Career Development in Mathematical Physiology

生物医学领域对数学人才的需求很大。IGMS的拨款将通过为Donald French提供生理学方面的培训来帮助满足这一需求，生理学是生物科学中更数学化的领域之一。他将在家乡的医学院由两位教授共同主持为期一年的学习。特别是，他们将研究一个自组织神经元系统，该系统形成一个信号网络，经历同步的细胞内钙振荡。法国人还将学习神经科学和细胞生物学的课程；参加神经科学方面的会议；教授“计算神经科学”课程；指导一名数学研究生。计划中的研究很有趣，因为它将涉及理论家和实验家之间的合作。研究将在神经元网络上进行，神经元网络可以被视为一个复杂的系统，工作的重点将放在诸如同步钙振荡之类的紧急特性上。这种深入的经验将提供适当的培训，使法国人能够制定自己的研究计划。这个研究项目不一定局限于神经科学。例如，在浸入式学年中进行的神经元建模类型类似于用于描述心脏功能的数学建模。这项拨款将透过神经网络的研究来扩展生理学的知识，并透过训练生理学的PI来促进人力资源的发展。它还将为PI的研究生提供一个高度跨学科的数学生理学研究经验。在资助期满后，French将继续在他的家乡数学系通过他的教学和研究在数学生理学方面发挥领导作用。这些活动将丰富学生的教育经验，拓宽他们的职业选择。该IGMS项目由MPS多学科活动办公室（OMA）和数学科学司（DMS）联合支持。

There is a substantial demand for mathematical talent in the biomedical sciences. This IGMS grant will help meet this demand by providing training in physiology, which is one of the more mathematical areas of the biosciences, for Donald French. He will spend one year jointly hosted by two Professors in the College of Medicine at his home institution.In particular, they will investigate a system of self-organizing neurons that form a signaling network which undergoes synchronized intracellular calcium oscillations. French will also take courses in neuroscience and cell biology; attend conferences in Neuroscience; teach a course entitled ``Computational Neuroscience''; and mentor a mathematics graduate student.The planned research is interesting since it will involve the collaboration between a theoretician and experimentalists. The investigation will be on a network of neurons that can be viewed as a complex system and a focus of the work will be on emergent properties such as synchronized calcium oscillations. This in-depth experience will provide the appropriate training so French can develop his own research program. This research program will not necessarily be limited to neuroscience. For example, the type of neuronal modeling being done during the immersion year is similar to mathematical modeling used to describe cardiac function.This grant will extend knowledge in Physiology through research on neuronal networks and advance human resource development by training the PI in Physiology. It will also provide a highly interdisciplinary research experience in Mathematical Physiology for the PI's graduate student. After the term of the grant French will continue to provide leadership in Mathematical Physiology at his home Mathematics Department through his teaching and research. These activities will enrich the educational experience for students and broaden their career options. This IGMS project is jointly supported by the MPS Office of Multidisciplinary Activities (OMA) and the Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS).