Bhaktapur Multiple Campus Leads International Conference on Mathematical Biology in Nepal

Pokhara, June 14, 2025
Bhaktapur Multiple Campus (BMC), Tribhuvan University, proudly served as the lead organizer of the International Conference on Mathematical Biology (ICMB-2025) held from June 12–14, 2025, at Hotel Barahi, Pokhara. The event was organized in collaboration with the Central Department of Mathematics, Tribhuvan University and the Mathematical Biology Research Centre–Nepal (MBRC-Nepal), with generous support from the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Themed “Quantitative Modeling and Computation in Life Sciences and Medicine,” the conference brought together 57 participants from 14 countries including the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Israel, South Korea, Japan, India, and Nepal. The formal inauguration was led by Prof. Bed Raj K.C., Vice-Chancellor of Pokhara University, and attended by leading academic and institutional dignitaries.

Objectives of the Conference

The ICMB-2025 was organized with the following key objectives:

• Capacity Building: Train young scientists and faculty in mathematical biology, especially in modeling and computational methods.
• Knowledge Dissemination: Share emerging research trends in the interdisciplinary fields of mathematics, biology, and medicine.
• Collaborative Engagement: Foster partnerships among global experts to solve complex life science problems.
• Local Empowerment: Promote innovative research and teaching in mathematical biology within Nepal.
• Global Inclusion: Encourage diverse participation from early-career researchers, especially from Nepal and South Asia.

Plenary Talks: Bridging Mathematical Theory with Real-World Medical Challenges

The conference featured three eminent plenary speakers, each delivering high-impact presentations that exemplified the role of mathematics in solving critical biomedical issues:

• Prof. Jacques Bélair (University of Montreal, Canada)
  Presented a sophisticated model of the hematopoietic system, incorporating delayed feedback to represent biological time lags in blood cell regulation. His work has direct implications for understanding and predicting the progression of disorders such as leukemia and anemia—particularly valuable in clinical research for developing nations like Nepal.
• Prof. Elissa Schwartz (Washington State University, USA)
  Focused on virus dynamics through within-host and between-host models, her presentation offered insight into infection control, immune response, and treatment optimization. Her models are highly applicable to disease surveillance and intervention planning in Nepal, where viral diseases like dengue, influenza, and COVID-19 are pressing public health concerns.
• Prof. Helen Byrne (University of Oxford, UK)
  Delivered a talk on mathematical modeling of the tumor microenvironment and atherosclerosis, using PDEs and multi-scale models to simulate cellular behavior. Her work emphasized the influence of spatial and environmental factors on disease progression, offering frameworks for personalized cancer treatment—a growing area in Nepal's healthcare system.

Scholarly Contributions: Global Themes with Local Relevance

Beyond the plenary sessions, the conference hosted dozens of invited and contributed speakers. Notable among the Nepal-based scholars were:

• Anjana Pokharel on measles eradication through adult vaccination strategies;
• Nilam Kharel on dengue modeling in the face of climate change in Koshi Province;
• Ananta Upreti on waste management’s impact on dengue transmission in Kathmandu;
• Kabita Luitel on modeling cancer hyperthermia treatment;
• Shyam Raj Subedi on antibiotic resistance dynamics in E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and S. aureus in Nepal.

International speakers from institutions like the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, and National Institute of Technology, India shared pioneering research on viral modeling, ecological systems, infectious disease control, and data-driven medical diagnostics.

Impact and Future Outlook

The ICMB-2025 conference served as a catalytic platform for promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing local scientific capacity, and positioning Nepal as an emerging hub for mathematical biology. It also strengthened links between academic institutions in Nepal and global research communities, opening avenues for future funding, training, and joint publications.

Organized with vision and dedication by Bhaktapur Multiple Campus, this landmark conference exemplified how Nepalese institutions can drive global scientific dialogue while addressing national and regional health priorities through the lens of mathematics.