In 2004, the Biomathematics group at Murray State University was 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. In 2005, we were awarded an Undergraduate Training in the Biological and Mathematical Sciences grant (UBM) by the National Science Foundation. The project UBM, RUI: Biology and Mathematics in Population Studies (BioMaPS) will train 25 undergraduates over five years to work at the intersection of biology & mathematics.

Confluence of Biology & Mathematics in the Commonwealth Come to a two-day conference at Murray State University! There’s no registration fee and free housing is available for students. (Registration form) Students: Please participate in our poster session. We’d love to hear about your work. Speakers: Dr. John Jungck (Beloit College), Dr. Andy Long (Northern Kentucky University) and Dr. Christopher Mecklin (Murray State University). Schedule Travel Info

Biomathematics Seminar Next Seminar: Dr K. Renee Fister Murray State University Curing Cancer with Mathematics? (Abstract) 3:30 pm, Monday, April 14, 2008 Biology Building Room 1119

BioMaPS -- Fellowship Announcement
Students -- $7000 fellowship available for research projects!!!!

BioMaPS -- Fellowship Application

Applications for 2008 are closed. Applications for 2009 will be accepted in the Fall.

BioMaPS -- Project Descriptions
Want to know more? Read the project descriptions for the 2008 BioMaPS fellows.

BioMaPS -- Murray State's UBM award

2008 Highlights

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
Kate He, Biological Sciences

Maeve McCarthy, Mathematics & Statistics
Christopher Mecklin, Mathematics & Statistics

David Roach, 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 24-25th, 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.

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| College of Science Engineering & Technology |

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Modified September 4, 2007