Physician Tim Shine is finding success with Mathematica even though he doesn't have a programming or mathematical background. He says about the software, "It had enough ease of use that I could get started with it. It's very fulfilling to come to this environment and bring your questions because it broadens your insight into what really is in your data."

Shine used Mathematica to define and manipulate parameters to create a good fit for complex physiological data about the blood pressure curve. "Using the Manipulate command, I can adjust the curve to fit theoretical situations and try many different experiments quickly," says Shine. "It just adds precision and accuracy to what we're doing." Shine hopes his model will lead to an elasticity index, which he says could improve blood pressure treatment and management in the general public.

Related Links

• Mayo Clinic