Meet Carrie Manore in this Q&A series with 6 out of 200 mathematicians or computer scientists participating at the 2nd Heidelberg Laureate Forum, September 21-26, 2014. 24 Laureates (Abel Prize, Fields Medal, Nevanlinna Prize, Turing Award) will attend the forum together with them. For a full week Heidelberg in Germany will be the hot spot of mathematics and computer science.

Name?
Carrie Manore

Nationality?  USA

Where are you based? Tulane University and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

What is your current position? I am a National Science Foundation Fellow postdoc.

What is the focus of your research?  My research is in mathematical modeling of ecological and epidemiological systems. My primary interests are in multi-scale models of complex disease systems that change in space (land use) and in time (weather). The models are nonlinear, and often nonautonomous, systems of differential equations for which little mathematical theory has been developed, particularly in the context of predicting and understanding dynamics. I am using the models to quantify the impact and risk of introduction of livestock and animal diseases and the impact of human change to the environment (climate, land use) on disease risk.  Modeling biological systems inspires interesting mathematical questions and challenges while also informing sustainable management of disease spread.

Why did you become a mathematician? I enjoyed the challenge of learning mathematics–the more I learned, the more I wanted to know. When I found out that I could also use mathematics to model and understand biological systems, I started my PhD in Mathematics with an emphasis on modeling and ecosystem informatics.

Anything like a favourite project? I’m currently excited about a project modeling seasonal bird movement and West Nile virus spread–interesting mathematics and interesting ecology.

What about your life beyond research? I dabble in music and art, read a lot, and love being outside (hiking, camping, snow sports).

Why did you apply for the HLF14? Coming from rural Montana, the idea of traveling to Europe to meet with some of the world’s best mathematicians and computer scientists never would have crossed my mind. Going to college in the next state over was a big enough leap. My mentor sent me the announcement for HLF14 and I thought, “You know what, this might actually be possible!” What a great opportunity for young researchers!

What do you expect from this meeting? I hope to meet some interesting people, get some great ideas and learn something new.

Any Laureates on your list you would definitely love to talk to?  I’m interested in talking to the mathematicians that work on dynamical systems theory and to the women Laureate.