About

The underlying theme of the group is the application of rigorous mathematical models to quantitatively analyse and understand in depth problems in science and engineering. We have a wide range of mathematical expertise and techniques in modelling, from partial differential equations, to agent modelling, dynamical systems, or topological methods. Often, the research take place in close interdisciplinary collaborations. As an example, we have developed a very successful model of lithium-ion batteries by combining classical differential equation modelling with asymptotic analysis and state of the art coding to produce a software package that is both fast and comprehensive.  Other examples are the application of asymptotic analysis in controlling aircraft sounds, stochastic methods in modelling gene expression and agent-based techniques in healthcare.  We apply topological data analysis to model phase transitions of mesoscopic physical systems, and to enhance and up-scale optical imaging in medical applications, as precursors to efficient machine learning and data analysis.

Droplets of water falling on water along with their concentric wave patterns

Applicable Resurgent Asymptotics: towards a universal theory. An Isaac Newton Institute Programme

An innovative Southampton initiative, that brought together mathematicians and theoretical physicists from around the world, is helping shed light on complex challenges in mathematics and physics.
  • Image of graphene

    Disorder is Good – Taming disorder in self-assembled materials with topology

    Instead of fighting disorder, we should identify structures that are ordered enough to perform the required function.
    We have combined cutting edge experiments with breakthrough methods from topological data analysis to quantify emerging structure in apparently disordered nano-assemblies and classify their response to light. We aim to design a new generation of controllable nanosystems at a fraction of the cost of the current methods.

People, projects, publications and PhDs

People

Professor Christopher Howls

Professor of Mathematics

Research interests

  • Asymptotic Analysis
  • Semiclassical Analysis
  • Applied Mathematics

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Mr Daniel Baig

Research interests

  • Gauge/Gravity Duality
  • Supergravity
  • Holography
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Professor David Gammack

Associate Dean Education
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Dr David Turton

Principal Research Fellow

Research interests

  • String theory
  • Black holes
  • Holography

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Miss Elisa Marieni

Research interests

  • Supersymmetric Gauge Theories
  • String Theory
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Dr Felix Haehl

UKRI/ERC Frontier Principal Res Fellow

Research interests

  • AdS/CFT duality
  • Black holes in quantum gravity
  • Conformal field theory

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Emeritus Professor Giampaolo D'Alessandro

Research interests

  • Liquid crystals
  • Optics
  • Mathematical modelling
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Professor Giles Richardson

Professor

Research interests

  • Modelling renewable energy storage and generation
  • Modelling in biomedicine

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Dr Gregory Ashton

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • Gravitational-wavesBlack holesNeutron starsComputational Bayesian inferenceDetector character…

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Professor Ian Hawke

Professor

Research interests

  • Numerical relativity
  • Neutron Stars
  • Gravitational waves

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Giampaolo D'Alessandro
Mathematical modelling allows you to see the world as an interconnected whole, with causes and effects, so that we can fulfil knowledgeably our responsibility to sustain it.

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