This page lists the projects that have been and continue to be supported by Truman's Mathematical Biology program. The projects are divided into three categories: seeking students, ongoing projects, and past projects.

Projects that are seeking students are currently in search of talented undergraduates to contribute to the project's mission. Projects that are marked with "RLC" have a unified application process; students interested in those should follow instructions for submitting an application to participate in those projects. It is also recommended that students interested in participating in RLC projects should meet with both faculty mentors of the project to talk about their qualifications and the mentors' project expectations. To become involved in other projects, a student should inquire with the faculty mentor(s) individually.

Projects that are ongoing are not currently seeking students and are actively conducting research. Students interested in those projects should inquire with members of the project team to learn more about the project and opportunities to contribute to the team's mission.

Projects that are past projects that are concluding their work or whose work has ended. No opportunities for participating in the project are anticipated.

RLC Program 2009

In a matter of days, we will be taking applications from students who are interested in participating in the 2009 RLC program. Check back here for more information or subscribe to the mathbio listserv to get the announcement first. (updated 10/21/2008).

Projects Seeking Students

Community Dynamics of Micromammals and their Resident Ectoparasites (RLC 2009)

A biologists and a statistician are investigating how encounter mechanisms operate as filters in establishing host preference of ticks in the small mammal community of northeast Missouri.

Measuring and Modeling the Role of Cell Adhesion on Cell Shape During Early Embryogenesis in C. Elegans (RLC 2007-2009)

A cell biologist and a mathematician will work to model the geometry of cell division, with an emphasis on studying the role that cell adhesion plays as cells divide.

Optimal Foraging in a Generalist Snake Predator, Nerodia sipedon(RLC 2009)

Optimal foraging theory predicts that an organism should prey upon that food source that maximizes the net energy gained and minimizes the fitness costs associated with each foraging bout. We will model optimal foraging using Agent-Based Modeling (ABM).

Quantitative Shape Description of two dimensional vascular networks (STEP 2006-2007, RLC 2009)

We study mathematical methods for describing the shape of a two-dimensional vascular network of endothelial cells using computer-assisted image analytic methods. We employ light and confocal microscopy to acquire images and ImageJ to analyze them.

There are some other projects that will likely be looking for students as well, but as of 10-22-2008, details concerning funding are still being worked out. Their search will start when the RLC program's application process closes. The projects include

• three projects originating from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences that will be targeted toward students with strong skills in computer science (e.g., computer science majors), with Truman computer science mentor(s) to be identified, and

Check back here as more information becomes available about these projects.

If you have a project that you would like listed here, please contact Prof. Jason Miller.

Ongoing Projects

Determining gravitropic sensitivity: a mathematical approach (RLC 2007-2008)

A botanist and a computationally inclined mathematician are investigating how best to use digital images to measure the response of a growing root to the effects of gravity.

Graph theoretic modeling of the population dynamics of Missouri bladderpod (Lesquerella filiformis) (RLC 2007-2008)

An ecologist and a mathematician aim to create models for population for the engandered Missouri bladder pod that take a graph theoretic approach.

Unveiling the Past: Analysis of Evolutionary and Demographic History(STEP 2006, RLC 2007-2008)

An computational biologist and a mathematician will study phylogeography.

Encounter filters that determine host preference in ticks (RLC 2008)

Two biologists and a statistician are investigating how encounter mechanisms operate as filters in establishing host preference of ticks in the small mammal community of northeast Missouri.

Gene Expression and Visualization Application (GENEVA) (2004, RLC 2005-2009)

This team of computer scientists, molecular geneticists, and cell biologists are collaborating in an effort to annotate genes in the corn (maize) shoot apical meristem.

Statistics and Phylogenetic Community Ecology (RLC 2007, RLC 2009)

An ecologist and a statistican aim to improve the statistical tools available in phylogenetic community ecology. They will start their work by focusing on katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae).

Past Projects

Image Analytic and Mathematical Modeling of the Structure and Dynamics of Biological Tissues (2003, 2004, STEP 2006-2007)

The proposed project has three goals. The first is to develop computational tools for image analysis that will partially automate the acquisition of quantitative data from prepared slide images. The second is to develop mathematical models of the two biological systems based on the acquired data which explain the observed behaviors and predict the effects of external treatments on the systems. The third goal is to modify the treatments of the biological systems based on feedback from the models, thus increasing our understanding of the underlying biological processes.

The effects of prescribed burning in grasslands on the population structure of predatory beetles: a spatial modeling approach (RLC 2005)

The spatial structure of populations and communities has become increasingly important to ecologists because it provides insights into ecological patterns and processes. For example, spatial structure influences parasitism rates in forests, the occurrence of generalist and specialist insect herbivores in agricultural landscapes, and the impact of grazing in desert grasslands. From a practical standpoint, understanding the spatial structure of a population can indicate the proper sampling scheme and statistical protocol.

Plastron respiration in ticks (RLC 2005-2006, STEP 2006)

Equipped with the physiological equivalent of SCUBA gear, tick's are able to survive being submerged in water for long periods of times. This group aims at creating mathematical models that relate the geometric structure of this apparatus to tick survival time.

Aerodynamic features of saccate pollen: Evolutionary implications for wind-pollinated plants (RLC 2005-2006)

How do the relative size, density, shape, and suface texture of a pollen grain affect how fast it falls through the air? Using electron microscopy, fluid dynamics, and computer simulation, this group hopes to find some answers.

Quantitative Identification of Missouri Bat via Acoustic Surveys(RLC 2005-2007, STEP 2006-2007)

Identifying bats to species often requires close inspection of the bat, but this team is working on improving a method for identifying bat species in the field that uses acoustic signatures of the bat's search phase echolocation calls.

Development of habitat suitability models to test how spatial scale influences predictions of occurrence patterns of the federally threatened, rare plant species, Missouri bladder-pod Lesquerella filiformis (2003-2004, RLC 2005-2006)

Statistics, geographic information systems, and a rich data set (made richer by annual field work) help this group to shed light on issues surrounding the conservation of the Missouri bladder-pod.