Next meeting of the "Mathematical Modelling and Biodiversity" Chair

Launched to meet the complex challenges of biodiversity, the “Mathematical Modelling and Biodiversity” (MMB) Chair combines expertise in mathematics and biology. It aims to develop mathematical models to better understand and preserve ecosystems, in particular by imagining new mathematical objects to model biodiversity. It is led by Sylvie Méléard, an exceptional professor at the École Polytechnique, and a researcher in the PEIPS team (for “Population Evolution and Interacting Particles”) at the Center for Applied Mathematics (CMAP*), 2024 laureate of ‘Irène Joliot-Curie - Woman Scientist of the Year’ prize awarded by the French Academy of Sciences.

The Chair regularly organises scientific meetings that bring together experts in biology and mathematics to discuss biodiversity and modelling. The meetings of the Chair, which are held four times a year, bring together researchers and experts to discuss crucial issues, from the appearance of new species to host-microbiota interactions, participatory science and the health of agricultural soils. 

They create a unique space for fertile scientific exchanges between disciplines, bringing together experts in applied mathematics, ecology and industrial partners for them to meet and eventually work more closely on certain topics, in a more applied context. This research community is developing multi-scale mathematical models to consider the complexity and variability of ecosystems.

The MMB Chair's meetings distinguish themselves by the diversity of the subjects addressed: the appearance of new species, microbiota, the spread of pathogens, the health of agricultural soils, behavioral studies of animal populations, citizen science, etc. This variety reflects the multidisciplinary approach adopted by the Chair, which aims to create a synergy between applied mathematics and ecology. At each meeting, specialists from the École polytechnique, the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, as well as from major French institutes (CNRS, INRIA, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Claude Bernard à Lyon) and companies such as Veolia share their research. These presentations illustrate the multidisciplinary approach of the Chair and enable participants not only to share the latest advances, but also to spark fruitful discussions on the potential applications of this research.

In 2024, three meetings have already taken place, hosted successively by the École polytechnique, the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, and the company Veolia, patron of the Chair. They highlight the importance of interdisciplinarity in biodiversity research. The Chair's meeting on 7 February 2024 at the École polytechnique covered cultural evolution, stochastic metacommunity models, host-microbiota-pathogen interactions, and the evolution of pathogen resistance.

On 6 May 2024, at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, presentations covered topics such as the evolution of ecosystems, statistical approaches in ecology and the challenges of conservation. 

The MMB Chair meetings are not limited to the academic world. They also include industrial perspectives, as demonstrated by the meeting that took place on 9 October 2024 on the premises of Veolia. This session highlighted the practical applications of biodiversity research in the private sector, with presentations on Veolia's biodiversity policy and analysis tools for farmers.

The Rencontres de la Chaire MMB are much more than conferences: they embody a collaborative vision, building bridges between academic research and the challenges of the industrial sector. By bringing together mathematicians, ecologists and companies, these events encourage the emergence of practical solutions to protect biodiversity, respond to current ecological and sustainable economic issues and train the next generation of scientists in this vital field.

The next meeting of the Chair will take place on the afternoon of 5 December 2024, in the ‘Curie’ Amphitheatre at the École polytechnique. This half-day event will provide a further opportunity to discover recent advances in mathematical modelling and biodiversity research, with cutting-edge presentations on new environmental challenges.

*CMAP: a joint research unit CNRS, Inria, École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France