*Multiscale modeling and simulation of the in-host dynamics of HIV infection

Stephen Pankavich

pankavic@mines.edu

In 2007, a mathematical model of HIV, consisting of a set of 7 nonlinear differential equations, was introduced. This model was the first to simulate the entire life span of HIV, and once the model's parameters were fit, it accurately matched clinical data from infected subjects. However, in order to achieve this feat, a nonbiological term (a term which has no clear biological cause) was added to the differential equations. The general purpose of this project is to investigate this anomalous term: specifically, by considering other common biological factors within the model and using multiscale analysis to elucidate their impact . We are interested in whether the model responds realistically (i.e. the equations act "biologically") to small alterations, which would add credence to the nonbiological term's credibility; or whether the model "breaks" when subjected to the addition of these new common biological factors, which would imply that the addition of the new term is inconsistent with the biological nature of the model.

Grand Challenge: Not applicable

Publications on my research website: https://sites.google.com/view/spcsmsite/publications

I am the primary contact.