----------------------------------------------------
Subject: SMB Digest v13i11

SMB Digest      March 15 , 2013   Volume 13  Issue 11
ISSN 1086-6566

Editor: Amina Eladdadi eladdada(at)strose(dot)edu

Note:
Information about the Society for Mathematical Biology, including an
application for membership, may be found in the SMB Home Page,
http://www.smb.org/ .

Access the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, the official journal of SMB, at
http://www.springer.com/11538 .

Inquiries about membership or BMB fulfillment should be sent to
membership(at)smb(dot)org .

Issue's Topics:
   Minisymposia: FACM'13 - Mathematical Biology, May 31 - June 2, NJIT, NJ
   Euromech Colloquium: Biomechanics of the Eye, July 22-24, Genoa, Italy
   Workshop: Semantic,.. Bioinformatics & Biomed. Labs. October 16-18, Italy
   PhD: Statistical Physics of Spatial food-webs.., U.of Oldenburg, Germany
   PhD: Modeling of Retinal Neural Networks, U. of Reading, UK
   PhD: Computational Biomechanics of..., The Netherlands
   Master in Systems and Synthetic Biology,  U. of Evry, France
   Funding Opportunity: Strengthening the Biomedical Research Workforce
   Call for Entries: The NSF Innovation in STEM Graduate Education Challenge
   Job Opportunities - Co57 Systems on Building Visual Intelligence
   SMBnet Reminders


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From: Horacio G. Rotstein <horacio@njit.edu>
Date: Sun, Mar 10, 2013 at 11:20 AM
Subject: FACM'13 - Mathematical Biology, May 31 - June 2, NJIT, NJ

FACM'13 Mathematical Biology Minisymposia Focusing on:
   * Computational Neuroscience
   * The Mathematics of Swarms, Flocks and Crowds

Dates: May 31 - June 2, 2013
Location:  New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
URL: http://m.njit.edu/Events/FACM13/

Plenary speaker: Xiao-Jing Wang (NYU)

Speakers include: Nicolas Brunel (U. Chicago), Sridhar Raghavachari
(Duke), Paul Miller (Brandeis), Jose L. Pena (Albert Einstein School
of Medicine), Carina Curto (U. Nebraska-Lincoln),
Zachary P. Kilpatrick (U. Utah), Uri Eden (Boston U.),
Asohan Amarasingham (City College of New York), Sashi Marella
(NJIT), Esteban Tabak (NYU), Adrien Peyrache (NYU Medical School),
Eric Sobie (Mount Sinai School of Medicine), Duane Nykamp (U. of
Minnesota), Sébastien Motsch (U. of Maryland), Simon Garnier (NJIT),
Colin Torney (Princeton), David Hu (Georgia Tech)

Travel Awards: Applications are solicited for contributed talks from
postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. Selected applicants will
receive full support for travel. Other contributed papers for the
conference will be presented as posters. Funds are available for
partial support of travel expenses for graduate students and
postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty poster presenters. The
deadline for all applications and submission on titles and short
abstracts is April 15, 2013.

Information: See the FACM'13 website for full details:

Local Contact: Ms. Susan Sutton (suttons@njit.edu), Department of
Mathematical Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
07102, USA. Tel: (1-973) 596-3235.

Organizers: Daljit S. Ahluwalia and Jonathan Luck (Co-Chairs), Linda
Cummings, Ji Meng Loh, Horacio G. Rotstein, Michael Siegel, and
Catalin Turc

Sponsored and Supported by: Department of Mathematical Sciences, NJIT;
Center for Applied Mathematics and Statistics, NJIT; and the National
Sciences Foundation

----------------------------------------------------

From: Paolo Romano <paolo.romano@istge.it>
Date: Fri, Mar 8, 2013 at 8:53 AM
Subject: Workshop: Semantic,.. Bioinformatics & Biomed. Labs.October 16-18,
            Italy

NETTAB 2013: First Call for Abstracts
NETTAB 2013 on "Semantic, Social, and Mobile Applications for Bioinformatics
and Biomedical Laboratories"
October 16-18, 2013, Lido of Venice, Italy
http://www.nettab.org/2013/

Focus:
The NETTAB 2013 workshop will explore mobile, social, and semantic solutions
for bioinformatics and laboratory informatics.
A savvy combination of these technologies could greatly enhance the research
outcome of life scientists and markedly simplify workflows in biomedical
laboratories.

