{"id":10723,"date":"2026-05-18T10:46:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T08:46:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/?p=10723"},"modified":"2026-05-18T10:46:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T08:46:27","slug":"shooting-for-the-moon-with-martin-chassard-and-optimal-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/articles\/shooting-for-the-moon-with-martin-chassard-and-optimal-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Shooting for the Moon With Martin Chassard and Optimal Control"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

What is your research field?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am doing a PhD in applied mathematics, specifically in optimal control and the numerical approximation of solutions to partial differential equations. My work involves computing optimal trajectories \u2013 for instance, determining the best path to send a rocket to the Moon while minimizing fuel consumption and errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problems I am interested in are characterized by their very large scale, with a huge number of state variables (Think of temperature, pressure, etc.). That is why I rely on methods derived from artificial intelligence, a technique frequently used when processing massive volumes of data – often referred to as \u201cbig data\u201d- and tackling large-scale problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What led you to study mathematics?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ever since I was a child, I\u2019ve loved science in the broadest sense: mathematics, physics, life sciences and computer science. In middle and high school, I was initially set on studying astrophysics, a subject that had a profound impact on me through my reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I eventually followed a traditional route through higher education in mathematics, starting with preparatory classes, then at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es (Mathematical Engineering and Computer Science stream<\/a>, Modeling specialization) before going on to do a PhD. It was during preparatory classes that my interest in mathematics really took hold.
\u00a0I found it more elegant, more formal, and more rigorous than physics, for example. That was when I realized that I loved mathematics for the structure of its reasoning, and not just for its applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which mathematicians have made the biggest impression on you so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are so many! Among the historical examples, I can mention John von Neumann, who was a mathematician, computer scientist and economist all in one. He contributed to many fields, notably by founding what was called Game Theory<\/a>. This is both a mathematical discipline and a key conceptual framework in economics for analyzing situations of competition and cooperation between individuals. He is also sometimes regarded as one of the pioneers of artificial intelligence for his work on simulating life forms and autonomous organisms, as well as for his contributions to the design of early computers, such as the MANIAC machine. Here\u2019s a fun anecdote: I even have a tattoo of \u201cVon Neumann\u2019s elephant\u201d, a well-known example in recreational mathematics that is said \u2013 according to legend \u2013 to have originated from an exchange between von Neumann and Fermi!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"


Von Neumann\u2019s elephant is a recreational mathematics problem consisting of constructing a plane curve in the shape of an elephant using only four fixed parameters. Source: Wikimedia Commons \/ Kelam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On a more personal level, I have met some really inspiring people, both scientifically and personally. To me, research is fundamentally human and social. I would even go so far as to say that we do much better research with people we genuinely enjoy working with. Some of my internship supervisors made a strong impression on me in the way they supported and encouraged me, giving me confidence in my ability to conduct research. At the beginning, one of the main barriers to pursuing a PhD is often the feeling of not being good enough. People who manage to make you realize that you still have much to learn, while still valuing your potential, are quite rare and invaluable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is a conference like this important for young researchers in mathematics?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Congress of Young Researchers in Applied Mathematics is an event created by<\/em> and for<\/em> young researchers. Most of the organizing team, including myself, are still PhD students. It is very interesting to look \u201cbehind the scenes\u201d of organizing a conference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discussions are therefore much more natural and spontaneous than at more formal conferences, where there\u2019s more at stake. It almost felt like a vacation camp – not because it wasn\u2019t serious, but because we were among peers. After the presentations, you can continue talking and doing activities together. This allows you to meet people your own age, from different backgrounds, and makes it easier to share your experiences during your PhD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also a great opportunity to connect with young researchers from all over France and abroad. It allows you to build relationships early in your career with people who may become future associates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview by Ad\u00e8le Mazurek, head of the Scientific Outreach at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es.<\/em> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What is your research field? I am doing a PhD in applied mathematics, specifically in optimal control and the numerical […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":10564,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_related_content_post":[],"_related_content_subject":[690],"_related_content_author":[10716],"_related_content_category":[1720,1716],"_related_content_folder":[10721],"_excerpt":"From biology and physics to economics, engineering and many other fields, applied mathematics cuts across a wide range of disciplines, enabling us to model, understand, and solve complex problems. Yet far from the abstract image often associated with it, applied mathematics permeates everyday life and drives research at the heart of very concrete challenges. This feature gives voice to five young researchers in applied mathematics who took part in the Congress of Young Researchers in Applied Mathematics (CJC-MA)<\/a>. Drawing on their backgrounds and in their own words, they describe what led them to this field, the scientists who inspired them, and the importance of such a conference to them in their careers as young researchers.
","_duration":3,"_manual_duration":false,"footnotes":""},"article-types":[13],"class_list":["post-10723","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article-types-article"],"has_blocks":true,"block_data":[{"blockName":"enpc\/excerpt","attrs":{"lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"","innerContent":[],"rendered":""},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","align":"","content":"What is your research field?","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

