Students present neurological research at 2025 Joint Mathematics Meetings in Seattle
At Salve Regina, students have been hard at work using mathematical modeling to enhance the understanding of Parkinson’s disease. This research, headed by Dr. Edward Dougherty, associate professor of mathematics, led mathematics major Toni McCoy and chemistry major Morgan Peritz to present at the 2025 Joint Mathematics Meetings in Seattle – the largest gathering of mathematicians in the world.
McCoy’s research, “A Machine Learning Based Approach for Reverse Engineering a Biomathematical Model of Parkinson’s Disease Intracellular Processes,” explored mathematical equations and machine learning to model biological processes of brain cells, potentially accelerating the development of new treatments.
We sat down with McCoy to break down the numbers behind her research and share what it was like to present among the brightest mathematical minds in the world.
Q+A with Toni McCoy
Q: How would you describe your research to someone without a math background?
A: Essentially, we can create these math equations that behave identically to the cells in your brain. But the coefficients, which would be the rate of interaction between the equations of these equations, are unknown. For example, it is like not knowing the “m” in y = mx+b, the equation of a line. Since we do not know the coefficients, the equations cannot be used, so our goal was to generate coefficients that make the equations work.
Q: How did you become interested in this intersection of machine learning, biomathematics and Parkinson’s disease research?
A: Funnily enough, when I first came to Salve I was a biology major, but halfway through my first year I switched to be a mathematics major. When Dr. Dougherty presented at the Data Science Colloquium last spring, I was super intrigued by the capabilities that differential equations and machine learning had. At the end of his presentation, he said that he was looking for researchers for the summer and I was all in. I’m interested in bigger picture biology and mathematical modeling, so biomathematics is the perfect combination of the two.
Q: How did the RI-INBRE SURF program support your research journey? What opportunities did it provide for your development as a student and researcher?
A: My research is funded by a grant through the RI-INBRE SURF program. The program made all its researchers excited to conduct research and they really supported us every step of the way. Morgan and I were able to attend workshops, meet professors from other universities and it allowed us to access additional facilities, such as 3D printing, that complemented Salve’s resources.
Q: What was it like to attend the 2025 Joint Mathematics Meetings in Seattle?
A: It was a very interesting experience. If you told me freshman year that I would be going to a math conference, I would not believe you. It was so inspiring to be around such intelligent people who have dedicated their lives to so many fields of math.
Q: Can you share your experience presenting your research at the conference poster session?
A: It was a great opportunity to talk to professors and other mathematicians about my research and hear their feedback. It was cool to flip the script and be the one teaching about the methods I used. I even had one professor tell me that she would be on the lookout for our publication. So, it was very validating to know that people are interested in the work we’re doing.
It was also fantastic to see what other students were researching and presenting. To walk around and see how proud all of the presenters were of each other and ourselves was a really awesome experience.
Q: Were there any sessions, keynote presentations or conversations that particularly inspired or influenced you while attending the conference?
A: We attended presentations covering topics in differential equations, geometry and machine learning. These presentations opened my eyes to how much more math exists outside of what we learn as undergraduate students. These presentations have inspired me to keep on pursuing higher education and continue learning more.
Q: How has studying math at Salve Regina prepared you for conducting and presenting research at this level?
A: Studying math at Salve has taught me that math is more than just numbers. The support from my professors is something that has really prepared me, as I didn’t know how diverse this field is and their encouragement made it possible. Dr. Dougherty is the best. He is very knowledgeable about what he teaches and makes learning very accessible to us. Working under Dr. Dougherty’s mentorship has allowed me to learn coding skills that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn otherwise and apply them to important research.
It was amazing to present at this level and to have this hands-on experience outside of a classroom setting. The work I have been doing has real-world applications and exposed me to research I could be doing professionally.
Q: Has Salve’s mission influenced how you’ve approached this research?
A: On the surface, classes like calculus, differential equations or complex variables don’t seem like they would apply to the Critical Concerns of Mercy. But, using math to help understand disease progression and treatment – like I have in my research – has really opened my eyes to how I am actively making the world more harmonious, just and merciful.
Q: What advice would you give to current or future Salve students who might be interested in pursuing research or attending conferences?
A: Take any opportunity that is available to you. You’re never going to know if you enjoy something if you don’t try it. Since it’s our last year at Salve, my roommates and I keep coining different events our “favorite Salve memory,” and my research and attending the Joint Mathematics Conference are absolutely on the top of my list.
