{
	"event_id": "1141740",
	"eventinstance_id": "4203105",
	"calendar": {
		"id": 1,
		"title": "Events at UCF",
		"slug": "events-at-ucf",
		"url": "https://events.ucf.edu/calendar/1/events-at-ucf/"
	},
	"id": "4203105",
	"title": "Mathematical Biology Seminar by Dr. Zhisheng Shuai",
	"subtitle": null,
	"description": "\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href\u003D\u0022https://sciences.ucf.edu/mathbio/mathematical\u002Dbiology\u002Dseminar/\u0022 target\u003D\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMathematical Biology Seminar\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u000A\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href\u003D\u0022https://sciences.ucf.edu/sdmss/person/zhisheng\u002Dshuai/\u0022 target\u003D\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDr. Zhisheng Shuai\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E, a professor in the UCF School of Data, Mathematical, and Statistical Sciences) will speak on \u0022The Mathematics of Spatial Ecology and Epidemiology: A Perspective from Matrix and Graph Theory\u0022 at this week\u0027s seminar.\u003C/p\u003E\u000A\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbstract: \u003C/strong\u003EUnderstanding how spatial and temporal heterogeneity influences population and disease dynamics is a central challenge in ecology and epidemiology. In this talk, we explore mathematical approaches that connect matrix theory, graph theory, and differential equations to model and analyze these complex systems. In particular, we demonstrate how generalized inverses and related tools from linear algebra and graph theory can quantify variability in population persistence, growth rates and disease invasibility across heterogeneous habitats. By integrating these techniques with differential equation models, we examine the effects of habitat structure, resource distribution and migration on population stability and disease spread. The talk highlights how mathematical frameworks provide novel insights into ecological resilience, conservation strategies and infectious disease management, illustrating to a general audience the interplay between mathematical theory and real\u002Dworld biological systems.\u003C/p\u003E\u000A\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EShort Bio: \u003C/strong\u003EDr. Zhisheng Shuai is a professor of mathematics in the School of Data, Mathematical, and Statistical Sciences at UCF. Prior to joining UCF in 2012, he earned a bachelor\u0027s degree in mathematics and a master\u0026rsquo\u003Bs degree in applied mathematics from Northeast Normal University in China. He then earned his doctoral degree in applied mathematics from the University of Alberta before completing an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Victoria, supported by the prestigious Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Dr. Shuai\u0026rsquo\u003Bs research focuses on mathematical ecology and epidemiology, differential equations and dynamical systems. His current research investigates how various mathematical modeling approaches can be used to study the complex dynamics of infectious diseases. Beyond his research, Dr. Shuai has played a significant role in UCF\u0026rsquo\u003Bs mathematical modeling curriculum and has led efforts to recruit and train UCF teams, resulting in impressive rankings in various math modeling competitions. He has been honored with the UCF Teaching Incentive Program award for his outstanding teaching. Dr. Shuai also serves as a reviewer for several research journals, including the \u003Cem\u003ESociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics\u003C/em\u003E \u003Cem\u003EJournal on Applied Mathematics\u003C/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EDifferential Equations and Dynamical Systems \u003C/em\u003Eand\u003Cem\u003E \u003C/em\u003Emany others.\u003C/p\u003E",
	"location": "MSB 318: Mathematical Sciences Building, Room 318",
	"location_url": "https://www.ucf.edu/location/mathematical\u002Dsciences\u002Dbuilding/",
	"virtual_url": null,
	"registration_link": null,
	"registration_info": null,
	"starts": "Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400",
	"ends": "Tue, 08 Sep 2026 14:00:00 -0400",
	"ongoing": "False",
	"category": "Speaker/Lecture/Seminar",
	"tags": ["Mathematical Biology Seminar","UCF Biology","UCF Mathematics"],
	"contact_name": "Erika Lin",
	"contact_phone": null,
	"contact_email": "Erika.Lin@ucf.edu",
	"url": "https://events.ucf.edu/event/4203105/mathematical-biology-seminar-by-dr-zhisheng-shuai/"
}