Renowned educator and researcher discusses mathematical oncology as part of free STEMinar Series
On Wednesday, Oct. 9, University of Michigan Math Professor, researcher and author Trachette Jackson explores how cutting-edge techniques are using mathematics, computer modeling and simulation to help treat cancer, the second leading cause of death in the U.S., at 4 p.m. at the College of DuPage Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd.
The event, part of the college's free STEMinar series, will be held in COD's Health and Science Center, Room 1234.
Jackson will discuss developments in mathematical oncology and share information about mathematical computations that help predict tumor progression and determine targeted therapeutic approaches, as well as what the future of mathematical oncology may hold.
Incorporating a broad range of disciplines and applications, mathematical oncology stretches from scientific research and math expertise to clinical care. Through modeling and simulations, mathematical oncologists use patient data to predict responses to therapy, improve cancer screening to catch the illness sooner, design adaptive treatment plans, identify pathways that lead to treatment resistance, and predict patient lifespan under various treatments.
While the field continues to evolve, mathematical and computational modeling techniques already have been applied to every aspect of cancer research from tumor growth and behavior to metastasis and treatment response. In the future, practitioners hope to replace today's general therapies with more personalized treatment based on mathematical oncology to maximize treatment effectiveness and minimize side effects.
Jackson, a professor of mathematics at the University of Michigan, has published numerous papers on mathematical oncology. She has served as senior editor for the academic journal "Cancer Research," and has reviewed articles for the "Journal of Mathematical Biology" and the "National Academy of Sciences," and is co-founder and co-director of the Mathematics Biology Research Group, which organizes lectures, conferences and workshops for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. In 2003, she was the second African-American woman to become a Sloan Fellow in mathematics. She is recipient of the James S. McDonnell 21st Century Scientist Award, the Blackwell Tapia Award and the Arizona State University's Medallion of Merit Award. In 2017, she was selected as a fellow of the Association for Women in Mathematics in the inaugural class. Jackson earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics at Arizona State University and her master's degree and Ph.D. in applied mathematics at the University of Washington.
Seating is limited and pre-registration is required for this event. To learn more and to register, visit www.cod.edu.
The STEMinar Series at College of DuPage consists of free talks covering a variety of topics related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math throughout the fall and spring semesters.
Upcoming STEMinars include "Pluto and the Kuiper Belt" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, and "The View from Earth: 400 Years of Astronomical Discovery" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, by COD Professor of Astronomy Joe DalSanto. Argonne National Laboratory's Prasanna Balaprakash will present "Artificial Intelligence for Science" at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18.
The goal of STEM at College of DuPage is to enhance the quality of STEM instructional and outreach programs and to help current and future students prepare for careers in STEM fields. COD offers a broad range of academic programs designed to provide students with the educational background and training needed to successfully pursue an advanced degree or career in STEM.