My research uses mathematical and computational modelling to explore the dynamics of biological, ecological and environmental systems, including tissue organisation during embryonic development, cancer invasion, animal migration and environmental structure. In the above links you can find images and movies highlighting this research.
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Pattern formation and self organisation
How do our early embryonic cells and tissues organise into the complicated adult organism? We develop and analyse a variety of models, including reaction-diffusion systems, chemotaxis models, mechanical and cell adhesion models to understand the basis of pattern formation during embryonic development, with particular interest on feather arrangement and pigmentation patterns.
Animal navigation and homing
How do animals find their way through their environment? To explore such questions we have developed multiscale models that incorporate key environmental inputs, varying from ocean and wind currents to geomagnetic field data and topography. Current projects include exploring which guidance cues turtles use to locate remote nesting sites and how the perception range of animals influences their movement and population structuring.
Cell migration and invasion
How does the cell's environment influence its migratory pathway? We are using multiscale modelling to explore the basic drivers and regulators of cell movement, including the important roles played by chemotaxis and cellular adhesion and how feedback between remodelling of the extracellular matrix and contact guidance can structure invasion pathways.
Homoeostasis, healing and disease.
We have developed a variety models that help understand how tissues are maintain and healed, or the processes that lead to cancerous growth and spread. Particular problems include utilising diffusion tensor imaging data to help predict the anisotropic growth of brain tumours and understand the stem cell regulation of epithelium populations.Â
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