MENU

UR-Linked

A searchable database, UR-Linked allows aspiring undergraduate researchers, scholars, and artists to connect with faculty mentors across campus. UR-Linked includes faculty profiles as well as more specific information about their research projects and artistic endeavors.


*Examples: Vietnam War, Women Composers, Astronomy, Labor Policy, Urban Education, Earthquakes, Magical Realism, Cyber-Security, Entrepreneurship

Modeling and Data Analysis of Hemorrhagic Disease in White-Tailed Deer

    - Majid Bani Yaghoub

    Contact Detail
    Dr. Bani
    baniyaghoubm@umkc.edu
    (816) 235-2845


    Description

    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.


    Location
    UMKC


    Qualifications
    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


    Project Timeline
    6-12 months


    Duites
    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.


    Last Updated
    Aug 21, 2017


Now that UR-Linked has helped you to identify a faculty project that interests you and for which you might be qualified, be sure to review the essential steps in contacting a potential faculty mentor.

The Director of Undergraduate Research, Dr. Jane Greer., can provide you with further guidance about finding and connecting with faculty mentors at UMKC.

Once you have reviewed the essential steps to prepare for connecting with a potential faculty mentor, you can use the "Contact Details" for this project to connect with the faculty member and to begin a conversation about how you might get involved.