New NIMBioS Science: Model shows how species can reemerge after collapse

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Catherine Crawley

Species pairs that disappear through hybridization after human-induced changes to the environment can reemerge if the disturbance is removed, according to a new mathematical model that shows the conditions under which reemergence might happen. The study appears in Evolution and is co-authored by NIMBioS postdoctoral fellow Tucker Gilman. By simulating environmental disturbances that reduce the ability of individuals to identify and select mates from their own species, the model explores the mechanisms that cause hybridization between closely-related species. To read more about the study, click here.

Posted in ecology, postdocs, publication, speciation, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on New NIMBioS Science: Model shows how species can reemerge after collapse

NIMBioS GRA Wins Dissertation Award

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Catherine Crawley

Dr. Premal Shah

NIMBioS GRA Premal Shah has received the Jim Tanner award for outstanding dissertation from UT’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Shah graduated this semester with a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. He has been working in the lab of Michael Gilchrist, who is also a NIMBioS Senior Personnel member. Shah’s dissertation research focused on developing models of protein translation and studying how various selective forces drive the evolution of codon usage bias. One of Shah’s dissertation chapters, coauthored with Gilchrist, is in press at PNAS. Shah’s next gig is as postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Joshua Plotkin at the University of Pennsylvania, starting in June. Congratulations Dr. Shah!

Posted in awards, GRAs | Tagged , | Comments Off on NIMBioS GRA Wins Dissertation Award

NIMBioS Congratulates New Postdocs

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Catherine Crawley

Five new postdoctoral fellows will arrive at NIMBioS in the coming months to begin their research at the interface of mathematics and biology. They include:

  • Juanjuan Chai, Mathematics, Indiana Univ. (starting July), Project: “Identifiability of statistical models and consistency of maximum parsimony in phylogenetics”
  • Orou Gaoue, Biology, Univ. of Miami (starting June), Project: “Integrating new developments in stochastic demography to modeling the ecological impacts of non-timber forest products harvest”
  • Andrew Kanarek, Biology, Colorado State Univ. (starting August), Project: “An integrated theoretical analysis of the influence of individual trait variation on the
  • dynamics and persistence of small populations”
  • Calistus Ngonghala, Mathematics, West Virginia Univ. (starting July), Project: “A new model with vector demography for the dynamics of malaria transmission”
  • Daniel Ryan, Mathematics, Univ. of Miami (starting August), Project: “Investigating the effects of movement strategies on the population dynamics of multi-trophic ecological communities”

Postdoctoral applications are reviewed three times per year, and the selected researchers are offered positions at NIMBioS where they conduct research that is mostly self-directed. Request deadlines are March 1, September 1, and December 17 for activities beginning six months later. For more information about postdoctoral fellowships at NIMBioS and the application process, click here.

 

Posted in postdocs | Tagged | Comments Off on NIMBioS Congratulates New Postdocs

The Day the Last Hemlock Died

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Catherine Crawley

NIMBioS Songwriter-in-Residence Jay Clark debuts his song, “The Day the Last Hemlock Died,” which tells the story of the blight of the Eastern Hemlocks in Southern Appalachia. The song ends with a short refrain, a note of optimism perhaps, from Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring.” For more information about the songwriter-in-residence program, visit https://legacy.nimbios.org/songwriter. For more information about how to help save the hemlocks, visit http://www.savinghemlocks.org/.

Posted in ecology, songwriter | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Day the Last Hemlock Died

Studio Sessions: NIMBioS Songwriter on Studio 865

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Catherine Crawley

Kay Stanton performs on Studio 865.

Todd Steed interviews Kay Stanton.

Although only arriving here last week, NIMBioS Songwriter-in-Residence Kay Stanton has wasted no time. Stanton has already created one song, ‘Patterns,’ and was recently interviewed by Todd Steed for his show Studio 865. The date for when the show will air is not yet set. Stay tuned!

