João Ferreira

Current

Teaching Assistant at University of Nottingham
Ph.D. student (comp. science) at University of Nottingham
Systems Administrator at Theoretical and Computational Physics Research Group

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Past

Plone Developer at Eurotux, SA
Junior Researcher at University of Minho

Education

University of Nottingham
Universidade do Minho

Recommended

2 people have recommended João

Connections

116 connections

Industry

Research

Websites

João Ferreira’s Summary

I'm currently doing a PhD on algorithmic problem solving at the University of Nottingham. Before, I was a Junior Researcher in parallel programming and architectures at the University of Minho. While in Braga, I also worked with the content management system Plone at Eurotux SA.

I am very interested in calculating programs from their formal specifications and in using calculational and algorithmic techniques in maths education.

My current goal is to develop educational material supporting the use of a calculational approach to algorithmic problem solving. I strongly believe that the derivation of correct programs can be systematized and taught to computing science students. I am generally interested in mathematical approaches to software quality and how to apply them to industry.

My mid-term goals are to continue my research on algorithmic problem solving and to apply my scientific knowledge in industry.

João Ferreira’s Specialties:

Algorithms, Algorithmic Problem Solving, Program Calculation, Mathematical Approaches to Software Quality, Formal Methods, Functional Programming

João Ferreira’s Experience

Teaching Assistant

University of Nottingham

(Educational Institution; Research industry)

September 2006 — Present (3 years 3 months)

I am currently teaching Algorithmic Problem Solving (APS) to first-year Computing Science students. This module is about how to solve problems that involve the construction of an algorithm. Many problems are of this nature, so the scope is very broad. The module is structured around the basic principles of algorithm design (invariants, problem decomposition, etc.) with each principle being introduced via well-chosen problems. Appropriate mathematical skills are introduced in the same problem-driven way.

I have been a teaching assistant of Algorithmic Problem Solving and Mathematics for Computer Scientists since 2006.
Ph.D. student (comp. science)

University of Nottingham

(Educational Institution; Research industry)

January 2006 — Present (3 years 11 months)

My research is on principles and foundations of algorithmic problem solving. The goal is to study and create new principles and techniques to construct algorithms from their specifications. I am also developing educational material supporting the use of an algorithmic and calculational approach to school mathematics.
Systems Administrator

Theoretical and Computational Physics Research Group

(Educational Institution; Computer & Network Security industry)

November 2004 — Present (5 years 1 month)

I am the system administrator of the Computational and Theoretical Physics Group at the University of Minho. Some of my relevant tasks are the installation and maintenance of two Linux clusters with 48 computing nodes, the maintenance of the group’s network, and user support. I have also designed, implemented, and installed their web portal, which is based on the Plone CMS and has custom features like the management of scientific publications.
Plone Developer

Eurotux, SA

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Software industry)

November 2004 — December 2005 (1 year 2 months)

I have worked in the web development team at Eurotux, creating Plone templates and products (Python, Zope). I was responsible for most of the Zope Page Templates (XHTML, ZPT) and CSS code. I was also responsible for making the web solutions usable, accessible, and standards compliant.
Junior Researcher

University of Minho

(Educational Institution; Research industry)

November 2004 — November 2005 (1 year 1 month)

Parallel computing research (OOP parallel paradigms) and clusters administration and maintenance.

João Ferreira’s Education

University of Nottingham

PhD , Computer Science , 2006 — 2010 (expected)

My research is on principles and foundations of algorithmic problem solving. The goal is to study and create new principles and techniques to construct algorithms from their specifications. I am also developing educational material supporting the use of an algorithmic and calculational approach to school mathematics.
Universidade do Minho

5-years Degree , Computer Science , 2000 — 2005

Activities and Societies:

ACM Students Chapter, Grupo de Estudos de Matemática e Ciências de Computação (GEMCC), Jornadas de Informática da Universidade do Minho (JOIN)