(Photo above: (L-R) Amelia Taylor & Michelle Barnhart)
Most people are familiar with the evolutionary tree that has been used for more than a century to illustrate relationships between biological species. On Wednesday, December 2, Oregon State University – Cascades mathematics instructor Amelia Taylor will show how a marriage of mathematical techniques supports the study of evolutionaryor phylogenetic, trees and the development of the computational tools that are used by today’s biologists to understand relationships between species.
Taylor recently joined OSU-Cascades to coordinate mathematics and statistics curriculum as the university grows. She most recently served as a department chair and tenured faculty member at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Taylor received a Master of Science from Purdue University and a Ph.D from the University of Kansas, both in mathematics. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, magna cum laude, from St. Olaf College.
Taylor’s research is in computational commutative algebra and focuses on applications to evolutionary biology and statistics. In a recent paper, she and coauthors developed a statistically powerful measure for phylogenetic tree inference using representation theory.
Taylor’s interests include helping students and members of the public realize that they can understand and enjoy mathematics and statistics.
OSU-Cascades’ lunchtime lecture series showcases the range of research and scholarship underway by faculty at the Bend campus. The lectures are free, but attendees are asked to register in advance. Lectures take place from noon to 1 p.m. in Cascades Hall. Attendees are invited to bring a brown bag lunch and to pick-up a free parking pass from the main office before parking.
For information http://www.osucascades.edu/lunchtime-lectures or contact 541-322-3100 or info@osucascades.edu.
OSU-Cascades Features Special Lectures in December
It’s in the Bag, Lunchtime Lecture
Wednesday, December 2
12-1pm
Trees Aren’t Just for Monkeys: Phylogenetic Trees and Mathematics
Amelia Taylor, Instructor, Mathematics, OSU-Cascades
In biology, relationships between species are described using a phylogenetic tree which visually illustrates how species are related to one another. Researchers are continually developing models and computational tools to use molecular sequence data, such as DNA, to find and describe relationships among species. There is a wonderful confluence of mathematical techniques that are used in this research.
Science Pub
Tuesday, December 15
5:30 – 7:30pm
Who Are You Calling Old? Conflict and Negotiation in Eldercare
Michelle Barnhart, Associate Professor of Marketing, OSU College of Business
Learn how those helping the elderly population can overtly or subtly treat elders as an “old person,” meaning unaware, confused, dependent or at-risk, and create identity dynamics and conflicts. Barnhart will explain how by treating older people as valued adults, younger people can provide valuable assistance and decreasing their chances of threatening the older person’s identity and creating conflict.
Oregon State University – Cascades
541-322-3100