Deadlines:
  July 5, 2013: Abstract submission deadline for Oral communications
  July 31, 2013: Abstract submission deadline for Posters
  September 13, 2013: Early registration deadline

Topics:
All aspects of the focus theme, including issues, methods, algorithms, and
technologies for the design and development of tools and platforms able
to provide Semantic, Social, And Mobile (SeSaMo) applications supporting
bioinformatics and the activities carried out in a biomedical laboratory.
The following list is not meant to be exclusive of any further topics as
stated above.

Applications for Bioinformatics Semantic-based Bioinformatics applications,
Social Bioinformatics applications, Mobile Bioinformatics applications,
Combinations of the above

Conference Venue
The workshop will be located in one of the Congress venues of Venice
Convention in Lido of Venice. See Venice Convention Congress venues at
http://www.veniceconvention.it/en/polo.php .

For any information, please refer to the web site at
http://www.nettab.org/2013/
or contact the organization by email: nettab2013ocgooglegroups.com


----------------------------------------------------

Euromech Colloquium 533 <euromech-533@dicca.unige.it>
Date: Sun, Mar 10, 2013 at 12:56 PM
Subject: Euromech Colloquium-Biomechanics of the Eye, July 22-24, Genoa, Italy

We are pleased to announce the forthcoming EUROMECH Colloquium
533, ?Biomechanics of the Eye?, in Genoa, Italy, 22-24 July 2013.
There is additional information about the Colloquium at following
website: http://www.dicca.unige.it/euromech-533/

Please note that the deadline for abstract submission is the 31st of
March, 2013.

The Colloquium is designed to bring together researchers with
complementary expertise from different backgrounds, including
clinicians, basic scientists, engineers and mathematical modellers.
The topics covered include any physiological or pathological processes
in the eye in which mechanics plays a role.

The following distinguished speakers will give a one-hour long keynote
lecture at the Colloquium:
  Richard J. Braun, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of
     Delaware, USA;
  Claude F. Burgoyne, Optic Nerve Head Research Laboratory, Devers Eye
     Institute, USA;
  Phil Luthert, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, UK;
  Peter Pinsky, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, USA.

We look forward to meeting you in Genoa!

The organizing committee:
        Rodolfo Repetto, University of Genoa, Italy;
        Jennifer H. Siggers, Imperial College London, UK;
        Michael Girard, National University of Singapore, Singapore;
        Alessandro Stocchino, University of Genoa, Italy.


----------------------------------------------------

From: Bernd Blasius <blasius@icbm.de>
Date: Sat, Mar 9, 2013 at 5:38 AM
Subject: PhD-Statistical Physics of Spatial food-webs.., U.of Oldenburg,
          Germany

PhD position: Statistical physics of spatial food-webs
ICBM, University of Oldenburg, Germany

The Mathematical Modelling group led by Dr. Bernd Blasius invites
applications for a PhD researcher (salary 75% TVL E13) to participate in a
study about Statistical physics of spatially extended food-webs.

The position is available for the duration of three years within a newly
funded research unit ?Networks on networks: interplay of structure and
dynamics in spatial food-webs?.

Networks on networks are emerging as a new paradigm in complex network
theory. Ecological food-webs provide a typical example, as they are
extended in space and thus have two types of connections, namely local
connections (feeding relations) between species and spatial connections
(dispersal) between different locations.
This interdisciplinary project is designed to investigate the structure and
dynamics of networks on networks using food-webs as an example system.
The successful candidate will establish robust quantitative measures for
characterizing the spatial and trophic structure of spatial food-webs,
develop statistical models which allow to generate large ensembles of
plausible spatial food-webs, and apply these methods to analyze empirical
data of meta-communities.

Applicants must have an above-average Diploma or Msc or equivalent in
Natural Sciences. Applicants experienced with complex network theory or one
of the relevant disciplines (theoretical ecology, meta-community or food-
web research, or mathematical modeling) are particularly encouraged to
apply. Applicants should have a strong interest to work in an interdisciplinary
team and must have good knowledge of English.

The Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg is an equal opportunity/
affirmative action employer. In order to increase the percentage of female
staff members, qualified women are especially encouraged to apply.
Applicants with disabilities will be preferentially considered in case of
equal qualification.

