The IMM hosted a conference hosted by Professor Fiza Zafar, an expert in numerical methods and optimization and a collaborator of the IMM’s DAMRES research group. A large number of researchers and students attended the conference.
After the presentation by the director of the IMM, Juan Carlos Cortés, Professor Zafar addressed the potential of Nature-Inspired Algorithms (NIAs), highlighting their ability to offer innovative solutions to complex problems by imitating natural processes such as evolution, swarm behavior, or cooperation between individuals. Among these algorithms are well-known techniques such as genetic algorithms (GAs), particle swarm optimization (PSO), ant colony optimization (ACO), and artificial bee colony optimization (ABC).
Although these algorithms show a remarkable ability to explore solution spaces, they also present challenges in terms of accuracy and speed of convergence, especially when applied to nonlinear systems. To address these limitations, Professor Zafar presented an innovative line of research based on hybrid algorithms, which combine the stochastic and exploratory nature of NIAs with highly accurate deterministic methods such as Jarratt’s and Steffensen’s methods.
The presentation generated great interest among the attendees, who particularly appreciated the practical projection of these techniques and their ability to improve the performance of classical algorithms in increasingly demanding application areas.
The visit of Fiza Zafar is supported by IMU-CDC and Simons Foundation.
