Politecnico di Torino and University of Nairobi jointly organise the African Mathematical School on
Mathematical Modeling of Chemical Reaction Networks:
Basic Tools, Applications, and Open Challenges
July 17-28, 2023 - Nairobi, Kenya
Overview
Reaction networks (RN) are mathematical models used in biochemistry, epidemiology, ecology, and sociology with the aim to describe changes over time of the abundances of interacting particles (such as chemical species, molecules, individuals, animals, etcetera).
As such, RN attract the interest of both applied scientists and mathematicians.
Formally, deterministic models of RN describe the change of concentration of reactants as the solution of an ordinary differential equation, while stochastic models describe the change in the reactant molecule counts as a continuous-time Markov chain.
Aim
The aim of this school is two-fold: first, we plan to explain the basics of reaction network theory comprising both deterministic and stochastic dynamic models. Both differential equations and Markov chains, whose basic theory will be taught at the school, are universal mathematical tools used in many other scientific areas, so students will benefit from learning them beyond heir specific application to reaction network theory. The second aim of the school is to showcase some open problems in the area, and to put the students in contact with some of the international experts that are currently trying to solve them.
Organisation
The school is jointly organised by Politecnico di Torino and the University of Nairobi, with the partnership and financial support of Centre International de Mathématiques Pures et Appliquées (CIMPA), the Society for Mathematical Biology, the African Mathematical Union (AMU), and the European Mathematical Society (EMS).
Scientific committee
- Josephine Wairimu Kagunda, University of Nairobi, Kenya
- Enrico Bibbona, Politecnico Di Torino, Italy
- Daniele Cappelletti, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
- Paola Siri, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
- Farai Chirove, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
- Beth Kiratu, Technical University, Kenya
- David Malonza, South Eastern Kenya University, Kenya
Local organizing committee
- Josephine Wairimu Kagunda, University of Nairobi, Kenya
- Beth Kiratu, Technical University, Kenya
- George Lawi, MMUST, Kenya
- Emma Marigi, Dedan Kimathi University, Kenya
- David Malonza, South Eastern Kenya University, Kenya
- Winifred Mutuku, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Scientific committee
- Josephine Wairimu Kagunda, University of Nairobi, Kenya
- Enrico Bibbona, Politecnico Di Torino, Italy
- Daniele Cappelletti, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
- Paola Siri, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
- Farai Chirove, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
- Beth Kiratu, Technical University, Kenya
- David Malonza, South Eastern Kenya University, Kenya
Local organizing committee
- Josephine Wairimu Kagunda, University of Nairobi, Kenya
- Beth Kiratu, Technical University, Kenya
- George Lawi, MMUST, Kenya
- Emma Marigi, Dedan Kimathi University, Kenya
- David Malonza, South Eastern Kenya University, Kenya
- Winifred Mutuku, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Programme
A detailed program will is available hereSpeakers
- Enrico Bibbona, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Title: An introduction to stochastic vs. deterministic models of CRNs
slides: Lecture 1: DTMC , Lecture 2: CTMC , Durret's book with exercises, Exercises, Exercises_2 - Daniele Cappelletti, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Title: The stationary regime of stochastic reaction networks - Farai Chirove, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Title: In-host models for infectious diseases and stochastic models with demographic stochasticity
Lecture 1, Lecture 2, - Polly Yu, Harvard University, USA
Title: Deducing qualitative dynamics from network structure
slides:
Lecture 0: Introduction to complex-balancing
Lecture 1: Graph of Jacobian matrix
Lecture 1B
Lecture 2: Directed species-reaction graph
Lecture 3: Algebraic and computation tools
Additional notes on using SymPy and Routh-Hurwitz - Greg Rempala , Ohio State University, USA
Title: Stochastic modeling in math biology
Badal Joshi, California State University San Marcos, USA - Josephine Wairimu, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Title: Analytical tools available for modeling and analysis of CRNs, in connection to their potential application in the understanding of biochemical networks
slides: Intro Epidemiology, CRN-SIR, SIR stability - George Owuor Lawi , MMUST, Kenya
Title: Deterministic Models for Chemical Reaction Networks: An Introduction
slides: Lecture 1, Lecture 2 - Marilyn Ronoh, University of Embu, Kenya
Title: How to calibrate parameters of a dynamical reaction network model with Matlab. - Rose Auma, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Title: Data fitting and programming in R
Title: Applications of reaction networks to ecology, computation, and biochemistry
Lecture 1, Lecture 2, Lecture 3
Important dates
- 30 April 2023 - deadline for applications
- 15 May 2023 – notification of admittance
Venue
Jumuia Conference and Country HomeP. O. Box 212-00217 Limuru • Tel: 020- 204 8881, 020 – 206964/5/6/7 Cell No. 0727821746 Q.
reservations.limuru@resortjumuia.com
www.resortjumuia.com
Important dates
3 March 2023– Extended to 24 March 2023 - deadline for submission of a title and an extended abstract- 17 April 2023 – acceptance notification to the authors
- 3 May 2023 – last date for the payment of the early registration fee: standard € 180 / reduced for PhD students € 120.
After this date the fees will be: standard € 250 / reduced € 150 - 30 - 31 May 2023 – Workshop at the INRIM campus
Registration and application for support
The interested candidates should fill in the application form kindly provided by University of Nairobi by April 30. The number of participants that will be admitted depend on funding. The admission will be communicated by the email provided in the application from. Please report in the application form if you are able to cover you own expenses, or if you need partial or total financial support.Contacts
- Josephine Wairimi Kagunda, University of Nairobi
jwndirangu@uonbi.ac.ke - Enrico Bibbona, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
enrico.bibbona@polito.it