Posted in songwriter | Tagged | Comments Off on Studio Sessions: NIMBioS Songwriter on Studio 865

Teachers Do the Math: Predator-Prey Modeling in Soils

Posted on May 2, 2011 by admin

NIMBioS Education and Outreach Coordinator Kelly Moran (center) leads a Soil Biology Workshop for biology and environmental science teachers.

NIMBioS introduced teachers to simple predator-prey models and their importance to the field of soil ecology at a Soil Biology Workshop hosted by the University of Tennessee’s Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science Department. Seven middle and high school biology and environmental science teachers from throughout the region, including Kentucky and North Carolina, attended. NIMBioS Education and Outreach Coordinator Kelly Moran led participants through an activity calculating predator-prey dynamics using a discrete set of modeling equations. Then, teachers tried out Netlogo, modeling software available free on the web.

Posted in ecology, Education/Outreach, STEM | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Teachers Do the Math: Predator-Prey Modeling in Soils

NIMBioS Welcomes Songwriter Who Aspires to be ‘Jane Goodall of Music’

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Catherine Crawley

Kay Stanton, NIMBioS Songwriter-in-Residence

NIMBioS welcomes singer-songwriter Kay Stanton as NIMBioS songwriter-in-residence for the month of May. Stanton, who lives in Athens, Ga., has been writing and performing since 1995 and started her main band, a pop and experimental rock and roll band called Casper and the Cookies, with her husband Jason in 1999. She sings vocals and plays drums and bass. The band has toured extensively in the US, Canada and Japan and has opened for the B-52s. Stanton, who has a B.A. in art and biology, said in applying for the residency, “…I feel it is extremely important to have positive female role models both in science and music, often still male-dominated fields. Jane Goodall has been my idol since 1980. I’d love to strive to be the Jane Goodall of music.” Stanton is the final of four resident songwriters at NIMBioS this academic year. We’re excited to have Stanton’s musical talents at NIMBioS this month! For more information about the NIMBioS Songwriter-in-Residence program, click here.

Posted in songwriter | Tagged | Comments Off on NIMBioS Welcomes Songwriter Who Aspires to be ‘Jane Goodall of Music’

Carr Wins Exceptional Accomplishment Award

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Catherine Crawley

Eric Carr, NIMBioS High Performance Computing Specialist

NIMBioS High Performance Computing Specialist Eric Carr received an Exceptional Professional Accomplishment Award from the University of Tennessee’s Geography Department where Carr is a doctoral student. Carr’s research focuses on spatial-temporal modeling with application to high performance computing. In winning the award, the department said of Carr: “Not only does he enhance the intellectual atmosphere of the department, he also is very helpful to individuals and their own goals. Eric is one of the most passionate students in the department in my experience and has made a great effort to be a part of department functions on a regular basis.” You can read the full post here. Congratulations to Eric!

Posted in awards | Tagged | 1 Comment

Coffee and Pi Anyone?

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Catherine Crawley

NIMBioS Songwriter-in-Residence Timothy Sellers performs his song Coffee and Pi at WDVX Blue Plate Special. “It’s a song about what a mathematician might be thinking as he or she is sitting down with a cup of coffee,” says Sellers. Does anyone know what the hand signals might mean? For more information about the songwriter-in-residence program, click here.

Posted in songwriter | Tagged | Comments Off on Coffee and Pi Anyone?

Dr. Agusto To Discuss Math Modeling and Disease

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Catherine Crawley

Folashade Agusto

“Mathematical modeling and optimal control of transmission of avian influenza” is the topic of an April 28 joint seminar sponsored by the Maryville College Science Literacy Series and the Maryville College Math Club. The event, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Lawson Auditorium of Fayerweather Hall. Folashade Agusto, postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, will be presenting her research using mathematics to explore how infectious diseases are transmitted among populations of humans and animals and how best to keep such diseases under control. For more details, click here.

Posted in postdocs, seminars, viruses | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Dr. Agusto To Discuss Math Modeling and Disease