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Subject: SMB Digest v13i23
SMB Digest June 6, 2013 Volume 13 Issue 23
ISSN 1086-6566
Editor: Ray Mejía ray(at)smb(dot)org
Note:
Information about the Society for Mathematical Biology, including an
application for membership, may be found in the SMB Home Page,
http://www.smb.org/ .
Access the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, the official journal of SMB, at
http://www.springer.com/11538 .
Inquiries about membership or BMB fulfillment should be sent to
membership(at)smb(dot)org .
Issue's Topics:
2013 Akira Okubo Prize Announcement
EpiNet Advanced School (Girona, 2013)
Complex Biodynamics & Networks, Nov 12-13, Tsuruoka, Japan
2013 Georgia Topology Conference: Geometry and Topology ...
Summer School AACIMP, August 1- 17, Kyiv, Ukraine
ICERM Public Lecture: On Growth and Form: Mathematics, ..., Sep. 24
Workshop/Summer School: Multiscale Computational Biology, July 8-26
MICCAI Workshop on Bio- Imaging and Visualization ..., Nagoya, Japan
Support Available for Activities at NIMBioS
M.Sc. Position: Mathematical Modelling - Aquatic Parasite Dynamics
Postdoc: Computational Biology, APCTP
Postdoc Positions at the University of Manchester
Call for Postdoctoral Fellowship Applications, NIMBioS
SMBnet Reminders
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From: Toshiyuki Namba <
tnamba@b.s.osakafu-u.ac.jp>
Date: Sun, Jun 2, 2013 at 10:54 PM
Subject: 2013 Akira Okubo Prize Announcement
2013 Akira Okubo Prize Announcement
The Society for Mathematical Biology and the Japanese Society for
Mathematical Biology are pleased to announce that the 2013 Akira Okubo
Prize will be awarded to Dr. Nanako Shigesasda, Professor Emeritus of
Nara Women's University, Japan. In 2013, the Okubo Prize is awarded to
a senior scientist whose lifetime achievements have been exemplary in
developing innovative theory, in establishing superb conceptual ideas,
in solving difficult theoretical problems, and/or in uniting theory and
data to advance a biological subject. Professor Shigesada's outstanding
accomplishments strongly fit the criteria and the spirit of the research
of Professor Akira Okubo, in whose memory the Prize was established.
In her long and successful career, Dr. Shigesada has made uniquely
significant contributions to the fields of spatial ecology, and the ecology
of invasion. In the 1970s she was an active member of a group organized by
the late Professor Ei Teramoto who was a pioneer of mathematical ecology in
Japan. The group published papers on structure, stability and efficiency of
ecosystems under the name Mumay Tansky, which was an acronym of the names
of the six members. In 1979, Dr. Shigesada turned her attention to the
observational study of the spatial distribution of ant lions by a Japanese
ecologist, Masaaki Morisita. She generalized the phenomenological concept
of environmental density, which represents the degree of how unfavorable a
habitat patch can be. She introduced a novel model that included population
pressure due to mutual interference between individuals combined with
environmental potential, regarding how favorable a habitat is. After
explaining Morisita's observations using a spatially discrete model, she
extended it through a continuous, nonlinear diffusion-advection model and
was able to explain how coexistence of competing species can arise through
spatial segregation. This pioneering work on density-dependent diffusion
has continued to have a significant impact on studies of animal dispersal
and spatial distributions.
Since Skellam's seminal work in 1951, the speed of traveling waves has
been one of the central questions investigated for reaction diffusion
models. Although most models predicted constant wave speeds of animal
range expansion, data for the speed of invasion of non-native insects,
plants and birds show considerably different patterns. This was a puzzle
pointed out clearly by Prof. Akira Okubo himself in the 1980s. For the
initial establishment of an invasive population in a small area and for
range expansion with or without acceleration, Dr. Shigesada identified
three patterns. She formulated a stratified diffusion model by combining the
generation of new colonies by long-distance migrants with the short range
expansion by neighborhood diffusion and explained the three expansion
patterns by assuming three forms of the colonization rate. This very
important research solved a long standing puzzle using an innovative approach.
In the recent two decades, Dr. Shigesada began studying pine wilt disease
which is caused by the pinewood nematode with a pine sawyer beetle as
vector. Describing the population dynamics of pine sawyers and infected trees
using a simple discrete-generation model, she estimated beetle densities
and parameter values for the model and found that there is a threshold host
density above which the disease can spread, and that the minimum density
critically depends on the eradication rate. She also modeled the spatial
spread of the disease by incorporating an empirically estimated distribution
kernel and found that long-range dispersal is necessary to explain the rapid
expansion of the disease. These were novel approaches in analysis of pest
control strategies.
