27/09/2021

In the book "Inspiring Stories from OBMEP": Weslley Matias

Changes, however small, can bring incalculable consequences. While some feel anguish just thinking about the unpredictability of life, Weslley Ramon Pereira Matias, a 22-year-old from Alagoas, is going against the grain: uncertainty brings him overflowing contentment, which even affects his tone of voice.

That's how everything related to Chaos Theory is. And it's no wonder. The subject is part of a moment of overcoming that Weslley experienced a decade ago, but it's so important that he paints it with the colors of days ago. At the time, his first undergraduate research project was cited as an example to be avoided. Just a year later, his dedication to the chaotic phenomena of the universe made him take a turn for the better.

“It was truly terrifying. I had no idea how to do something in the style of a final year project. But I learned a lot about how to research, write, and present the text. My transformation was like night and day. I chose to talk about Chaos Theory, which has mathematics and involves other subjects; it's somewhat philosophical. It was incredible because I made people think about something that isn't trivial. Everyone liked it. It was a great achievement,” she says about her second project.

Since then, mathematics has been linked to many other rewarding moments in Weslley's life, who is only not from Pernambuco because the nearest hospital to his parents' house was beyond the border, in Palmeira dos Índios (AL). His accent, however, belies his origin. Anyone who hears him swears he's from São Paulo. "I came to Osasco when I was six months old. But I'm from the Northeast," he says, who lives with his parents – homemaker Maria Lucineide and gas station attendant José Gilmarlos – and his 17-year-old sister, Naiara.

Like a true Northeasterner, Weslley doesn't bend. And he says he's patient, a quality he says he developed in childhood, within his family environment. “If I wanted something, but my parents couldn't give it to me, I understood. I didn't throw tantrums or insist. If it wasn't possible at that moment, I waited for it to happen someday. And it did happen. But I had to wait a little. That's how I developed my patience,” he observes.

Maria Lucineide corroborates this. She assures that Weslley was never a troublemaker and that he taught his children what he learned from his parents. He encouraged their studies, an opportunity that neither she nor her husband had. They both lived in the small town of Bom Conselho, in very unfavorable conditions, and did not go beyond elementary school.

Regarding her son, she highlights his determination. “He’s a warrior. Sometimes he studies until dawn to manage everything. He wakes up very early to work and goes to college at night. He gets home very late and still gives private lessons on Saturdays. He only has Sundays free. Despite the difficulties, he never gave up,” she says proudly.

Weslley's first medal at the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad (OBMEP) didn't come immediately. He was in fifth grade when he debuted in 2006, but he already earned an honorable mention. The following year, he won a bronze medal – and he hasn't stopped competing since. By the time he finished high school in 2012, he had participated seven times in a row. He accumulated three honorable mentions, three bronze medals, and one gold medal.

For Weslley, going to school was "the best part of the day." He aced his subjects, made friends, and interacted with teachers who were instrumental in his life. One in particular, named Nilda, was remarkable for encouraging him to study and pursue his dream of using mathematics as a path to change his life.

He knew, even in fifth grade, that he wanted to be a teacher. It was a natural progression, considering his love of mathematics, combined with his ease and pleasure in helping others. Some time later, a teacher confided in him about the difficulties of the profession and encouraged him to explore another field. He kept the conversation to himself and went on with his life.

When presenting a paper on the Fibonacci Sequence, he so captivated the audience that he felt encouraged to become an educator. But, at the decisive moment, he hesitated. Fascinated by amusement parks, especially roller coasters and Ferris wheels, he concluded that he could be happy as a mechanical engineer, especially since he could apply mathematics to his work routine. Thus, in 2013, he began the course at Mackenzie Presbyterian University, with graduation expected in 2017.

Having won a medal in the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad (OBMEP), Weslley secured the right to remain in the Scientific Initiation program through the PICME program. He found a working group involved in the construction of a small-scale airplane and deepened his knowledge there. He developed a project on mathematical modeling applied to engineering.

“I used simulation and calculations to transform a real system into a mathematical language that I could interpret. Picme was very important for my growth as an undergraduate. Although it took me away from the focus of pure mathematics, I learned techniques that I used in other jobs and courses,” says Weslley, adding that the value of the program's scholarship was crucial because in the initial semesters, full-time dedication was required, making any work impossible.

About to graduate, Weslley confesses to feeling some disappointment with his choice, as he had hoped to work more on projects and develop his creativity. But the internship he started in his fifth semester, without any particular ambition since it had no relation to mechanical engineering, was a pleasant surprise. The unpredictability of life led him to find something he didn't expect at a financial institution: a return to his mathematical roots.

"I rediscovered mathematics and logical reasoning for solving challenging problems, which I enjoyed so much, in my daily work routine. I use mathematics constantly as a tool to make decisions based on calculations." This year, he was hired as a Planning and Control Analyst at Itaú Unibanco, in the Equipment Planning area.

Weslley works in the area responsible for managing equipment for agencies throughout Brazil. To determine the ideal quantity to best serve the client, reducing costs and minimizing operational impact, he focuses on statistical analysis and probability. "I also use a lot of logical reasoning to develop the algorithm's rationale and knowledge of queuing theory, Markov chains, and optimization."
"Processes for gathering indicators for the revitalization of equipment," he explains.

With a degree in Business Administration, Daiana Aparecida Ferreira works with Weslley in the same role. Regarding her colleague, she shares the same thoughts as Maria Lucineide, showing that the praise is not a mother's exaggeration. "He is calm, focused, cheerful, committed, and very responsible. Furthermore, he is always willing to help."

Despite being fulfilled at work, Weslley maintains his original dream of becoming a teacher. “Actually, I never ruled out the idea. It just has to be a side activity so I can balance my work and career.” Yes, life is unpredictable. And you might even end up back where you started.

* Text taken from the book “Inspiring Stories of OBMEP”