Luis Caicedo Torres passes Ph.D defense

Luis Caicedo during the 2022 AMRPU@FIU

This semester, we proudly celebrate the graduation of Luis Caicedo Torres, who has successfully defended his thesis on "Fractional-in-Time Schrödinger Equations." This groundbreaking research explores the complex dynamics of quantum systems, with potential applications in various fields including physics and engineering. Luis has been mentored by Professor Ciprian Gal throughout his graduate studies. As Professor Gal's first student, this achievement is a significant milestone for both of them, and we are delighted to honor their success.

Luis Caicedo with his Ph.D Advisor Professor Ciprian Gal

Luis's journey at FIU began in 2011 as a high school student taking accelerated courses through the Academy for Advanced Academics (AAA) program hosted at FIU. He later enrolled as a mathematics major and completed his BS in just three years. With a clear vision for graduate school, Luis became a pioneering member of our Ph.D. program, joining the inaugural cohort after a period in our master's program.

Since early 2018, Luis has served as a graduate assistant, one of the first in the department to hold this role. He was also among the first graduate students to serve as a primary instructor, where he excelled in teaching complex mathematical concepts to undergraduate students. In this role, he was able to make apparent to students the power of mathematics education and encouraged them to pursue further mathematics study. Recently, Luis has collaborated with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and he will return there this summer to continue his important work. This collaboration has provided him with valuable experience and exposure to cutting-edge research. Post-graduation, Luis aims to transition into a research role outside academia, possibly at a national lab, where he hopes to contribute to solving real-world problems through advanced mathematical techniques.

Professors Ciprian Gal, Wim Cosyn, and Svetlana Roudenko, committee members, with Luis Caicedo

Luis's contributions extend beyond academics. He has been a leader among his peers, serving as president of the Students in Graduate Mathematics Association (SiGMA) in 2021 and as a mentor for the Directed Reading Program in 2020 and 2022. His leadership and mentoring skills have been instrumental in guiding fellow students and fostering a collaborative learning environment. He also supported the Applied Mathematics Research Program for Undergraduates in 2021 and 2022 and was a Graduate Student Seminar Organizer from 2019 to 2022. These roles allowed him to influence the academic and professional development of many students. In recognition of his efforts, Luis received the Academic Service Award in 2021, a testament to his dedication to the university community.

Luis mentoring his research group during the 2022 AMRPU@FIU

In his own words, Luis reflects on his journey: "My time at FIU has been transformative. The support from my mentors, peers, and family has been invaluable. I'm excited about the future and look forward to continuing my research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory." Luis acknowledges the importance of his family's support throughout his academic journey, the support of the faculty, and his friends which were crucial in overcoming the challenges of graduate school.

Luis has been an FIU Panther for over a decade, playing a crucial role in the development of our program. His dedication and hard work have significantly contributed to our growth. As Luis walks across the stage this summer, completing his journey of over ten years and three degrees, we express our heartfelt gratitude for his contributions and wish him the very best in his future endeavors. Congratulations, Luis!

Luis Caicedo amongst members of the department's graduate program and associates.