The 6th G. J. Butler Memorial Conference on Differential Equations and Population Biology - in Memory of H. I. Freedman

 

The Sixth G. J. Butler International Conference on Differential Equations and Population Biology will be held on the University of Alberta campus, Edmonton, during July 23-27, 2018. This conference in the memory of our late colleague, Geoffrey James Butler, follows five highly successful previous such conferences. The Butler conference series has developed into a premier international event in the highly active research field of differential equations, nonlinear dynamics, and mathematical biology, with a distinct Canadian character.


Each Butler conference will feature a Butler Speaker, a distinguished researcher who will deliver three Butler Memorial Lectures throughout the conference. The Butler Speaker for 2018 will be Professor Yang Kuang of Arizona State University. Previous Butler Speakers were Professors Paul Waltman, Jean Mahwin, Jack Hale, Gail Wolkowicz, and Jianhong Wu.


The scientific scope of the Butler conference covers two important fields of research. In differential equations, the scope covers ODEs, PDEs, FDEs, and abstract dynamical systems. The scope on population biology has grown from the traditional ecology to include microbiology, epidemiology, physiology, cell biology, systems biology, immunology and other medical applications. With researchers from two research fields in close contact for a concentrated period, the Butler conference presents a unique opportunity to promote and nurture cross-disciplinary collaborations and interdisciplinary research. Many of the plenary speakers are world leaders in interdisciplinary research.


An important tradition of the Butler conference is its emphasis on promoting research and training of graduate students and young researchers. Special funds are designated for the reduction of registration fees for all student/postdoc participants and for accommodation support for selected student/postdoc participants. The regional, national and international network that has formed through the Butler conference series will be extremely beneficial for graduate students and young researchers.


Hope to see you in Edmonton.


Hao Wang (Chair), hao8@ualberta.ca

Michael Li, myli@ualberta.ca

Zhongwei Shen, zhongwei@ualberta.ca


Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

University of Alberta

Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G1

Canada

 

Scientific Program

 

The scientific program of the Butler Conference consists of a variety of formats.

The Butler Memorial Lectures

Each Butler Conference will feature a Butler Speaker, a distinguished researcher who will deliver three Butler Memorial Lectures throughout the conference. The Butler Speaker for 2018 will be Professor Yang Kuang of Arizona State University. Previous Butler Speakers were Professors Paul Waltman, Jean Mahwin, Jack Hale, Gail Wolkowicz, and Jianhong Wu.

Plenary Lectures

One-hour plenary lectures are given by leaders in differential equations and mathematical biology. They represent a broad spectrum of research expertise with emphasis on interdisciplinary research.

Jifa Jiang (Shanghai Normal University, China)

Rachel Kuske (Georgia Tech)

Mark Lewis (U Alberta)

Shigui Ruan (U Miami)

Gauthier Sallet (University of Lorraine, France)

Pauline van den Driessche (U Victoria)

Howie Weiss (Georgia Tech)

Gail Wolkowicz (McMaster)

Xiaoqiang Zhao (Memorial U of Newfoundland)

Xingfu Zou (Western Ontario)

Oral Presentations

These include 20-40 minute invited and contributed talks on original research in any area of differential equations, mathematical biology and their

interactions. We hope that, by bringing together researchers from these two broad research fields in close contact for a concentrated period, the

Butler Conference will help to promote and nurture cross-disciplinary collaborations and interdisciplinary research.

The deadline for submission of talk abstract is June 30, 2018.

 

Poster Sessions

We welcome poster presentations on original research within the scientific scope of the Butler Conference. Accepted posters will be displayed at the

conference venue through the conference. Participants will view and discuss the posters during coffee breaks.

The deadline for submission of poster abstract is June 30, 2018.

 

Social Activities

As a tradition, the Butler Conference will provide a variety of social activities to facilitate exchange of ideas among participants and foster research collaborations. In addition to morning and afternoon coffee breaks, there will a welcome reception on July 22, 2018 (Sunday), the conference banquet and an open afternoon on July 25, 2018 (Wednesday). These social activities will come at no extra cost to participants who have paid their registration fees.

 

Schedule

Welcome reception at the Aurora Room of Lister Centre at 5:30PM - 9:30PM on Sunday, July 22

*Food and drinks will be provided in welcome reception

 

All talks will be given in ED N 2-115 and ED 254

 

Banquet at the faculty club (downstairs) on July 25, 2018, Wednesday

*Time: 7:00 pm dinner, 6:30 cash bar

 

The conference lasts for five days. However, the afternoon of Wednesday is for free activities including social activities and tourism. The last talk will end at noon of Friday, so it is OK to leave in the afternoon of Friday.

 

Important Deadlines

 Talk and Poster Abstract Submission

 June 30, 2018

 Submission to Special Issue (Freedman)

 August 31, 2018

 Application for Student Support

 April 30, 2018


Registration

Registration Information
You have three options for registration. We encourage everyone to register and submit your abstract using the online form so that your information is automatically collected in a master spreadsheet. If you have trouble accessing the online form, please use the registration by fax option.


