Fermín Franco

Profile and current roles

I work across nonlinear systems, mathematical and computational fluid mechanics, numerical methods, scientific computing, and reproducible scientific software. I connect Mexico and Japan through peer-reviewed research, teaching, applied R&D, leadership, and multilingual technical collaboration.

• Collaborating Researcher, Autonomous University of Baja California, Ensenada Campus — 2026–present.
• National Researcher · Mexico (SNII–SECIHTI) — current.
• Visiting Researcher, Institute of Mathematics for Industry, Kyushu University — 1 April–26 June 2026; focused on evaporating-surface stability and jet modeling.
• Founding Partner and Consultant, KUMIAY International Services of Mexico — Japan–Mexico industrial mathematics, scientific-computing, translation, and professional services.

Education

1. 2016

   PhD in Mathematics

   Kyushu University, Japan · Thesis: Dynamics of a full-cone atomizing liquid jet

2. 2013

   MSc in Applied Mathematics

   CIMAT, Mexico · Thesis: Stability and Chaos in Real Polynomial Maps

3. 2010

   BSc in Applied Mathematics

   UABC, Mexico

4. 2006

   BSc in Physics

   UABC, Mexico · Thesis: The Effect of Mass Segregation in Globular Clusters

Selected research appointments and stays

1. 1 April–26 June 2026

   Visiting Researcher

   Institute of Mathematics for Industry, Kyushu University. Appointment beginning 1 April 2026 focused on variational dissipative fluid mechanics, evaporating-surface stability, and improved jet predictions.

2. March 2017

   Research stay

   Technical University of Denmark. Supported by the Scandinavia-Japan Sasakawa Foundation.

Selected research and industrial work

• Jet and atomization mathematics. Reduced-order theory, entrainment, noncircular geometry, Basilisk VOF, an early-time laminar OpenFOAM VOF study with 25 native states, and SPH/DualSPHysics visualization.
• Biomedical mathematical physics. Mathematical modeling and fluid-dynamics simulation for a JST-CREST project at Osaka University on cytoskeletal organization and mucociliary function.
• Water-atomization modeling for the steel industry. Mathematical-modeling contribution within a Kyushu University collaboration. An anonymized industrial-mathematics case; client and plant data remain private.
• Kyushu University–Mazda automotive R&D collaboration. Postdoctoral research contribution at the Institute of Mathematics for Industry. Numerical implementation and a preliminary two-dimensional comparison.
• Six Sigma process-improvement and quality projects. Consulting and instruction through Lean Sigma Academy. Industrial-mathematics and statistical-quality experience.
• Wine-region microclimate analysis. Project supervision and principal-investigator work at UABC with CEVIT. Regional agrometeorological research.

Peer-reviewed journal articles

1. 2026

   Tanjina Sharmin, Toshihiro Takeshita, Sihyung Kim, Atsuki Nishihara, Yuki Shirouzu, Mikio Ouchi, Koji Yoshida, Kazuhisa Matsunaga, Hussein Znad, Agus Saptoro, Md Zaidul Islam Sarker, Sahena Ferdosh, Salim Mustofa, Fermin Franco Medrano, Kazusa Mishima, Kai Bin Liew, Keiichi Irie, Tomomitsu Satho, Yi-Ming Sun, Kenji Mishima. “Controlled Precipitation and Microcoating Formation of Shellac via Sequential Ethanol–Water Solvent Exchange.” Langmuir 42(29), 21435–21444. DOI 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6c02287

2. 2026

   J. Segura-Villarreal, H. Binns-Hernandez, Fermin Franco-Medrano, S. Magdaleno-Gatica, M. Herrera-Martinez. “Herramienta de planeación para la eficiencia profesional y estratégica: Un ensayo crítico.” Revista Logos 7(1). Official record

3. 2025

   U. Habibah, Fermin Franco Medrano, A. C. Permana, D. Ardiana, Trisilowati. “An Improved Fifth-Order Runge-Kutta Method with Higher Accuracy and Efficiency for Solving Initial Value Problems.” Science and Technology Indonesia 10(3), 802–816. DOI 10.26554/sti.2025.10.3.802-816

4. 2017

   Fermín Franco Medrano, Yasuhide Fukumoto, Clara Marika Velte, Azur Hodžić. “Mass entrainment rate of an ideal momentum turbulent round jet.” Journal of the Physical Society of Japan 86, 034401. DOI 10.7566/JPSJ.86.034401

5. 2015

   Fermín Franco-Medrano, Francisco Javier Solís Lozano. “Stability of Real Parametric Polynomial Discrete Dynamical Systems.” Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, Article 680970. DOI 10.1155/2015/680970

Conference papers and proceedings

1. 2026

   Fermín Franco–Medrano, Fernando Cabrera–Ward, Yasuhide Fukumoto. “Extension of an Ideal Atomizing Jet Model to Noncircular Nozzle Geometries and Recovery of the Circular Nozzle Limit.” 37th Japan Society of Fluid Mechanics Chugoku–Shikoku and Kyushu Branch Conference (2026).

