Jorge A. Alfaro-Murillo

Email: alfaro@math.purdue.edu

Office: MATH 739

Department of Mathematics, Purdue University

150 N. University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2067

• 2013-02-18 Mon 15:30-16:30

  I am presenting at the Basic Skills Workshop, organized by the AWM Purdue University, REC 316

  The title of the talk is \(\mathrm{B{\scriptstyle{IB}}\!\TeX ing}\).

  Abstract

  Part of the material covered is available in this page.

My main interest is the applications of mathematics to biology. So far I have worked with deterministic models in epidemiology and ecology; in particular, seasonality and appearance of new strains for influenza, transmission dynamics of raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis), and interactions of plant toxins, herbivores and predators in the succession of a boreal forest.

My thesis project deals with a general epidemiological model that includes a transmission rate and a susceptibility to reinfection, both dependent on the time since the last infection of the individual. From the mathematical point of view, it is a strongly continuous non-linear semigroup for which I am trying to analyze the asymptotic behavior.

My advisor is Professor Zhilan Feng. Along with all her other current students, we have quite an active group in mathematical biology in the department. We organize a seminar at least once per week.

I am also working on another project, with Ken Kellner, in modeling the interactions of acorn weevils and small mammals in the succession of oak trees. We recently got a grant from the PGSG to conduct experiments for a year.

For a list of my publications and academic achievements you can check my CV.

• Spring 2013

  Not teaching any course.

• Fall 2012

  Calculus For The Life Sciences I, sections 011 and 021.

I am originally from Costa Rica. I have two BSc degrees from the University of Costa Rica, one in Economics and the other in Mathematics.

This is my fifth year as a PhD Student in Mathematics at Purdue University. I am also doing coursework for a MSc degree in Mathematical Statistics at the Statistics Department. I expect to be done with both degrees by the end of 2013 and start my post-doctorate in January, 2014.