Applicants should send a letter of application and CV to blasius@icbm.de.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Further informations: Prof. Dr. Bernd Blasius ICBM, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany
http://www.icbm.de/~mathmod
----------------------------------------------------

From: Etienne Benoît Roesch <etienne.roesch@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jan 21, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Subject: PhD Studentship on Modeling of Retinal Neural Networks,
          U. of Reading, UK

PhD Studentship "Modeling of Retinal Neural Networks"
(Full-time, full-tuition, UK/EU only)

University of Reading PhD Studentship (UK/EU only)

Project Title: Mesoscopic Modeling of Retinal Neural Networks

Supervisor: Dr. Etienne B. Roesch

School/Department: School of Systems Engineering & Centre for
Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics

Overview:
The goal of the project is to build neural field models of the retina
that will allow the investigation of the architecture underlying
visual information processing.  These models will also be used to
simulate the disturbances yielding visual impairment in early diabetic
retinopathy.  Neural fields are integro-differential equations,
similar to wave equations, that represent electrical and chemical
neurodynamics on continuous space-time scales.  They are thus ideal to
study populations of cells as homogeneously structured, and as
dependent on spatial contiguity as the retina, whilst exploring
complex nonlinear dynamics of neural information processing.  The
construction of the models will be informed by connectomic and
physiological data, and the models subjected to extensive
parameter-sensitivity analyses. The project falls into the remit of
the University of Reading?s strategic investment to support
neuroscience and interdisciplinary research.  The student will be
supervised by Dr. Etienne B. Roesch and Prof. Ingo Bojak.

This is a computational neuroscience project, which requires skills
and knowledge in neuroscience, applied mathematics and programming.
Candidates that have a strong background in at least two of these
three fields are welcome to apply, if they are enthusiastic about the
third. Neural field models are a particularly accommodating subject
for transitions from physics, engineering, etc. into the life
sciences. However, we will also place a strong focus on describing
real-world data; depending on the student?s aptitude and preference,
the candidate will be given the opportunity to engage with ongoing
electrophysiological experimentation directly relevant to this
project, in our lab and with collaborators in the UK and
internationally, in order to identify and validate exploitable
applications of the models. Additionally, the candidate will be
granted access to the cluster of NVIDIA Tesla GPUs and other
facilities at the Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and
Neurodynamics, as well as at the Brain Embodiments Laboratory.

Eligibility:  Applicants should hold a minimum of a UK Honours Degree
at 2:1 level or equivalent in a relevant subject.   Please note that
due to restrictions on the funding this studentship is for UK/EU
applicants only.

Funding Details:  Studentship will cover Home/EU Fees and pay the
Research Council minimum stipend (£13,590 for 2011/12) for up to 3
years. The studentship will begin in October 2013.

How to apply: To apply for this studentship please submit an
application for a PhD in Cybernetics (full time) to the University ?
see http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/apply/pg-applicationform.aspx .
Once you have submitted your application, you should receive an email
to confirm receipt of your online application.  Please forward this
email, along with a covering letter, to Dr. Etienne B. Roesch,
e.b.roesch@reading.ac.uk, by the application deadline.

Please quote the reference GS13-15 in the ?Scholarships applied for?
box that appears within the Funding Section of your online
application.

Application Deadline:  Friday 15th March 2013

Further Enquiries:  Please contact Dr. Etienne B. Roesch,
e.b.roesch@reading.ac.uk.


----------------------------------------------------

From: Roeland Merks <Roeland.Merks@cwi.nl>
Date: Thu, Mar 14, 2013 at 7:29 PM
Subject: PhD: Computational Biomechanics of..., the Netherlands

PhD position in Amsterdam: Computational biomechanics of
extracellular matrix materials and cell-matrix interactions during
blood vessel growth.

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) is the Dutch national research
institute for mathematics and computer science and linked to the
Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research(NWO). The mission of
CWI is to conduct pioneering research in mathematics and computer
science, generating new knowledge in these fields and conveying it to
trade, industry, and society at large. CWI is located at Science Park
Amsterdam. It is an internationally oriented institute, with 160
scientists from approximately 27 countries. The facilities are
first-rate and include excellent IT support, career planning,
training, and courses.

The Life Sciences research group has a vacancy for a talented PhD
student, on the subject of: Computational biomechanics of
extracellular matrix materials and cell-matrix interactions during
blood vessel growth.

The opening is a research position within the field of applied
mathematics or computational science.

Research group: The work will be embedded in the Biomodeling and
Biosystems Analysis group at the CWI in Amsterdam. The group carries
out biomodeling research with experimental collaborators working, and
focuses on modelling pattern formation and morphogenesis in
multicellular organisms.

