Carlos Castillo-Chavez
Encyclopedia
Carlos Castillo-Chavez (born 1952) is a Regents Professor, and Joaquin Bustoz Jr. Professor of Mathematical Biology at Arizona State University
and the executive director of the Mathematical and Theoretical Biology Institute and Institute for Strengthening the Understanding of Mathematics and Science as well as the founding director of the Mathematical, Computational Modeling Sciences Center at the same university.
Castillo-Chavez came to the United States from Mexico in 1974, at the age of 22, and began working at a cheese factory in Wisconsin to support himself. He then returned to his mathematics studies by applying to the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
, where he graduated in 1976, with dual degrees in math and Spanish literature. Castillo-Chavez holds a Ph.D.
in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
(1984). Prior to moving to Arizona State University in 2004, he spent 18 years as a professor at Cornell University
. He has published scientific articles, and books, and served on panels and committees for organizations such as the National Science Foundation
, the Sloan Foundation, the National Institutes of Health
, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
, and the American Mathematical Society
.
His research interests as a mathematical epidemiologist
relate to the mechanisms underlying spread of disease, and their containment (prevention of spread) and elimination. A 2006 editorial at Arizona State University, a year after his arrival there, described him as one of the most prominent mathematician
s in the country, an expert in epidemiological modeling, and among the top research contributors to literature on the progression of diseases. He is acclaimed for his work on enhancing prospects for academic success and providing research opportunities for underrepresented groups in mathematics and biology.
He has won awards by the American Association for the Advancement of Science
(AAAS) Mentor Award and Fellow (2007), the Stanislaw M. Ulam Distinguished Scholar by the Center for Nonlinear Studies at Los Alamos National Laboratory
(2003), the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Distinguished Scientist Award (2001), the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (1997), and the Presidential Faculty Fellowship Award from the National Science Foundation and the Office of the President of the United States (1992–1997).
President Obama announced his intent to nominate Carlos Castillo-Chavez to the President’s Committee on the National Medal of Science for the period 2010-2012.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
and the executive director of the Mathematical and Theoretical Biology Institute and Institute for Strengthening the Understanding of Mathematics and Science as well as the founding director of the Mathematical, Computational Modeling Sciences Center at the same university.
Castillo-Chavez came to the United States from Mexico in 1974, at the age of 22, and began working at a cheese factory in Wisconsin to support himself. He then returned to his mathematics studies by applying to the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
The University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point is a public university located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin...
, where he graduated in 1976, with dual degrees in math and Spanish literature. Castillo-Chavez holds a Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
(1984). Prior to moving to Arizona State University in 2004, he spent 18 years as a professor at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
. He has published scientific articles, and books, and served on panels and committees for organizations such as the National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
, the Sloan Foundation, the National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics was founded by a small group of mathematicians from academia and industry who met in Philadelphia in 1951 to start an organization whose members would meet periodically to exchange ideas about the uses of mathematics in industry. This meeting led...
, and the American Mathematical Society
American Mathematical Society
The American Mathematical Society is an association of professional mathematicians dedicated to the interests of mathematical research and scholarship, which it does with various publications and conferences as well as annual monetary awards and prizes to mathematicians.The society is one of the...
.
His research interests as a mathematical epidemiologist
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study of health-event, health-characteristic, or health-determinant patterns in a population. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based medicine by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive...
relate to the mechanisms underlying spread of disease, and their containment (prevention of spread) and elimination. A 2006 editorial at Arizona State University, a year after his arrival there, described him as one of the most prominent mathematician
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
s in the country, an expert in epidemiological modeling, and among the top research contributors to literature on the progression of diseases. He is acclaimed for his work on enhancing prospects for academic success and providing research opportunities for underrepresented groups in mathematics and biology.
He has won awards by the American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
(AAAS) Mentor Award and Fellow (2007), the Stanislaw M. Ulam Distinguished Scholar by the Center for Nonlinear Studies at Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by Los Alamos National Security , located in Los Alamos, New Mexico...
(2003), the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Distinguished Scientist Award (2001), the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (1997), and the Presidential Faculty Fellowship Award from the National Science Foundation and the Office of the President of the United States (1992–1997).
President Obama announced his intent to nominate Carlos Castillo-Chavez to the President’s Committee on the National Medal of Science for the period 2010-2012.
External links
- Mathematical and Theoretical Biology Institute and Institute for Strengthening the Understanding of Mathematics and Science
- Carlos Castillo-Chavez at the SACNAS Biography Project
- Interview with Carlos Castillo-Chavez at AAASAmerican Association for the Advancement of ScienceThe American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...