DIMACS Africa-US Student Research Initiative One-Year Research Opportunities in Biomathematics

Africa-US Student Research

Initiative One-Year Research

Opportunities in Biomathematics

Description of Program

Eligibility Requirements

Application form

Formulaire de demande de Langue français

Letters of Recommendation

Selection Process and Award Notification

Program Description:

The Africa-US Student Research Initiative (ASRI), funded by an anticipated grant from the National Science Foundation, is offering outstanding African students who are currently studying for a Ph.D. degree in Africa an opportunity to spend one year at either the Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science (DIMACS) of Rutgers University or the Mathematical Biosciences Institute (MBI) of Ohio State University, working on research projects that enhance their dissertation and prepare them for an independent research career in biomathematics. Both DIMACS and MBI have had extensive programs in biomathematics for many years and offer the opportunity to participate in workshops and tutorials and to work one on one with a faculty mentor. For more information about DIMACS and MBI, see their web pages at: http://dimacs.rutgers.edu/ and www.mbi.osu.edu/.

The students will receive a stipend and housing allowance of $30,000 for 12 months, airfare from 
Africa to the US, and health insurance. Preferably, the one year visit would start at the beginning 
of the second semester of the academic year. In some cases, visits starting in the 
Summer or Fall would be considered. Some biomathematical areas of particular interest include, 
but are not limited to, mathematical epidemiology, mathematical models in ecology, bioinformatics, 
and mathematical population biology. Applications are also being accepted 
in other areas that have relevance to biomathematics. The application process for ASRI awards 
is highly competitive, and we urge students to submit their nomination packets as early as possible.

For the 2009-2010 academic year there are five one-year research positions available. 
One position is scheduled to start in the fall 2009 semester and the other four positions are 
scheduled to start in the spring 2010 semester.

Eligibility Criteria:

Students are eligible to be considered for an ASRI award if they:

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Are citizens of an African country
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Enrolled in a PhD Mathematics program in Africa

Have attained a cumulative graduate school GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale

 Have completed most of the course work for their graduate degree program

 Have research experience

  Have completed and submitted all required forms by the deadline.

Application Procedure: Applicants who meet eligibility requirements must

submit the following materials online at:

http://dimacs.rutgers.edu/Workshops/ASRI2009/application.html.

The deadline for receipt of applications for the fall semester position is May 15, 2009.

The deadline for receipt of applications for the fall semester position is July 15, 2009.

Applications should include the following:

Nominee Electronic Application form (to be submitted by the student)
Two letters of Recommendation (to be completed by the Recommenders and submitted to http://dimacs.rutgers.edu/Workshops/ASRI2009/recommender.html )
A description of the candidate’s past or planned research in biomathematics.
A statement of interest and intent indicating how the research experience would
enhance both their short-term and long-term goals.
A statement of preferences: Do you prefer to be at DIMACS or MBI and why?
(First choice cannot be guaranteed.) Do you have strong reasons for not starting at
the beginning of the Spring semester 2009?) Any other special conditions you would
like us to be aware of?
Academic Transcripts sent to:

African Initiative Research Experience

DIMACS Center

96 Frelinghuysen Road

Rutgers University

Piscataway, NJ 08854-8018

Omission of any of the required documents will render the nomination incomplete and
 ineligible for consideration.

Selection Process & Award Notification

Eligible individuals who have submitted complete nomination packages by the deadline will be
    considered for the award. Because competition for these awards is expected to be substantial,
    Nominees, Nominators, and Recommenders should make every effort to provide a complete
    picture of each Nominee’s qualifications and research potential.

Nominees are evaluated by independent readers according to two primary criteria: academic
    achievement and research potential. The availability of an appropriate local mentor at DIMACS
    or MBI will also be an important criterion.

If you have questions, want further information, or wish to submit your application through email, please send email to:

Gene Fiorini,

Associate Director of DIMACS and Program Coordinator

usai@dimacs.rutgers.edu

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DIMACS would like to thank the National Science Foundation for their support of the US-Africa Biomathematics Initiative. It would also like to thank the collaborators for their financial and other support.

DIMACS is a NJ Department of Education Professional Development Provider.

If you have specific questions about the content of the program, please e-mail Gene Fiorini (usai at dimacs.rutgers.edu).

Updated May 11, 2009.

Tinevimbo Shiri, South Africa;
2008-2009 DIMACS ASRI Fellow

Najat Ziyadi, Morocco;

2008-2009 MBI ASRI Fellow

Chirove Faraimunashe, Botswana;
2008-2009 MBI ASRI Fellow