1. On-line registration (preferred method). 

Instructions: Fill out the the Online Registration Form

Payment by credit card. If you do not wish to submit credit card information in the online form (nonsecure), you may provide the credit card information using the hard copy Credit Card Form, and fax the completed form to:

            2018 Butler Conference (Att'n: Hao Wang)
            fax number: +1 (780) 492-6826


2. Registration by fax. 
Download and print the 
registration form. Fax the completed form with your credit card information to:

2018 Butler Conference (Att'n: Hao Wang) 
Fax number: 1 (780) 492-6826.


3. Registration by regular mail. 
Download and print the 
registration form. Mail the completed form with your payment to:

2018 Butler Conference
Att'n: Hao Wang
University of Alberta 
Edmonton, Alberta 
T6G 2G1 Canada


4. Registration fees (in Canadian dollars). 
The registration fee includes conference programs, morning and afternoon coffee breaks, a welcome reception, and the conference banquet. All participants,
including plenary speakers and local participants, need to register. The name tag and the banquet ticket will be given in the program package.

 Fee category

 Registration Fee

 Faculty 

 CAD $280

 Students/PDF/Retired

 CAD $140

 

Accommodations

Both on-campus and off-campus accommodation options are available for G. J. Butler Memorial Conference participants. On-campus accommodation are student residences at the Lister Center. Single room, two-bedroom/four bedroom apartments are available.

Many off-campus hotels on the Whyte Avenue or in downtown are connected to the campus by direct buses or LRT (subway), within a 15-minute ride. We have reserved blocks of rooms at several hotels to secure group rates.

On-Campus Residences

Schaffer Hall at the Lister Centre

Lister Centre is the main student residence on campus. It is within 10 minutes walk to all on-campus facilities. We have reserved a block of rooms at the Schäffer Hall residence for Americas Conference participants.

Schäffer Hall offers fantastic value with bright, comfortable single rooms with private washrooms. Each room features windows that open and black-out blinds and a work desk for your convenience. It offers the following complimentary services:

 High-speed internet access (Wi-Fi)

 Refrigerator & sink (in shared kitchen)

 Cable television (in shared lounge)

 Free local calls (in shared lounge)

Schäffer Hall also offers common areas featuring lounges with comfortable seating, kitchens, and laundry machines.

For more details and contact information, visit the UofA Guest Services website:

https://www.conference.ualberta.ca/accommodation/summer-accommodation

We have retained a block of rooms at the Lister Centre for participants of the Butler Conference with special rates (in Canadian Dollars): 

 Hotel Guest Room: $99.00 + tax

 Private Dorm Room with 1 Single Bed - single occupancy: $72.00 + tax

 Traditional Dorm Room with 1 Single Bed: $52.00 + tax

 Traditional Dorm Room with 2 Single Beds - twin occupancy: $62.00 + tax

 

To reserve a room, download the reservation form:
Room Reservation Form for G.J. Butler Memorial Conference Participants

Send the completed form to the UofA Guest Services either by fax: +1 (780) 492-5597 or by email: guest.services@ualberta.ca.

Contact number for the Lister Centre front desk is: +1 (780) 492-6056.

Please identify the group name "G.J. Butler Memorial Conference" when making reservations.

Reserve as soon as you can (before June 22, 2018) to ensure availability.

 

Off-Campus Hotels

Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown

10425 100th Ave, +1 (780) 423-5611

Located in the heart of downtown Edmonton, hotel guests at the Comfort Inn and Suites Downtown Edmonton can enjoy the very best that Alberta's Capital City has to offer. Within walking distance of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and the University of Alberta the hotel is the perfect place for your trip to Edmonton. The hotel is also connected to the UofA campus by our subway: LRT (within 10 minutes). Get off at the University Station in the direction of Century Park. Visit the hotel website for more information and specials: 
Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown

We have reserved a block of rooms under the group name "G.J. Butler Memorial Conference" with the following special rates (in Canadian Dollars):

 1 Queen Bed, No Smoking:  $97 + tax 

 1 King Bed, No Smoking: $97 + tax

 2 Queen Beds, No Smoking:  $107 + tax

 

Note: The above rates are for one or two persons in each room. For the third person, extra $10 will be charged.

Rates include:

 Delux breakfast

 Wifi internet

 Parking is only extra $5/night/car

 

To reserve a room, call the hotel TOLL FREE NUMBER 1888-384-6835, and mention group name "G.J. Butler Memorial Conference". Please book as soon as you can (before June 29, 2018) to ensure availability.

 

Varscona Hotel on Whyte

8206 106 St, +1 (780) 434-6111.

The hotel is located on the Whyte Avenue (82 Avenue) in the historical Old Strathcona area near the campus, where there are many nice restaurants, bars, and shops. The hotel is on the routes of several direct buses to campus within 10 minutes bus ride. It is also within 30 minutes walk to campus.

We have reserved a block of rooms for our participants under group name "GJ Butler Memorial Conference".

Group Rate:  $150 + tax per night.

Use the online link below to make quick & easy reservations:

https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Hotel=74710&Chain=22931&arrive=1/2/2018&depart=1/3/2018&adult=1&child=0&group=1807GJBUTL

Check out our property www.varscona.com

The following services are complimentary with your stay to ensure your comfort and convenience:

Valet or Self-Parking

Executive Breakfast Buffet

Hosted Evening Wine & Cheese Tasting

Hi-speed Wi-Fi

Unlimited Local phone calls & toll free calls

Fitness Centre

Business Centre

Bike Rental

*Note: Rate is based on availability. If you are unable to book into the block at the preferred rate, please contact Pat Smith, Email: psmith@varscona.com

Callers MUST mention they are with the GJ Butler Memorial Conference to receive the group rate.

Reserve as soon as you can (before June 22, 2018) to ensure availability.