Title: Assistant Professor, Cleveland State University
Age: 37
Education: B.S., applied mathematics, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Mexico; M.S., mathematics, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute; and Ph.D., mathematics, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute
Career mentors: Dr. Rafael H. Villarreal, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute; Dr. Elisa Gorla, University of Neuchâtel; Dr. Felice Manganiello, Clemson University; and Dr. Gretchen Matthews, Virginia Tech
Words of wisdom/advice for new faculty members: “Try, try, and try, and then you will get it. Do what you love. I know that the money is important, but the money will come eventually when you do what you love."
Dr. Hiram Lopez Valdez has done plenty to boast about in his short career. He has written more than 20 journal articles on algebraic coding and cryptography. He is the primary investigator on a National Science Foundation disciplinary grant of nearly $250,000. And he was featured as the Mathematician for the Day in the 2020 calendar of Lathisms, Latinx and Hispanics in Mathematical Sciences. But when asked what part of his academic journey he is most proud, Lopez Valdez has a surprising answer.
“The people I have met because of the research” is his response. “I have been able to connect with many great people that I had no idea existed.”
Lopez Valdez’s focus on the human element started when he was a visiting scholar in Switzerland during the 2014-15 academic year. Lopez Valdez wanted to apply for a scholarship, but in order to do so, he needed to find a mentor to supervise his research. A colleague of his Ph.D. advisor, whom he had never met, volunteered to take him on.
“I didn’t know that it was possible,” said Lopez Valdez. “I don’t know this person. I didn’t know that someone who knows nothing [of] you [would] want to help.”
Her gesture inspired him.
