Giuseppe Cotardo
Faculty Mentor
Gretchen Matthews
Professor
Research Areas/Interests
Coding Theory, Combinatorics, Linear Algebra
Most Recent Publications
How long have you been in your postdoctoral position at Virginia Tech?
Began in August 2022
Briefly describe the research project you are working on as a postdoctoral associate at Virginia Tech. What is the problem you are addressing? What is the expected impact of your work?
My research interest is algebraic coding theory, the matematical theory behind reliable digital communications. I mainly focus on the theory of codes endowed with the rank metric and their algebraic and combinatorial properties. Rank-metric codes form a central theme in coding theory since 2008, when their application in network communications was discovered. This resarch area is highly interdisciplinary. It connects mathematics with information theory, cryptography, electrical engineering, and computer science.
Why did you choose to pursue postdoctoral training at Virginia Tech?
The main reason why I decided to join Virginia Tech for my postdoc was to work together with Gretchen Matthews, a prominent expert in the applications of algebraic geometry to coding theory and cryptography, and her team (Applied Algebra Research Group - AARG). My choice was motivated by the fact that Virginia Tech is an institution highly committed to research and that the Department of Mathematics at Virginia Tech provides an interdisciplinary environment with experts in different areas of mathematics. I believe that Virginia Tech is the ideal place to broaden my research interests and develop into a well-rounded scientist.
What are your career goals?
I aim to successfully pursue a career in academia.
How do you see the resources available to postdoctoral associates at Virginia Tech generally and via this program specifically being helpful to your career and professional development?
Key skills for researchers and academics are good writing and communication skills, which are essential to disseminate the importance of the findings both in publications or grant proposals. My main long-term goal is to become a professor and this requires further complementary skills like leadership and time and group management. Moreover, as a new postdoc, I seek to learn different strategies required to succeed in a competitive research environment. I believe that the resources available at Virginia Tech will be crucial to develop and improve my skillset. I hope to learn a lot by attending the several professional development events provided as part of this Research and Innovation Postdoctoral Scholars program.