Open to opportunities

Alex Jerves

@alexjerves

Caltech-trained Ph.D. computational mechanics scientist leveraging FEM/DEM, GPU HPC, and AI to solve engineering problems and lead research.

Ecuador

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m open to remote work for US-based companies, where I can apply GPU-accelerated simulation (FEM/DEM), numerical analysis, and ML to engineering problems—while leading research, teams, and grant-driven impact.

I’m a Caltech-trained Ph.D. in Applied Mechanics and Computational Mathematics, with 10+ years of post-doctoral experience in computational mechanics, scientific computing, and high-performance simulation. I specialize in finite element and discrete element methods, numerical analysis, and machine learning applied to real engineering challenges.

Across my work, I’ve built GPU-accelerated simulation capabilities and digital twin pipelines—most notably developing the 3D Level-Set Discrete Element Method (3DLS-DEM) and processing digital twins of 20,000+ grains across multiple X-ray CT datasets. I’ve also produced lunar regolith digital twins to support ISRU engineering research.

I have a strong research and communication record, including a track record of $511K+ in research funding secured, 20+ peer-reviewed publications, and 50+ invited talks across international scientific forums. I’ve collaborated with researchers across 8+ countries and organized high-impact workshops, while contributing to major EU and national proposals.

Beyond research, I’ve led teams and shaped public-health analytics: as a COVID-19 Data Analysis Consultant/Team Leader, I led 15 engineers implementing and optimizing PAHOFLU and DHIS2 platforms for Ecuador’s Ministry of Health. As an Associate Professor and Head of Undergraduate Research, I direct training and research programs and secure institutional grants, while co-founding INSPIRE Foundation to deliver computational, AI, and public-health projects.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

President & Co-Founder

Current

INSPIRE Foundation

Jan 2018 - Present (8 years 5 months)

Co-founded INSPIRE Foundation and led delivery of 15+ projects across computational mechanics, AI applications, and public health with 16 active members. Developed an AI-powered STEM education app in partnership with FIDAL Foundation, reaching 300+ direct and 50,000+ indirect beneficiaries, and secured $91,920 (CEPRA XII-2018) and $58,114 (CEPRA XVI-2022) as PI.

AI Applications STEM Education App Development Organizational Leadership Grant writing Research Project Management Partnerships Impact Program Delivery Computational Mechanics

Associate Prof. Research Lead

Universidad Católica de Cuenca (UCACUE)

Jan 2023 - Jan 2026 (3 years)

Led the undergraduate research department by designing faculty research bootcamps and implementing student-inclusive funding calls. Secured $20,000 (Fondo TdT 2024) and $20,000 (CONVOCATORIA 2023) as PI and taught undergraduate and graduate research and geomechanics courses.

Research Leadership Grant writing Research Bootcamps Teaching Curriculum Development Team Management

Postdoctoral Researcher

Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI)

Jan 2021 - Jan 2023 (2 years)

Developed a GPU-accelerated 3D Level-Set Discrete Element Method (3DLS-DEM) to simulate granular media and process 20,000+ grains across multiple X-ray CT datasets. Published 3 journal articles and delivered 5 invited international talks, and organized the 2022 International Workshop on Virtual Laboratory Testing and Micromechanics.

GPU programming CUDA Discrete Element Method (DEM)High Performance Computing (HPC)MPI OpenMP Level Set Methods Digital Twins

Scientific Advisor (COE)

Ministry of Public Health

Jan 2020 - Jan 2021 (1 year)

Served as scientific advisor on Ecuador’s National Emergency Operations Committee (COE Nacional) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Curated and published daily nationwide health statistics to inform executive-level public health decisions.

Data Curation Statistical Reporting Nationwide Data Processing Quality Control Decision Support

Professor of Civil Engineering

Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) and ESPOL

Jan 2016 - Jan 2019 (3 years)

Taught Finite Element Method, Structural Dynamics, Calculus III, Numerical Analysis, and Cosmos to undergraduate and graduate cohorts, totaling ~500 students taught. Earned the InnovaCEDIA–Wolfram Award (2017) for research and academic innovation.

Structural Dynamics Calculus Teaching Academic Innovation

COVID-19 Data Consultant

World Health Organization (WHO) / PAHO

Jan 2021 - Present (5 years 5 months)

Led a team of 15 engineers to implement and optimize PAHOFLU and DHIS2 for Ecuador’s Ministry of Health, enabling national-level COVID-19 data storage, analysis, and reporting. Standardized daily provincial data pipelines to generate publishable statistical outputs for government response.

DHIS2 PAHOFLU Epidemiological Data Systems Data Pipelines Statistical Data Analysis Team Leadership Software Implementation Data Standardization

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Applied and Computational Mathematics

Ph.D. in Applied Mechanics within Applied and Computational Mathematics. Thesis: "Microscopic Origin of Macroscopic Strength in Granular Media: A Numerical and Analytical Approach" (Advisor: Prof. J. E. Andrade).