A major feature of Dr. Shigesada's research has been the explicit introduction
of spatial heterogeneity. To assess the effects of spatial heterogeneity
on the speed of traveling waves, she considered an environment in which the
growth and diffusion rates vary periodically. She defined a traveling periodic
wave as a frontal wave that shifts by a characteristic distance with a lapse
of a characteristic period of time and calculated the minimum velocity of
the waves by concentrating on the leading edge of the waves. She extended
her model to combine population growth and diffusion in a two-dimensional
fragmented environment and clearly explained the range expansion pattern
by introducing a frontal envelope for the two-dimensional spread. These
efforts are illustrative of her prominent ability to solve a complicated
problem using fresh new approaches.
Dr. Shigesada has long been recognized as one of the leading researchers
in mathematical biology, and the textbook (1997) written with her principal
collaborator, Kohkichi Kawasaki, on biological invasions has had a significant
impact. Prof. Shigesada has also greatly contributed to the education of
young researchers at Kyoto University, Nara Women's University and Doshisha
University. Recently, she has served as the Research Supervisor for the
Basic Research Program PRESTO in the research area "Innovative Models of
Biological Processes and its Development", supported by the Japan Science
and Technology Agency for 2007-2013 and has had a great impact on young
mathematical biologists in Japan. She has contributed for many years to
the Japanese Society for Mathematical Biology for which she has served as
Secretary General and President.
Based upon her contributions to developing original theory arising from
observational studies and for advancing our understanding of spatial
processes and patterns in natural systems, the Committee enthusiastically
awarded the Akira Okubo Prize to Prof. Nanako Shigesada.
2013 Akira Okubo Prize Committee:
Toshiyuki Namba (Chair)
Louis Gross
Yoh Iwasa
Denise Kirschner
Toru Sasaki
Jonathan Sherratt
----------------------------------------------------
From: Joan Saldana <
jsaldana@imae.udg.edu>
Date: Fri, May 31, 2013 at 3:50 AM
Subject: EpiNet Advanced School (Girona, 2013)
3rd announcement of EpiNet Advanced School (Girona, 2013)
We are pleased to announce the school "EpiNet Advanced School: Modelling
epidemics on networks" that will be held in Girona (Catalonia, Spain)
from 30 September to 3 October, 2013.
The goal of the school is to introduce concepts, modelling approaches,
and analytical tools about epidemics taking place on contact networks that
allow students and young researches to deal with current research problems.
Confirmed lecturers (in alphabetical order) and topics:
1.- Tom Britton (University of Stockholm):
Topic: Stochastic modelling of epidemic on networks,
2.- Istvan Z Kiss (University of Sussex):
Topic: Exact and approximate epidemic models on static and dynamic networks
3.- Romulado Pastor-Satorras (Univrsitat Politècnica de Catalunya):
Topic: Mean field theories for epidemics in networks
4.- Lorenzo Pellis (University of Warwick):
Topic: Epidemics in structured populations
5.- Caterina Scoglio (Kansas State University):
Topic: Epidemic models incorporating human responses
There will be room for short presentations by participants who wish to
present their current research.
Registration is already open. Extended early registration fee (until June
15): 150 Euro
For further information, please visit EpiNet website:
http://epinet2013.udg.edu/
----------------------------------------------------
From: CBIO2013 <
admin@cbio2013.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 1:28 AM
Resent-From: Sung, Myong-Hee (NIH/NCI) [E] <
sungm@mail.nih.gov>
Subject: Complex Biodynamics & Networks, Nov 12-13, Tsuruoka, Japan
CALL for PARTICIPATION
Complex Biodynamics & Networks
November 12-13, 2013
Tsuruoka, Japan
http://cbio2013.org/
The symposium "Complex Biodynamics & Networks" is a timely event that will
showcase some of the latest experimental, theoretical and computational
innovations addressing the complexity of biological responses. Emphasis at
the event is for frank and open discussion on distinct approaches, methods
and results. The speakers are selected based on their innovations made across
diverse disciplines: this is intended to be truly a systems biology meeting.
Some of the topics that will be covered include developmental or stem cell
dynamics, immunological responses, cancer evolution, complex networks,
pattern formations and emergent behavior of bacterial systems. These are
just examples and we do not restrict any particular topic unless they are
not within the scope of biology. To make a contribution to the scientific
community, there is no registration or any administrative fee for the event.
