Summer 5Q: Ben Howard Studies Mathematical Modeling at WKU

While most Gatton Academy students are spending time away from WKU’s campus this summer, Benjamin Howard (Rowan, ‘11) is still walking up the Hill each morning.

As a rising high school senior, Howard is performing mathematical and biological modeling research with Dr. Richard Schugart of WKU’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

Howard was one of eleven students from the Gatton Academy’s Class of 2011 who received a Research Internship Grant from the Academy for this summer. The Research Internship Grants are available to Gatton Academy students in the summer between their junior and senior years to support students during summer research experiences.

Howard’s research builds upon a mathematical model that Dr. Schugart formulated. Ben is examining five differential equations that are a part of Schugart’s model and is analyzing the sub-model by conducting a steady-state analysis on it, estimating parameters within it, and using Mathematica to conduct simulations of the model.

Howard recently paused for a few minutes to answer questions about his summer research is going.

1. Tell us a little about the project or program in which you are participating this summer that the Research Internship Grant is funding.

I am helping Dr. Schugart with a wound healing project. We are using mathematical models (equations) in order to try and predict if a wound will heal completely, heal partially, or not heal at all. Some of the different variables that we are using in our models are bacteria, macrophages, neutrophils, and oxygen.

2. What is the part of the summer experience you are enjoying most?

The part that I am enjoying the most is actually getting to participate in a real life application of mathematics.

3. How is this different from the way you think most high school students spend their summers?

Most of my friends are spending their summer hanging out with each other, practicing whatever extra-curricular they like the most, working a job at a fast food restaurant, or doing GSP. While all of this is perfectly fine, none of it compares to being on your own for 8 or 9 weeks waking up every morning knowing that your task that day is performing mathematics. I don’t mean 50 algebra problems or 10 calc

problems. I mean research that could potentially benefit people’s lives.

4. Will you be using this research experience as a launching point for any particular applications, competitions, or scholarships?

I’m planning on presenting at a math and biology seminar in Tennessee in the fall, applying for the Siemens competition, and possibly presenting at WKU in the spring.

5. How does this research experience or internship fit into your educational and professional goals?

I am planning on going into the medical field in the future. Since this research is dealing with wound healing it could benefit me when I apply to medical school in a few years.

6. What are you looking forward to the most about your second year at the Academy?

I am looking forward to spending time with my friends. The bonds made at the Academy truly are incredible. I am also looking forward to taking more sciences and getting away from the math a little. While I do like math, science is my favorite subject. I can’t wait to see what the upper level sciences have to offer.

Ben Howard, research, Research Internship Grant, Summer