Oscar Moreno is one of the pillars of research in mathematics and computer science in Puerto Rico. During his more than 30 years as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and then in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras, Professor Moreno cultivated the talent of young students of mathematics and computer science from high school to university by serving as their research mentor. He influenced many of the professors of mathematics and computer science at various universities on the island in one-way or another. His contributions to the theory of finite fields and coding theory have been recognized in many ways, including being selected as a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), an honor shared by very few people in Latin America. Another of his many contributions to the academic and research work in the island includes organizing international conferences and the development of the graduate program in computer and information sciences.

The SIDIM thanks Professor Moreno for his dedication to the development of mathematics and computer science in Puerto Rico by dedicating the SIDIM 2009 to him.