The 2017 NIMBioS Undergraduate Research Conference at the Interface of Biology and Mathematics

美国国家数学与生物合成研究所(NIMBioS)将于2017年11月10日至11日在田纳西州诺克斯维尔举办第九届年度本科生研究会议(URC)。自2009年以来，该会议展示了一系列在数学生物学方面的本科生研究，为学生提供了在支持他们的同龄人面前练习科学演示技能的机会，并为学生提供了与其他有相似兴趣的人建立网络的场所。此外，两个由数学和生物相结合的研究带头人邀请的讲座将向学生介绍这一领域的最新研究。大约100名与会者将参加会议，其中许多人来自传统上在数学和生物领域代表性不足的群体。由于会议强调建立联系并接触到尽可能多的学生，会议形式使所有学生参与者都有可能获得宝贵的经验，向同行展示他们选择的研究演讲或海报。此次活动加强了数学科学和生命科学学科之间的交流，因为许多项目都是由数学和生命科学专业的学生团队提交的。参加会议的生命科学专业的学生说，他们的眼睛进一步敞开了，让他们认识到数学在生物问题上取得了令人兴奋的进步，数学学生受到了启发，因为他们遇到了他们以前并不知道的数学工具的新应用。NIMBioS URC的主要目标是为来自全国各地的本科生提供机会，在生物学和数学的界面上向同行和教师导师分享他们的研究成果。将有50至70名学生发表演讲和海报。学生摘要将被收集到一本程序书中，并在NIMBioS会议网站上发布。学生介绍他们自己的工作，使用数学、统计和计算方法来解决在分子生物学、生物化学、流行病学、免疫学、生态学等领域的生命科学中具有挑战性的问题。参与者的工作来自夏季或学年的研究经验，这些经验得到了NSF、国家卫生研究院、国家安全局等机构的支持，或者通过他们自己的机构，允许对不同项目的想法进行极好的交叉授粉。这些年轻的研究人员将收到有用的反馈，并让他们看到数学工具在生物学中的各种应用，以及生物学问题为数学领域令人兴奋的进步提供的机会。分享最新研究的信息并建立新的联系可能会导致本科生数学生物学研究项目的重大进展，丰富教师导师的研究项目。会议的次要目标是为学生提供就业和研究生院的信息和建立网络的机会。每次会议都会举办一场关于职业机会的小组讨论、一个研究生院的展示，以及通过共享用餐、频繁休息和有组织的网络游戏来提供充足的社交机会。这次会议为学生提供了一个宝贵的机会来发展他们作为研究人员的身份，人们对这次会议的兴趣一直在继续，因为每年申请旅行资助的合格申请者比可用的资金多得多。

The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) will host its ninth annual Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) at the Interface of Mathematics and Biology, Nov. 10-11, 2017, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Since 2009, the conference has showcased the wide array of undergraduate research in mathematical biology, has provided students a chance to practice their scientific presentation skills in front of a supportive audience of peers, and has given students a venue to network with others having similar interests. In addition, two invited lectures by inspiring leaders in research at the interface of mathematics and biology will teach students about current research in this area. About 100 participants will attend the conference, many from traditionally under-represented groups in mathematics and biology. Since the conference emphasizes networking and reaching as many students as possible, the conference format allows the possibility of all student participants to have the valuable experience of presenting their choice of a research talk or poster to peers. The event strengthens exchanges between the mathematical sciences and life science disciplines, as many of the projects are presented by student teams of math and life science majors. It is not uncommon to hear from life science students attending the conference that their eyes have been further opened to the usefulness of mathematics for making exciting progress in biological questions, and for mathematics students to be inspired by encountering new applications for their mathematical tools of which they were previously unaware.The NIMBioS URC's primary objective is to provide opportunities for undergraduates from across the country to share their research at the interface of biology and mathematics to peers and faculty mentors. Between 50 and 70 contributed student talks and posters will be featured. Student abstracts will be gathered into a program book and published on the NIMBioS conference website. Students present their own work that uses mathematical, statistical and computational approaches to address challenging questions in the life sciences in areas of molecular biology, biochemistry, epidemiology, immunology, ecology, and more. Participants' work comes from summer or academic year research experiences supported by agencies such as the NSF, the National Institutes of Health, the National Security Administration or through their home institutions, allowing for excellent cross-pollination of ideas from different programs. These young researchers will receive helpful feedback and have their eyes opened to the variety of applications for mathematical tools in biology as well as the opportunities biological problems provide for exciting advances in mathematics. Sharing information about recent research and forming new connections may result in significant progress in undergraduate mathematical biology research programs, enriching the research programs of faculty mentors. The conference's secondary goals are to provide students with career and graduate school information and opportunities to network. Each conference hosts a panel discussion on career opportunities, a graduate school showcase, and ample networking opportunities through shared meals, frequent breaks, and an organized networking game. The conference provides a valuable opportunity for students to develop their identities as researchers, and the interest in this conference has continued as there are many more qualified applicants applying for travel support each year than there are funds available.