A survey by Professor Tiago Pereira, from the Institute of Mathematical and Computing Sciences (ICMC) at the University of São Paulo (USP), in São Carlos (SP), will receive R$ 1 million to develop a mathematical theory capable of describing behavior in non-linear dynamic systems, such as the brain, social networks and city sensors smart. The resources are from the Serrapilheira Institute for the promotion of Brazilian science.
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The goal is to understand what is the rule used by nature to give order to things. “The idea is to find an equation that can, when analyzed, say what can happen in that network, be it a person, an agency or a city”, he explained.
According to the researcher, the challenge is to understand complex networks, with a lot of interaction.
“We understand relatively well what happens when a system is isolated. For example, we know what a single neuron does. But in nature things interact. So, the behavior of an element depends on what happens around it and what this element does in the network is quite different from what it does when it is isolated”, explains the mathematician.
According to Tiago, the study has the potential to help understand the transformations that occur in complex networks that lead, for example, to the emergence of diseases such as epilepsy.
“You go to the doctor and take a medicine that everyone else takes. Our idea is to make the medicine work for you. We would collect all the data on how you are functioning, figure out the equations, and in the computer, would analyze all the possible scenarios and find the specific treatment for you”, He explained.
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Tiago Pereira's research is among the 12 selected to receive funding from the Serrapilheira Institute, the first in Brazil to encourage research.
Tiago participated in a research call last year that received more than two thousand proposals and was among the 60 that were selected. The researches were submitted anonymously, the projects did not have the names of the researchers and were evaluated by a foreign committee.
The selected studies received BRL 100,000 and were monitored for one year by a committee of Brazilian and foreign researchers. At the end of this time, 12 were selected to receive R$ 1 million.
The resources must be used in three years and are also inclusive: R$ 700,000 are granted in an unconditional and R$ 300,000 are conditional on the integration and training of researchers from underrepresented groups or minorities in science.
“Our goal is to identify talent that has just entered the academic system and, in the long term, create a network of future leaders of Brazilian science”, said the CEO of Serrapilheira, Hugo Aguilaniu, in the announcement of the winners, which took place on 17 May.
The funding received for Tiago's research will be used to assemble a trained and specialized team and to interact with foreign researchers, with an exchange of knowledge
For the researcher, receiving this contribution of resources in the current scenario of cuts in investments in education, science and technology in Brazil is extremely relevant.
“It is very sad to see an orchestrated action against education, precisely in a country where we need it so much. My parents only studied up to the fourth year of elementary school. In my case, reading a little really changed my life”, said the professor.
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