Conference Summary
ICIAM (International Congress on Industrial and Applied Math)
July 16-20, 2007, Zurich, Switzerland

Serina Diniega
PhD Candidate
Applied Mathematics GIDP

The 6th International International Council for Industrial and Applied Mathematics was held in Zurich, Switzerland on July 16-20, 2007. This conference, which occurs every four years, was attended by thousands of mathematicians, who presented and discussed many and varied applications of mathematical analysis to scientific and industrial problems. Each day, several parallel long (45 minute) talks were given by prominent mathematicians on current and important issues/fields. The rest of the sessions consisted of 30 or more parallel minisymposiums (25 minute talks) or contributed talks (15 minutes). Between sessions, refreshments were supplied for ’networking’ time. 

Over the course of the conference, I primarily attended talks relevant to my research, such as ‘multiscale/multiphysics modeling’ and ‘numerical methods in partial differential equations.’ However, I also attended presentations on a few interesting tangential subjects, such as ‘contact problems in solid mechanics,’ ‘design, analysis and application of optimal PDE solvers,’ and ‘the fluid mechanics of swimming micro-organisms in suspension.’ Additionally, I tried to make use of the refreshment breaks to meet a variety of other young mathematicians from around the world, as well as the occasional professor.

On July 20th, I presented my own research in the session: ‘Theoretical topics including granular material.’ My presentation: ‘Analysis and simulation of dune evolution,’ was well received. Other presenters in this session spoke about simulations of micro-crack growth, indirect determinations of the strength of a material, and methods of solving elastoplatic problems. 

In addition to attending the conference, I did take some time to explore Zurich. A few hours were spent at the Landesmuseum, which covers the history of Switzerland for the last 8,000 years. I also wandered through the streets of the Altstalt (old city), admiring the architecture, churches, and parks, and down the Bahnhofstrasse, which is the main shopping/business/stock district.

Overall, this was a wonderful experience. I was introduced to a very broad selection of ongoing research, and the people I met were interesting. Additionally, I had a chance to present my research to a much wider audience, in terms of location as well as in research focus. Finally, the city is lovely, and my cultural excursions yielded fascinating introductions to both historical and modern Zurich. I heartily thank both SIAM and GIDP for providing me with the necessary funding so that I could attend the ICIAM’07.