The Mexican Federal Government, through its National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT, for its initials in Spanish), recently started a new initiative for encouraging the creation of high-quality industry-oriented graduate programs. In line to this initiative, ITESO – the Jesuit University of Guadalajara, Mexico, opened in 2013 an industry-oriented doctoral program in engineering sciences. In this paper, we briefly describe the main research production of this doctoral program in the area of computer-aided design techniques for RF and microwave modeling, design, and optimization of circuits and systems in industrial settings. We summarize the main recent contributions involving surrogate-based modeling and optimization as applied to post-silicon validation of high-speed computer interfaces, signal-integrity testing, power integrity enhancement, and low-cost high-speed interconnect multi-physical characterization. Research contributions validated on realistic industrial platforms in collaboration with high-tech companies are emphasized
