Program Overview
The intellectual focus of the program is mathematical systems biology. Specifically, students’ research projects will be concerned with the mathematical modeling and analysis of networks. This includes molecular networks, such as gene regulatory networks, immune system response to pathogens, and urban epidemiological networks.
The organizational structure of the program involves 3 mathematicians at ICAM and 3
mathematicians at VBI as student mentors and the VBI education and outreach officer,
as well as a full-time summer graduate student program associate. Students will be
housed together with the students of the annual VT summer program Multicultural
Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP) (http://www.maop.vt.edu), and the timetable
for the proposed program will mirror that of MAOP, which typically begins around June 1.
During 10 summer weeks the MAOP program is intended to give students from
underrepresented groups research opportunities and prepare them for graduate school
with a variety of activities. The REU students in the proposed program will be housed
with the MAOP students and participate in select MAOP activities. MAOP will also
include this REU opportunity in its extensive recruiting program at minority-serving
institutions.
At the beginning of the program each student is assigned a mentor and a research
project, taking into account the students’ background and interests. Depending on the
project, more than one student might be assigned to the same project. The common
theme of the projects is the modeling and simulation of biological networks. A typical
day/week of the program is organized as follows.
• Students meet with their mentor in the mornings, as appropriate. This might
include informal lectures and discussions involving larger groups of students,
either on mathematical or biological background topics.
• Students work in common workspace at VBI in the afternoons, with the graduate
research associate, which provides opportunities for informal discussion.
• At the end of each day all students get together with the research associate and
at least one faculty mentor for an hour-long discussion of the research projects
and the mathematical tools and problems related to them. The goal of the
discussion is to explore the differences and similarities between the projects and
the mathematical methods.
• On Fridays students will attend a lecture by a VT and VBI (or visiting) scientist
followed by a discussion or attend one of the program workshops.
• Students will be
housed together with the students of the annual VT summer program Multicultural
Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP) (http://www.maop.vt.edu)
• Social and networking activities will be provided by MAOP in which students will
participate throughout the 10-week experience.
During the last week of the program, the students will prepare poster and oral
presentations and participate in a day-long campus-wide event organized by the MAOP
program, including a research symposium and closing banquet.
Program Dates: June 1- August 7, 2010
Application deadline is February 8, 2010.
