PROF, ASOC - Majid Bani Yaghoub
Dr. Banibaniyaghoubm@umkc.edu
Are you a creative, motivated, and talented student who is interested to gain experience in the area of mathematical biology? Do you like to work with a group of applied mathematicians ( http://cas2.umkc.edu/mathematics/amg ), who use mathematical models to solve real-world problems, such as epidemic waves of Zika virus, evolution of superbugs and spread of infection in the wildlife–livestock interface? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this opportunity belongs to you!
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a fatal hemorrhagic disease of white-tailed deer and other ruminants, which has been observed in the USA since 1949. EHD is vectored to mammals by tiny biting flies, the most well-documented in North America being the Culicoides midges. In addition, the bluetongue virus has also been a major issue in white-tailed deer population. Because symptoms caused by EHD and bluetongue are nearly indistinguishable, they are frequently grouped together and referred to as hemorrhagic disease (HD). Symptoms include swelling and hemorrhage throughout the body, sloughing of hooves, and may also include sores or ulcers to form on the deer’s tongue, on portions of the stomach, and on the roof of the mouth.
We have obtained data on deer population and suspected HD occurrence from the Missouri Department of Conservation. Estimated instances of HD, by county, are available for the years 1980, 1988, 2005 – 2007, 2010, 2012, and 2013.
Our group explores a wide range of problems focused on the modeling, simulation and data analysis of HD outbreaks in Missouri’s white-tailed deer population. The applicant is expected to work with the faculty member and a PhD student to analyze the HD data, prepare and present the results in undergraduate conferences, assist the faculty member with editing and revising scientific manuscripts, run numerical simulations of HD outbreaks in Missouri and draw conclusions. The applicant doesn’t necessarily require any previous knowledge or experience in this research area; training with analytical, computational and coding skills will be provided.
UMKC
Preferred Qualifications:
(1) Basic knowledge of calculus and elementary statistics
(2) Some analytical and programming skills such as Matlab and SPSS
(3) Ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English.
(4) Excellent communication skills
6-12 months
prepare and present the results in undergraduate conferences, assist the faculty member with editing and revising scientific manuscripts, run numerical simulations of HD outbreaks in Missouri and draw conclusions.
Aug 21, 2017
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