The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) is now accepting applications for its Investigative Workshop, *"Modeling Free-Roaming Cats and Rabies," *to be held November 9-11, 2011, at NIMBioS. * Objectives: * Cats are the most popular companion animal in the U.S. with more than 81 million living in our homes. The number of free-roaming cats (FRC) is unknown but estimated to be 32 to 53 million.* *The population dynamics of free-roaming cats and the ways in which they transmit infectious disease are not fully understood. Concerns about the health of FRCs themselves, zoonotic disease transmission, transmission of diseases to other non-human species, predation on native wildlife species and nuisance complaints are common. Our first step is to identify existing data sources and critical data gaps relating to FRC population dynamics and rabies transmission. Our second step is to review and consider the strengths and weaknesses of the different types of modeling approaches (mathematical, systems, statistical, simulation) using the expertise of our participants. * Location: *NIMBioS at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville * Co-Organizers: *Margaret R. Slater (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Shelter Research and Development, Urbana, IL); Yang Kuang (Mathematics, Arizona State Univ., School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Tempe, AZ) * * For more information about the workshop and a link to the online application form, go to _http://nimbios.org/workshops/WS_cats_rabies_ <http://nimbios.org/workshops/WS_cats_rabies.html>
If needed, applicants may request travel and lodging support. Participation is limited, and those selected to attend will be notified within two weeks of the application deadline. *Application deadline: July 31, 2011 * The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) (_http://www.nimbios.org_ <http://www.nimbios.org/>) brings together researchers from around the world to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries to investigate solutions to basic and applied problems in the life sciences. NIMBioS is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture with additional support from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. ***************************** Catherine Crawley, Ph.D. Communications Coordinator National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis University of Tennessee 1534 White Avenue, Suite 400 Knoxville, TN 37996-1527 e [email protected]_ <mailto:[email protected]> t _+1 865 974 9350_ <tel:%2B1%20865%20974%209350> f _+1 865 974 9461_ <tel:%2B1%20865%20974%209461>_ __http://www.nimbios.org_ <http://www.nimbios.org/>_ __http://www.facebook.com/nimbios__ __http://twitter.com/nimbios_ To receive email notifications of blog updates, _click here_ <http://www.nimbios.org/wordpress/subscribe2updates/>. To subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter, _click here_ <http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001RgvbKVLa7a4Psoj8H7c43A%3D%3D>.
