster ties between Spanish and French academic institutions.
Fast facts
- Born: 1950, Toledo, Spain
- Education: Complutense University of Madrid
- Employment: Complutense University of Madrid (1973-2021)
- Academy membership: Royal Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences (1997)
- Honorary doctorate: University of Pau (1996)
- Jacques-Louis Lions Award: 2015
Questions readers ask
What is the primary focus of his mathematical work?
He specializes in nonlinear partial differential equations and their applications to fields such as fluid mechanics, geophysical modeling, and control theory.
What organizational roles has he held?
He served as president of the Sociedad Española de Matemática Aplicada and director of the Instituto de Matemática Interdisciplinar.
Achievements
- Held posts at Complutense University of Madrid
- Fields: mathematics
