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I was blessed to be a student at the National University of Mexico when the most brilliant generation of Mexican professors, the ones that pioneered Math and Science in Mexico, was still part of its faculty. Several of these researchers had the opportunity to work with the some of the top physicists and mathematicians of the 20th century like Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, George D Birkhoff, Claude Chevalley, Richard Feynman, and others...
All these professors were top experts in their fields and loved teaching. They had the patience and skills to present the most complex topics in different ways, such that their students were able to understand and master these concepts. For them teaching was an art, something that their bright minds enjoyed. Their teachings and kindness inside and outside the classroom strongly influenced several generations. Their passion for learning and teaching, optimism, and sense of humor were remarkable, so that no matter their age, they were as young as any of their students.
I mention here the ones who impacted my personal and academic life the most, my Magnificent Seven. Many pages could be written about their lives and achievements, this little space is only to tell them: Thank you very much for all you did for me… I'll never forget you...
Dr. Carlos Graef Fernandez (1911-1988)
One the most important Mexican scientists during the period 1940-1970, and founder of important scientific societies in Mexico. He got his PhD in Physics in 1940 at MIT, with a revolutionary work in cosmic radiation. He worked with the great American mathematician George D Birkhoff, finding important results in a Gravitational Theory alternative to the Albert Einstein's General Relativity Theory.
In 1944, while teaching a Gravitational Theory course at Princeton University, he met Dr. Albert Einstein, who interested in Birkhoff’s Theory, asked to hold several work sessions to learn about this theory. Dr. Graef also had friendship with other re-known Nobel Prizes like Dr. Richard Feynman, having regular scientific communication.
But besides Dr. Graef’s admirable scientific skill’s, he was also an extraordinary teacher. He was able to explain complex concepts using creative metaphors or everyday knowledge. His impressive scientific culture mixed with his splendid sense of humor made his classes an unforgettable learning experience.
I will never forget my after class conversations with him, plenty of humor, anecdotes and wisdom, making me feel that he enjoyed those chats as much as myself.
I saw how big his love for teaching was. During his last teaching year, even when he was physically weak and unable to drive a car, he delivered his classes in form and time. He rented a taxi per hour, and was spending in his transportation more than he was paid for teaching. I learn from him what a great teacher has to be.
Dr. Francisco Medina Nicolau (1929 – 2001)
He got his PhD in Physics in 1954 at the University of Gottingen, Germany, under the direction of Dr. Werner Heisenberg. Later he had the opportunity to work with Dr. Niels Bohr at the University of Copenhagen. His works in Nuclear Physics were remarkable, but he always was also very interested in the Teaching of Science area, discipline he worked in until his dead.
Even though I did not take formal classes with him, in a moment of academic doubts I had, he was who sparked my interest to work in the numerical solutions of partial differential equations field. I remember his words in my moments of frustration: “Do not give up, try again and keep yourself working, at the end the hard work pays back”. Thanks to him I received the opportunity to work with a top researcher in this field: Dr. Ismael Herrera.
Dr. Ismael Herrera Revilla (1931-)
He obtained is PhD in Mathematics in 1961 at Brown University. One of the most outstanding Mexican researchers in Applied Mathematics, has published more than 200 research papers and several books. Dr. Herrera has been director of several of the most prestigious Mexican scientific organizations, and in 1970 was co-founder of the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), the organization responsible for the elaboration of science and technology policies in Mexico.
I met Dr. Herrera in 1984 when he was the Director of the Geophysics Institute at the National University of Mexico, and he accepted to be my bachelor’s thesis adviser after he saw my work with Dr. Medina.
Under his supervision I learn the intricacies of the numerical solutions of partial differential equations used in ground water simulation. Working with Dr. Herrera I had the opportunity to interact and learn from top researchers in this discipline as Dr. George Pinder, Dr. Jacob Bear, Dr Myron Allen, and Dr Michael Celia
He pushed my limits and support me to present my work and results to specialists in different international symposiums, when I was only an undergraduate student.
Dr. Herrera is the person that influenced the most my academic formation.
Dr. Felix Recillas Juarez. (1918-2010)
He obtained his PhD in Mathematics at Princeton University in 1948, under the supervision of the renowned French mathematician Claude Chevalley. Dr. Recillas did important contributions in the field of the Algebraic Topology.
One of the most distinguished researches and founder member of the Mathematics Institute at the National University of Mexico, he was also Co-founder of the Mexican Mathematical Society. Dr. Recillas had an important influence in the development of professional mathematicians in Mexico, working tirelessly to find and provide support and resources to those students in which he saw potential to succeed in mathematics.
I met Dr. Recillas in 1984 when he was Director of the Faculty of Sciences at the National University of Mexico. He liked the work I was developing with Dr. Herrera and gave me a position of Teacher Assistant. This academic and economic support was fundamental in my early professional development.
Dr. Luis Estrada Martinez (1932-2016)
He obtained his PhD in Nuclear Physics in 1960 at MIT under the supervision of Dr. Herman Feshbach, making important contributions in this field.
But Dr. Estrada devoted most of his life in the popularization of science in Mexico, an activity that he always believed had to be a done professionally. He worked tirelessly organizing symposiums, seminars, presentations, writing uncountable articles, and editing different scientific magazines. He also devoted long hours to the study. His knowledge of physics and mathematics was impressive. His work influenced several generations of Mexican scientists. He was known as the “Pioneer of the Promotion of the Science in Mexico”
Dr. Estrada was my teacher of Theoretical Mechanics. His elegant and formal style to present the topics was complemented with creative and many times awesome examples. His incredible scientific culture made to him possible to link complex concepts with simple daily life situations. He was an artist of teaching.
Dr. Estrada’s “style” has strongly influenced my teaching, mainly in the lesson publication part.
Leopoldo Nieto Casas M.I. (1918-2016)
He was the first physicist graduated from the School of Sciences and Mathematics at the National University of Mexico (The antecedent of the Faculty of Sciences). He also was a graduated from the College of Engineering. He got is M.I. in 1946 at MIT with a work on structural vibrations. He was the top Mexican specialists in this field during the 1950’s- 1960’s. He supervised important infrastructure projects as the Mexico City Subway and the Nuclear Plant of Laguna Verde. He was also teacher of several generations of Mexican physicists. Teaching was an activity that he combined with his engineering work, and he used to call it “his pleasure”.
Professor Nieto was my teacher of Tensor Calculus, and his neat, clear and structured lecturing was impressive. He was extremely organized and disciplined. He never missed a class. I remember his tutorials from 6:00 am to 7:00 am, time allotted in this way because of his engineering job after class.
His neat and clear lecturing style strongly impacted my learning and now my teaching.
Alfredo Ortiz de los Santos M.S.
He got his Master Degree in mathematics at the Faculty of Sciences of the National University of Mexico, and was teacher of several generations of students at the National Preparatory School campus #5 of this same University.
Mr. De los Santos was my Calculus teacher in 1977-1978 and he was by much my best high school teacher. I remember his love and passion for teaching, his great talent and incredible patience to deal with students. He was very friendly, optimistic, and had a fantastic sense of humor. He was the personification of what a dedicated teacher has to be.
He sparked my love for Physics and Mathematics, topics that by those years were not very interesting for me. All I learn from him was fundamental in my first College years.
I don’t have a picture and at present I don’t know anything about him, but I will never forget all those great moments in his class.
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