Mathematical models in biology and medicine

Mathematical modeling and computer simulation tools have been growing enormously in the fields of mathematics and physics applied to biophysics, biology, biochemistry and bioengineering. The reasons for this large attention of the mathematical community are multi-faceted. Among them, the mathematical modeling in biology and medicine is one of the most important challenges of mathematics applied to scientific problems. It has been shown to be a substantial tool for the investigation of complex biophysical phenomena, such as cancer. Tumor growth continues and will continue to challenge oncologists. The pace of progress has often been slow, in part because of the time required to evaluate new therapies. To reduce the time to approval, new paradigms for assessing therapeutic efficacy are needed. This requires the intellectual energy of scientists working in the field of mathematics and physics, collaborating closely with biologists and clinicians. This essentially means that the heuristic experimental approach, which is the traditional investigative method in the biological sciences, should be complemented by a mathematical modeling approach. This school is addressed for researchers, doctoral students, students of Master’s degree level and talented undergraduate students to acquire a basic training in that field. This school will cover a wide class of mathematical models and applications in issues related to tumor growth, population dynamics, pattern formation and their implications in developmental cancer biology. The school will constitute a very interesting thematic opening for the young researchers. It will also be a tremendous tool of exchange between world-wide researchers and Cuban/Caribbean researchers in applied mathematics, theoretical biology and medicine.