Comparative Biomedical Sciences
Co-instructor: CBS595, ECE492/592 & PB495/595 Systems Biology Modeling of Multicellular Organisms (Fall 2018, 2019)
The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the field of systems biology with a focus on mathematical modeling. Students will learn approaches that are used to integrate biological data with mathematical, statistical, and computational approaches in order to gain insights into structure and behavior of complex multicellular systems.
Lecture: CBS565 Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences (Nov 2019)
Computational and Quantitative Biology
Mechanistic mathematical models: what they are and why we use them in biology
Lecture: CBS810-C Cell Biology Seminar Series (April 2018)
Studying lipid regulation of ion channels using molecular simulation
This lecture for cell biology graduate students focused on how and why one would use a computational approach to address a question about membrane proteins. Strengths and limitations of both empirical and computational approaches were addressed. Discussion also highlighted how computational models can point to novel hypotheses that suggest alternative experimental strategies and when it might be appropriate to approach a modeller about designing integrative research approaches.
Lecture: CBS787 Pharmacokinetics (Nov 2017)
Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling: Case studies
This lecture for pharmacology graduate students addressed the ‘nuts & bolts’ of physiologically based pharmacokinetic & pharmacodynamic models. Emphasis was placed on: (1) under what circumstances one would adopt a PBPK approach rather than a simpler PK model; (2) how such models can be used to predict physiological outcomes; and (3) what decisions must be made to tailor the model’s structure to the compound in question. Further discussion touched on parameterization and the question of modeling inter-individual variability. All concepts were conveyed via research case studies originating from the EMRLab.
Lecture: CBS800 CBS Seminar Series (Oct 2016)
Math + Biochemistry + Physiology: An examination of toxicity and lipid-mediated toxicity reversal using integrative physiological models
This lecture for new students in the Comparative Biomedical Sciences graduate program addressed Dr Akpa’s career path from a foundation in chemical engineering to a research program in systems biomedicine. Discussion focused on the unique role her computational approaches played in explaining the mechanisms underlying lipid emulsion therapy for anesthetic overdose.
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Co-instructor: CBS595, ECE492/592 & PB495/595 Systems Biology Modeling of Multicellular Organisms (Fall 2018)
Guest lecture: ECE492/592 & PB495/595 Systems Biology Modeling of Plant Regulation (Nov 2017)