Professional Societies

Professional associations and societies play an important role in the life of a teacher-scholar and life-long learner. These are a few societies that members of our mathematical biology community might find interesting and valuable.

Project Kaleidoscope

Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) is an informal national alliance working to build strong learning environments for undergraduate students in mathematics, engineering, and the various fields of science, with a focus on what works. Truman STEM faculty who want to contribute to strengthening STEM education at the K-12 and bachelors level, and who want to assist in broadening the talent pool of STEM students should ask to be nominated for PKAL membership.

Council on Undergraduate Research

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) and its affiliated colleges, universities, and individuals share a focus on providing undergraduate research opportunities for faculty and students at predominantly undergraduate institutions. CUR believes that faculty members enhance their teaching and contribution to society by remaining active in research and by involving undergraduates in research. Truman faculty, STEM and non-STEM, with interests in growing as a mentor and supporting others who value the pedagogy of undergraduate research, should join CUR and take advantage of it smany member services.

Society for Mathematical Biology

The Society for Mathematical Biology (SMB) is the premiere professional organization for those students and faculty who are interested and active in using mathematical and computational approaches to illuminate questions that arise in the life sciences. Membershop for faculty is a mere $50 per year and includes their international journal, voting rights in the society, reduced registration fee for the national meeting, and other benefits. Memership for students is $25 and includes all the benefits of the faculty membership without voting rights. All members of Truman's Mathematical Biology Initiative should consider joining SMB.

Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics - Life Sciences activity group

The SIAM Activity Group on the Life Sciences was established to foster the application of mathematics to the life sciences and research in mathematics that leads to new methods and techniques useful in the life sciences. The life sciences have become quantitative as new technologies facilitate collection and analysis of vast amounts of data ranging from complete genomic sequences of organisms to satellite imagery of forest landscapes on continental scales. Computers enable the study of complex models of biological processes. The activity group brings together researchers who seek to develop and apply mathematical and computational methods in all areas of the life sciences. It provides a forum that cuts across disciplines to catalyze mathematical research relevant to the life sciences and rapid diffusion of advances in mathematical and computational methods.

Mathematical Association of America - Mathematical and Computational Biology (BioSIGMAA) Special Interest Group

The focus of BIO SIGMAA is on the pedagogy of mathematical and computational biology at the undergraduate level. This includes the support of curriculum development, faculty development, and undergraduate research in those fields. The purpose of BIO SIGMAA is to support those activities that will enhance the exchange of ideas and access to educational opportunities among undergraduates and undergraduate faculty in the fields of mathematical and computational biology. This necessarily includes interaction with all concerned departmental structures (i.e. mathematics, computer science, biology, and other related departments) and also institutions and organizations that feed into, and from, the undergraduate programs.

American Society for Microbiology - Faculty Programs, Institutes

A hallmark of the Institutes is the emphasis on practical applications of what is learned. Ample time is scheduled for you to practice newly acquired skills in a nurturing environment and under close supervision with mentors. Upon returning to campus, you will continue learning from colleagues and mentors through follow-up meetings (both virtual and face-to-face), e-posters, and e-mentoring. Because enrollment is limited, there will be ample time for one-on-one conversations, small-group activities, and reflective learning. Although the Institutes are intensive, lasting 8 to 10 hours each day, previous participants have noted enjoyable experiences, lasting collaborations, and personal transformations. Once accepted, you will (i) come to the Institute with a plan to change your classroom practices, (ii) design a 36-month plan to try new approaches, implement solutions, share information, and disseminate findings nationally through conferences and publications, and (iii) participate in a larger community of educators that continues to collaborate after the Institute.

Ecological Society of America

[Editor's note: Though I can't find any specific content area's on the ESA's web site that highlight mathematical or computational biology, it is well known that ecology has long been a heavy user of mathematical and computational techniques. For this reason, the ESA's page is linked among these professional societies.]