Biomathematics at Murray State University

The Biomathematics group at Murray State University was recently awarded a Research Incubation Grant, Biomathematics at Murray State University, by the Kentucky Statewide EPSCoR Committee. As part of our award, we hosted the first Biomathematics in the Commonwealth workshop.

Our group consists of faculty members from the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, which are both housed in the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology. Our members include:

Terry Derting, Biological Sciences

Renee Fister, Mathematics & Statistics

Nicole Gerlanc, Biological Sciences

Maeve McCarthy, Mathematics & Statistics

Christopher Mecklin, Mathematics & Statistics

Howard Whiteman, Biological Sciences

We have a wide variety of research interests devoted to the integration of mathematics and biology.

Activities of the Biomathematics group include:

A regular Biomathematics Seminar, which is well attended by biologists and mathematicians at Murray State.

The first Biomathematics in the Commonwealth Workshop, held June 24-25^th, 2005.

Our Research Interests

At Murray State, we are interested in biological problems with a strong mathematical and statistical component. Our particular research interests include:

Using capture-mark-recapture methods and projection matrix models to estimate fecundity

Chemotaxis models

Parameter identification in ODE & PDE models

Bayesian methods of data analysis

Developmental stability and fluctuating asymmetry

Genetic differentiation and biodiversity

Developmental stability and fluctuating asymmetry

Anthropogenic disturbances and their physiological & fitness consequences

Population dynamics & ecology

Integration of Mathematics and Biology

The importance of mathematical and computational tools in every area of biological studies is well documented (Levin et. al 1997, Science 275:334-343). Mathematical and computational challenges in population biology, ecosystems science, and epidemiology in particular have long been recognized. With new conceptual advances and technology, research initiatives that focus on integration of mathematics and biological issues are expanding. A gap exists, however, in the ability for biologists and mathematicians to converse and share expertise in order to solve important questions relating to population dynamics, epidemiology, immunology, and evolutionary theory. Eliminating the gap between mathematicians and biologists is essential in maintaining research productivity in the Commonwealth and remaining competitive for new national research agendas. 

Biomathematics Seminar

In order to further develop our collaborations, we have run a Biomathematics Seminar since Spring 2004. This seminar is open to all interested MSU faculty and students. Several biomathematics collaborations have been developed at MSU as a result of this seminar series (Abstracts)

March 30, 2005

Dr. James B. Sickel, Biological Sciences, Murray State University

Analysis of mussel communities in the Tennessee River using multivariate permutation statistics

March 14, 2005

Dr. Richard L. Boyce, Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University

Introducing Fuzzy Set Ordination and How to Combine It with Spatial Statistics: Why Biologists and Mathematicians Should Care

February 28, 2005

Dr. Yongzhi Steve Xu, Mathematics, University of Louisville

A Mathematical Model of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ

January 24, 2005

Dr. Christopher Mecklin, Mathematics & Statistics, Murray State University

An Introduction to Bayesian Statistics and an Ecological Application

November 8, 2004

Dr. Howard Whiteman, Biological Sciences, Murray State University

Evolutionary Ecology of Life History Variation in Tiger Salamanders

October 4, 2004

Brandon Hale, Biology & Mathematics major, Murray State University

Numerical Analysis of the Depleting Resources Model

April 29, 2004

Dr. Nicole Gerlanc, Biological Sciences, Murray State University

From fieldwork to fitness estimates: an overview of the statistical processes used to convert mark-recapture data to a life table

April 8, 2004

Brian & Brandon Hale, Biology & Mathematics majors, Murray State University

Model for Depletion of Resources Due to a Growing Population

March 25, 2004

Dr. K. Renee Fister, Mathematics & Statistics, Murray State University

Optimal Control Applied to Cell-Kill Strategies

March 4, 2004

Brandon Hale, Biology & Mathematics major, Murray State University

Fighting Bacterial Resistance: A Mathematical Model for Antibiotic Effectiveness

February 23, 2004

Dr. Hem Raj Joshi

Xavier University

Optimal Control Applications in Mathematical Biology

February 19, 2004

Dr. Terry Derting, Biological Sciences, Murray State University

Can we model impacts of environmental stressors on health?

January 29, 2004

Dr. Maeve L. McCarthy, Mathematics & Statistics, Murray State University

Identification of a time dependent parameter in a soil column study

Biomathematics in the Commonwealth Workshop

The Biomathematics in the Commonwealth workshop was held at Murray State University, June 24-25, 2005. Our Research Incubation Grant from the Kentucky EPSCoR Program funded the workshop. The purpose of the workshop was to identify research questions in biology and mathematics that will lead to fruitful collaborations based in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The structure included presentations of research topics followed by some brainstorming sessions focused on these problems. Some of the participants presented on some the techniques of biomathematics and others presented open problems for the group to discuss.

Schedule, Abstract of Talks, Participants