What a Mouthful! Modeling Geographic Tongue as a Reaction Diffusion System

Student: Margaret McGuire
Major: Mathematics
Advisors: Dr. R. Drew Pasteur, Dr. Robert Kelvey

CoRE Award for Critical Digital Engagement
1st Place (tie)

Geographic tongue is a condition of unknown cause characterized by chronic lesions on the surface of the tongue. The condition’s appearance of wave fronts suggests the condition can be modeled as a reaction-diffusion system. Here we construct a model of geographic tongue using reaction-diffusion equations and Objective-C to suggest that the underlying cause of geographic tongue may be a reaction-diffusion system. We demonstrate and explain the model’s behavior on a sinusoidal surface and on a hemisphere to illustrate its qualitative similarities to laboratory experiments. We show our final model of reaction diffusion waves propagating on the tongue and compare it to patients who have geographic tongue. We then identify next steps in modeling and future projects that would extend our work.
*This presentation is only available to College of Wooster students, faculty, and staff.

View on Microsoft Stream
Margaret will be online to field comments on May 8:
10am-noon EDT (Asia: late evening, PST 6am-8am, Africa/Europe: late afternoon)

Posted in I.S. Symposium, Independent Study on May 4, 2020.