Collective Dynamics of Moving Organisms: The Statistical Physics of Self-Propelled Particles

Título: Collective Dynamics of Moving Organisms: The Statistical Physics of Self-Propelled Particles Abstract: Imagine a flock of birds flying in splendid coordination or a swarm of bacteria moving in synchronized patterns. These collective behaviors are at the heart of Active Matter, a fascinating field in Nonequilibrium Statistical Physics that investigates the dynamics of self-propelled entities such as fish, cells, and artificial particles. For larger spatial and temporal scales beyond the typical scope of Active Matter research, the collective behavior of moving organisms enters the realm of Spatial Ecology, where demographic events like birth and death become important. In this context, population-level phenomena are controlled by both movement behavior and ecological interactions. Moreover, external factors such as habitat fragmentation and other forms of environmental heterogeneity can significantly affect the spatial distribution of organisms. I will present some of our contributions to questions in both Active Matter and Spatial Ecology, with applications in Epidemiology. Our research seeks to uncover new physical principles and develop theoretical frameworks for exploring the collective behavior of moving organisms. In the process, we expect to provide insights that establish a dialogue with more applied research and guide data-driven studies, including wildlife conservation efforts, medical treatments and fundamental research in biology.