Introduction

    The aim to set up the Research Center for Nonlinear Analysis and Optimization is to develop the research team of Nonlinear Analysis and Optimization in Kaohsiung Medical University. By combing the great basic clinical team with research and resources and promoting interdisciplinary research directions, it is expected that our center will not only become a distinguished research center in KMU but become the top of research centers in the whole world.

    To solve nonlinear problems which commonly exist in nature, physics, biology, engineering, management and economics, mathematicians develop the ‘Theory of Nonlinear Analysis’ by using the nonlinear analysis, functional analysis, and maxima and minima as the main research tools. This theory also causes the prosperity of nonlinear field in recent 30 years. ‘Optimization’ is an exact and instructive filed that includes theory and practice. It can be viewed as one of the basic mathematical branches to study, but also can be generally applied in many domains of science and technology.

    Recently, there has been dramatic growth in the application of optimization techniques to the study of medical problems and the delivery of health care. This is in huge part owing to dedications in three fields: the development of more efficient and effective methods for solving large-scale optimization problems (operations research), the increase in computing power (computer science), and the development of more sophisticated treatment methods (medicine). With the contributions of these three fields and the assistance of quantitative models and methods, people can realize the full potential of new treatment methods. In various mediccal studies, the application of ‘Theory of Nonlinear Analysis’ has also been proven effective, including disease diagnosis, risk prediction, treatment planning and health care, etc.

    Under the guidance of Professor Jen-Chih Yao, the research results in the realm of nonlinear analysis and optimization are remarkable. Since the establishment of our Center in 2014, many members have been selected as Highly Cited Researchers.  Furthermore, in the  Professor Jen-Chih Yao’s plan, the center has built a good partnership with many research teams, which have great influence in the whole Asia in the field of Nonlinear Analysis and Optimization. The future in our center is just around the corner.

    The research results in the field of  ‘Biomedicine’ and the ‘Nonlinear Analysis and Optimization’ were quite remarkable in the Kaohsiung Medical University. The integration of these two fields would be a multidisciplinary collaboration which is worthy developing and expecting. Thus, keep improving the territory of ‘Nonlinear Analysis and Optimization’  is the reason we  set up this Research Center. Our center can also be the platform for consolidating the prominent fundamental clinical team with research and resources in school, promoting interdisciplinary research directions together. With these efforts, it is expected that our center will become a distinguished research center in KMU and also become the top of research centers in the whole world.