The Unreasonable Ineffectiveness of Mathematics in Biology - My Frustration in Studying Neuroscience
Speaker: Chi-NingTitle: The Unreasonable Ineffectiveness of Mathematics in Biology - My Frustration in Studying Neuroscience
Date: 19 Nov 2021 11:30-13:00 EST
Location: SEC Level 3 NW Terrace
Food: Mala
Abstract: Israel Gelfand, a great mathematician as well as a pioneer in mathematical biology, once said “There is only one thing which is more unreasonable than the unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics in physics, and this is the unreasonable ineffectiveness of mathematics in biology.” In this talk, we are going to revisit his wisdom and discuss why it is difficult to apply mathematics in biology. And I’ll also share my experience in studying neuroscience and why I found this route being both frustrating and interesting at the same time!
The talk is inspired by this recent paper.