Mathematics & physics of bioterror

Richard E. Crandall
Vollum Adjunct Professor of Science, Reed College

Abstract: Bioterror---in this case meaning the sudden introduction of disease agents---is a scenario that does, indeed, allow theoretical analysis in several important aspects. The notions of epidemic spread, vaccination, quarantine, personal contact, and waves of infection can all be addressed, sometimes successfully, as nonlinear problems. The lecturer will show how particularly sharp results obtain from a fusion of real analysis and symbolic computation.