Staff and students are invited to a talk by Prof Abba Gumel of the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Arizona State University, on "Interdisciplinary curriculum development at the interface of mathematics, life sciences and computing," on 8 October 2018. 

Prof Gumel is an extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria and a C. Castillo-Chavez Professor of
Mathematical Biology at Arizona State University. He  received his BSc from Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria and his PhD from Brunel University, London. In 2009, he became a fellow of the African Academy of Sciences.

He uses mathematical theories and methodologies to gain insight into the qualitative behaviour of non-linear
dynamical systems, arising from the mathematical modelling of phenomena in the natural and engineering
sciences, with more emphasis on the transmission and control dynamics of human diseases of public health
interest.

The 21st century, rightly tagged by many as the biological century, has ushered in an era of unprecedented
advances in the biological sciences and related technologies. Biology and mathematics are synergistic, and knowledge of both disciplines is crucial in solving complex biological problems. In particular, mathematical modelling is continually being used to better understand the mechanisms of the spread of emerging and re-emerging diseases (in humans, non-human animals and plants), and to devise effective mitigation and elimination strategies.   

This lecture, which is a part of the 10-year celebration of the strategic initiative taken by the University of
Pretoria to make Mathematical Biology a major area of research focus, will highlight the need for setting up a culture of interdisciplinarity in the undergraduate curriculum for both the mathematical and biological sciences. In particular, the lecture will address the steps needed to design an interdisciplinary undergraduate curriculum in both sciences, aimed at producing well-trained graduates that can solve complex problems in the biological sciences that affect humanity, including those associated with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Details of the event are:

Date: Monday, 8 October 2018
Time: 11:30 to 12:30 (guests are requested to arrive at 11:15 for 11:30)
Venue: SRC Boardroom
RSVP: [email protected]