The symposium venue, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University,
is located in northwestern Japan. This is a scenic location surrounded by
natural beauties and ancient Japanese temples. We believe the environment
will be conducive for a productive event to make future collaborations,
partnerships or simply friends. We look forward to your participation.
Please send your one-page 150-word abstract for oral or poster submission
to admin@cBio2013.org by August 30th, 2013. Decisions will be announced by
September 15th. See you in Japan.
Yours sincerely,
Kumar Selvarajoo
Symposium Chair
----------------------------------------------------
From: Jason Cantarella <
jason.cantarella@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 31, 2013 at 10:30 AM
Subject: 2013 Georgia Topology Conference: Geometry and Topology ...
Conference Announcement
2013 Georgia Topology Conference: Geometry and Topology of Random Polygons
and Applications to Polymer and Biopolymer Models
A common model for the shapes of polymers in solution is a random flight
or closed random flight model. A closed random flight is a polygon in
space. This means that the global geometry and topology of polygon spaces
is highly relevant to the statistical geometry of random space polygons
and hence to the statistical physics of polymers in solution. This year's
Georgia Topology Conference is dedicated to exploring that connection,
bringing together researchers working on the symplectic and algebraic
geometry of polygon spaces with researchers interested in random polygons
and random walks and their applications to biology and physics.
The conference runs from July 8-12 in Athens, GA. Travel support is available
through a grant from the National Science Foundation.
Speakers include:
Tetsuo Deguchi (Ochanomizu University)
Yuanan Diao (University of North Carolina, Charlotte)
Claus Ernst (Western Kentucky University)
Alexander Grosberg (New York University)
Alessia Mandini (Instituto Superior Tecnico Lisboa)
Christopher Manon (George Mason University)
Kenneth Millett (University of California, Santa Barbara)
Laura Plunkett (Holy Names University)
Uta Ziegler (Western Kentucky University)
Please visit the conference website for more information and to
register:
http://www.math.uga.edu/~topology/
----------------------------------------------------
From: Info SSA KPI <
info@ssa.org.ua>
Date: Sat, Jun 1, 2013 at 3:41 PM
Subject: Summer School AACIMP, August 1- 17, Kyiv, Ukraine
VIII Summer School "Achievements and Applications of Contemporary Informatics,
Mathematics and Physics" (AACIMP - 2013)
August 1- 17, 2013, Kyiv (Ukraine), website:
http://summerschool.ssa.org.ua.
Late registration deadline is extended till June 20.
Registration is still open for two streams: Neuroscience and Operational
Research.
Neuroscience (NS) stream - gives an overview of the field for students,
postgraduates and young scientists mainly with physical and mathematical
background and aims to give initial knowledge and induce interest to
Neuroscience. The curriculum includes broad range of topics from subcellular
level to cognition and social behaviour considered mainly from computational
point of view. It provides all required information to understand biological
bases of modelled processes.
Operational Research (OR) stream - introduces methods of mathematical
analysis that allow better solutions dealing with the complex challenges
from the real life of businesses and governments. Operational Research is
truly interdisciplinary it unites diverse subjects such as financial models,
transportation optimization and many others to provide better understanding of
the world and improve the quality of decisions made. There are no requirements
on preliminary experience of participants in Operational Research, but a
good mathematical background would improve the personal learning outcome
of the course.
To participate in the Summer School, a student has to fill in an application
form on the AACIMP-2013 website (
summerschool.ssa.org.ua). The decision
on the acceptance is made by the Organizing Committee based on student's
skills, range of interests and motivation.
DAAD scholarships for students that are currently studying in Germany
(covering all costs). More information about scholarships can be found on
the DAAD Go East program website
http://goeast.daad.de/.
You can find all the details of registration, information about courses,
terms of participation, scholarships and payment at the AACIMP-2013 website:
http://summerschool.ssa.org.ua.
Best regards,
Organizing Committee
Summer School AACIMP-2013
37, Peremohy avenue, building 1, room 299(15)
03056, Ukraine, Kyiv, phone/fax:
+38 044 454 9243
e-mail:
summerschool@ssa.org.ua
----------------------------------------------------
From: McDaniel, Emily <
emily_mcdaniel@icerm.brown.edu>
Date: Fri, May 31, 2013 at 2:24 PM
Subject: ICERM Public Lecture: On Growth and Form: Mathematics, ..., Sep. 24
ICERM is pleased to announce the MPE2013 Simons Public Lecture
by L. Mahadevan: On Growth and Form: Mathematics, Physics and
Biology. Registration information can be found on the ICERM website at
(
http://icerm.brown.edu/simonslecture).
