{{Short description|American academic organization}} {{Infobox institute | name = Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance | location = Illinois State University | website = biomathalliance.org | head_label = Executive Director | head = Olcay Akman | mission = "To facilitate academic collaboration between institutions and scholars to promote research and education in mathematical biology." | parent = Center for Collaborative Studies in Mathematical Biology | city = Normal | state = Illinois | country = United States | established = 2014 }} The '''Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance''' ('''IBA''') is a syndicate of organizations focused on connecting both academic and non-academic institutions to promote the study of biomathematics, ecology, and other related fields.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://biomathalliance.org/|title=Center for Collaborative Studies in Mathematical Biology – Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance|website=Center for Collaborative Studies in Mathematical Biology|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> Biomathematics is a scientific area connecting biology, ecology, mathematics, and computer science.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2020/03/research-spotlight-olcay-akman/|title=Research Spotlight: Center for Collaborative Studies in Mathematical Biology|last=Bersett|first=Kevin|date=2020-03-27|website=News - Illinois State|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-01}}</ref> Founded in 2014 by Executive director Olcay Akman of Illinois State University,<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Akman|first1=Olcay|last2=Powell|first2=Megan|date=2018-03-08|title=A model for cross-institutional collaboration: how the intercollegiate biomathematics alliance is pioneering a new paradigm in response to diminishing resources in academia|journal=Letters in Biomathematics|volume=5|pages=91–97|doi=10.1080/23737867.2018.1445044|doi-access=free}}</ref> the Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance helps organizations to work together and share resources among one another that are not regularly available at all institutions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qubeshub.org/community/groups/iba|title=Group: Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance|website=qubeshub.org|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref> The IBA is still young and typically attracts smaller colleges around the United States who tend to benefit more from being part of a consortium. However, in recent years, universities such as Arizona State University have joined and the IBA continues to maintain connections with larger research groups such as the Mathematical Bioscience Institute (MBI) and the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS).<ref name=":0" />
== History == In 2007, Olcay Akman of mathematics and Steven Juliano of biological sciences started a master's degree program at Illinois State University. The program grew and is now operated under the same umbrella as the IBA, the Center for Collaborative Studies in Mathematical Biology.<ref name=":3" /> In 2008, the first BEER (Biomathematics Ecology Education and Research) conference was held at Illinois State University with only 10 speakers and less than 50 attendees. In 2014, the BEER conference was the second largest biomathematics conference globally with more than 100 speakers.<ref name=":3" /> Then in 2014, other universities were asked to collaborate with the common goal of educating students about biomathematics, and this led to the creation of the Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance (IBA).<ref name=":3" />
The IBA is not the first to create a network of institutions. Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA participates in its own network of institutions that helps to provide students with greater access to resources.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.morehouse.edu/academics/consortia.html|title=Morehouse College {{!}} Academic Consortia|website=www.morehouse.edu|access-date=2020-03-13}}</ref> Similarly, Massachusetts Institute of Technology houses a consortium for research in energy, the MIT Energy Initiative. This network brings together the university and companies to expand research experiences and broaden educational perspectives.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://energy.mit.edu/research-type/consortia/|title=Consortia Research|website=Main|language=en|access-date=2020-03-13}}</ref> By pooling together resources, these consortia attempt to unite organizations under a common goal and share resources in infrastructure, intellect, and academia.
== Member Institutions == As of 2021, the Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance has 9 member institutions.<ref name=":1" /> In 2019, the IBA had 11 member institutions. IBA members pay dues based on their institutional size.<ref name=":2" /> Individuals are also able to become members of the IBA with reduced rates for students.<ref name=":1" /> {| class="wikitable" !Member Institutions !IBA Liaisons |- |George Mason University |Padmanabhan Seshaiyer |- |Harvey Mudd College |Lisette de Pillis |- |Illinois State University |Olcay Akman |- |University of Alaska Southeast |Christopher Hay-Jahans |- |University of North Carolina-Asheville |Megan Powell |- |University of Portland |Hannah Callender Highlander |- |University of Richmond |Lester Caudill |- |University of Wisconsin-La Crosse |James Peirce |- |University of Wisconsin-Whitewater |Aditi Ghosh |} There is some incentive beyond collaboration efforts to become an IBA member. The organization offers reduced registration fees to the International Symposium on BEER, access to distance education courses, a copy of ''Spora-Journal of Biomathematics'', and travel funding.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hmc.edu/mathematics/program/mathematics-institutional-affiliations/|title=Mathematics Institutional Affiliations|website=Harvey Mudd College|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-13}}</ref>
== Programs and Resources that the IBA Supports and Sponsors ==
=== BEAM: Biomathematics Education with Applications and Methods Grant === BEAM is a research grant for undergraduate research that supports both faculty members and students. BEAM also provides some support for participants at CURE.<ref name=":1" />
