Emerging Connections between Reaction-Diffusion, Branching Processes, and Biology (25w5453)

Organizers

Christopher Henderson (University of Arizona)

Julien Berestycki (University of Oxford)

Vincent Calvez (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Jessica Lin (McGill University)

Sarah Penington (University of Bath)

Description

The Banff International Research Station will host the “Emerging connections between reaction-diffusion, branching processes, and biology” workshop in Banff from May 18 - 23, 2025.


A wide range of biological phenomena and subjects can be represented using mathematical models. For example, spatial ecology, the evolution of forest fires, and intracellular transport are all processes which can be described by studying "observables'' formulated as mathematical objects. The behavior of such observables within any biological system can be modeled using a variety of mathematical tools, including partial differential equations (PDE), deterministic dynamics, and stochastic movement/interactions. Developing a collection of robust mathematical techniques to analyze such models is of fundamental importance in furthering the general understanding of these phenomena.


The main goal of this workshop is to provide a common meeting ground for the diverse group of mathematicians who utilize independent tools to analyze biological models. This workshop will promote discussion, collaboration, and exchange of open questions and techniques in order to build new connections between these specialists. Furthermore, a key aspect of the program will be to foster a supportive environment for early-career researchers, fluent in the languages of probability, PDE, and biology who will be able to collaborate across fields in the future.


The Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery (BIRS) is a collaborative Canada-US-Mexico venture that provides an environment for creative interaction as well as the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and methods within the Mathematical Sciences, with related disciplines and with industry. The research station is located at The Banff Centre in Alberta and is supported by Canada’s Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), and Alberta’s Advanced Education and Technology.