Dear all, Please circulate the following announcement to interested parties; apologies for cross-listing.
Applications are now being accepted for the DIMACS/MBI US - African BioMathematics Initiative: Workshop and Advanced Study Institute on Conservation Biology, Kenya, July 28th - August 13th Applications are Requested from Interested Graduate Students Location: Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute, Naivasha, Kenya Dates: July 28 - August 10, 2010 with a follow-up workshop also at Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute August 11 - 13, 2010 Funding: Participants travel and local expenses will be covered through funds provided by DIMACS, SACEMA, and the US National Science Foundation For a full description, see: http://dimacs.rutgers.edu/Workshops/ASIConsBio/announcement.html About the Advanced Study Institute: The Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science (DIMACS) and the Mathematical Biosciences Institute (MBI) are holding a two week Advanced Study Institute (ASI) that will bring together US and African graduate students and introduce them to basic theoretical concepts in population demography and genetics; stochastic dynamic modeling of small populations, focusing on invasion and extinction analyses using ideas from evolutionarily stable strategy theory and risk analysis; optimization and MCD methods of analysis; economic modeling; models of plant and animal disease spread and the impact of climate change on disease; and case studies from the African environment, including both terrestrial and marine examples. The workshop will follow the ASI and serve as a capstone for participating students. The workshop will also enable institute students to interact and establish collaborations with United States and African researchers who are currently actively involved in the modeling of problems associated with conservation biology. The first week will provide a basic introduction to mathematical modeling in conservation biology at a fast pace. This introductory week is designed to allow students who have never taken a course in the mathematics of conservation biology to acquire the necessary preparatory background they need for the second week. The second week covers more advanced material. Students with prior exposure to conservation biology are encouraged to apply only for that second week. Various modeling paradigms will be discussed, as well as introductory lectures on related topics. There will be a number of hands-on and computer exercises together with group projects to reinforce and extend the various concepts covered. Participants are expected to either continue the research project they begin during the institute or begin work on a new project when they return to their home institution, under the supervision of a mentor. The inter-disciplinary workshop will bring together mathematicians, ecologists, environmentalists, biologists, operations researchers, and others to focus on research challenges in this rapidly-developing field. A student who does not require funding or only partial funding should so indicate on their application. They will be accepted if there is space and they are qualified. Criteria for Selection of Student Participants: The institute is open to graduate students from all areas of science (genetics, bioinformatics, computational biology/chemistry, etc.) and mathematics. Students will be selected based on their applications, letter of recommendation, and letter of commitment from a mentor to support the continuation of the research project begun during the institute or a new project begun afterward. (The mentor and recommender can be the same.) Students selected for the institute will be from the United States, Canada, and Africa, creating an opportunity for establishing early collaborations between junior researchers. We expect participants to have the following mathematical background: + one year of calculus + elementary linear algebra + basic statistics + elementary differential equations in 1 and 2 variables Experience with computer algebra software would be useful but not required. To participate only in week 2, prior exposure to and experience with conservation biology is required. About the Workshop: A three-day workshop will follow the Advanced Study Institute. The ASI students will be prepared to participate. Invited speakers from the United States, Africa, and elsewhere will be giving presentations. There will be expository presentations laying out the field of conservation biology, talks about research projects, and sessions devoted to research and data challenges. A poster session is also planned. Additional Information: See the institute website http://dimacs.rutgers.edu/Workshops/ASIConsBio/index.html to: * Apply on line. * Check application deadline. * Get the most current information. Send additional questions to Gene Fiorini ([email protected]), or telephone at (732) 445-5930. This is part of the DIMACS/MBI US - African BioMathematics Initiative Project. -- Sadie Jane Ryan Simonovich, Postdoctoral Associate National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) University of California 735 State Street, Suite 300 Santa Barbara, CA 93101-5504 Phone: 805-892-2520 Fax: 805-892-2510 http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/~sjryan/
