Joan Duran GrimaltView profile
Associate Professor
Dr. Joan Duran Grimalt is an Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB). He serves as a member of the Mathematical Image Processing (TAMI) research group and the Institute of Applied Computing and Community Code (IAC3). From July 2021 to June 2024, he held the position of deputy director of the Higher Polytechnic School and head of studies for the Degree in Mathematics program. His academic career at UIB began in 2015 following the completion of his PhD. Dr. Duran Grimalt earned his academic credentials at prestigious institutions: BSc in Mathematics (2010) from the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) MSc in Advanced Mathematics and Mathematical Engineering (2011) from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia PhD in Mathematics (2016) from UIB with thesis on variational models for ill-posed inverse problems in digital imaging His research spans the intersection of mathematical theory and practical applications in imaging science. Dr. Duran Grimalt specializes in nonlinear analysis, calculus of variations, partial differential equations, and deep unfolding architectures. His work focuses on developing mathematical frameworks that bridge traditional variational methods with modern deep learning approaches, particularly for image processing and computer vision applications. This hybrid methodology allows for both the interpretability of model-based approaches and the performance benefits of data-driven techniques. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a clear research trajectory toward integrating classical mathematical models with deep learning architectures, particularly through the technique of deep unfolding. His work consistently addresses challenging problems in satellite image processing, pansharpening, hypersharpening, and low-light image enhancement. The publications demonstrate a progression from purely variational approaches to increasingly sophisticated hybrid models that incorporate attention mechanisms, nonlocal operations, and specialized network architectures designed specifically for imaging problems. His notable scientific recognition includes: Fellowship from the Govern de les Illes Balears for PhD research (2011-2015) Dr. Duran Grimalt has secured research funding for multiple projects, leading two major initiatives. He has established significant international collaborations with the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) in France, where he contributed to the image restoration chain for Earth observation satellites, and with the Oceanographic Centre of the Balearic Islands, focusing on deep unfolding architectures for remote sensing data fusion and marine object detection. His academic mentorship includes supervising PhD candidates M. Francesc Alcover (working on nonlocal theory for variational problems) and Daniel Torres (researching the combination of variational models and deep learning for image processing). He has also been a visiting researcher at leading institutions including the Technical University of Munich, ENS Paris-Saclay, and New York University. His research is conducted through the Mathematics, Imaging and Learning (MIA) Consolidated R+D+I Group, where he is an active member, and leverages resources from the Institute of Applied Computing and Community Code (IAC3). These research structures provide the computational infrastructure and collaborative environment necessary for his work on advanced image processing algorithms and their applications in satellite imaging and computer vision.









