Summer 2025

In this summer research project, we introduce a new modeling approach that uses inhomogeneous branching random walks (BRWs) to simulate how bacterial colonies form. Instead of just examining overall growth, our models analyze how both space and time (spatiotemporal factors), as well as a bacterium's lineage or family tree (genealogical factors), influence the growth patterns and ultimate behavior of these colonies. We represent individual bacteria as dynamic nodes in a tree structure within our simulations, allowing us to track their evolution and interactions in a detailed way.

What makes this project particularly valuable is not just the simulation itself, but also the comprehensive background we provide on branching random walks. We studied connections to various biological phenomena and even their ties to partial differential equation (PDE) approaches. This project was an excellent topic for these students who were eager to jump into this interdisciplinary field of research. Plus, we published all the accompanying code to make it a practical, hands-on guide for the next group of students interested in getting started!