Mathematical Biology

March 2, 2026

ESB 5104, LSK 306 & GEOG 200
Canada

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Abstract: 

UBC Mathematics and the Institute of Applied Mathematics will host an all-day colloquium featuring a series of talks in mathematical biology, bringing together postdoctoral fellows from mathematics and zoology.

Coffee, tea, light snacks and lunch will be served during this colloquium.

TENTATIVE Schedule:
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Welcome Coffee and Snacks (ESB4133)
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Chadi Saad-Roy, UBC Mathematics Assistant Profesor (ESB5104)
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Laurinne Balstad, UBC Zoology Postdoctoral Fellow (ESB5104)
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Sharvaj Kubal, UBC Mathematics PhD Student (ESB5104)

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Alireza G. Tafreshi, UBC Zoology PhD Student (ESB5104)
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Lunch (ESB4133)
1:30  PM - 2:20 PM Break
2:20 PM - 3:00 PM Meet and greet at the IAM Lounge (LSK306)
3:00 PM Mark Lewis, University of Victoria (GEOG200)
Talk title: One equation helps solve three paradoxes in the spatial ecology of predators and prey
Abstract: In this talk I will introduce three paradoxes in the spatial ecology of predators and prey (1) Buffer Zone Paradox: Why do wolves maintain stable buffer zones for prey, even though they may be only saving prey for the neighboring packs? (2) Road Use Paradox: Why are wolves attracted to roads and related linear features, even though that can mean higher chances of dying? (3) Path Less Travelled Paradox: Why do wolves preferentially travel to places they haven’t been recently, even if it means fewer prey? To help solve these paradoxes, I will start with the Fokker-Planck equation, which describes the probability density function for an individual undergoing a random walk. I will then employ a mixture of mathematical approaches including nonlinear advection-diffusion, differential games, first passage time theory and stochastic processes. All of the resulting models will be fit to data before drawing scientific conclusions.
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