REU Site: Distributed REU in the Mathematical Biosciences

该项目的目标是在俄亥俄州立大学数学生物科学研究所(MBI)的帮助下，为本科生(REU)建立一种多机构的数学生物科学研究经验。该计划的目标是：(1)向各级本科生介绍数学生物学领域；(2)鼓励学生攻读数学生物科学方面的研究生课程；(3)增加接受该领域培训的学生进入劳动力市场的人数。学生将致力于将数学和统计学应用于分子进化、神经元模式、癌症建模、流行病模型和疫苗接种策略以及视觉和嗅觉等感觉系统模型等领域的研究。MBI提供的基础设施通过提供真实的研究体验以及对数学生物学领域的广泛接触，为实现这些目标提供了必要的资源。第一个是为期一周的数学生物科学概述，包括该领域专家的讲座、实验室参观和实地考察，以及使用MatLab软件的计算机练习。该活动每年6月的第二周在俄亥俄州哥伦布市的MBI举行。在为期一周的概述课程结束后，学生们将前往MBI的研究所合作伙伴之一，参加在主办机构进行的为期8周的指导研究体验。最后，参与者将与其他从事数学生物科学研究的学生一起，在由MBI主办的Capstone会议上展示他们的成果。在整个计划中，将通过每周一次的虚拟研讨会和参与机构之间的讨论来维持一批人。他们将在一名或多名导师的指导下结对工作，在这些领域做出真正的研究贡献，通常会在同行评议的期刊上发表文章，并在会议上发表演讲。学生学员将发展在这些领域继续工作和继续研究生学习所需的技能。他们参与这项研究将扩大受训在数学生物学领域工作的学生群体。

The goal of this project is to establish a multi-institution research experience for undergraduate students (REU) in the mathematical biosciences, facilitated by the Mathematical Biosciences Institute (MBI) at The Ohio State University. The objectives of the program are: (1) to introduce undergraduate students at all levels to the field of mathematical biology; (2) to encourage students to pursue graduate study in the mathematical biosciences; and (3) to increase the number of students who enter the workforce with training in this field. Students will work on applying mathematics and statistics to research in areas such as molecular evolution, neuronal patterns, cancer modeling, epidemic models and vaccination strategies, and models of sensory systems, such as vision and smell. The infrastructure provided by the MBI gives the necessary resources to accomplish these goals by providing both an authentic research experience as well as exposure to the field of mathematical biology broadly.The program consists of three components. The first is a week-long Overview of Mathematical Biosciences, which consists of lectures by experts in the field, laboratory tours and field trips, and computer exercises using the Matlab software. This is held at the MBI in Columbus, OH annually in the second week of June. Following completion of the one-week overview session, the students will travel to one of MBI's Institute Partners to participate in an 8-week mentored research experience at the host institution. Finally, the participants will join other students doing research in the mathematical biosciences and present their results at a Capstone Conference hosted by the MBI. Throughout the program, a cohort will be maintained by weekly virtual seminars and discussions among participating institutions. They will work in pairs under the guidance of one or more mentors to make genuine research contributions in these areas, often leading to publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences. The student participants will develop skills needed to continue work in these areas and to pursue graduate study. Their involvement in this research will expand the group of students trained to work in the field of mathematical biology.