August 2026 Newsletter (Vol. 32)

News

Applications Open: NITMB Fellows Program

NITMB is seeking early-career researchers who have an interest in transforming biological research and inspiring new mathematical discoveries.

This opportunity is open to researchers who want to develop mathematical, theoretical, and computational approaches to study any area of biology. NITMB Fellows conduct independent research programs, in collaboration with NITMB faculty members or others outside the Institute, focused on developing new mathematics and statistics relevant to challenges in biology. This call is aimed at young scientists trained in mathematics, computer science, statistics, theoretical biology, or related disciplines with exceptional research promise and with an interest in exploring new opportunities and challenges emerging from biological phenomena.

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Affiliate Membership Applications Due September 1, 2026

Are you a faculty member member or researcher who works at the interface of mathematics and biology?

Consider NITMB's Affiliate Member Program!

Participate in the NITMB community, including convening programs, seminars, and engage deeply with NITMB scholars
Access NITMB's facilities in the John Hancock Center in downtown Chicago
Receive travel award (for non-local members) to and from NITMB

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NITMB Concludes 2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Program

We recently wrapped up the 2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)! 15 undergraduate students spent 8 weeks at NITMB engaging in research at the interface between mathematics and biology while participating in hands-on laboratory or computational research.

Congratulations to the 2026 SURP cohort! We wish all our summer students the best as they return to their home institutions.

Explore the 2026 cohort's research and their experiences at NITMB this summer in our 2026 SURP spotlight video series.

Watch Now

A New nitmb.org

We’re thrilled to welcome our community to the newly redesigned NITMB website! Inspired by our community’s innovative research and collaboration, our new website looks forward to the cutting edge of theory and mathematics in biology.

Visit nitmb.org for a refreshed experience, featuring a new look and new features

Visit nitmb.org

Leveraging AI and machine learning for multidisciplinary discovery

Meet Jingrui He, Professor in the School of Information Sciences and Program Director of the MS in Information Management at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign!

Visit nitmb.org

If you'd like to be featured in a future newsletter, please contact NITMB's Digital Media Specialist, Ben Stemen (stemenb@uchicago.edu)

Upcoming Events

Seminar Series

September 4, 2026

Ido Golding (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign): NITMB Seminar Series

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Upcoming Workshop

October 12-14, 2026

Local Applications Still Being Accepted

NITMB Scientific Focus: Theory and Mathematics in Neuroscience – Dynamics in Neuroscience Workshop

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Upcoming Workshop

November 2-4, 2026

Applications Open

NITMB Scientific Focus: Theory and Mathematics in Neuroscience – Probabilistic Inference in Neuroscience Workshop

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Upcoming Workshop

September 14-18, 2026

Biological Function in Space and Time: From Forces and Cues to Emerging Decision-making in Fates, States, and Shapes

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Upcoming Workshop

October 19-23, 2026

Local Applications Still Being Accepted

Representing and Learning Morphology and Shape Dynamics from Biological Data

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Upcoming Workshop

November 9-13, 2026

Applications Open

Multi-scale Biological Adaptation to Environmental Variability

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Upcoming Workshop

September 28 - October 2, 2026

Data-driven modeling, simulation and inference for neurobiological problems

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Upcoming Workshop

October 26-28, 2026

Local Applications Still Being Accepted

NITMB Scientific Focus: Theory and Mathematics in Neuroscience – Geometry in Neuroscience Workshop

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Upcoming Long Program

February 1 - March 12, 2027

Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis

Image-Based Scientific Machine Learning for Theories of Biological Dynamics Across Scales