"On Growth and Form: Mathematics, Physics and Biology" will run from 6:30pm -
8:00pm on September 24, 2013 in Salomon Hall, Brown University.
Speaker: L. Mahadevan, Harvard University
Hosted by: Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics
Sponsored by: Simons Foundation
Please use the online registration listed above to obtain your ticket. Any
questions can be directed to Lauren Barrows,
lauren_barrows@icerm.brown.edu
----------------------------------------------------
From: James A. Glazier <
glazier@indiana.edu>
Date: Tue, Jun 4, 2013 at 4:25 PM
Subject: Workshop/Summer School: Multiscale Computational Biology, July 8-26
Extended Registration Deadline for Exciting Mathematical and Biology
Workshop/Summer School in Multiscale Computational Biology in Porto
Alegre, Brazil, July 8-26th. Travel and local expense support available for
participants. Application deadline extended till 6/10/13. For more information
and to apply, please visit:
https://sites.google.com/site/pasipoa2013/
----------------------------------------------------
From: João Manuel R. S. Tavares <
tavares@fe.up.pt>
Date: Wed, Jun 5, 2013 at 9:43 AM
Subject: MICCAI Workshop on Bio- Imaging and Visualization ..., Nagoya, Japan
MICCAI workshop on Bio- Imaging and Visualization for Patient-Customized
Simulations 2013 September 26, 2013 Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
http://sites.google.com/site/mwbivpcs
Important Dates:
Deadline for Submission: June 21, 2013
Notification of Acceptance: July 8, 2013
Camera-Ready Submission: July 12, 2013
Workshop Final Program: July 31, 2013
Workshop: September 26, 2013
----------------------------------------------------
From: Catherine Crawley <
ccrawley@nimbios.org>
Date: Wed, Jun 5, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Subject: Support Available for Activities at NIMBioS
Support Available for Activities at the National Institute for Mathematical
and Biological Synthesis
September 1, 2013 is the deadline for requests for support for Working Groups,
Investigative Workshops, Postdoctoral Fellows, Sabbaticals, and Short-term
Visitors for activities beginning Fall 2013 at the National Institute for
Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS). All areas of research
at the interface of biology and mathematics will be considered. NIMBioS,
located at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, is an NSF-sponsored
initiative to foster interdisciplinary research at the interface between
mathematical and biological sciences. The institute's mission is to cultivate
cross-disciplinary approaches in mathematical biology and to develop a cadre
of researchers who address fundamental and applied biological problems in
creative ways. Other NIMBioS sponsors include DHS and USDA, with additional
support from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. More details are posted
at
http://www.nimbios.org
Related Links:
NIMBioS Working Groups
http://www.nimbios.org/workinggroups/
NIMBioS Investigative Workshops
http://www.nimbios.org/workshops/
Postdoctoral Fellowships
http://www.nimbios.org/postdocs/
Sabbaticals
http://www.nimbios.org/visitors/sabbatical
Short-term Visits
http://www.nimbios.org/visitors/
----------------------------------------------------
From: Amy Hurford <
ahurford@mun.ca>
Date: Tue, Jun 4, 2013 at 9:30 AM
Subject: M.Sc. Position: Mathematical Modelling - Aquatic Parasite Dynamics
M.Sc. position: Mathematical modelling - aquatic parasite dynamics, Memorial
University of Newfoundland
I invite applicants for an M.Sc. studentship involving the mathematical
modelling of an aquatic parasite. The research will involve describing the
effect of temperature and salinity on developmental rates, determining how
temporal trends in temperature and salinity affect population dynamics,
and validating the mathematical model with data. A competitive salary
will be offered and funding will be available for conference travel
and to pursue collaborations. Applicants should email Dr. Amy Hurford
(
ahurford@mun.ca). This email should include a description of your research
interests, any relevant past experience and you should attach your CV. I will
consider applications as they are received. For full consideration applicants
should indicate their interest before July 1, 2013. Applicants should be
able to begin their studies between August 1, 2013 and January 1, 2014.
Interdisciplinary training in biology, mathematics and/or experience in
computer programming is ideal, but only proficiency in one of these areas is
necessary where there is an interest to develop further skills in other areas.
