The workshop/course (Teaching Individual/Agent-Based Modeling) is designed for researchers and instructors who want to add individual-based modeling to their research and teaching programs. I developed an interest in individual-based modeling after learning more about the potential applications of this technique to my field (ecotoxicology) at a workshop on ecological risk assessment last year. I see individual-based modeling as potentially transformative to my research program - because I can move from testing effects of contaminants on individuals to predicting effects on populations, which has the greatest applications to management of organisms in the wild. I would like to attend this course to learn how to create individual-based models, to determine how heavily I will need to rely on collaboration to expand this portion of my research program. I am also very excited about the fact that the course is designed to teach people that have never used individual-based models how to teach the skill to others! If I can master the material enough to teach a course, I would be very interested in potentially introducing an individual-based modeling course at Virginia Tech (or incorporating the concepts into a quantitative ecotoxicology course), since I plan to be here for at least the next year and as far as I am aware, no courses on this material are currently being taught. Thus, I believe this workshop would be extremely valuable to my research and potentially to teaching, as well.

Expenses for this course are listed below, and excerpts from my 'acceptance letter' are provided to justify costs.

Expenses:
Registration: $600.00 (http://www2.humboldt.edu/ibm/apply.html)
Lodging: $324.50 (see below)
Flight: $550.00 (Greensboro, NC to San Francisco, CA)

Dear Serena Ciparis,

It’s my understanding that professor Steve Railsback has accepted your application to participate in the Individual/Agent-based Modeling (IBM) workshop, to be held at Humboldt State University, July 27-31, 2015. CONGRATULATIONS! My name is Ward Angles and I am assisting in the coordination of the course, which is offered through the Humboldt State University College of eLearning & Extended Education.

We had more applicants than we have space for, so to guarantee your space in the workshop, please complete the REGISTRATION FORM and submit the payment online. Please be assured that this information goes to our Secure Server.

On-campus lodging will also be available in the College Creek Apartments complex. The rate is $324.50 (July 26-30), double occupancy, or $359.50, single occupancy (rates include breakfast and dinner in the campus dining facility).