Mathematics of Planet Earth

The Mathematical Biosciences Institute (MBI) will host a multi-institution REU program in the mathematical biosciences, administered by MBI from the campus of The Ohio State University.

REU participants will work on projects in areas such as molecular evolution, neuronal oscillatory patterning, cancer genetics, epidemics and vaccination strategies, and animal movement. Participants will work individually or in pairs under the guidance of expert mentors to make specific research contributions in these areas, often leading to a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations. The REU program will incorporate various professional and research-skills development activities throughout the summer to help ensure the participants’ success in completing their summer project and to prepare them for graduate study or entering the workforce.

The goal of this MBI NSF-funded program is to introduce students to exciting new areas of the mathematical biosciences, and to involve them in collaborative research with their peers and faculty mentors. The program consists of three parts:

Mathematical Biosciences Bootcamp (June 10th – 14th, 2019) at MBI:
Participants are introduced to various areas of the mathematical biosciences via lectures, computer labs, and visits to various biological labs at The Ohio State University.

Mentored Research Experience (June 17th – August 2nd, 2019) at The Ohio State University, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, or the New Jersey Institute of Technology:
During the second component of the program, participants complete a mentored research project individually or in pairs at one of MBI’s partner institutions. Participants also attend a weekly online seminar series and virtual all-program meeting.

Capstone Conference (August 5th – 8th, 2019) at MBI:
For the final week of the program, the students return to the MBI to participate in the Capstone Conference. A student-centered conference featuring talks and posters by students doing research in mathematical biology, keynote talks by prominent mathematical biologists, a graduate studies recruitment fair, and other special features including a conference dinner and social event. Note that the Capstone Conference is open to all undergraduate students doing research in the mathematical biosciences, not only to students participating in the MBI REU.