It’s Time to Request Support!

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Catherine Crawley

NIMBioS postdocs hard at work

March 1, 2011 is the deadline for requests for NIMBioS support for Working Groups, Investigative Workshops, Postdoctoral Fellows, Sabbaticals, and Short-term Visitors for activities beginning summer/fall 2011. All areas of research at the interface of biology and mathematics will be considered, but we are especially interested in activities expanding beyond the areas of research supported to date. Potential organizers of activities in areas of molecular biology, cell biology, network biology, immunology and systems biology are particularly encouraged to submit requests for support of Working Groups or Investigative Workshops. NIMBioS 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 https://legacy.nimbios.org

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January’s Songwriter-in-Residence Jay Clark

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Catherine Crawley

We’re excited to have Americana musician Jay Clark as NIMBioS’ Songwriter-in-Residence for January. Not only is Jay a talented songwriter and musician, he’s got a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology as well. Might come in handy around NIMBioS. Clark has been a part-time wildlife researcher for the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries at UTK. Jay’s research has involved black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the blight of the American chestnut tree. In an article in the Huntsville (Ala.) Times, Jay said nature inspires many of his songs. Originally from Winchester, Tenn., Jay mixes folk with bluegrass and has released three albums. You can read more about Jay at his website: www.jayclarkmusic.com

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Riechert is Science Educator of the Year

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Catherine Crawley

Susan Riechert, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the Univ. of Tennessee and senior NIMBioS collaborator, was recognized for her “Biology in a Box” program in her award Dec. 2 as Science Educator of the Year by the Tennessee Science Teachers Association Higher Education. Riechert directs the Biology in a Box program, co-funded by NIMBioS. The prestigious award, given by the state’s major science education organization, recognizes outstanding science teachers across the state. Biology in a Box consists of boxes that house scientific materials such as preserved specimens, instruments, and audio and visual clips, with corresponding exercises that integrate science and mathematics at all grade levels. The program is currently employed in 80 school systems across the state and has been successful in stimulating student interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Also this year, Gov. Phil Bredesen appointed Riechert to his STEM Advisory Council, to help guide the state’s efforts to improve STEM education. The council’s goal is to help promote the state’s aggressive and comprehensive public education reform plan, which is part of the federal “Race to the Top” initiative. Congratulations Dr. Riechert!

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Prototype Activities for STEM Box Debuted to Teachers

Posted on December 9, 2010 by admin

With activities for a brand new Biology in a Box K-12 unit on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) under development, several members of the Biology in a Box team traveled to Nashville to the Area Conference for the National Science Teacher’s Association to gauge teachers’ reactions to the new activities. Biology in a Box creator and project director Susan Riechert presented the new hands-on activities, which capitalize on examples from the field of biomimicry, a design discipline that studies and emulates natural systems to create technology. As the conference theme was “Sound Science: Southern Style,” activities involving animal sound production were highlighted. These included a popular video of the mating call of a jumping spider, which uses three varieties of sound production in combination during its dramatic song. Suzanne Lenhart, professor of mathematics at the University of Tennessee and associate director for education, outreach and diversity at NIMBioS, presented the “M” part of the STEM activities: student exploration of math concepts using sound wave graphs and sound measurements. Kelly Moran, education and outreach coordinator at NIMBioS, described additional opportunities for teachers at NIMBioS. Biology in a Box sets are now in 80 school districts in Tennessee and several surrounding states. “Box Keepers,” designated teachers who store sets of boxes and handle loans to others interested teachers, are still being sought for several counties in Tennessee. To view a map of participating county school systems in Tennessee and a current list of Box Keepers for each county, click here.

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Studio Sessions

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Catherine Crawley

NIMBioS Songwriter-in-Residence RB Morris spent time last week in the studio recording his songs from his month-long residency. The songs will be made available for listening on our website. Stay tuned!

