The Graduate Program

Peter Taylor, Troy Day and Felicia Magpantay work in the rapidly growing research area of mathematical biology. Their work centers on evolutionary ecology, modeled using the mathematics of game theory and dynamical systems. Current interests include the modeling of behaviour in animals and plants (for example, sex allocation, dispersal, life-history tradeoffs, parasite-host dynamics, virulence, epidemiology, speciation) using techniques of population genetics, stability analysis and dynamic optimization.

At Queen's, we have a close working relationship between the Departments of Mathematics and Biology, allowing us to use a multidisciplinary approach linking theoretical and experimental biology. We are fortunate to have one of the top Biology Departments in North America. Students studying mathematical biology in the Math & Stats Department will live (and teach!) there but can take graduate courses in both Departments. To be admitted it is certainly not necessary to have an undergraduate concentration in both disciplines, but among our students we find a synergistic mix of backgrounds. The best way for a student to learn either discipline is often in a focused way--with a good modelling problem as an incentive and a guide. When mathematics is well used, it gives stunning insights into the workings of the world, not only in the world of physics and engineering, but also in the less tidy world of biology.

Honors and Awards

Peter Taylor, Fellow of the Fields Institute (2016), OCUFA Teaching Award (2004), MAA Distinguished Teaching Award, 3M Teaching Fellowship (1994), Seaway Section (1992)

Troy Day, FRSC,Killam Research Fellowship (2016-18), CAIMS (Canadian Applied and Industrial Mathematics Society) Research Prize (2012), E.W.R. Steacie Fellowship (2008-10), Steacie Prize (2006)