Job description: The outgrowth of new blood vessels from pre-existing
vessels, called angiogenesis, is a crucial step in wound healing and
tumor growth. Cell-based simulation models help to analyze how cells
assemble into blood vessels and other tissue structures. Present
cell-based numerical techniques, including the cellular Potts model,
lack an accurate description of the biochemistry and biomechanics of
one of the main controlling factors of angiogenesis and tumor
progression: the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is a diverse
class of jelly or hard materials providing structural support to the
tissue. The ECM also acts as a medium for cell-cell communication.
As part of an NWO-funded Vidi-project on angiogenesis, your task will
be to develop and apply state-of-the-art and efficient numerical
methods for simulating the biomechanics of the ECM. These
partial-differential equation and/or agent-based simulations will
interface naturally with pre-existing, stochastic models of
endothelial cell behavior. You will also integrate the codes into an
existing, internationally developed open-source cell-based modeling
framework, called CompuCell3D, and will perform numerical simulation
experiments. You will interact closely with a PhD-student in applied
computational biology and with experimental biologists at the
Institute for Cardiovascular Research of the VU University Medical
Center in Amsterdam.

Requirements: Candidates are required to have a Master?s degree in
applied mathematics, computational physics, theoretical biology,
computer science or a related discipline, and able to communicate with
scientists in biology and mathematics. Preferable qualifications for
candidates include proven research talent, excellent programming
skills in C++ or willingness and ability to learn, an excellent
command of English, and good academic writing and presentation skills.

Terms and conditions" The terms of employment are in accordance with
the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres
("CAO-onderzoeksinstellingen"). The gross monthly salary, for a PhD
student on a full time basis, is 2,057 Euros during the first year and
increases to 2,636 Euros over the four year period. Employees are also
entitled to a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a
year-end bonus of 8,33%. CWI offers attractive working conditions,
including flexible scheduling and help with housing for expat
employees.

Application: Applications can be sent before 8 April 2013 to
apply@cwi.nl. All applications should include a detailed resume,
motivation letter, list of your MSc courses and grades, copy of your
Master?s thesis and preferably a list of publications.

For more information about the vacancy, please contact dr. Roeland
Merks, email Roeland.Merks@cwi.nl, telephone +31(0)20 592 4117.

For more information about CWI, please visit www.cwi.nl. More
information about the group can be found on
http://biomodel.project.cwi.nl. Or watch our video  ?A Fundamental
Difference? about working at CWI:
https://www.cwi.nl/general/a-fundamental-difference.


----------------------------------------------------

From: Dominique Zeliszewski <dominique.zeliszewski@issb.genopole.fr>
Date: Wed, Mar 13, 2013 at 5:51 AM
Subject: Master in Systems and Synthetic Biology,  U. of Evry, France

Applications-Master in Systems and Synthetic Biology, mSSB

Online applications to the Master in Systems and Synthetic Biology
(mSSB) are open until April 1st (for the first round of applications).
To find out more about mSSB, please visit our website
http://www.mssb.fr

Applicants may come from Universities or from Engineering schools
after a first year of master (M1), or an equivalent qualification, in
Life Sciences, Computer Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering, Chemistry
and Physical Sciences. Bi-disciplinary cursus including Biology is
favored, but highly-achieving and motivated students in any of the
cited disciplines can apply. Following this M2 Master, several PhD
programs are possible on site. Research trainings are also proposed in
Europe (England, Germany, Switzerland, Spain) and in the US. We would
appreciate your help in transmitting this information to potentially
interested students.


----------------------------------------------------

From: "Murcia, Ellie (NIH/OD) [E]" <murciae@OD.NIH.GOV>
Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:31:23 +0000
Resent-From: Raymond Mejía <mejiar@helix.nih.gov>
Subject: Funding Opportunity: Strengthening the Biomedical Research Workforce

Information on a Funding Opportunity Announcement for the NIH "Strengthening
the Biomedical Research Workforce" program

The NIH Common Fund's Strengthening the Biomedical Research Workforce
program announces a new Funding Opportunity Announcement (RFA-RM-12-022
<http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-12-022.html>) to
solicit applications for the Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training
(BEST) awards that will support the development of novel graduate and
postdoctoral training activities intended to expose trainees to diverse
career options. We will have an informational webinar to describe
the program and answer questions on March 26, 2013 from 3:00pm-4:00pm
EDT. For more information about this webinar and to register, please visit
https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/218085999.

