معرفی
Jody Reimer is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed in the Department of Mathematics and the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah. Her interdisciplinary work bridges mathematical theory with ecological applications, focusing on extreme environments including polar regions and Great Salt Lake. She maintains offices in both the Mathematics building (LCB 301) and South Biology building (227), reflecting her dual departmental affiliation and commitment to collaborative research across disciplines.
Dr. Reimer's research explores the intersection of mathematics, ecology, and statistical/computational methods to connect models with data. Her work leverages advances in uncertainty quantification, optimal control theory, and data science to understand ecological phenomena. Much of her research is motivated by questions in polar marine biology and Great Salt Lake ecology, with additional collaborative projects spanning diverse biological systems. She develops mathematical approaches to study sea ice ecosystems, polar bear navigation in warming Arctic, and long transient dynamics in ecological systems.
Analysis of Dr. Reimer's recent publications reveals a strong focus on mathematical approaches to pressing ecological questions. Her work spans theoretical developments in uncertainty quantification and transient dynamics, alongside applied research on polar ecosystems, wildlife management, and disease modeling. A recurring theme is the development and application of optimal control theory to ecological problems, particularly in understanding animal behavior under environmental change. Her interdisciplinary approach consistently bridges mathematical theory with empirical ecological challenges.
- Shortlisted for the Robert May Prize for her paper "Matrix methods for stochastic dynamic programming in ecology and evolutionary biology"
Dr. Reimer actively mentors a diverse group of students across multiple disciplines, including PhD candidates in Mathematics and Biology, as well as numerous undergraduate researchers. Her lab recently received a 1U4U Seed Grant to support data collection on Great Salt Lake microbialites. She co-organizes significant research initiatives including the ICERM Workshop on Uncertainty Quantification for Mathematical Biology (May 2025) and the SLMath graduate summer school on Mathematics of Climate, Sea Ice, and Polar Ecosystems (June 2025). Current funding supports research on polar bear navigation, sea ice ecology, and Great Salt Lake microbial communities.
The Reimer lab operates at the interface of mathematics and biology, with members working on diverse projects spanning polar ecology, Great Salt Lake research, and theoretical ecology. The lab maintains strong connections with field researchers in the Arctic and collaborates with biologists, statisticians, and applied mathematicians across institutions. Recent work includes the "Mathpedition" project documenting academia in the Arctic and collaborative efforts with Polar Bears International on educational initiatives.