What is your research field?<\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

What is your research field?<\/strong><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

What is your research field?<\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"I am doing a PhD in applied mathematics, specifically in optimal control and the numerical approximation of solutions to partial differential equations. My work involves computing optimal trajectories \u2013 for instance, determining the best path to send a rocket to the Moon while minimizing fuel consumption and errors.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

I am doing a PhD in applied mathematics, specifically in optimal control and the numerical approximation of solutions to partial differential equations. My work involves computing optimal trajectories \u2013 for instance, determining the best path to send a rocket to the Moon while minimizing fuel consumption and errors.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

I am doing a PhD in applied mathematics, specifically in optimal control and the numerical approximation of solutions to partial differential equations. My work involves computing optimal trajectories \u2013 for instance, determining the best path to send a rocket to the Moon while minimizing fuel consumption and errors.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

I am doing a PhD in applied mathematics, specifically in optimal control and the numerical approximation of solutions to partial differential equations. My work involves computing optimal trajectories \u2013 for instance, determining the best path to send a rocket to the Moon while minimizing fuel consumption and errors.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"The problems I am interested in are characterized by their very large scale, with a huge number of state variables (Think of temperature, pressure, etc.). That is why I rely on methods derived from artificial intelligence, a technique frequently used when processing massive volumes of data - often referred to as \u201cbig data\u201d- and tackling large-scale problems.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

The problems I am interested in are characterized by their very large scale, with a huge number of state variables (Think of temperature, pressure, etc.). That is why I rely on methods derived from artificial intelligence, a technique frequently used when processing massive volumes of data - often referred to as \u201cbig data\u201d- and tackling large-scale problems.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

The problems I am interested in are characterized by their very large scale, with a huge number of state variables (Think of temperature, pressure, etc.). That is why I rely on methods derived from artificial intelligence, a technique frequently used when processing massive volumes of data - often referred to as \u201cbig data\u201d- and tackling large-scale problems.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

The problems I am interested in are characterized by their very large scale, with a huge number of state variables (Think of temperature, pressure, etc.). That is why I rely on methods derived from artificial intelligence, a technique frequently used when processing massive volumes of data - often referred to as \u201cbig data\u201d- and tackling large-scale problems.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","align":"","content":"What led you to study mathematics?","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

What led you to study mathematics?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

What led you to study mathematics?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

What led you to study mathematics?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Ever since I was a child, I\u2019ve loved science in the broadest sense: mathematics, physics, life sciences and computer science. In middle and high school, I was initially set on studying astrophysics, a subject that had a profound impact on me through my reading.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Ever since I was a child, I\u2019ve loved science in the broadest sense: mathematics, physics, life sciences and computer science. In middle and high school, I was initially set on studying astrophysics, a subject that had a profound impact on me through my reading.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Ever since I was a child, I\u2019ve loved science in the broadest sense: mathematics, physics, life sciences and computer science. In middle and high school, I was initially set on studying astrophysics, a subject that had a profound impact on me through my reading.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Ever since I was a child, I\u2019ve loved science in the broadest sense: mathematics, physics, life sciences and computer science. In middle and high school, I was initially set on studying astrophysics, a subject that had a profound impact on me through my reading.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"I eventually followed a traditional route through higher education in mathematics, starting with preparatory classes, then at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es (Mathematical Engineering and Computer Science stream, Modeling specialization) before going on to do a PhD. It was during preparatory classes that my interest in mathematics really took hold.\u00a0I found it more elegant, more formal, and more rigorous than physics, for example. That was when I realized that I loved mathematics for the structure of its reasoning, and not just for its applications.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

