Julio Mario Ottino’s journey began amidst turmoil and disorder. Science, for him, became an “island of stability in the sea of chaos that was Argentina in the late 1970s.” Growing up with dual interests in physical sciences and visual arts, the clean almost timeless structure of mathematical and scientific concepts stood in stark contrast to the tumultuous times, while art provided a cathartic means of expression to foster the seeds of innovation.
Julio Mario Ottino’s early successes stem from his groundbreaking work in chaos theory and its applications to mixing. He penned the groundbreaking book “The Kinematics of Mixing: Stretching, Transport, and Chaos” – powered by a blend of scientific acumen and visualization. Today, driven by art, and by the study of complex systems resulted in the book “The Nexus: Augmented Thinking for a Complex World–The New Convergence of Art, Technology, and Science” and his collaboration with noted designer, Bruce Mau
Recognized as one of the “One Hundred Engineers of the Modern Era,” he’s earned prestigious fellowships and many recognitions. A Guggenheim Fellow, he’s a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The 2017 Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education stands testament to his trailblazing impact in education. An academic entrepreneur, he founded initiatives in design, entrepreneurship, and energy and sustainability. His launching of the Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems crosslinked many domains and resulted of centers in the area of Synthetic Biology, Engineering Sustainability and Resilience and, and leadership in Computational Social Science.
Julio Mario Ottino is the former dean of the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Northwestern University where he holds the titles of Distinguished Robert R. McCormick Institute Professor and Walter P. Murphy Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering. He is also a Professor of Management and Organizations at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
Talks, podcasts, media coverage, and presentations related to The Nexus
- The Creative Process with Mia Funk
- Northwestern’s Buffett Institute “Breaking Boundaries” podcast
- “Artificiality” podcast with Dave and Helen Edwards
The Artistic Vision of Julio Mario Ottino
Julio Mario Ottino, an influential academic, author, artist, and researcher, masterfully blends art, technology, and science to redefine our era’s innovative landscape. His work, deeply rooted in the concept of Nexus thinking, transcends traditional boundaries, creating a harmonious fusion that reshapes our understanding of these diverse fields. Julio’s unique approach not only showcases his artful mastery over complex subjects but also charts a path into a new era of innovation, where interdisciplinary collaboration becomes the key to unlocking future breakthroughs.
The Painting Portfolio of Julio Ottino
