Stander Symposium abstract book - University of Dayton

11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Mathematical Study of the Foot and Mouth Outbreak Model
Presenter(s): Jungmi Johnson
Advisor(s): Muhammad Usman
Mathematics - Course Project, 12_SP_MTH_445_01
The foot and mouth outbreak in the UK in 2001 was a disastrous event for the country and the economic. The disease did not only cost UK government
so much money to stop the disease, but it also affected the tourism industry. Mathematical epidemic models can provide clear strategy for
minimizing the effect of such a disease, determining the expected manner of its progression in the event of a future outbreak based upon the latest
available data on the epidemic. This project is to explore how to minimize the cost, how to contain the disease in minimal time, and how realistic
these models will be considering the limitation of the model. Numerical and qualitative tools such as MATLAB’s built in ode solver will be used.
Numerical Study of a Mathematical Model of IL-2 Adoptive Immunotherapy on Patients
with Metastatic Melanoma
Presenter(s): Alyssa C Lesko
Advisor(s): Muhammad Usman
Mathematics - Independent Research
IL-2 treatments have recently been identified to significantly reduce metastatic melanoma tumors and in some cases eliminate them. The problem
with these treatments is that a set plan of administration varies from patient to patient and methods for determining treatment steps are still in
the process of being developed. Previous research by Asad Usman and colleagues has used a numerical technique using MATLAB to decide treatment
protocols. This research used the MATLAB’s built in ode15 function to addresses treatment procedures including the starting and stopping
of each treatment and the period in between each treatment. Building on this data and existing model, my project will explore several other
numerical techniques such as ode23 and ode45 solvers, Euler’s method, and the predictor corrector method to study IL-2 treatments in metastatic
melanoma patients. A comparison will be made using error plots and tables, and a stability analysis using pplane7 will be investigated.
Qualitative Study of an SIR epidemic model with an asymptotically homogeneous
transmission function
Presenter(s): Karoline E Hoffman
Advisor(s): Muhammad Usman
Mathematics - Course Project, 12_SP_MTH_445_01
I will be exploring and analyzing an SIR epidemic model. This particular model has an asymptotically homogeneous transmission function which
means the transmission rate is proportional to the fraction of the number of infective individuals to the total population. I will also look at a
qualitative analysis of the model and then discuss the implications of the results of the model.
Adopting a Policy of Sustainable Landscaping on UD’s Campus
Presenter(s): Kevin M Sullivan
Advisor(s): Daniel C Fouke
Philosophy - Course Project, 11_FA_SEE_401_H1
The campus of the University of Dayton is one which is lacking in biodiversity and species richness. This was noticed by students in SEE 401 and targeted
as a problem. In order to help restore biodiversity to the campus, four of the students drafted a proposal to the university on the importance
of biodiversity on campus as well as on the earth. Much research was done concerning ecosystem services, human impact on the environment,
invasive species, pollinators, and the benefits of native plants. After the research was conducted, it was concluded that the health of the campus,
as well as the surrounding ecosystem, would benefit from focusing attention on restoring biodiversity, and that adopting a policy of planting
native plants, as opposed to foreign plants, would be the best option. In addition to drafting a proposal on planting native plants, a pilot project
was also formed, which was a direct plan to bring specific native plants to a specific area on campus. The exact location is a small wetland near
Art Street on Frericks. Also, in addition to planting native plants, adopting sustainable landscaping practices, including “xeriscaping,” was included
in the proposal, as it goes hand in hand with helping the campus. The said proposal was submitted to the university Grounds Crew on 12/16/11.
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