I eventually followed a traditional route through higher education in mathematics, starting with preparatory classes, then at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es (Mathematical Engineering and Computer Science stream<\/a>, Modeling specialization) before going on to do a PhD. It was during preparatory classes that my interest in mathematics really took hold.
\u00a0I found it more elegant, more formal, and more rigorous than physics, for example. That was when I realized that I loved mathematics for the structure of its reasoning, and not just for its applications.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

I eventually followed a traditional route through higher education in mathematics, starting with preparatory classes, then at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es (Mathematical Engineering and Computer Science stream<\/a>, Modeling specialization) before going on to do a PhD. It was during preparatory classes that my interest in mathematics really took hold.
\u00a0I found it more elegant, more formal, and more rigorous than physics, for example. That was when I realized that I loved mathematics for the structure of its reasoning, and not just for its applications.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

I eventually followed a traditional route through higher education in mathematics, starting with preparatory classes, then at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es (Mathematical Engineering and Computer Science stream<\/a>, Modeling specialization) before going on to do a PhD. It was during preparatory classes that my interest in mathematics really took hold.
\u00a0I found it more elegant, more formal, and more rigorous than physics, for example. That was when I realized that I loved mathematics for the structure of its reasoning, and not just for its applications.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","align":"","content":"Which mathematicians have made the biggest impression on you so far?","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Which mathematicians have made the biggest impression on you so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Which mathematicians have made the biggest impression on you so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Which mathematicians have made the biggest impression on you so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"There are so many! Among the historical examples, I can mention John von Neumann, who was a mathematician, computer scientist and economist all in one. He contributed to many fields, notably by founding what was called Game Theory. This is both a mathematical discipline and a key conceptual framework in economics for analyzing situations of competition and cooperation between individuals. He is also sometimes regarded as one of the pioneers of artificial intelligence for his work on simulating life forms and autonomous organisms, as well as for his contributions to the design of early computers, such as the MANIAC machine. Here\u2019s a fun anecdote: I even have a tattoo of \u201cVon Neumann\u2019s elephant\u201d, a well-known example in recreational mathematics that is said \u2013 according to legend \u2013 to have originated from an exchange between von Neumann and Fermi!","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

There are so many! Among the historical examples, I can mention John von Neumann, who was a mathematician, computer scientist and economist all in one. He contributed to many fields, notably by founding what was called Game Theory<\/a>. This is both a mathematical discipline and a key conceptual framework in economics for analyzing situations of competition and cooperation between individuals. He is also sometimes regarded as one of the pioneers of artificial intelligence for his work on simulating life forms and autonomous organisms, as well as for his contributions to the design of early computers, such as the MANIAC machine. Here\u2019s a fun anecdote: I even have a tattoo of \u201cVon Neumann\u2019s elephant\u201d, a well-known example in recreational mathematics that is said \u2013 according to legend \u2013 to have originated from an exchange between von Neumann and Fermi!<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

There are so many! Among the historical examples, I can mention John von Neumann, who was a mathematician, computer scientist and economist all in one. He contributed to many fields, notably by founding what was called Game Theory<\/a>. This is both a mathematical discipline and a key conceptual framework in economics for analyzing situations of competition and cooperation between individuals. He is also sometimes regarded as one of the pioneers of artificial intelligence for his work on simulating life forms and autonomous organisms, as well as for his contributions to the design of early computers, such as the MANIAC machine. Here\u2019s a fun anecdote: I even have a tattoo of \u201cVon Neumann\u2019s elephant\u201d, a well-known example in recreational mathematics that is said \u2013 according to legend \u2013 to have originated from an exchange between von Neumann and Fermi!<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

There are so many! Among the historical examples, I can mention John von Neumann, who was a mathematician, computer scientist and economist all in one. He contributed to many fields, notably by founding what was called Game Theory<\/a>. This is both a mathematical discipline and a key conceptual framework in economics for analyzing situations of competition and cooperation between individuals. He is also sometimes regarded as one of the pioneers of artificial intelligence for his work on simulating life forms and autonomous organisms, as well as for his contributions to the design of early computers, such as the MANIAC machine. Here\u2019s a fun anecdote: I even have a tattoo of \u201cVon Neumann\u2019s elephant\u201d, a well-known example in recreational mathematics that is said \u2013 according to legend \u2013 to have originated from an exchange between von Neumann and Fermi!<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":10563,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FermiNeumannElephant.gif","alt":"","caption":"Von Neumann\u2019s elephant is a recreational mathematics problem consisting of constructing a plane curve in the shape of an elephant using only four fixed parameters. Source: Wikimedia Commons \/ Kelam","lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-image size-large","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

