The UPLB BioMathematics Initiative is a research endeavor that was set up in the year 2010 by the Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics (IMSP). It is spearheaded by a group of mathematics educators, researchers and students who work with people from other fields of study such as biology, biophysics, computer science, statistics, chemistry, environmental science and management, agriculture and forestry.

This Initiative was started to serve the mandate of IMSP as a National Center of Excellence (NCOE) in the Basic Sciences, which is “to help advance science and technology in the country, and specifically, to strengthen and broaden the national capability to train scientific leaders and conduct research in the basic sciences”. The Initiative supports the distinctive excellence thrusts of UPLB in agriculture, natural resources and the environment.
   
Mission

Our goal is to help solve emerging problems in biology and related fields by providing quantitative solutions and analysis.

We aim to understand biological phenomena by translating biological ideas into the language of mathematics.

Vision  

We see the UPLB BioMathematics Initiative as the medium that bridges the life sciences and mathematics. We envision the Initiative to be transformed into a strong research program and a model for interdisciplinary research collaboration.

Strategies
  
1.    Enhance knowledge base, and train new breed of instructors and researchers in biomathematics

a.    Conduct campus-wide seminar series and workshops

b.    Invite local and international experts in biomathematics from other schools or research centers  

c.    Involve experts in other fields of mathematics such as graph theory, combinatorics, operations research, numerical analysis, differential and difference equations, and probability theory among others  

2.    Present and publish research papers

a.    Continuously collaborate with other units in the university, e.g. UPLB Bee Program, Institute of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental Science and Management, College of Agriculture, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Institute of Computer Science, Institute of Chemistry, Institute of Statistics, National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and Department of Social Sciences

b.    Collaborate with experts or groups outside the university

c.    Conduct research workshops

d.    Join societies related to biomathematics, and attend various seminars, workshops and summer schools

Members

From the IMSP-Mathematics Division:

Dr. Editha C. Jose (IMSP BioMathematics Coordinator)

Mr. Jomar F. Rabajante (advisers: Dr. Baltazar D. Aguda and Dr. Cherryl O. Talaue)

Mr. Allen L. Nazareno (advisers: Dr. Eduardo R. Mendoza and Dr. Editha C. Jose)

Mr. Mark Jayson V. Cortez (advisers: Dr. Eduardo R. Mendoza and Dr. Editha C. Jose)

Ms. Dianne Carmeliza N. Cuaresma

Advisers

Dr. Baltazar D. Aguda (the UPLB BioMath Initiative lead consultant). http://people.mbi.ohio-state.edu/baguda/AgudaLab

Dr. Virgilio P. Sison, IMSP Director

Prof. Alleli C. Domingo

Collaborators

UPLB Bee Program and the Institute of Biological Sciences, with contact persons: Dr. Cleofas R. Cervancia, Mr. Alejandro C. Fajardo and Mr. Andrew D. Montecillo. http://beeprogram.uplb.edu.ph and http://ibs.uplb.edu.ph

Institute of Computer Science, with contact persons: Prof. Jaime M. Samaniego and Prof. Arian J. Jacildo. http://www.ics.uplb.edu.ph

Operations Research Cluster, Mathematics Division, with contact person: Prof. Jerrold M. Tubay

Dynamical Systems Cluster, Mathematics Division, with contact person: Dr. Editha C. Jose

Numerical Mathematics (NuMath) Training and Research Team, with contact person: Mr. Jomar F. Rabajante

Current Research Themes

Modeling the behavior of certain species, e.g. foraging behavior of bees

Modeling the interaction among biotic and abiotic factors in the environment

Systems dynamics and evolutionary games

Propagation of infectious objects

Optimization in biosystems, e.g. optimizing beekeeping practices

Analysis of biological networks

Cellular differentiation and gene expression

What is Biomathematics?

Biomathematics is a field of mathematics that focuses on the application of mathematics in biology, specifically to theoretical biology and systems biology. The field of Biomathematics, sometimes called Mathematical Biology, largely intersects with Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, and partly intersects with Biophysics and Biostatistics. Biomathematics aims to develop, analyze and apply mathematical models to biology, biotechnology, environmental science and biomedical sciences. Most of the models formulated by biomathematicians are subject to experimental validation.

Currently, Biomathematics is in its renaissance stage. The word “biomathematics” was coined by Dr. William Moses Feldman in 1923. Biomath majors are seen to enjoy plenty of opportunities for graduate studies, and research jobs in pharmaceutical, industrial and government laboratories.

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Numerical Mathematics Training and Research Team

Basic Description

Numerical Mathematics Training and Research Team, also known as NuMath, is a group composed of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Mathematics teachers and students of UPLB for the study and application of numerical methods and scientific computing. The students are mentored by a council of faculty members from the Institute of Computer Science and Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics. 

Values

Every NuMath member should be

·         Disciplined,

·         Curious,

·         Motivated,

·         Committed,

·         Creative,

·         Cooperative,

·         Confident,

·         Competent,

·         Adaptive,

·         Decent,

·         Assertive,

·         Helpful,

·         Ethical, and

·         Cheerful.

Briefly, every NuMath member should be a high-quality LEADER in his/her own sphere of influence.

Mission

The Numerical Mathematics Training and Research Team aims to widen the mathematical modeling and problem solving horizon of students by providing holistic and near-real world projects, which cannot be accomplished inside an ordinary classroom.

Current objectives supporting our Mission: We intend to

- offer the students with technical, as well as soft-skills trainings, for personal development and competence building;

- provide students the experience to join research teams and learn the culture of doing research; and

- provide members the opportunity to mentor other students through the apprenticeship programs of NuMath to communicate the value of scholarly exploration and discovery.

Vision

Every Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Mathematics graduate of UPLB is well-trained to do collaborative researches that significantly benefit the Filipino people.

Logo

The logo of NuMath is a visual representation of the Cantor Set, which is a fractal and considered one of the “monsters” of Mathematics. The logo depicts the intention of the team to make every effort (how big or small) to be in accordance with the values, mission and vision of the group. This solidarity is similar to the scale-invariance property of fractals.  

Current Slogan: We take a scoop of knowledge and a pint of virtue.

Members of the Council of Mentors

Ariel Babierra (Math)

Ryan James Beltran (Math)

Maria Art Antonette Clariño (Computer Science)

Mark Jayson Cortez (Applied Math)

Ramon Joseph Esteves (Applied Math)

Arian Jacildo (Computer Science)

Allen Nazareno (Applied Math)

Jomar Rabajante (Applied Math)

Jerold Tubay (Applied Math)

Michael Villadelrey (Applied Math)

Student Charter Members

Ajes, Erika Thea (CS)

Arroyo, Beverly (AM)

Asio, Angelica (AM)

Aycardo, Honey (AM)

Baingan, Marvelyn (AM)

Borlongan, Ruby Mae Clariss (AM)

Bosaing, Amy April (AM)

Calimag, Floribel (AM)

Cano, Jessa (AM)

Castro, Alyssa Bette (AM)

Catapang, Donna Marie (AM)

Jacinto, Jerome (AM)

Lo, Rome Augusta Joyce (AM)

Macaraeg, Kevin (M)

Montallana, Mac Leson (M)

Reyes, Maria Amiella (AM)

San Lorenzo, Hiroshi (CS)

Simbahan, Joel Adrian (AM)

Soriano, Mhermael Angelica (AM)

Tria, Brian (CS)

Tubale, Alfred (AM)

Zarraga, Alfred (AM)

Organizational Structure and Collaboration Network