Biography
I am an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Mathematics and Computing (IMC) at the Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI). I was born in Angico, a small town of around 3,000 inhabitants in the Brazilian state of Tocantins. The state was created in 1989, making me part of one of its very first generations. My journey from this small town to an academic career in optimisation and algorithms reflects my deep commitment to education, research, and the transformative power of knowledge.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of Tocantins (2014), a Master's degree in Computer Science from the Fluminense Federal University (2017), and a PhD in Systems and Computing Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ, 2024). I served as a Temporary Lecturer at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (DCC/IM) for two years and as an R&D Engineer at Ansys, Inc. (now part of Synopsys, Inc.) for five years. My research lies within the field of Computer Science, with a specialisation in Algorithms and Optimisation. My primary research interests include Combinatorial Optimisation, Integer Linear Programming, Spanning Tree Problems, Vehicle Routing Problems, Metaheuristics, and Decomposition Techniques. I am passionate about bridging the gap between theoretical optimisation and practical, real-world applications, and I am always keen to supervise motivated students interested in these areas.
Education
D.Sc. in Systems and Computing Engineering
Thesis: Resultados sobre o Problema da Floresta Restrita de Peso Mínimo
Advisor: Luidi Simonetti, D.Sc.
M.Sc. in Computing
Dissertation: Abordagens para Resolução do Problema do Caixeiro Alugador
Advisors: Luiz Satoru Ochi, D.Sc. & Luidi Simonetti, D.Sc.
B.Sc. in Computer Science
Professional Experience
Assistant Professor
• Leading research in Combinatorial Optimisation and Integer Programming
• Teaching undergraduate courses in Exact Methods, Discrete Math, Algorithms Design and Analysis and more
• Supervising undergraduate students
• Serving on departmental committees
Senior Research & Development Engineer
• Developing and maintaining the solver backend for Rocky, a high-performance Discrete Element Modelling (DEM) and Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) software for physics simulation of particles and fluids with arbitrary shapes and sizes
• Implementing numerical algorithms in C/C++ and CUDA, with a strong focus on HPC scalability across both CPU and GPU architectures
• Collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams to support product development in food processing, pharmaceutical, biotech, and agricultural equipment industries
• Contributing to the integration of the Rocky team into Ansys following the company acquisition in late 2022, and later the integration into Synopsys by mid-2025
Lecturer
• Lectured introductory programming courses to Engineering and Computer Science students, using Python and C/C++ as primary languages
• Designed course curricula, prepared practical programming assignments, and assessed student performance
• Mentored undergraduate students and supported their academic development in foundational computing skills
Research Interests
Combinatorial Optimisation
Tackling classic hard problems (e.g., scheduling, routing, and network design) with clever algorithms, polyhedral insights, and a pinch of machine learning to outsmart NP-hardness.
Operations Research
Designing decision-support tools for logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing. I turn messy operational data into clear, actionable strategies that save time, money, and resources.
Linear and Integer Programming
Pushing the boundaries of exact solvers through cutting-planes, branch-and-cut, and column generation. I bridge pure theory (duality, polyhedra) with high-performance computing for real-scale problems.
Stochastic Optimisation
Making optimisation work in an uncertain world. I develop robust and multi-stage models for energy, finance, and disaster response, so decisions hold up even when the future doesn't go as planned.
Personal Interests
Outside the Lab
When I'm not working on research or teaching, I enjoy a good cup of coffee or wine, commute on my motorcycle around the cities, watch football (specially Flamengo matches), and experimenting with cooking recipes. I'm also a family guy who loves to travel and spend time with my wife and two dogs.
I believe in maintaining a healthy work-life balance and often find that my best research ideas come during quiet moments away from the computer. I'm also passionate about science communication and regularly give talks to local high schools about careers in computer science.
Community Involvement
I'm actively involved in several professional organizations and serve as a reviewer for top-tier conferences and journals in Combinatorial Optimisation and Operations Research.
As someone who benefited greatly from mentorship throughout my career, I'm committed to paying it forward by mentoring junior researchers and students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Math).