Memorial University is located in St John's, Newfoundland, Canada. The
city offers many unique experiences with a vibrant arts community, stunning
coastline, and proximity to a variety of outdoor activities (hiking, fishing,
cross-country skiing, etc:
http://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com).
----------------------------------------------------
From: jojunghyo <
jojunghyo@apctp.org>
Date: Fri, May 31, 2013 at 1:09 AM
Subject: Postdoc: Computational Biology, APCTP
Postdoctoral position in Computational Biology, Asia Pacific Center for
Theoretical Physics (APCTP)
The Design Principles of Cellular Networks group at APCTP seeks for one
postdoc who has strong interest in computational biology, particularly in
cell-to-cell communication for biological functions. Details on our research
can be found at
https://www.apctp.org/jrg/blogindex.php?JrgId=13.
The postdoctoral position is initially for two years with possible
extensions. Applicants should send (1) a curriculum vitae, (2) description
of research interests, and (3) list of two references to Dr. Junghyo Jo
(
jojunghyo@apctp.org) by email. If you have any questions about the group
or the position, please feel free to contact us.
Junghyo Jo, PhD
Junior Research Group Leader, APCTP
Hogil Kim Memorial Building #501, POSTECH, Pohang, Korea
Tel:
+82-54-279-1345
Email:
jojunghyo@apctp.org
----------------------------------------------------
From: Oliver Jensen <
oliver.jensen@manchester.ac.uk>
Date: Wed, Jun 5, 2013 at 3:31 AM
Subject: Postdoc Positions at the University of Manchester
Two postdoctoral positions in applied mathematics and theoretical physics
are available at the University of Manchester UK to work on an EPSRC-funded
project entitled "Forecasting Personal Health in an Uncertain Environment."
One post is in the School of Mathematics (working with Prof. Oliver
Jensen). This is for an outstanding and ambitious applied mathematician or
statistician with experience of theoretical and computational techniques
in Bayesian statistics and familiarity with mathematical or statistical
modelling of biological or physical systems. The successful applicant will
undertake research in uncertainty quantification for multiscale models of
physiological systems. See
http://tinyurl.com/m88upu5 for further details.
Closing date 27 June 2013.
The second post is in the Complex Systems and Statistical Physics Group in
the School of Physics and Astronomy (working with Dr Tobias Galla). This post
is for a theoretical physicist or applied mathematician with a background
in non-equilibrium statistical physics, the theory of stochastic processes
or the theory of complex systems. The successful applicant will work on
the modelling of randomness and uncertainty in epidemiology, physiology
and personalised medicine. See
http://tinyurl.com/mg8n7g4 for further details.
Closing date 4 July 2013.
----------------------------------------------------
From: Catherine Crawley <
ccrawley@nimbios.org>
Date: Tue, Jun 4, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Subject: Call for Postdoctoral Fellowship Applications, NIMBioS
Call for Postdoctoral Fellowship Applications at NIMBioS -- Next Deadline:
September 1, 2013
The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS),
located at the Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, is currently accepting
applications for postdoctoral scholarship at the interface between mathematics
and biology. Highest priority will be given to those with explicit plans to
develop their ability to effectively carry on research across these fields. We
are particularly interested in requests to support research that integrates
diverse fields, requires synthesis at multiple scales, and/or makes use of or
requires development of new mathematical/computational approaches. NIMBioS
Postdoctoral Fellows are chosen based upon indications that the applicant's
research plans are consistent with the mission of NIMBioS, the applicant
has the demonstrated ability to carry out the proposed research, and the
opportunities provided through NIMBioS will enhance the capacity for the
research to be completed in an efficient and timely manner. Support: annual
stipend of $51,000, full University of Tennessee employee fringe benefits,
and an annual travel allowance of $2,000.
How to apply: Complete the online application and submit a brief project
description, references, and CV following the guidelines available at
http://www.nimbios.org/postdocs/
Deadline: NIMBioS postdoctoral requests for support are reviewed two times
per year, and the selected researchers are offered positions at NIMBioS
where they conduct research that is mostly self-directed. The deadline for
activities beginning in summer/fall 2014 is September 1, 2013 but applications
for positions starting later in 2014 are also accepted at this time. All
letters of recommendation must be submitted before the request deadline.
The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS)
(
http://www.nimbios.org) brings together researchers from around the world
to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries to investigate solutions to
basic and applied problems in the life sciences. NIMBioS is sponsored by
the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
and the U.S. Department of Agriculture with additional support from The
University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
----------------------------------------------------
Subject: SMBnet Reminders
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End of SMB Digest
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