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

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的数学与生物学接口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的广泛本科研究，为学生提供了一个机会，在同龄人的支持观众面前练习他们的科学演讲技巧，并为学生提供了一个与其他有类似兴趣的人建立联系的场所。此外，在数学和生物学的接口研究鼓舞人心的领导人邀请讲座将教学生在这一领域的当前研究。大约100名与会者将出席会议，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，会议的形式允许所有学生参与者的可能性，以展示他们选择的研究谈话或海报的同行的宝贵经验。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学生那里听到他们的眼睛已经进一步打开，数学在生物学问题上取得令人兴奋的进展，对于数学专业的学生来说，遇到他们以前不知道的数学工具的新应用程序会受到启发。NIMBioS URC的主要目标是为来自全国各地的本科生提供机会，他们的研究在生物学和数学的接口，以同行和教师导师。将有50至70名学生参加讲座和海报。学生摘要将被收集到一个程序书，并在NIMBioS会议网站上发布。学生提出自己的工作，使用数学，统计和计算方法，以解决在分子生物学，生物化学，流行病学，免疫学，生态学等领域的生命科学的挑战性问题。参与者的工作来自夏季或学年的研究经验，由美国国家科学基金会，美国国立卫生研究院，国家安全局等机构或通过他们的家庭机构支持，允许来自不同计划的想法的优秀交叉授粉。这些年轻的研究人员将收到有益的反馈，并有他们的眼睛打开各种应用的数学工具在生物学以及机会生物问题提供了令人兴奋的数学进步。分享有关最近的研究和形成新的连接的信息可能会导致在本科数学生物学研究计划的重大进展，丰富教师导师的研究计划。会议的次要目标是为学生提供职业和研究生院的信息和网络机会。每次会议都会举办一个关于职业机会的小组讨论，一个研究生院的展示，以及通过共享膳食，频繁休息和有组织的网络游戏提供的充足的网络机会。会议为学生提供了一个宝贵的机会，以发展他们的身份作为研究人员，并在本次会议的兴趣一直在继续，因为有更多的合格申请人申请旅行支持，每年比有可用的资金。

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.