\"\"


Von Neumann\u2019s elephant is a recreational mathematics problem consisting of constructing a plane curve in the shape of an elephant using only four fixed parameters. Source: Wikimedia Commons \/ Kelam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
\"\"


Von Neumann\u2019s elephant is a recreational mathematics problem consisting of constructing a plane curve in the shape of an elephant using only four fixed parameters. Source: Wikimedia Commons \/ Kelam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\"\"


Von Neumann\u2019s elephant is a recreational mathematics problem consisting of constructing a plane curve in the shape of an elephant using only four fixed parameters. Source: Wikimedia Commons \/ Kelam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"On a more personal level, I have met some really inspiring people, both scientifically and personally. To me, research is fundamentally human and social. I would even go so far as to say that we do much better research with people we genuinely enjoy working with. Some of my internship supervisors made a strong impression on me in the way they supported and encouraged me, giving me confidence in my ability to conduct research. At the beginning, one of the main barriers to pursuing a PhD is often the feeling of not being good enough. People who manage to make you realize that you still have much to learn, while still valuing your potential, are quite rare and invaluable.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

On a more personal level, I have met some really inspiring people, both scientifically and personally. To me, research is fundamentally human and social. I would even go so far as to say that we do much better research with people we genuinely enjoy working with. Some of my internship supervisors made a strong impression on me in the way they supported and encouraged me, giving me confidence in my ability to conduct research. At the beginning, one of the main barriers to pursuing a PhD is often the feeling of not being good enough. People who manage to make you realize that you still have much to learn, while still valuing your potential, are quite rare and invaluable.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

On a more personal level, I have met some really inspiring people, both scientifically and personally. To me, research is fundamentally human and social. I would even go so far as to say that we do much better research with people we genuinely enjoy working with. Some of my internship supervisors made a strong impression on me in the way they supported and encouraged me, giving me confidence in my ability to conduct research. At the beginning, one of the main barriers to pursuing a PhD is often the feeling of not being good enough. People who manage to make you realize that you still have much to learn, while still valuing your potential, are quite rare and invaluable.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

On a more personal level, I have met some really inspiring people, both scientifically and personally. To me, research is fundamentally human and social. I would even go so far as to say that we do much better research with people we genuinely enjoy working with. Some of my internship supervisors made a strong impression on me in the way they supported and encouraged me, giving me confidence in my ability to conduct research. At the beginning, one of the main barriers to pursuing a PhD is often the feeling of not being good enough. People who manage to make you realize that you still have much to learn, while still valuing your potential, are quite rare and invaluable.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","align":"","content":"Why is a conference like this important for young researchers in mathematics?","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Why is a conference like this important for young researchers in mathematics?<\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Why is a conference like this important for young researchers in mathematics?<\/strong><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Why is a conference like this important for young researchers in mathematics?<\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"The Congress of Young Researchers in Applied Mathematics is an event created by and for young researchers. Most of the organizing team, including myself, are still PhD students. It is very interesting to look \u201cbehind the scenes\u201d of organizing a conference.\u00a0","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

The Congress of Young Researchers in Applied Mathematics is an event created by<\/em> and for<\/em> young researchers. Most of the organizing team, including myself, are still PhD students. It is very interesting to look \u201cbehind the scenes\u201d of organizing a conference. <\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

The Congress of Young Researchers in Applied Mathematics is an event created by<\/em> and for<\/em> young researchers. Most of the organizing team, including myself, are still PhD students. It is very interesting to look \u201cbehind the scenes\u201d of organizing a conference. <\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

