Southwest Section of SIAM Launches With Vision for Regional Collaboration
Founding officers of the Southwest Section of SIAM meet to discuss the section’s launch. Clockwise from top left: Frederic Marazzato, Malena Español, Tonatiuh Sánchez-Vizuet, and Danny Dunlavy. Image courtesy of Malena Español.
In January 2026, SIAM approved the formation of the Southwest Section of SIAM (SIAM-SW) to support the applied mathematics community in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. This section’s creation reflects a shared goal of strengthening connections among universities, national laboratories, industry professionals, and students across the Southwest region of the U.S.
From the beginning, SIAM-SW’s goal has been clear: build an inclusive, sustainable regional network that promotes applied mathematics and fosters valuable professional relationships. The Southwest is home to many prominent research universities, national laboratories, and federal research sites, as well as a rapidly growing student population; however, geographic distances between institutions limit regular interaction. This new section seeks to bridge these gaps.
To celebrate its launch, SIAM-SW is organizing a minisymposium titled “Research Highlights from the Southwest Section of SIAM” at the SIAM Annual Meeting (AN26) in Cleveland, Ohio, this summer. This minisymposium will consist of three parts, each focusing respectively on (1) inverse problems, (2) mathematical biology, and (3) numerical analysis and partial differential equations — fields that showcase the region’s intellectual diversity and applied strength. The minisymposium has two main goals. First, it provides an early opportunity for members of the newly formed section to meet, share ideas, and begin shaping future activities. Second, it highlights to the broader SIAM community the depth and vibrancy of applied mathematics research in the Southwestern U.S.
Beyond the inaugural event at AN26, SIAM-SW is already planning its first section conference for the spring of 2027. Although the host institution has yet to be decided, the goal is to hold an annual meeting that rotates through Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico, strengthening ties among institutions and increasing participation from students and early-career researchers. A key focus will be accessibility, making sure that those unable to attend national conferences still have opportunities to present their work, build networks, and connect with industry and laboratory scientists.
Looking ahead, SIAM-SW aims to strengthen connections among sections nationwide. Informal gatherings of different section officers at AN26, regular cross-section discussions, and shared programming ideas can foster collaboration and increase the impact of regional efforts. The Southwest Section enthusiastically welcomes opportunities to co-organize activities, exchange speakers, and develop inter-sectional initiatives that benefit the broader applied mathematics community.
At its core, SIAM-SW is about connecting institutions, disciplines, and career stages. By establishing a strong regional foundation, we aim to support SIAM’s broader mission to advance the use of mathematics in industry and science, encourage fundamental research, and foster the exchange of ideas.
The Southwest has long been a hub of scientific innovation and collaboration. With the establishment of SIAM-SW, the region now has a formal structure through which its applied mathematics community can connect, grow, and contribute more visibly to SIAM. We encourage members and colleagues to visit the SIAM-SW website for news, announcements, and opportunities to get involved. SIAM members with primary addresses in Arizona, Nevada, or New Mexico are warmly encouraged to join the Southwest Section through the SIAM website and become a part of this expanding regional community.
Acknowledgments: From its earliest discussions, the formation of SIAM-SW benefited from the involvement of colleagues across SIAM. The founding officers of SIAM-SW especially thank Noemi Petra for her generous guidance and consistent encouragement throughout the process. We also greatly appreciate the early leadership and insightful input of Cynthia Phillips—SIAM’s current president-elect—whose enthusiasm for strengthening regional communities helped shape the section’s initial vision. Additionally, we thank Ratna Khatri, Annalisa Quaini, John Zweck, and Roy Goodman for sharing their experiences from established SIAM sections, as well as Jimmie Adriazola, Donatella Danielli, and Rosemary Renaut for their valuable early conversations that helped lay the groundwork for the SIAM-SW.