Abner Vázquez Vázquez

PhD Researcher | Model Predictive Control (MPC) & Optimization for Water Systems | IFAC CMWRS Author | Research-Led Educator

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

About

I am a PhD researcher in Automatic Control at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), working on advanced Model Predictive Control (MPC) and optimization for large-scale water systems under drought conditions. My research addresses the management of regional drinking water networks and canal infrastructures, integrating alternative water sources such as treated water recirculation and desalination, and incorporating hybrid MPC formulations with binary decision variables for operational mode selection. This work is aligned with Industry 5.0 and circular economy principles. I hold a background in Chemical Engineering and have experience in advanced control, systems modeling, and optimization, with strong proficiency in MATLAB and optimization techniques. During my master’s degree, I developed a cascade control architecture for complex systems using global stochastic optimization methods. In parallel, I have over eight years of teaching experience at high school and university levels in mathematics, physics, and engineering-related subjects, as well as academic coordination roles that strengthened my interdisciplinary and organizational skills. I am interested in collaborating with research groups, universities, and innovative organizations working on control, optimization, and decision-making methods for real-world water and energy systems.

Experience

  • PhD Researcher in Automatic Control at UPC School (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya)
    Sep 2024 - Present · 1 yr 10 mos

    Research on advanced Model Predictive Control (MPC) and optimization for large-scale water systems under operational and environmental constraints. My work includes hybrid MPC formulations with binary decision variables for mode selection and operational logic, applied to real-world infrastructures such as regional drinking water networks and navigable canal systems (e.g., the Canal de Calais).

  • Conference Paper Presenter – IFAC CMWRS 2025 at International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC)
    Nov 2025 - Nov 2025 · 1 mo

    Presented a peer-reviewed conference paper at the IFAC Workshop on Control Methods for Water Resource Systems (CMWRS). The paper applies Model Predictive Control (MPC) to the regional drinking water network of Catalonia, evaluating the impact of treated water recirculation and desalination to enhance resilience under drought conditions. Paper published in IFAC Proceedings (2025) Optimal Regional Water Network Management in Drought Conditions: the Catalonia Case Study DOI: 10.1016/j.ifacol.2025.12.422

  • Maestro at Liceo del Valle
    Jan 2022 - Jul 2024 · 2 yrs 7 mos

    Maestro en colegio de alto prestigio. * Aprendizaje basado en proyectos. * Titular de grado - Llevar el expediente del grupo al que corresponde la titularidad. - Atender los permisos de estudiantes del grupo titular. - Vigilar el cumplimiento de horario de los maestros. - Atender necesidades cadémicas de los alumnos que lo requieran. * Comunicación con padres de familia * Materias impartidas: - Matemáticas - Física

  • Instituto Tecnológico de Tapachula (Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico)
    • Coordinador de carrera
      2017 - 2019 · 2 yrs

      * Seguimiento a trayectoria estudiantil * Resolución de problemas de alumnos con rezago en retícula escolar * Manejo de expedientes de los alumnos * Responsable en el proceso de reinscripción * Análisis de ingreso y egreso * Acompañamiento en el proceso de solicitud de residencia profesional.

    • Docente
      2015 - 2019 · 4 yrs

      * Enfoque educativo por competencias * Planeación semestral * Manejo de rúbricas * Enseñanza según plan de estudios * Materias impartidas: - Cálculo Diferencial - Cálculo Integral - Álgebra Lineal - Cálculo Vectorial - Ecuaciones Diferenciales - Método Numéricos - Probabilidad y Estadística - Estática - Dinámica - Física - Fisicoquímica I - Termodinámica

  • Docente at Preparatoria Samuel León Brindis
    2016 - 2017 · 1 yr

    * Elaboración de planeaciones semanales * Manejo de rúbricas * Uso de plataformas Sesweb y Santillana * Materias impartidas: - Física I - Física II - Temas selectos de Física