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Blog Post number 4
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portfolio
Discrete stuctured coordination
A collection of tools for the analysis of an n-player, n-strategy coordination game on a network with neutral options. Considering the game as a dynamical system we describe orbits, equilibria, and stability.
Coordination through nonlinear nonlocal diffusion
Code for the numerical approximation of solutions to the continuous coordination non-local equation.
Structured Replicator Dynamics
Code for the analysis and visualization of replicator dynamics with explicit relational structure in continuous time for both continuous and discrete player spaces.
Wildlife trade networks
Collection of code to model the bidirectional coupling of pathogenic dynamics and economic factors in wildlife trade networks.
publications
An adaptive dynamic model of a vigilance game among group foragers
Journal of Theoretical Biology, 2022
This paper discusses a game theoretic model of vigilance and offers theoretical support to the many eyes hypothesis of group foraging
Recommended citation: McAlister, J.S., Hamilton, I. (2022) An Adaptive Dynamic Model for the Vigilance Game in Group Foragers. Journal of Theoretical Biology. 538:111033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2022.111030
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A new paradigm for pandemic preparedness
Current Epidemiology Reports, 2023
This paper discusses the issues with the current state of pandemic science and a vision for the future.
Recommended citation: Fefferman, N.H., McAlister, J.S., Akpa, B.S., Akwataghibe, K., Azad F.T., BarkleyK., Bleichrodt, A., Blum M.J., Bourouiba, L., Bromberg, Y., Candan K.S., Chowell,G.,Clancey, E., Cathroan, F.A., DeWitte, S.N., Fernandez, P., Finnoff, D., Flaherty, D.T.,Gibson, N.L., Harris, N., He, Q., Lofgren, E.T., Miller, D.L., Moody, J., Muccio, K.,Nunn, C.L., Papes, M., Pachalidis, I.Ch., Pasquale, D.K., Reed, M.J., Rogers, M. B.,Schreiner, C. L., Strand E.B., Swanson C.S., Szabo-Rodgers, H. L., and Ryan, S. J. (2023) A New Paradigm for Pandemic Preparedness. Current Epidemiological Reports. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40471-023-00336-w
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An interdisciplinary perspective of the built-environment microbiome
FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 2025
This paper discusses the challenges of studying the built environment microbiome because of the inherent interdisciplinary nature of the field.
Recommended citation: McAlister, J.S., M.J. Blum, Y. Bromberg, N.H. Fefferman, Q. He, E. Lofgren, D.L.Miller, C. Schreiner, K. Selcuk Candan, H. Szabo-Rogers, and J. M. Reed (2025) An Interdisciplinary Perspective of the Built-Environment Microbiome. FEMS Microbiology Ecology https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiae166
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Edge addition and the change in kemeny’s constant
Discrete Applied Mathematics, 2025
This paper finds upper and lower bounds for the change in Kemeny’s constant under edge addition from a tree
Recommended citation: Kirkland, S., Li, C., McAlister, J.S., and Zhang, X. (2023) Edge Addition and the Change in Kemeny's Constant. Discrete Applied Mathematics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dam.2025.04.031
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Insights into the coordination game with neutral options through simulation
Dynamic Games and Applications, 2025
A simulation study of the neutral coordination of a random graphs to gain an insight into the relationship between structure and equilibrium.
Recommended citation: McAlister, J.S., Fefferman N. H. (2025) Insights into the coordination game withneutral options through simulation. Dynamic Games and Applications https://doi.org/10.1007/s13235-024-00612-4
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A game theoretic treatment of contagion in trade networks
Under Review at PLOS Computational Biology, 2025
In this paper we examine a game theoretic model of the wildlife trade network and investigate how network structure impacts spillover risk of disease.
Recommended citation: McAlister J. S., Brunner, J.L., Galvin, D. J., Fefferman, N.H. (2025) A Game Theoretic Treatment of Contagion in Trade Networks. Submitted to PLOS computational Biology. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2504.06905
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A nonlinear nonlocal diffusion equation for the analysis of continuous coordination and anti-coordination type games
Under Review at the Journal of Mathematical Biology, 2025
I introduce a continuous model of a modified coordination game and examine the dynamic and equilibrium properties of the resulting nonlinear nonlocal diffusion equation.
Recommended citation: McAlister J.S., Fefferman, N.H. Mengesha, T.A. (2025) Nonlinear Nonlocal Diffusion Equation for the Analysis of Continuous Coordination and Anti-coordination Type Games. submitted to Journal of Mathematical Biology. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2506.13929
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talks
Replicator Dynamics on Networks
Published:
teaching
MATH 119 College Algebra
Graduate Teaching, University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Department of Mathematics, 2021
College Algebra is a developmental math course which helps students arriving to college without a strong math background prepare to take collegate math. The course reviews and covers topics from algebra I and II including solutions to systems of linear equations, solving polynomial and rational equations, and the basics of plotting.
MATH 125 - Basic Calculus
Graduate Teaching, University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Department of Mathematics, 2022
Basic Calculus is a course covering the fundamentals of differential and integral calculus with a heavy emphasis on computation. While the course does not interogate much theory, students develop an understanding of the basic tools of calculs and how they can be used.
MATH 113 - Mathematical Reasoning
Graduate Teaching (instructor of record), University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Department of Mathematics, 2022
Mathematical Reasoning is a course geared towards undergraduate students who are looking to get a broad understanding of types of mathematics with a heavy emphasis on reasoning and a reduced emphasis on computation
Applied Math Undergraduate Research
Mentorship, University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Department of Mathematics, 2024
I was lucky enough to get ot mentor a very talented undergrad from UPenn through a research project about classifying limits of solutions to a model arising form the Theory of planned behavior.