The Congress of Young Researchers in Applied Mathematics is an event created by<\/em> and for<\/em> young researchers. Most of the organizing team, including myself, are still PhD students. It is very interesting to look \u201cbehind the scenes\u201d of organizing a conference. <\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"The discussions are therefore much more natural and spontaneous than at more formal conferences, where there\u2019s more at stake. It almost felt like a vacation camp - not because it wasn\u2019t serious, but because we were among peers. After the presentations, you can continue talking and doing activities together. This allows you to meet people your own age, from different backgrounds, and makes it easier to share your experiences during your PhD.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

The discussions are therefore much more natural and spontaneous than at more formal conferences, where there\u2019s more at stake. It almost felt like a vacation camp - not because it wasn\u2019t serious, but because we were among peers. After the presentations, you can continue talking and doing activities together. This allows you to meet people your own age, from different backgrounds, and makes it easier to share your experiences during your PhD.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

The discussions are therefore much more natural and spontaneous than at more formal conferences, where there\u2019s more at stake. It almost felt like a vacation camp - not because it wasn\u2019t serious, but because we were among peers. After the presentations, you can continue talking and doing activities together. This allows you to meet people your own age, from different backgrounds, and makes it easier to share your experiences during your PhD.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

The discussions are therefore much more natural and spontaneous than at more formal conferences, where there\u2019s more at stake. It almost felt like a vacation camp - not because it wasn\u2019t serious, but because we were among peers. After the presentations, you can continue talking and doing activities together. This allows you to meet people your own age, from different backgrounds, and makes it easier to share your experiences during your PhD.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"It is also a great opportunity to connect with young researchers from all over France and abroad. It allows you to build relationships early in your career with people who may become future associates.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

It is also a great opportunity to connect with young researchers from all over France and abroad. It allows you to build relationships early in your career with people who may become future associates.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

It is also a great opportunity to connect with young researchers from all over France and abroad. It allows you to build relationships early in your career with people who may become future associates.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

It is also a great opportunity to connect with young researchers from all over France and abroad. It allows you to build relationships early in your career with people who may become future associates.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Interview by Ad\u00e8le Mazurek, head of the Scientific Outreach at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es. ","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Interview by Ad\u00e8le Mazurek, head of the Scientific Outreach at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es.<\/em> <\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Interview by Ad\u00e8le Mazurek, head of the Scientific Outreach at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es.<\/em> <\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Interview by Ad\u00e8le Mazurek, head of the Scientific Outreach at the \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es.<\/em> <\/p>\n"}],"seo":{"title":"Shooting for the Moon With Martin Chassard and Optimal Control"},"media":{"img":"\"\"","src":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FermiNeumannElephant.gif"},"url":"\/en\/articles\/shooting-for-the-moon-with-martin-chassard-and-optimal-control\/","related":{"post":[],"author":[{"title":"Martin Chassard","url":"\/en\/authors\/martin-chassard\/","id":"10716","media":"\"\"","slug":"martin-chassard"}],"subject":[{"title":"Digital Technology, Modeling & Artificial Intelligence","url":"\/en\/subjects\/digital-technology-modeling-artificial-intelligence\/","id":"690","media":"\"\"","slug":"digital-technology-modeling-artificial-intelligence"}],"category":[{"title":"Article collection","url":"\/en\/articles\/category\/dossier\/","id":"1720","media":"","slug":"dossier","_related_post_type":"folder"},{"title":"Articles","url":"\/en\/articles\/category\/articles\/","id":"1716","media":"","slug":"articles","_related_post_type":""}],"folder":[{"title":"Applied Mathematics: pathways for young researchers","url":"\/en\/folders\/applied-mathematics-pathways-for-young-researchers\/","id":"10721","media":"\"\"","slug":"applied-mathematics-pathways-for-young-researchers"}]},"translated":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/articles\/viser-la-lune-avec-martin-chassard-et-le-controle-optimal\/","icon":"icon-article","duration":"3","custom_excerpt":"From biology and physics to economics, engineering and many other fields, applied mathematics cuts across a wide range of disciplines, enabling us to model, understand, and solve complex problems. Yet far from the abstract image often associated with it, applied mathematics permeates everyday life and drives research at the heart of very concrete challenges. This feature gives voice to five young researchers in applied mathematics who took part in the Congress of Young Researchers in Applied Mathematics (CJC-MA)<\/a>. Drawing on their backgrounds and in their own words, they describe what led them to this field, the scientists who inspired them, and the importance of such a conference to them in their careers as young researchers.
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