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Bi-Monthly News from NIMBioS
July-August 2016
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Two Exciting Fall Conferences
Deadlines fast approaching!
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The 8th annual Undergraduate Research Conference at the Interface of Mathematics and Biology, to be held Oct. 8-9 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus, provides opportunities for undergraduates to present their research and to network with faculty. A panel discussion on career opportunities and a graduate school showcase is also included. Faculty and students are invited to attend, as well as middle and high school teachers. The deadline to apply for travel support is August 20.
Apply today!
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NIMBioS is honored to co-host the 2016 Blackwell-Tapia Conference and Awards Ceremony recognizing mathematical excellence by minority researchers. Held Oct. 28-29 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus, the conference includes scientific talks, poster presentations, networking, and special remarks by honored guest Richard Tapia. Mariel Vazquez will be awarded the Blackwell-Tapia Prize.
The deadline to apply for travel support is August 29.
Apply today!
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New Science
Tails from Sea to Land
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When early terrestrial animals began moving about on mud and sand 360 million years ago, the powerful tails they used as fish may have been more important than scientists previously realized. That's one conclusion from a new study of African mudskipper fish and a robot modeled on the animal. Former NIMBioS postdoc Sandy Kawano is a co-author of the
study published in
Science.
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Postdoctoral Research
The Mechanics of Allostery
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NIMBioS postdoc Quentin Johnson builds mathematical and computational models to better understand a fundamental principle of biochemistry called allostery. In this video, Johnson explains how some plant pathogens threaten the world's food supply, but in some cases, pathogenic fungi can boost a plant's ability to withstand certain stressors. For more information about Johnson's research, click here.
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Postdoctoral Fellows
Where Are They Now?
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More than 85% of NIMBioS postdoctoral fellows have accepted faculty positions at the world's top institutions, based on the Top 500, Shanghai Rankings—a far higher success rate than most postdoctoral programs. Several postdoctoral researchers recently completed their fellowships. Where are they now?
•
Caroline Farrior
accepted a position as as assistant professor of integrative biology at the University of Texas at Austin.
• Sandy Kawano joined the Structure and Motion Lab at the Royal Veterinary College next year as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Research Fellow. She also accepted a position as assistant professor of comparative physiology at California State University, Long Beach.
• Elizabeth Hobson
accepted a position as a postdoctoral fellow at the Santa Fe Institute.
• Suzanne O'Regan
accepted a position as an assistant professor of mathematics at North Carolina A&T State University.
• Megan Rúa
joined the Department of Biological Sciences at Wright State University as an assistant professor.
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Undergraduate Success
Publication in Frontiers
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Three students who participated in the 2014 Summer Research Experiences project on mathematical modeling of granuloma formation in Johne’s disease have published their results in Frontiers in Microbiology. The study investigates the limits of the rates of bacterial replication, death, and quiescence during Mtb infection in mice.
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Middle School Girls
Adventures in STEM Camp
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Middle school girls tested different models used in math and science at this summer's Adventures in STEM
Camp. Campers used computers to design 3D models of flowers for 3D printing, tested a mathematical model for dinosaur locomotion, and played with Netlogo to learn about agent-based modeling of predator-prey interactions. Fifteen middle school girls participated in the day camp.
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September 1 is the next deadline for submitting requests for new scientific and educational activities at NIMBioS, including
Working Groups
and
Investigative Workshops
. For information on what NIMBioS funds and does not fund as well as application requirements,
click here
.
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Recent NIMBioS Publications
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Day JD, Metes DM, Vodovotz Y.
Mathematical modeling of early cellular innate and adaptive immune responses to ischemia/reperfusion injury and solid organ allotransplantation. Frontiers in Immunology.
doi:10.3389/fimmu.2015.00484
Sgouralis I, Evans RG, Layton AT.
Renal medullary and urinary oxygen tension during cardiopulmonary bypass in the rat. Mathematical Medicine and Biology.
doi:10.1093/imammb/dqw010
Rúa MA et al. Home-field advantage? evidence of local adaptation among plants, soil, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi through meta-analysis. BMC Evolutionary Advantage. doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0698-9
Results produced from NIMBioS research activities are important in measuring our success.
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NIMBioS is sponsored by the National Science Foundation through NSF Award #DBI-1300426, with additional support from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
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