Interview with Jaqueline Mesquita (Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil), President of the Brazilian Mathematical Society and the Latin American and Caribbean Mathematical Union

Jaqueline Mesquita (Brazil, 1985) specialises in functional differential equations. In 2023, she became the youngest president of the Brazilian Mathematical Society (SBM) and the third woman to hold the position; it had been 18 years since a woman mathematician last presided over the society. In March 2025, she was also elected President of the Latin American and Caribbean Mathematical Union (UMALCA). She currently holds both positions while working as a full professor at the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Brazil), having joined recently after ten years at the University of Brasília (Brazil).

Mesquita was one of the organisers of the conference Geometry at Large, an ICMAT‑IMSA collaboration, which took place this past April at ICMAT and marked one of the first steps of Enhancing Mathematical Bridges between Spain and Latin America, a programme launched in 2024 by ICMAT to foster research collaboration and knowledge exchange across the Atlantic.

Laura M. Iraola/ICMAT

She conducts research in differential equations and functional differential equations—what appeals to her most about this field?

I’m very fond of the applications inherent in this area. I work with specific equations called functional differential equations with delay—that allow the study of current behaviour influenced by past states. With these, you can describe what is happening and propose ways to optimise numerous situations. For example, during the COVID‑19 pandemic, the virus’s progression could be modelled by these equations, the delay representing the disease’s incubation period. From these mathematical models, safety measures—such as quarantines—can be implemented. Similarly, they apply to other diseases with incubation periods, such as Zika or dengue, and in cases where a treatment’s effects are delayed, like in cancer. It’s a very recent field, so there are many interesting open problems, which I find very appealing.

Could you explain a result of yours that you’re particularly proud of?

I would highlight the result from my PhD thesis, which I completed under the supervision of Marcia Cristina Anderson Braz Federson and Antonín Slavík. I defended it in 2012 at the University of São Paulo (Brazil). We obtained a generalisation of functional differential equations—including delayed ones—using measures and time scales, leading to what are called measure functional differential equations (MFDEs). We established a unified framework to analyse complex dynamical systems exhibiting continuous and discrete features, potentially with discontinuities or delays. We achieved this by linking other types of equations such as impulsive equations, time‑scale equations… It was a very novel contribution in the field.

“Functional differential equations with delay allow us to study current behaviour based on past states and to model epidemics.”

In addition to your research work, you are President of the Brazilian Mathematical Society (SBM) and of the Latin American and Caribbean Mathematical Union (UMALCA)—how are the efforts to promote mathematics in Latin America progressing?

Through UMALCA we are promoting various initiatives. Our primary objective is precisely to strengthen connections within Latin America. We have a great deal of talent, but we cannot retain it due to a lack of funding. We are working to ensure Latin American researchers can remain in their home countries, travel, organise conferences and meetings to establish collaborations.

Moreover, through the Union we established Orbita Mathematicae, a scientific journal we are promoting so researchers will submit quality articles, and a bulletin where we highlight research opportunities and funding. Later, we also intend to focus on outreach for Latin American mathematics.

On another front, in 2024 the Latin American Mathematics Research Prize was established, awarded annually within the Mathematical Waves Miami meeting organised by the Institute for Mathematical Sciences in the Americas (IMSA). The main goal is to provide visibility to researchers, promote exchanges, and inform them about available opportunities.

Bilateral meetings between Latin American countries and Spain are also being organised, such as the third Brazil–Spain meeting alongside the Spanish Mathematical Society (RSME), which we hope to hold next year. Finally, in this same direction, IMSA and ICMAT launched the collaboration programme Enhancing Mathematical Bridges between Spain and Latin America.

“[In Latin America] we have a lot of talent that we cannot retain due to a lack of funding.”

What would you highlight about this programme?

We aim to reinforce mathematics in Latin America by strengthening existing collaborations between researchers on both sides and fostering new ones. Above all, we will focus on the upcoming generation of researchers through student exchanges between ICMAT and Latin American institutions. It’s also crucial to provide opportunities for researchers who wish to return to their home countries.

What strengths do you see in current mathematical collaboration between Spain and Latin America?

We must leverage the historical ties between both regions to support mathematical research, alongside cultural commonality and shared language—although in Brazil we speak Portuguese, it remains very close to Spanish. All these factors facilitate researcher interaction. Additionally, for years many Latin American countries have already established solid collaborations and exchanges with Spain that have yielded high‑level results.

“We will focus on the next generation of researchers via student exchange between ICMAT and Latin American institutions.”

Brazil’s mathematical research is at a very high level—they’ve achieved important milestones, such as the Fields Medal awarded to Artur Ávila in 2014—what do you think have been the key factors in this success?

Brazilian research is excellent; in fact, it is the only developing country in the top group of the International Mathematical Union. This has been thanks to public support for research and institutions such as CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) and CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development), which have invested heavily in scholarships for master’s and doctorate students, as well as in internationalisation and student mobility programmes.

And does that support extend to the early stages of education?

No, there is a significant disparity between the high standard of research and the low level of mathematics teaching. Through the SBM we are working to improve the situation and reverse outcomes such as those from PISA, where Brazil typically performs poorly. We have particularly noticed the pandemic’s negative impact and fear that in the coming years we will see even lower performance.

“There is a significant disparity between the high level of research in Brazil and the low level of mathematics teaching.”

One of the main goals of your presidency at SBM has been promoting diversity—what is the situation in Brazil in this regard?

Focusing on gender, in Brazil, as in the rest of the world, there are very few women mathematicians. It is particularly important for students to have female role models so they can realise they too can achieve these positions.

You are a role model for young women.

Yes, many girls approach me surprised because I am SBM’s President; it had been 18 years since a woman held this role. I believe it helps them to realise that they too can reach such a position one day.

Can you highlight any SBM initiatives to promote diversity in mathematics?

Last year we launched a mentoring programme for female PhD and postdoctoral researchers: they have meetings and organise talks on issues affecting them such as motherhood, harassment, etc.

We also created an award for Brazilian women mathematicians with three categories: one for the most established women, another for early‑career women, and another for those involved in diversity and equality projects facilitating women’s access to mathematics. Moreover, SBM supports women’s mathematics competitions, our national-level olympiads. In fact, this year Brazil will host the Pan‑American Mathematics Olympiad for girls for the first time.

“Many girls approach me surprised because I am the President of SBM. I believe it helps them to realise that they too can be that someday.”

What other approaches do you think could be effective in encouraging women’s access to mathematics?

It’s essential to provide more scholarships for women and to account for maternity by extending deadlines. For example, some awards are limited to those under 45, but we must recognise that motherhood slows women’s careers. In this regard, I’d like to highlight research by the Parent in Science movement on how the pandemic has affected researchers when publishing papers or applying for projects, showing that women with children have been the most impacted.

Other considerations include ensuring women are included as speakers at conferences and on committees, being aware of implicit biases, and not perpetuating discriminatory behaviours… There is still a long way to go.

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