General theory of inclusive fitness in structured populations; large non-additive effects; microbial interactions

我的总体目标是通过构建数学模型直接促进我们对生态和进化变化的知识和理解，特别是使用包容性适应方法对结构化种群中的动物和微生物行为进行建模。这一方法将被用来研究利他主义和合作行为、成长和生育之间的分配，以及信息转移在决定冲突结果中的作用。这些都是目前非常活跃的领域，特别是在微生物世界，因为我们寻求更好地了解宿主-病原体系统中的细菌和病毒行为。通过这项工作，我还将阐明包容性适应度方法的数学基础，并确定其优点和局限性。目前，社会上对这个问题有很多困惑。我的发现将有助于其他希望在建模中更好地利用数学力量的人的工作。通过这项工作，我将培训本科生、研究生和博士后研究员，他们可能有数学或生物学背景，在进化生态学中进行数学建模。

My overall objective is to contribute directly to our knowledge and understanding of ecological and evolutionary change through the construction of mathematical models, focusing particularly on the modeling of animal and microbial behaviour in structured populations using an inclusive fitness approach. This approach will be used to study altruistic and cooperative behaviours, allocation between growth and fecundity, and the role of information transfer in determining the outcome of conflicts. These are areas of current great activity, particularly in the microbial world, as we seek a better understanding of bacterial and viral behaviour in host-pathogen systems. Through this work I will also clarify the mathematical foundations of the inclusive fitness approach, and identify its strengths and limitations. There is currently much confusion in the community around this question. My findings will contribute to the work of others who wish to make better use of the power of mathematics in their modeling. Through this work I will train undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, who may come from a background in mathematics or biology, in mathematical modeling in evolutionary ecology.