=== BEER: Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research Symposium === BEER (Biomathematics Ecology Education and Research) is an annual research symposium that takes place in the fall. The first BEER symposium took place in 2008 at Illinois State University with only 10 speakers and 30 attendees.<ref name=":3" /> By 2014, BEER was the second largest biomathematics conference globally.<ref name=":3" /> In 2017, the 10th annual BEER symposium was celebrated at Illinois State University.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.videtteonline.com/news/biomathematics-symposium-to-celebrate-th-anniversary/article_d7aac23c-6193-11e7-9cf8-7b700c93ba9a.html|title=Biomathematics symposium to celebrate 10th anniversary|last=Rodriguez|first=Stephanie|website=videtteonline.com|date=5 July 2017 |language=en|access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref> BEER has also been hosted by other institutions such as Arizona State University (2018) and University of Wisconsin- La Crosse (2019). In 2020, the 13th annual BEER symposium was hosted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. BEER is expected to be hosted in 2021 by the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA.<ref name=":1" />
=== CLOUD: CLOUD for Layering, Organizing, and Utilizing Data === IBA-CLOUD is a super computer available for IBA members to assist in research.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/isu-gets-a-biomathematics-center/|title=ISU Gets a Biomathematics Center|date=2017-06-14|website=CIProud.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref> IBA-CLOUD is a high-performance computing cluster server and available for members of IBA to use remotely.<ref name=":3" />
=== CURE: Cross-Institutional Undergraduate Research Experience Workshop === Started in 2016, CURE is an undergraduate research workshop and experience. Students typically meet for a few days to work on their scientific research skills before choosing a faculty member to work with throughout the summer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2019/06/isu-hosts-national-biomathematics-research-conference/|title=ISU hosts national biomathematics research conference|date=2019-06-28|website=News - Illinois State|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Powell|first=Megan|date=2018|title=Creating Undergraduate Research Opportunities Through Interdisciplinary and Intercollegiate Collaboration|url=https://commons.hostos.cuny.edu/mtrj/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2018/12/v10n2-Creating-Undergraduate-Research-Opportunities.pdf|journal=Mathematics Teaching Research Journal|volume=10|issue=2|pages=52–57}}</ref> Students come from around the country and some will present their work at BEER in the following fall.<ref name=":0" />
=== PEER: Partners in Extending Education and Research === PEER is a service that the IBA provides for the scientific community. An appropriate IBA member will work together with individuals from other scientific fields to assist in experimental design, data analysis, and writing.<ref name=":1" />
=== IBA-GCP: IBA Graduate Certificate Program === Designed to strengthen the mathematical biology background of students before they apply for graduate programs. Courses are available online and in person in the following areas: mathematical modeling, data analysis, computer science, and biological sciences.<ref name=":1" />
=== Academic Journals: ''Letters in Biomathematics'' and ''Spora'' === ''Letters in Biomathematics'' (LiB) is an open access peer-reviewed international journal dedicated to showcasing the most current research in biomathematics and related fields.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://about.illinoisstate.edu/lettersinbiomath/|title=Letters in Biomathematics – An International Journal|website=Letters in Biomathematics|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref>
''Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics'' is an open-access research journal for undergraduate and graduate research in the field of biomathematics. Currently there are five published volumes of ''Spora'' and 31 total published papers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sporajournal.org/|title=Spora – A Journal of Biomathematics|website=Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics|access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/spora/|title=Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics {{!}} Illinois State University|website=ir.library.illinoisstate.edu|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref>
=== Fellowship Awards === The IBA grants fellowship awards to outstanding scholars who have made significant contributions to the field of mathematical biology.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=IBA Distinguished Fellowship Awards – Center for Collaborative Studies in Mathematical Biology|url=https://about.illinoisstate.edu/iba/awards/|access-date=2021-02-02|website=about.illinoisstate.edu}}</ref>
* The Distinguished Senior Fellowship is awarded to senior scholars who have a record of significant scientific accomplishments and active leadership in biomathematics. This award is given on even-numbered years. * The Excellence in Research Award is awarded to junior scholars who have scientific accomplishments in biomathematics and the potential to become a leader in the field. This award is given on odd-numbered years.
{| class="wikitable" !Award !Recipient<ref name=":4" /> !Institution |- |2022 Distinguished Senior Fellowship Award |Simon A. Levin |Princeton University |- |2021 Excellence in Research Award |Olivia Prosper |University of Tennessee |- |2020 Distinguished Senior Fellowship Award (co-recipient) |Lisette de Pillis |Harvey Mudd College |- |2020 Distinguished Senior Fellowship Award (co-recipient) |Ami Radunskaya |Pomona College |- |2019 Excellence in Research Award |Anuj Mubayi |Arizona State University |- |2018 Distinguished Senior Fellowship Award |Raina Robeva |Randolph Macon College |}
== References == __FORCETOC__
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Category:Bioinformatics organizations Category:Organizations based in Illinois Category:Ecology Category:Mathematical and theoretical biology Category:Academic organizations based in the United States