BASIC SCIENCES RECLAIM THEIR SPACE
BY LILLIAM RIERA

HAVANA'S Institute of Cybernetics, Mathematics and Physics (ICIMAF) is a center of excellence; the four awards it received last year from the Cuban Academy of Sciences (ACC) confirm this fact. However, director Manuel Lazo believes that the country lacks the human resources capable of guaranteeing the development of the so-called basic sciences.

Talking to Granma International, the ICIMAF director explained that the shortage of researchers in disciplines such as mathematics and physics "has a lot to do with the labor market," but the problem is "very complex and multifarious".

He referred to the fact that many math graduates in Cuba have teaching as their main alternative. "There are some who don't like to give classes", explains Lazo, adding that winners of national contests and international Olympiads in exact sciences prefer to study courses that offer them a wider variety of job opportunities.

Lazo commented that increased human resources in these disciplines are important in order to achieve national technological development. The shortage has brought about new initiatives to change the current situation, including the implementation of a National Program of Basic Sciences.

For Lazo, "basic sciences are part of a nation's cultural heritage." He affirmed that those who believe these subjects "must produce results that have mediate or immediate social benefit" are wrong. "Culture doesn't have to have an immediate social impact".

In the history of mathematics for example, "we have done things that have never actually been used, but they're necessary because they form a part of this science's own development".

Nonetheless, the 68 ICIMAF specialists, a significant number of whom have doctorates in science, are carrying out research projects that have resulted in the development of products with a social impact.

FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES

Roberto Rodríguez Morales, head of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) department, explained to Granma International that they have developed two pieces of software, both registered here in Cuba. The first program, prizewinner in the 12th National Science and Technology Forum, allows medical measurements to be taken by means of a digitalized image. The second, known as EXPARAM, is being used as part of the national system for special needs teaching for those with hearing problems.

The AI Separtment head told us that they have applied for a license to export EXPARAM as countries such as Spain, Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia have expressed interest in acquiring the product.

Recently, the department's research has been directed towards the digital processing of biomedical images to aid the prognosis and diagnosis of cancer and arteriosclerosis.

Rodríguez Morales commented that the department is set to initiate a joint project with the National Center for Scientific Research to study biomaterials and their use in reconstructive implants.

Besides this, two pieces of equipment developed by the Institute are waiting to be registered: a bone repair stimulator and a fetal heartbeat detector.

ICIMAF's director added that the methods and tools that have been developed to interpret, process and improve medical images have also proved beneficial in resolving cartographic problems. He pointed to the fact that the majority of maps held in archives are not digitalized and to do this would not be a simple task.

José A. Oter, head of the Physics Department's Ultrasound team explained that he and his colleague Orlando Rodríguez Rúa have undertaken a complete cycle of researching, developing and producing equipment of this kind.

This team of researchers is linked to the Ibero-American Network for Ultrasonic Technology, and Cuba is participating in two of their projects: one for imaging and the other linked to therapy.

Other researchers are studying, amongst other subjects, the properties of particles. One member of this group, theoretical physicist Augusto González, told Granma International that are closely following research work in other parts of the world; rapid developments in the scientific world mean, for example, that a physics research project can be applied within a few years.

González also stressed the need to train staff so that the country does not just assimilate technology.

The Mathematics Department undertakes research in the areas of algebra, geometry, statistics, and the theory of equations, amongst others. One of the four prizes awarded by the ACC relates to this field: the work in question is entitled "Algebraic aspects of dynamic systems" and its main authorship corresponds to the ICIMAF. The prize is recognized in top-class scientific publication worldwide, pointed out head of research Nancy López.

COOPERATION WITH INSTITUTIONS IN EUROPE, ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA

According to Lazo, this important research center has signed almost 40 cooperation agreements with institutions in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

He mentioned specifically the center's accord with the International Center for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy where the Science Academy of the Third World is located. The Academy has deemed ICIMAF to be a Center of Excellence in the southern hemisphere.

Although links with U.S. institutions are not very extensive, Lazo told us that they have attended conferences both in the United States and Puerto Rico, adding that one of the center's researchers spent a year studying at the University in Tennessee.

However, "on several occasions we haven't received our visas in time and although you can't say they have refused to issue them, it means you can't attend the event".

The doors of ICIMAF have always been open for specialists who wish to visit the center, and its director proudly assures us: "We have many foreign visitors, including U.S. citizens".

Taken from Granma Digital March/2003