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Agusto Shares the Flu (Model) with Fisk Students

Posted on December 7, 2010 by admin

Dr. Folashade Agusto, NIMBioS postdoctoral fellow, visited Fisk University recently and presented “Mathematical Modeling and Optimal Control of Transmission of Avian Influenza” to an eager group of undergraduate students and faculty.  This was made possible by NIMBioS’s partnership agreement with Fisk, a minority serving institution. Fisk is a small, predominantly African-American university in Nashville, TN, emphasizing liberal arts and sciences. Pictured are Dr. Sanjukta Hota, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Chair and Coordinator of Mathematics at Fisk (left) and Folashade Agusto. Click here for more information about Dr. Agusto’s work. Click here to view a NIMBioS video interview with Dr. Agusto: Transmission Dynamics of Infectious Disease.

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Young Mathematical Biologists Meet in Knoxville

Posted on November 29, 2010 by admin

The future of mathematical biology looks bright, if the quality of this year’s participants in the NIMBioS undergraduate research conference is any indication. NIMBioS hosted the 2nd Annual Undergraduate Research Conference at the Interface of Biology and Mathematics, Nov. 19-20, at the UT Conference Center in Knoxville, TN. Nearly 120 undergraduate students and faculty mentors participated from more than 30 institutions throughout the United States. Dr. Abdul-Aziz Yakubu, Professor and Chair of the Department of Mathematics from Howard University, kicked off the conference with a plenary talk on fish population dynamics. Students contributed more than 60 oral and poster presentations to the program on topics in ecology, evolution, disease, biomedical applications and genetics. Participants learned about educational and professional opportunities at NIMBioS and also at NESCent, the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, located in Durham, NC. A panel discussion featuring professionals in mathematical ecology and biology, bioinformatics and computational biology fielded questions on graduate school and career advice.

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NIMBioS BioBalladeer Opens the Show

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Catherine Crawley

RB Morris, NIMBioS songwriter-in-residence for November, treated the audience at a recent seminar to his song, “That’s How Every Empire Falls.” The song fit nicely with the guest speaker’s topic about the rise of complex human societies. Peter Turchin, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and mathematics at the University of Connecticut, was the NIMBioS Interdisciplinary Seminar speaker Nov. 23. Turchin’s field of research, “cliodynamics,” uses a dynamical systems approach to the study of history. The picture above left shows Turchin (left) and Morris (right). You can read more about the NIMBioS Songwriter-in-Residence program here. Morris heads into the studio to record his songs next week as his residency comes to a close.

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Wildlife Zoonoses Workshop Addresses Critical Gaps

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Catherine Crawley

Forty-five of the world’s experts on epidemiology, virology, ecological modeling are gathered at NIMBioS this week to put wildlife and viruses zoonoses under the microscope. Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals, such as SARS, H1N1 swine flu of last year, and West Nile Virus. Of the 1415 pathogens known to affect humans, 61% are zoonotic, and it is estimated that one new viral pathogens emerges every 18 months. The goals of the NIMBioS Investigative Workshop: Mathematical Modeling of Wildlife and Viruses Zoonoses are to define, discuss and develop approaches to address critical gaps that remain in the mathematical modeling of the ecology and natural history of zoonotic viruses. The workshop continues through Nov. 10. NIMBioS Investigative Workshops involve 30-40 participants, focus on a broad topic or a set of related topics, attempt to summarize/synthesize the state of the art and identify future directions, and have potential for leading to one or more future Working Groups. Individuals with a strong interest in the topic, including post-docs and graduate students, are encouraged to apply. If needed, NIMBioS can provide support (travel, meals, lodging) for Workshop attendees.

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RB Morris First Songwriter-in-Residence

Posted on November 4, 2010 by Catherine Crawley

Singer-songwriter RB Morris, unofficially called the “poet laureate” of East Tennessee, began his residency this week as the first Songwriter-in-Residence at NIMBioS. The purpose of the program is to encourage the creation and production of songs involving ideas of modern biology and the lives of scientists who pursue research in biology. Up to five songwriters will be chosen, and each will spend a month at NIMBioS visiting resident scientists and sitting in on various workshops and other events. By the end of the month, each songwriter will have composed and produced several songs.

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