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，该会议展示了数学生物学领域广泛的本科生研究成果，为学生提供了在同行支持的观众面前练习科学演讲技巧的机会，并为学生提供了一个与其他有相似兴趣的人交流的场所。此外，由数学和生物学研究领域的鼓舞人心的领导者邀请的两场讲座将向学生介绍该领域的最新研究。大约100名与会者将参加这次会议，其中许多人来自数学和生物学领域传统上代表性不足的群体。由于会议强调网络和接触尽可能多的学生，会议形式允许所有学生参与者有机会向同龄人展示他们选择的研究演讲或海报的宝贵经验。该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出的。从参加会议的生命科学专业的学生那里听到，他们的眼睛进一步开阔了，看到数学的有用性，在生物学问题上取得了令人兴奋的进展，数学专业的学生在遇到他们以前不知道的数学工具的新应用时受到了启发。NIMBioS URC的主要目标是为来自全国各地的本科生提供机会，与同行和教师导师分享他们在生物学和数学领域的研究。将有50至70名学生参与讲座和海报。学生的摘要将被收集成一本程序书，并在NIMBioS会议网站上发布。学生们展示他们自己的工作，使用数学、统计和计算方法来解决分子生物学、生物化学、流行病学、免疫学、生态学等生命科学领域的挑战性问题。参与者的工作来自夏季或学年的研究经验，这些研究经验由美国国家科学基金会、国家卫生研究院、国家安全局等机构或通过他们自己的机构支持，从而允许来自不同项目的想法进行出色的交叉授粉。这些年轻的研究人员将得到有益的反馈，并开阔他们的眼界，看到数学工具在生物学中的各种应用，以及生物学问题为令人兴奋的数学进步提供的机会。分享最新研究的信息，形成新的联系，可能会导致本科数学生物学研究项目取得重大进展，丰富教师导师的研究项目。会议的次要目标是为学生提供职业和研究生院的信息以及建立网络的机会。每次会议都会举办一个关于职业机会的小组讨论，一个研究生展示，以及通过共享用餐、频繁休息和有组织的社交游戏提供丰富的社交机会。该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，并且由于每年申请旅行支持的合格申请人比可用的资金更多，因此对该会议的兴趣一直在继续。

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.