Speaker: Larry Greller
Title: Applied Mathematics in Pharmaceutical R & D II: Mathematical Life in the Trenches Does Not Equal Entrenched Mathematics.
Affiliation: Smith Kline Beecham.
Date: Friday, March 24.
Place and Time: Dirac Science Library - room 499, 3:30-4:30 pm.

Abstract. In pharmaceutical research and development, interesting mathematical problems frequently arise in many different forms and guises, originating in biology, medicine, chemistry, and physics. Many are often intellectually fascinating. However, the mathematical components of the problems are usually unrecognized by the biologists who need to have solutions. In this decidedly non-mathematically aware environment, how can applied mathematicians survive -- let alone thrive? What are some of the ingredients essential for success -- technically and for careers? What are the skills for being a mathematical missionary and picking problems? How do you surmount the obstacles in communicating with non-mathematicians?
In this talk, we will use our experience to try to answer these questions (with the understanding that extrapolation from a small number of data points is always completely accurate?). Several examples of mathematical modeling will be briefly described to convey the research flavor: tumor progression, blood coagulation, and gene regulatory networks. We will survey the various roles within the Mathematical Biology group: applied mathematicians, consultants, technology evaluators, computational scientists, "chameleon scientists," software and database architects, collaborators, basic researchers, mathematical missionaries, iconoclasts, etc. What are the opportunities -- permanent, co-op student, summer student positions? After the talk, we are prepared to examine further the skills, mathematical, and computational backgrounds that we see as necessary.