Mathematical modeling and analysis can give insight and better understanding into the dynamics of biological populations. The theory and application of mathematical models have proved useful for the purpose of providing a logical structure within which to synthesize knowledge, test assumptions, and make predictions about the dynamics of biological populations with regard to epidemiological problems. Models have provided the impetus and means for researchers to study increasingly complex and important questions in these disciplines. The Third International Conference on Mathematical Modeling and Analysis of Populations in Biological Systems is being held in San Antonio, Texas, in October 2011. This conference brings together expert researchers for the purpose of enhancing interdisciplinary collaborations that will raise the derivation and analysis of mathematical models in these biological disciplines to a new level.
The main focus of this conference is on ecology and evolution, including ecological and evolutionary problems in related fields, such as environmental science, epidemiology, etc. Among the participants are researchers working on model derivation and analysis, data testing, and model simulations in these fields. Plenary speakers are encouraged to give surveys of the current state of the research in their field of study and suggest new directions of research and opportunities are provided for other participants to present their latest findings and results of current projects.
The goal of the project was to organize an international conference on current developments in the dynamic modeling of populations and biological systems. The Third International Conference on Mathematical Modeling and Analysis of Populations in Biological Systems (ICMAIII) was held at St. Anthony River walk Hotel on the beautiful river walk in San Antonio, Texas, on October 7-9, 2011. The meeting brought together 94 registered participants, of which 5 plenary speakers, 40 invited speakers, and 15 presenters. Among the 94 participants, there were 23 women and 24 students. The funding from the grant was primarily used to partially cover the travel, lodging, and presentation expenses of US based junior faculty and students. The conference focused on the mathematical theory, model analysis, and methods of modeling quantitative data for the temporal dynamics of biological populations. A special emphasis was on ecological and evolutionary problems in related fields, such as environmental science, epidemiology, etc. The program of the three-day conference included 5 plenary talks, two sessions of invited talks, and poster presentations. The sessions of invited talks included a wide range of topics on the mathematical modeling of population dynamics at various levels (including cellular, bimolecular and genetic) and other topics from population biology, biological evolution, epidemiology, and ecology. Conference participants exchanged information about new findings and recent progress in their research, and discussed new directions in their work. A significant benefit of the conference was to junior faculty and graduate and undergraduate students who were provided with the opportunity to present posters on their work. These poster presentations were available during the entire conference period and were viewed by all participants. There was a significant amount of discussion among presenters and senior leading researchers in mathematical biology. The conference was widely advertised to the general community both on and off campus. Many of the talks, including the plenary talks, were accessible to a broad audience, and emphasized evolutionary problems and issues of environmental sustainability.
