I am actively working on projects in microbial ecology (dynamical systems/applied PDE), forest-savanna models (mean-field theory/applied PDE), and mathematical epidemiology (within-host malaria models/applied PDE). Please get in touch to discuss the specifics of potential research projects and funding.
Prospective PhD Students
Durham offers a number of fully-funded PhD scholarships each year, including the DDTF, CSC scholarships, and SCOPE schemes, among other opportunities. I am happy to discuss these with interested applicants — please contact me directly. The application deadline(s) for this funding is usually in January.
Master Thesis and Final Year Project Topics
- The Mathematics of Evolution (Masters/4th year, 2025/2026)
Undergraduate Summer Research
I have been fortunate to supervise many excellent undergraduate researchers at Brandeis, Princeton, and Durham universities, and I personally benefited enormously from undertaking summer research as an undergrad. I am always open to discussing potential summer research opportunities with interested students.
Recent funding for summer students has come from the London Mathematical Society and Durham’s Biophysical Sciences Institute. Applications for these schemes are due around January, so please contact me as early as possible to discuss funding opportunities. Durham Maths students might also consider joining our structured Mathematics Summer Research Award scheme [Durham login required]. See below for a list of recent projects.
Summer 2025 — Durham University
| Student | Year | Project | Funder | Next position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Black | 3rd | Backward bifurcations in malaria models | London Mathematical Society | PhD student, Cambridge |
| Thomas Mills | 3rd | Mathematical modelling of vegetation dynamics | ||
| Aidan Flatt | 2nd | Mathematics of pattern formation | Collingwood College bursary | |
| Sarah Mitchell | 2nd | Resilience modelling in medicine and ecology | Collingwood College bursary | |
| Francesca Darkins | 1st | Ecosystem resilience in a changing climate | NERC Research Experience Placement |
Summer 2024 — Durham University
| Student | Year | Project | Funder | Next position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Shaw | 3rd | Microbial coexistence with resource toxicity | Durham Biophysical Sciences Institute | PhD student, Oxford |
| Ewan Green | 3rd | Mathematical modelling of microbial coexistence | London Mathematical Society |
Princeton & Brandeis
| Student | Institution | Project | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimberly Shen | Princeton, Summer 2023 & Senior Thesis | Fire spread in forest-savanna ecosystems | PACM Best Research Project Prize; published in J. Math. Biology |
| Oliver Liang | Brandeis, Fall 2021 | Collective dynamics of mobile particles | |
| Jingman Li & Yuning Liu | Brandeis, Fall 2020 | Network epidemic models | |
| Hange Zhu | Brandeis, Spring 2020 | Pattern formation in heterogeneous domains | |
| Hanyu Song | Brandeis, Summer 2019 | Mathematical models of somitogenesis |