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More Events

Image-Based Scientific Machine Learning for Theories of Biological Dynamics Across Scales – Image-Based Scientific Machine Learning for Advancing Theory in Biology
February 1-5, 2027 | Applications Open
Image-Based Scientific Machine Learning for Theories of Biological Dynamics Across Scales – Information-theoretic methods for learning dynamics
February 8-12, 2027 | Applications Open
Image-Based Scientific Machine Learning for Theories of Biological Dynamics Across Scales – Equation discovery of tissue and organ dynamics
February 22-24, 2027
Image-Based Scientific Machine Learning for Theories of Biological Dynamics Across Scales – Learning Multivariate Spatio‑Temporal Dynamical Models
March 1-5, 2027 | Applications Open
Biological Oscillators Across Cellular, Temporal, and Spatial Scales
April 5-9, 2027 | Applications Open

View Events Calendar

Community Opportunities

Explore external opportunities and events that may be of interest to the NITMB community

September 17-18, 2026

Chicago BioEngineering Conference (CBEC) 2026

We are pleased to invite you to attend the 2nd Chicago BioEngineering Conference (CBEC), to be held at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk. (301 E North Water St, Chicago, IL 60611). Focusing on High-Throughput Omics, Spatial-Temporal Omics, Bioelectronics, and AI x Bio, this year's conference converges biology, engineering, and artificial intelligence, bringing together the visionary practitioners driving these technologies forward.

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October 19-21, 2026

The UChicago and Caltech AI+Science Conference 2026

UChicago and Caltech are co-hosting a landmark conference on AI and Machine Learning for scientific discovery, and we want you to join us! The UChicago-Caltech Conference on AI+Science will convene leading researchers from core AI and domain sciences across the physical and biological sciences for two days of high-impact conversations, collaborations, and opportunities.

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Faculty Position

AI-Enabled Biology and Medicine Faculty Search

The University of Chicago's Biological Sciences Division is searching for full-time scientists, physician-scientists, and engineers who bring innovative experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches to bear on fundamental questions in biology, medicine, and public health. This search is focused on realizing the power and promise of AI and statistical modeling approaches for biological sciences, capturing the full continuum from basic biological discovery to clinical translation and public health, including programs that bridge biophysics, computation, systems biology, bioengineering, and medicine.

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NITMB Opportunities

Are you part of a research team that works on a project at intersections of mathematical and biological fields?

Consider applying for an NITMB Focused Research Group Award!

Supports the in-person gathering of small teams (e.g., 3-6 people) for independent research
Provides office space and meeting rooms at NITMB in downtown Chicago
Covers non-local travel, lodging, and meals for stays up to 9 days. Teams may apply to return to continue their collaborations.
Open to researchers in pure and applied mathematics, basic biological sciences, and related fields

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We invite researchers to propose a Scientific Workshop to be hosted in downtown Chicago at NITMB.

Workshops at NITMB:

Tackle timely and pivotal research questions at the intersection of mathematics and biology
Receive full administrative and financial support from NITMB, including lodging, travel, and local support for all non-local participants
Generally, convene for 2 to 5 days and host 20-75 participants
Include discussions, brainstorming, and small group launches of new research projects

Propose a Workshop

Are you faculty, research faculty, technical staff, a postdoctoral scholar, or an enrolled PhD candidate engaged in research in biological or mathematical fields?

Consider the Visitor Program of the NITMB, which provides:

Opportunities for researchers outside the host institutions of Northwestern University and the University of Chicago to engage deeply with NITMB
Funding for non-local researchers to come from their home institutions to NITMB in downtown Chicago
Full access to NITMB’s science programs and facilities

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Consider proposing a long program to be hosted in downtown Chicago by the NITMB!

Long Programs at NITMB:

Consist of 4-10 weeks of concentrated activity in a specific area of current research interest at the intersections of biological and mathematical fields
Receive full administrative and financial support of NITMB, including lodging, travel, and local support for all non-local participants
Include multiple 2-5 day workshops, each hosting 25-75 participants
Offer an opportunity to be in residence at NITMB to conduct research, collaborate with NITMB faculty and fellows, train students, and engage with affiliated visitors

Propose a Long Program

NITMB is a partnership between Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. It is funded by the National Science Foundation DMS-2235451 and the Simons Foundation MP-TMPS-00005320.