David E. Bernal Neira
David E. Bernal Neira is an Assistant Professor at the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering at Purdue University. He specializes in applying mathematical and computer science tools to address problems relevant to science and engineering, for example, physics and chemical, process, and energy systems engineering. In particular, he works in nonlinear discrete optimization, where, besides applications, he has been working in theory, algorithms, and software. He has been involved in research and teaching related to these topics for over a decade, complemented with research in Quantum Computing. He is currently a visiting research scientist at the NASA Quantum Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and the Research Institute of Advanced Computer Science from the Universities Space Research Association (USRA). He has co-authored several papers in indexed journals, a few software packages for optimization and quantum computing, given several presentations and seminars in the United States of America and internationally, taught different classes including one on the intersection of optimization, quantum computing, and machine learning (which he co-designed), and have had the pleasure of collaborating with many different researchers in academia, national laboratories, government agencies, and industry.
Link to his profile at Purdue University.
Affiliations
- Principal Investigator of SECQUOIA, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Visiting Scientist in Quantum Computing, USRA Research Institute of Advanced Computer Science, Mountain View, CA, USA
Supervisor: Dr. Davide Venturelli - Visiting Scientist in Quantum Computing, NASA Quantum Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Mountain View, CA, USA
Supervisor: Dr. Eleanor Rieffel
Education
- Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (2017-2021)
Advisor: Professor Ignacio E. Grossmann - B.Sc. in Physics, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia (2011-2018)
Advisor: Professor Jaime Forero - M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia (2014-2016)
Advisor: Professor Jorge Mario Gomez - B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia (2010-2014)
Advisor: Professor Jorge Mario Gomez
Research Interests
In general, a good summary of our work is that we work in Nonlinear discrete optimization via advanced hardware with application in Chemical Engineering. Common focus areas are listed below:
- Mixed-integer nonlinear programming algorithms, software, and theory
- Quantum computing applications for optimization and chemistry
- Study of non-conventional hardware for computing and optimization
- Distributed (quantum) computing and federated learning
- Process design, synthesis, operations, and control via optimization methods
- Applications of process systems engineering techniques for the pharmaceutical, oil and gas, chemicals, and other industries
- Optimization-driven process engineering for a sustainable future
Teaching
Please visit the teaching page for more information on teaching experience and philosophy of SECQUOIA. For completeness, the courses taught by David are listed below:
- Process Dynamics and Control - Purdue CHE456 Fall 2023
- Quantum Integer Programming and Machine Learning - CMU 47-779 / 47-785, 18-819F Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Fall 2023
- Quantum Integer Programming - CMU 47-779 Fall 2020
Awards
- Best talk award, Quantum Computing Applications in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Workshop (2022)
- Finalist, AIChE CAST Directors’ Student Presentation Awards (2020)
- Mark Dennis Karl Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, Chemical Engineering Department - Carnegie Mellon University (2019)
- Cum Laude in Chemical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes (2014)
- Alberto Magno Scholarship, Universidad de los Andes (2010-2014)
- Valedictorian, Gimnasio Británico (2009)
- First place in the Colombian Physics Olympiad, Superior level, Universidad Antonio Nariño (2007)
Publications
Please visit the publication page.