Math Week 2021
Math Saves Lives – Math in Medicine
The Departments of Mathematics (COS) and Developmental Mathematics (UC) proudly announce the continuation of the tradition of hosting an annual Math Week on campus. The goal of Math Week has been to engage the UVU as well as the more general community in events that promote mathematics, engage the participants in hands-on experiences with math, provide various applications of math in solving real-life problems, and provide fun but challenging math competitions.
All are welcome and invited to have fun and enjoy various activities.
Sara Del Valle is a scientist and a Deputy Group Leader for the Information Systems and Modeling Group at Los Alamos National Laboratory. As a scientist, she leads an interdisciplinary team focused on detecting, understanding, and forecasting infectious diseases using heterogeneous data streams and mathematical, computational, and statistical models. Most recently, her team has been investigating the role of large-scale data analytics such as satellite imagery, Internet data, and climate on complementing traditional approaches to inform infectious disease modeling and political instability. Her work has been covered in several top media outlets such as National Geographic, NPR Science Friday, Popular Mechanics, and The New York Times. Sara received a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences from the University of Iowa. She also has a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Title:
Real-time Data Fusion to Guide Disease Forecasting Models
Abstract:
Globalization has created complex problems that can no longer be adequately understood
and mitigated using traditional data analysis techniques and data sources. As such,
there is a need for nontraditional data streams and approaches such as social media
and machine learning to address these new challenges. In this talk, I will discuss
how our team is using social media and mathematics and applying techniques used for
weather forecasting to understand, model, and forecast infectious diseases like COVID-19.
In addition, I will demonstrate how mathematics has played a key role in understanding
and mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
Cyrill Slezak is a computational physicist who received his doctoral degree from the University of Cincinnati in theoretical/computational condensed matter. Since then, his interests have evolved, and he now specializes in medical-physics and physics-education research. Coming from a continual desire to improve science learning he initially became involved in efforts to improve basic physics understanding in medical professionals. This consequently led to close collaborations with medical institutions and his current research in regenerative medicine. He currently is a member of the physics department and serves as the director of the Institutional Review Board at UVU where he is tasked to oversee the protection of human research subjects.
Title:
Large-Scale Numerical Modeling in Pre-/Clinical Viability Studies
Abstract:
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has established itself as a viable alternative
treatment for a wide range of indications ranging from bone to soft tissue injuries.
Outcomes of these non-invasive regenerative treatments however show a large variability
and many of the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Unlike alternative care modalities
it is often not clear what treatment actually arrives at the treatment site. In-situ
measurements would be highly invasive and would still only provide localized data.
We have shown that numerical non-linear wave propagation modeling in conjunction with
anatomical CT-scans is able to provide verifiable dosing information and guide clinical
care. This allows for a purely numerical treatment design and exploration of possible
new indication which can thus be treated. I will present our journey from our investigation
of ESWT for acute spinal cord trauma to ongoing studies on possible lung application.
This continuously evolving area of research can readily be extended into novel clinical
approaches, potentially improving future patient outcomes.
Monday, March 29, 2021
Event: Math Challenge
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: Virtual (MS Teams)
The UVU Math Challenge 2021 will feature five math problems covering various areas of mathematics. Problems will be accessible to students of all skill levels and mathematical expertise.
Problem information will also be posted at https://sites.google.com/uvu.edu/uvumathchallenge2021 starting March 29
Five winners (students only) will be announced on Friday, April 2 at 3pm, and will also be notified by e-mail. A $25 prize will be awarded to each of the winners.
Solutions to the problems can be submitted to Skyler Simmons at Skyler.Simmons@uvu.edu.
Event: Origami
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Where: Virtual Event (MS Teams)
Interested in some fun paper folding? Want to make amazing Origami creations to impress your friends? Please join these Origami sessions to accomplish that, while learning about math and origami applications. More info on the Origami contest will be announced later. Five best Origami creations will receive a prize.
To participate in this event or for more information, please contact Violeta Vasilevska (Violeta.Vasilevska@uvu.edu).
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Event: Factoring Bee
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: Virtual Event (MS Teams)
Students will show off their factoring skills in this virtual tournament (conducted on Microsoft Teams). Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners (students only).
To participate in this event or for more information, please contact Clay Brown(Clayton.Brown@uvu.edu) or Ben Moulton (Ben.Moulton@uvu.edu).
Event: Integration Bee (CANCELLED)
Time: 4:30pm-6:00pm
Where: LA 101
So, you think you can integrate? Then prove it by participating in this year’s Integration-B spectacular! Pit your integration skills against other UVU students in this wildly fun and challenging math competition. In this competition contestants will be posed randomly selected integrals, which need to be completed correctly in the time allowed. Doing so will allow participants to move to the next round. Failure to do so will result in a strike. Too many strikes and they are out! Come and compete in the fast-paced mayhem to be crowned victor.
Prizes will be awarded for the top three finishers.
To participate in this event or for more information, please contact Scott Lewis (Scott.Lewis@uvu.edu).
Masks will be required, and social distancing will be observed to keep everyone safe.
Event: Funny Math Memes
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Event: Keynote Speaker Lecture
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: Virtual Event (Click to Join)
Speaker:
Dr. Sara Del Valle (Deputy Group Leader for the Information Systems and Modeling Group at Los Alamos
National Laboratory)
Title: Real-time Data Fusion to Guide Disease Forecasting Models
Event: Origami
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Where: Virtual Event (MS Teams)
Interested in some fun paper folding? Want to make amazing Origami creations to impress your friends? Please join these Origami sessions to accomplish that, while learning about math and origami applications. More info on the Origami contest will be announced later. Five best Origami creations will receive a prize.
To participate in this event or for more information, please contact Violeta Vasilevska (Violeta.Vasilevska@uvu.edu).
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Event: Sudoku Tournament
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Where: Virtual Event (MS Teams)
Sudoku is a logic-based, combinatorial number-placement puzzle. Students will test their sudoku solving skills in this virtual tournament (conducted on Microsoft Teams).
Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners (students only). To participate in this tournament or for more information, please contact David Dean (deandb@uvu.edu).
Event: UVU Speaker Lecture
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: Virtual Event (Click to Join)
Speaker: Dr. Cyrill Slezak (Associate Professor, Department of Physics, UVU)
Title: Large-Scale Numerical Modeling in Pre-/Clinical Viability Studies
Friday, April 2, 2021
Event: Scavenger Hunt
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Virtual Event (MS Teams)
Students will discover mathematical connections as they race to complete a virtual math scavenger hunt (conducted on Microsoft Teams). Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners (students only).
To participate in this event or for more information, please contact David Dean (deandb@uvu.edu).
Event: Origami
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Where: Virtual Event (MS Teams)
Interested in some fun paper folding? Want to make amazing Origami creations to impress your friends? Please join these Origami sessions to accomplish that, while learning about math and origami applications. More info on the Origami contest will be announced later. Five best Origami creations will receive a prize.
To participate in this event or for more information, please contact Violeta Vasilevska (Violeta.Vasilevska@uvu.edu).
Lindsey Baker (student)
Nathan Gray (student)
Emily Hall (student)
Daira Rodriguez (student)
Brendan Williams (student)
