Olcay Akman is a professor of mathematics at Illinois State University, Normal, IL. He is an editor of two research journals and the director of the Center for Collaborative Studies in Mathematical Biology (CCSMB) and the Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance (IBA). The main part of his research centers in the area of evolutionary computing and computing-intensive modeling in mathematical biology. His editorial work includes Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor for journals in the area of mathematical biology. He is also the main organizer of the International Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research (BEER) and routinely co-organizes Special Sessions for AMS and MAA. Olcay has published extensively in a wide range of fields, including mathematical biology.

Christopher Hay-Jahans is a professor of mathematics at University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, AK. He enjoys teaching any undergraduate mathematics or statistics course. His continued areas of interest include applications of differential equations to geophysical fluid dynamics, other areas within the natural sciences, and applications of linear statistical models. More recently, through the IBA, BEER Symposiums, and activities at summer Cross-institutional Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) workshops sponsored by the IBA, he has developed an interest in mathematical biology and ecology. Chris has published two books on R and, with Olcay Akman, has co-mentored three CURE-related projects that resulted in the publication of articles in the journal SPORA.