Lectio Magistralis Professor Emeritus Eleuterio F. Toro

5 December 2017
December 5, 2017
Contatti: 

Hour: 15.00
Venue: Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Room 2R, Via Mesiano, 77 – Trento

Welcome:

  • Rector Prof. Paolo Collini

Introduction:

  • Doyen of DICAM Prof. Aronne Armanini
Lectio Magistralis "EQUATIONS AND US"
  • Professor Eleuterio Francisco Toro - OBE, PhD, Dr HC, Dr HC

Abstract of the Lectio Magistralis

I will navigate you through systems of equations that have occupied four decades of my life, highlighting the role of these abstract human creations in aerospace sciences, geophysics, astrophysics, physiology and medicine. 
Emphasis will be placed on the importance of research on new algorithms to solve such equations and thus uncover their meaning, power and utility.
I will finish with a medically-motivated application that reveals the largely unexplored role of anatomical malformations on some diseases, such as arterial hypertension and a range of neurological disorders affecting an ever increasing population worldwide.

Research activities of Prof. Eleuterio Francisco Toro

My research has for many years focused on  the construction of computational methods for solving partial differential equations, with particular emphasis on hyperbolic balance laws. Contribution highlights include: WAF (1989), HLLC (1992), FORCE (1996),  ADER (2001), MUSTA (2004), TV flux splitting (2012). The ADER framework allows the construction of one-step, non-linear numerical methods  (in the sense of Godunov’s Theorem) of arbitrary order of accuracy in both space and time.  Very high order methods have a huge efficiency gain; such feature increases the power of mathematical modelling and simulation for solving practical problems in science and engineering. The ADER numerical techniques have been found to be relevant in many application areas; examples include  astrophysics, aero-acoustics, shock wave physics, aerospace sciences, seismology, tsunami wave propagation, meteorology, biology  and medicine. More recent contributions include relaxation procedures (2014), whereby general advection-diffusion-reaction equations may be formulated as hyperbolic balance laws with stiff source terms. 
I am currently focused on the study of the physics of neurodegenerative diseases and their association to the disturbed dynamical interaction of materials in the central nervous system (arterial blood, venous blood, interstitial fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, the brain parenchyma and the newly discovered brain lymphatic system). Of  particular interest is the theoretical elucidation of the hypothesised link between extra-cranial venous anomalies and pathologies, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Meniere’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. We are making progress on these very timely themes of practical relevance to so many people around the world. Advances are possible thanks to the contribution of research students, post-doctoral fellows, colleagues in Trento and collaboration with academics and medical doctors in Europe, USA and elsewhere.

Honours & Distinctions

OBE

(Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) - December 2000
An OBE  was awarded to Professor Toro in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List in June 2000. Professor Toro received the award for services to the Crown. The investiture ceremony in which the Queen formally conferred on him the OBE took place in Buckingham Palace, London, on 12th December 2000.
https://eleuteriotoro.com/honours-distinctions/

For further information:
Lorena Galante
lorena.galante [at] unitn.it

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