Volume 59, Issue 11  - October 30, 2006

Professor of the Month

Juan R. Iglesias

Name: Juan R. Iglesias

Position: Associate professor of computer science

Degrees: Bachelor’s in computer science and master’s in computer science from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; doctorate in computer science from New Mexico State University.

Membership: Association for Computing Machinery

Hometown: Mexico City

Have you taught in any other institution of high education? If so where? “I taught in [the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México], I taught also in New Mexico State University, Texas Tech and in Tecnológico de Monterrey.”

How many years have you taught at UTB/TSC? “Five.”

What other jobs have you had? “I was the associate director of the federal institute for the elections in Mexico City. It is pretty much the institution that counts the votes in elections.”

If you could choose any other profession, which would it be and why? “Consulting or probably to work for the software industry. I think I could help some local businesses and other people to improve their software management process. I really love to develop software, that’s one of the things I enjoy the most.”  

What motivates you? “That would be my family, also the people I work with … my peer faculty, colleagues, [and,] of course, my students. I really love when my students get the knowledge and ideas that can help them to be successful in their careers.”

What classes do you teach? “Algorithm Analysis, Database Management Systems, Operating Systems, Program Languages and Data Mining.”

What would be the best way to study for your class? “One of the things I always expect from my students is for them to read the notes related to the previous class and, of course, the notes related to the current class. That is actually required in my course, because usually they have a quiz every class. … I post the homework [assignments] at the very beginning of the semester, so the students know ahead of time exactly what is the purpose of the homework, what exactly the subject is, and when to turn in the homework. That way, the students know ahead of time everything about the homework.”

What are your hobbies? “Well, I love sports. … I usually practice soccer, I like to run, and I exercise at home. Sometimes, I swim or play tennis.”

What are your short- and long-term goals? “Improve, get better and better in terms of teaching. I would like also to publish a book on programming fundamentals. … In terms of curriculum development, we’re planning to open a new associate’s degree in computer science. We also have to get the computer science accreditation. Right now, our degree is not accredited, but next year we’ll apply for accreditation. … For long-term goals, I would like to publish a book about database management systems and another about algorithm analysis. … It would be wonderful to have here a master’s and a Ph.D. in computer science and why not also in computer information systems, which is the other program that we offer here.”     

--Compiled by Elizabeth A. Perez