2. 2023

   “The Ciliar Alignment Index for Multiciliated Epithelial Cells revisited.” Symomath 2023.

3. 2021

   “Analytical model of the dynamics and entrainment of a turbulent atomized liquid jet with non-circular geometry.” ILASS-Americas 2021.

4. 2020

   “Energy and momentum loss approaches to modeling a round turbulent atomized liquid jet.” ILASS-Asia 2020.

5. 2018

   “MCC Polar Cytoskeleton's Self-organization Simulations using Active Hydrodynamics.” Japan Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics Annual Meeting.

6. 2017

   “Mathematical models for turbulent round jets based on ideal and lossy conservation.” ILASS-Europe 2017. DOI 10.4995/ILASS2017.2017.4778

7. 2016

   “Mathematical models for the dynamics of a round full-cone high-speed atomized liquid jet.” Water Jet Technology Society of Japan proceedings. DOI 10.13140/RG.2.1.2629.6084

8. 2015

   “Mathematical modeling of an ideal atomizing liquid jet.” Helix 2015 proceedings. DOI 10.13140/RG.2.1.5032.8162

9. 2013

   “On the collision rate of key conversion prior modulo for multiple hash tables of any size.” WSEAS Applications of Computer Engineering proceedings. Official record

Invited talks, contributed talks, and posters

1. 2023

   Invited talk. “Generalized Ideal Momentum Jet Model for Non-Circular Nozzle Geometries in Turbulent Pressure-Atomized Liquid Jets.” ICIAM 2023.

2. 2023

   Conference contribution. “The Ciliar Alignment Index for Multiciliated Epithelial Cells revisited.” Symomath 2023.

3. 2021

   Conference presentation. “Analytical model of the dynamics and entrainment of a turbulent atomized liquid jet with non-circular geometry.” ILASS-Americas 2021.

4. 2020

   Conference presentation. “Energy and momentum loss approaches to modeling a round turbulent atomized liquid jet.” ILASS-Asia 2020.

5. 2019

   Invited talk. “MTEC MCC Polar Cytoskeleton Self-organization Simulations.” JSPS mathematical-oncology annual meeting.

6. 2018

   Conference presentation. “MCC Polar Cytoskeleton Self-organization Simulations.” JSIAM annual meeting.

7. 2018

   Conference presentation. “Single Multi-ciliated Cell Apical Cytoskeleton Active-Hydrodynamic Model Simulation.” JSPS mathematical-oncology annual meeting.

8. 2017

   Poster. “Multiciliated Cells' Cytoskeleton Active Hydrodynamic Simulation with FreeFEM++.” JST-CREST Biodynamics conference. DOI 10.13140/RG.2.2.23422.02885

9. 2017

   Conference presentation. “Mathematical models for turbulent round jets based on ideal and lossy conservation.” ILASS-Europe 2017. DOI 10.4995/ILASS2017.2017.4778

10. 2017

    Conference presentation. “The ideal momentum turbulent round jet.” HeKKSaGOn Winter School.

11. 2017

    Conference presentation. “Application of the Lossy Energy Jet model to an atomizing liquid jet.” Japanese Society of Fluid Mechanics Western Branch meeting.

12. 2016

    Conference presentation. “Mathematical models of a turbulent atomized liquid jet through conservation of mass flux and power.” JSIAM annual meeting.

13. 2016

    Conference presentation. “Theoretical derivation of the gas entrainment rate coefficient from the ideal atomizing liquid jet model.” Physical Society of Japan annual spring meeting. DOI 10.11316/jpsgaiyo.71.1.0_3109

14. 2016

    Conference presentation. “Mathematical models for the dynamics of a round full-cone high-speed atomized liquid jet.” Water Jet Technology Society of Japan annual meeting. DOI 10.13140/RG.2.1.2629.6084

15. 2016

    Poster. “Theoretical derivation of the gas entrainment rate coefficient of an atomizing liquid jet.” Mathematics for Materials Science and Processing. DOI 10.13140/RG.2.1.2724.0723

16. 2015

    Invited talk. “Mathematical modeling of an ideal atomizing liquid jet.” Helix 2015.

17. 2015

    Poster. “Mathematical modeling of an ideal atomizing liquid jet.” Helix 2015. DOI 10.13140/RG.2.1.2094.4882

Theses, technical report, and preprint

1. 2016

   Doctoral thesis. Dynamics of a full-cone atomizing liquid jet. Kyushu University. DOI 10.15017/1785354

2. 2013

   Master's thesis. Stability and Chaos in Real Polynomial Maps. CIMAT. Official record

3. 2006

   Undergraduate thesis. The Effect of Mass Segregation in Globular Clusters. UABC / UNAM. DOI 10.13140/RG.2.1.2860.7527

4. 2005

   Technical report. Noise analysis in automotive-use fans. Industrial statistics. DOI 10.13140/RG.2.1.4957.9049

1. 2017

   arXiv preprint. Fermin Franco, Yasuhide Fukumoto. Dynamical model of a turbulent round jet through conservation of mass flux and power. Official record

