Who: Rodrigo Bañuelos, professor of mathematics at Purdue University, will visit The University of Alabama.

What: Bañuelos will be solving a complicated technical problem from the 1920s.

When:  Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 11 a.m. to noon.

Where: Gordon Palmer Hall, Room 302

Why: “Rodrigo Bañuelos is the leading senior Mexican-American mathematician in his field and in research, so it is an honor to have him visit the University,” said David Cruz-Uribe, chairman of the math department.

Cruz-Uribe said Bañuelos is solving a problem from the 1920s that has not been solved.

“The fact he can solve it shows he has found new technology to help other mathematicians solve other problems,” Cruz-Uribe said. “When a math problem becomes famous it’s because when it is posed it has a name attached to it. It becomes ‘so and so’s’ problem. Math is like being a plumber – you use different tools for different problems. Sometimes you invent important new technology to help other mathematicians create new technology to add to our toolbox.”

Cruz-Uribe said this is the third annual talk in the department of mathematics in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

For more information on Hispanic Heritage Month or this event, please visit:

https://crossroads.ua.edu/hispanic-latino-heritage-month/

https://math.ua.edu/event/colloquium-rodrigo-banuelos-purdue-university/