I recently graduated from the Program in Applied Mathematics at the University of Arizona. During my doctorate work, I was supported by the Flinn/IGERT Biomathematics Initiative.
Through my participation with the initiative, I met my advisors: Dr. Leslie Tolbert, Professor, ARL Division of Neurobiology and Dr. Timothy Secomb, Professor of Physiology and Mathematics.
My Ph.D. research focused on the development of theoretical models for the diffusion of potassium ions in the extracellular space of olfactory glomeruli, and to predict how the characteristic glial border surrounding glomeruli affects the spread of potassium ions following the activation of olfactory sensory neurons.
Observations of the morphology of the interior and border of the glomerulus were used to estimate the porosity and effective diffusivity of these regions, and the size of the ``mouth'' region where there is no glial covering. Results indicated that the glial envelope forms a partial barrier to the diffusion of potassium ions, and greatly reduces the spread of potassium ions to neighboring glomeruli following release. Our findings support the hypothesis that the characteristic distribution of glial cells around glomeruli could play a significant role in olfactory information processing.
Currently, I hold a Flinn Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Arizona. I am presently conducting research with Herman Gordon, Associate Professor of Cell Biology and Anatomy. Our interest is in the determination of the mechanisms involved in the aggregation of post--synaptic molecules under nerve terminals.
My experience has shown that mathematics can be a useful and perhaps
unique
tool to help answer biological questions. The type of environment given by
the Flinn/IGERT initiative, where both mathematicians and biologists can
collaborate on common research problems, is advantageous for anyone
interested in pursuing an interdisciplinary research career.