Contact Info
Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 32700
Fax: 519-746-4319
PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader
The application of mathematics to medicine is an exciting and novel area of research within the discipline of Applied Mathematics. One aspect of this research, in which our department is actively involved, is the creation of mathematical models of various disease processes, taking into account the interactions between the different components of the complex biological system that underlies the process. This research has two main goals. Firstly, one hopes to increase our understanding of the onset of the disease and of how it progresses. Secondly, one hopes that the mathematical analysis of the available treatment strategies will enable one to identify one that is optimal in each situation.
The research in mathematical medicine, which is carried out in collaboration with physicians at the Hospital for Sick Children and Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, includes the following topics:
The research in mathematical medicine is also enhanced by the involvement of our faculty in the Centre for Mathematical Medicine.
Current research in mathematical biology focusses on understanding biological organisms at the cellular level. One aspect of this research pertains to networks of genes and proteins interacting through biochemical reactions. More specifically, the goal is to elucidate the two main processes that underlie life, namely replication and metabolism. This ambitious program, which relies in part on applying ideas from systems and control theory to molecular biology, is known as systems biology. A second aspect of this research pertains to the behaviour and function of neurons, the building blocks of the central nervous system. The long term goal of this research, which comprises the field of theoretical neuroscience, is to understand how neurons process information, in other words, how the brain coordinates the overall activity of an organism.
The research in mathematical biology is enhanced by collaborations with researchers in the Department of Biology, and by the involvement of our faculty in the Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience
The regular faculty whose primary research area is Mathematical Medicine and Biology are:
Contact Info
Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 32700
Fax: 519-746-4319
PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.