Website: www.csd.uwo.ca/~eschost/

Coming to Canada from

École polytechnique, France

Research involves

Exploring the algorithmic aspects of computing to solve mathematical problems that currently prevent computers from reaching their potential.

Research relevance

This research will yield new software for solving mathematical problems and allow computers to solve a variety of science, engineering and education problems.

Better computers, mathematically speaking

Computers are formidable mathematics tools, but they cannot realize their true promise to science, engineering and education before a host of complex mathematical problems are solved.

Dr. Eric Schost, Canada Research Chair in Computer Algebra, is exploring the algorithmic aspects of computing—namely, the instructions that computers use to solve problems. He is developing new families of algorithms, by using applications from number theory (which studies the properties of numbers) and motion planning (which decides whether a mechanism can be brought from one position to another).

Schost aims to see computational algebra become one of the main tools for science and education. Making this happen will require theoretical advances that go hand in hand with better experiences for people who use computers. As a result, much of Schost’s work involves setting up publicly available computer systems.

Schost’s research will make computers better tools in all of our hands.