Scientific software and computational workflows

• Ideal Momentum Jet Explorer. An interactive TypeScript application for a reduced-order ideal momentum jet model. React, TypeScript, browser-side computation, unit and visual checks. Designed for model exploration, teaching, and technical communication.
• VisualOpenFOAM. A Linux-first CLI for reproducible OpenFOAM and VTK scenes and field reports. Linux CLI, six JSON schemas, deterministic dry runs, synthetic fixtures, and 21 pytest checks. The implemented workflow uses explicit case and field contracts, deterministic plans, and synthetic reference fixtures for reproducible scientific visualization.
• VisualBasilisk. A bridge from compact Basilisk facet manifests to reproducible visualization plans. Python CLI, manifests, dry-run Blender plans, synthetic fixtures. Validates explicit facet manifests and reproducible render planning.
• DualSPHysics / VisualsPhysics workflow. A reproducible particle-simulation post-processing and scientific-media workflow. DualSPHysics outputs, VTK/IsoSurface processing, Blender, and ffmpeg. Focuses on reproducible post-processing and scientific visualization of solver outputs.
• CIMAP. An agrometeorological-index platform in the Ensenada regional research context. Python data processing and a software platform interface. Demonstrated as a reproducible pilot using partial real data.

Teaching and mentoring

• University and professional teaching (More than ten years). Undergraduate, graduate, and professional teaching in numerical methods, applied mathematics, physics, data science, project management, and bilingual or intercultural settings.
• Supervision and applied-project support (Including 2025). Supervision, co-supervision, research-project support, and conference or outreach preparation, including wine-region microclimate and physical-characterization projects.
• Teaching Assistant, Fukuoka University (April 2016–March 2017). Assisted Prof. Kenji Mishima with Physical Chemistry and Academic English classes for chemical-engineering students; supported classes and contributed physical-mathematical modeling to materials and nanoparticle-coating research.
• Teaching Assistant, Kyushu University (October 2014–September 2015). Assisted Prof. Yasuhide Fukumoto with Mathematics for Engineering and differential equations, primarily through preparation and grading with limited classroom assistance; did not hold responsibility for the lectures.

Selected courses at UABC

Numerical Methods. Undergraduate Applied Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science; taught in Spanish in 2020-1, 2020-2, 2021-1, 2022-1, 2022-2, 2023-1, and 2023-2.

Deformable Media. Undergraduate Physics; taught in Spanish in 2022-1, 2022-2, 2023-1, 2023-2, 2024-1, and 2024-2.

Two credit-bearing student projects

From January to July 2025, I supervised applied projects at UABC with CEVIT-CETYS:

• Computer Science: analysis of microclimate data from a wine-growing region.
• Physics: physical characterization of Ensenada wine.

Science on university radio

From February 2021 to June 2023, I contributed to the production, design, and hosting of 22 Hablemos de Ciencias programs, co-produced by UABC Radio and the Faculty of Sciences.

Leadership

• Northwest Regional Coordinator, Mexican Association of Japan Alumni (AMEJ) (Reelected March 2025). Reelected Northwest Regional Coordinator after the 2023 election.
• Vice President, Association of Hispanic Professionals in Japan (Elected August 2017). Served as Vice President after the August 2017 election.
• Coordinator, Ensenada ATP Semiconductor Community (From February 2025). Regional community leadership connecting education, technology, and semiconductor-sector development.
• Coordinator of Credit-Bearing Outreach Projects, UABC Faculty of Sciences (September 2023–August 2025). Coordinated academic outreach projects carrying university credit.
• Coordinator of Alternative Learning Modalities Committee, UABC Faculty of Sciences (September 2023–August 2025). Coordinated work on alternative learning modalities.
• Coordinator, Undergraduate Program in Applied Mathematics, UABC (March–June 2023). Coordinated the undergraduate Applied Mathematics program.
• Coordinator of Internationalization, UABC Faculty of Sciences (March 2022–June 2023). Coordinated internationalization activities.
• Applied Mathematics accreditation leadership, UABC (October 2020–June 2023). Led and supported Applied Mathematics accreditation and reaccreditation, then collaborated on Computer Science and Physics reaccreditation.
• Technical Advisory Council Member, COTAPREP (March–June 2021). Served during Baja California's 2020–2021 local electoral process.
• Northwest Regional Coordinator, Mexican Association of Japan Alumni (AMEJ) (Elected March 2023). Elected Northwest Regional Coordinator.

Awards and funding

• Excellent Poster Award — JST-CREST Biodynamics research-group conference (November 2017).
• Excellent Poster Award — Math-for-Industry forum (October 2014).
• MEXT doctoral scholarship — Doctoral studies at Kyushu University (From April 2012).
• Scandinavia-Japan Sasakawa Foundation research support — Technical University of Denmark research stay (March 2017).
• Competitive biomedical research support — Mathematical methods and computational fluid dynamics for the mucociliary system (November 2020).

Languages and public profiles

Languages: Spanish · English · Japanese

Public profiles: GitHub new tab · Google Scholar new tab · Researchmap new tab · ORCID new tab · LinkedIn new tab