The Center for Research in Mathematical Engineering (CI²MA) at the University of Concepción (UdeC) announced the addition of Dr. Christopher Maulén Marchant, an academic from the Department of Mathematical Engineering within the university's Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. 

The academic, who joined UdeC last December, comes to the center with the goal of strengthening theoretical lines of research in mathematics. 

Regarding his training and academic background, Maulén highlights his time at the University of Chile and his subsequent specialization abroad. "I completed my bachelor's and master's degrees at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Chile, at the Las Palmeras campus. Then, I moved to the doctoral program at the DIM—also at the University of Chile, at Beaucheff—under the supervision of Dr. Claudio Muñoz", recounts the researcher, who later undertook a postdoctoral position in Bielefeld, Germany, where he worked with Dr. Sebastián Herr for four years. 

His research profile focuses on the analysis of physical phenomena. "My line of research is dedicated to—or related to—dispersive partial differential equations and the study of the asymptotic properties of solutions and coherent structures, such as solitons, kinks, or similar types of solutions," he explains. 

Synergy with CI²MA 

Regarding his integration into CI²MA, Maulén values the opportunity to complement the center's strong foundation in numerical analysis with a more robust theoretical approach. "I know that CI²MA is strong in the numerical aspect of partial differential equations, and I believe that joining gives me, in a way, a chance to boost the theoretical line, while also being part of this numerical line that can, in turn, strengthen the theory," he notes. The academic has already begun exploring internal collaborations—particularly with Dr. Raimund Bürger, Deputy Director of CI²MA—given the proximity of their respective fields of work. "I am starting to talk with him; we are also currently looking into the possibility of co-advising a student," he notes, adding that Bürger’s research topics—related to conserved quantities and applied models—align closely with his own lines of research. 

In addition to his research activities, Maulén is already actively participating in the department's doctoral program, teaching courses and conducting a research seminar. 

His appointment, which came about following a direct invitation from the Center's director, Rodolfo Araya Durán, marks a key step in strengthening CI²MA’s scientific capacity and promises new interdisciplinary interactions within the field of mathematical engineering. "Dr. Maulén’s addition to our center strengthens the area of PDE theory, which is fundamental to our work. Undoubtedly, this appointment will help foster new interactions with our researchers, thereby strengthening our scientific endeavors," Professor Araya highlighted.