Mathematical Biology: Expand, Expose, and Educate!
- PDF / 357,343 Bytes
- 15 Pages / 439.37 x 666.142 pts Page_size
- 56 Downloads / 220 Views
Mathematical Biology: Expand, Expose, and Educate! Shernita Lee1
· LaShania Clinedinst1
Received: 23 March 2020 / Accepted: 21 August 2020 © Society for Mathematical Biology 2020
Abstract Mathematical biology has made significant contributions and advancements in the biological sciences. Recruitment efforts focus on encouraging students, especially those who are underrepresented and underserved, to pursue the field of mathematical biology, regardless of their undergraduate institution type, and raise awareness about the countless professional and academic possibilities provided by this specialized training. This article examines the need to expand, expose, and educate others about mathematical biology. To support field expansion, we give several recommendations of ways to integrate mathematics applied curricula to attract broader student interest. With this exposure—whether it is led by an individual, a department, a university, or researchers in mathematical biology—each can help to promote a base knowledge and appreciation of the field. In order to encourage the next generation of researchers to consider mathematical biology, we highlight current interdisciplinary programs, share popular mathematical tools, and present some thoughts on ways to support a thriving and inclusive mathematical biology community for years to come. Keywords Mathematics · Biology · Education · Recommendations · Diversity
1 Introduction Mathematics has application use to multiple fields in the biological sciences. With the use of mathematical theorems, algorithms, modeling techniques, and other datainfluenced frameworks, the biological sciences field has made significant advancements in inflammation (Lauffenburger and Kennedy 1983), angiogenesis (Anderson 1998), tumor growth (Villasana and Radunskaya 2003), cell-cycles (Tyson 1991), renal physiology (Sgouralis and Layton 2015), the microbiome (Venturelli et al. 2018), circadian rhythm (Scheper et al. 1999), and many more biological areas. These mathematical-driven findings have supported new technologies and drug discoveries
B 1
Shernita Lee [email protected] Graduate School, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA 0123456789().: V,-vol
123
120
Page 2 of 15
S. Lee, L. Clinedinst
to improve public health. Moreover, the benefits and contributions of mathematical biology will continue to increase in the coming years. Mathematical biology is based on theory and experiments with an emphasis on models, parameters, and semantics (Rapoport 1951). Nearly 200 institutions offer undergraduate and/or graduate programs related to biomathematics, bioinformatics, and computational biology with the majority of programs being offered and degrees being awarded at public, 4-year institutions. While this trend suggests an interest in the discipline, even with the variation in mathematical/computational biology program names, a growing concern is the preparation of students to pursue this discipline as the field continues to evolve. Working groups often unite to strategize and determine the best solution
Data Loading...
