Maura Clancy
While a classifying space B(G) exists for any group G, in reality given a group presentation, finding a productive B(G) is by no means trivial. This talk is intended to give a general overview on explicit small classifying spaces for a range of finitely presented infinite groups, and on using these spaces to deduce homological information on the groups. In keeping with the aims of a School Research Day, I also hope to give a brief account of my experiences as a Ph.D. student at NUI Galway.
John Hinde
Much statistical research within the School comes under the general area of statistical modelling. This encompasses both application and methodological development with a strong computational component. Important research themes revolve around mixture and random effect models. This talk will introduce some of these modelling techniques through the reanalysis of a large educational dataset on teaching style and pupil performance. Specific methods include: a latent class (mixture) model for clustering based on binary indicators of teaching style; variance component models relating the teaching styles, determined by the cluster analysis, to pupil progress; and normal mixture and factor models for pupil personality. There are many common strands to the different models used and in the computational approaches, with heavy reliance on the EM algorithm. We will illustrate some of these and highlight how they link to other ongoing research in the School.Alla Detinko
In this talk we present an overview of the activities of the research group "Groups, Computing and Designs" recently established in the School. Special consideration will be given to our research in computational theory of matrix groups.
Martin Meere
Much of this talk will consist of a general introduction to the mathematical modelling of drug delivery systems. Optimal drug delivery requires the drug to be delivered to the right place, at the right time, and with the required dosage and release duration. Mathematical modelling has been extensively used to help realise these goals. In this talk, I shall describe some problems for barrier release (reservoir) systems, monolithic systems, stent systems, and systems involving polymer swelling.