This program was developed in response to recommendations of
the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) Working Group on
Biomedical Workforce. The committee studied the current state of
the biomedical research workforce, and NIH's support of its training
(http://acd.od.nih.gov/Biomedical_research_wgreport.pdf).

The purpose of this FOA is to identify and support bold and innovative
approaches to broaden and complement traditional research training in
biomedical, behavioral, social, and clinical (referred to as "biomedical")
sciences to better prepare graduate students and postdoctoral scientists
for a wide range of career options in biomedical research. These include
research or research-related occupations in the private sector, government,
and academia. Collaborations with non-academic partners are encouraged
to ensure that experts from a broad spectrum of careers contribute to
coursework, rotations, internships or other forms of exposure. Awardee
institutions will establish a network to disseminate best practices within
the training community.

Key features of the FOA

*  The program seeks innovative approaches to complement traditional
research training.

*  The program encourages institutions to leverage funds across their
existing training activities, and with corporate, government, and other
potential employers.

*  Programs must have the potential to engage all biomedical PhD students
and postdocs at the institution.

*  Awards can be for up to $250,000 per year direct costs for 5 years plus
full indirect costs; stipend support is not allowable.

*  There will be an emphasis on measurable program objectives and outcome
analyses.

*  Awards are non-renewable, with the expectation that institutions will
develop new academic and business models that allow the programs to be
sustained beyond the period of this award.

*  Applications will be reviewed by appropriate Scientific Review Groups
in the Center for Scientific Review.

*  NIH expects to make 8-10 BEST awards in 2013.

For more details on the Strengthening the Biomedical Research Workforce
program, please visit http://commonfund.nih.gov/workforce/index.aspx.

Webinar: March 26, 3-4:00 PM EDT. For more information and to register,
please visit https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/218085999.
Please submit questions in advance to:
Workforce_Award@mail.nih.gov<mailto:Workforce_Award@mail.nih.gov>.

Letter of Intent due April 10, 2013
Submission Date: May 10, 2013
Earliest Start Date: Sept 16, 2013
FAQs site: http://commonfund.nih.gov/workforce/faq.aspx

Please distribute this information to colleagues who may be interested in
the program.

The NIH Common Fund supports goal-driven, research networks in
which investigators generate data, solve technological problems,
and/or otherwise pilot resources and tools that will be stimulatory
to the broader research community. Common Fund programs are designed
to achieve their goals within a maximum of 10 years. More information
about the programs currently supported by the Common Fund can be found at
http://www.commonfund.nih.gov.


----------------------------------------------------

From: Tie Luo <tluo@nsf.gov>
Date: Wed, Mar 13, 2013 at 3:35 PM
Subject: Call for Entreis-NSF Innovation in STEM Graduate Education Challenge

Calling Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Graduate Students:

Have you ever thought of ways to improve STEM graduate education? Do
you have a creative idea regarding graduate training? If so, NSF wants
to hear from you!

The National Science Foundation Innovation in Graduate Education
Challenge is calling for entries from currently enrolled STEM graduate
students and teams. They are invited to submit innovative ideas to
prepare today?s graduate students for tomorrow?s opportunities and
challenges. Entries are solicited for ideas with the potential to
improve graduate education and professional development. Ideas can be
directed toward students, faculty, departments, institutions,
professional societies, and/or federal agencies. Winning ideas will be
shared widely and winners will receive prizes between $1000 and $3000.

For more information and to enter the challenge, go to
www.nsf.gov/gradchallenge/

Entry deadline is April 15th! Make your voice heard on STEM graduate education!

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GradEdChallenge
Send questions to GradChallenge@NSF.gov


----------------------------------------------------

From: Christine Kelly <ckelly@co57.com>
Date: Thu, Mar 14, 2013 at 2:21 PM
Subject: Job Opportunities - Co57 Systems on Building Visual Intelligence

Co57 designs cognitive architectures for artificial vision systems,
enabling them to perceive and interact with the world.

Research and Development- Job Description-

Located in Cambridge, MA.
Research and development of a real-time robot vision system for detection
of objects, actions, and events.

Responsibilities:
Developing computational models of activity recognition, scene
understanding, and motion analysis Building a real-time vision
system out of distributed, asynchronous components. Demonstrating
working solutions with quantifiable results. Taking ownership of topics,
periodically writing and presenting internal reports.

For open positions see: http://co57.com/jobs.html

----------------------------------------------------


Subject: SMBnet Reminders

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End of SMB Digest
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