Abstracts 2025/26
Abstracts Term 1
13 October 2025: Luke Davis (University of Edinburgh)
Title: Stochastic geometry of active (living) matter
Abstract: Living and biological systems are typically found in, or are proximal to, nonequilibrium environments. Indeed, much of this nonequilibriumness arises from the energy conversion of individual constituents which, when coupled with many-body interactions, results in striking collective behaviour. Such systems are the focus of a growing field of statistical physics called active matter. As one can imagine, the far-from-equilibrium behaviour of active matter presents several serious challenges to the equilibrium framework of thermodynamics. Here, in an effort to bridge these problems, we explore (for the first time) the stochastic geometry of active matter. This stochastic geometry, e.g., the averaged room to accommodate another sphere, relates exactly to the equation of state for equilibrium hard spheres. We here extend this idea to active systems by analysing the insertion space for repulsive active particles in one and two dimensions using both on- and off-lattice models. In 1D we derive closed-form expressions for the mean insertion cavity size, cavity number, and total insertion volume, all in excellent agreement with simulations. Strikingly, activity increases the total insertion volume and tends to keep the insertion space more connected. These results provide the first quantitative foundation for the stochastic geometry of active matter, and opens up a new route to building a thermodynamics of active and living systems.
Refs: Insertion space in repulsive active matter, L. K. Davis & K. Proesmans arXiv 2509.08131 (2025)
20 October 2025: Jonathan Potts (University of Sheffield)
Title: Nonlocal advection-diffusion for modelling organism space use and movement
Abstract: How do mobile organisms situate themselves in space? This is a fundamental question in both ecology and cell biology but, since space use is an emergent feature of movement processes operating on small spatio-temporal scales, it requires a mathematical approach to answer. In recent years, increasing empirical research has shown that non-locality is a key aspect of movement processes, whilst mathematical models have demonstrated its importance for understanding emergent space use patterns. In this talk, I will describe a broad class of models for modelling the space use of interacting populations, whereby directed movement is in the form of non-local advection. I will detail various methods for ascertaining pattern formation properties of these models, fundamental for answering the question of how organisms situate themselves in space, and describe some of the rich variety of patterns that emerge. I will also explain how to connect these models to data on animal and cellular movement.
27 October 2025: Mrinal Kanti Pal (The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, India)
Title: Complex Trophic Structure Imparts Stability to Large Diverse Ecosystems
Abstract: The long-standing diversity-stability debate in ecology stems from a fundamental paradox: while empirical observations suggest that highly diverse ecosystems, such as tropical rainforests and coral reefs, exhibit stability, mathematical models—including the generalized Lotka-Volterra framework and May’s random matrix theory—predict that increasing diversity should lead to instability. Resolving this contradiction is crucial, especially in the face of accelerating biodiversity loss, necessitating theoretical frameworks that reconcile these opposing perspectives and generate ecologically realistic predictions. Existing models mostly use pre-assembled assembly of species, and thus ignores the evolving, dynamic nature of species assembly (through invasions and extinctions) in real ecosystems. By incorporating sequential species introduction, we demonstrate that higher diversity can coexist with stability - in contrast to earlier modeling approaches. Furthermore, prevailing models assume species homogeneity and intrinsic stability for all species, whereas we distinguish between producers and consumers, with the latter not possessing inherent stability. We find that reducing consumer proportion relative to producers enhances overall diversity. Further, consumer species extinctions trigger significantly stronger cascading effects than producer extinctions. Another critical aspect we uncover is the variety of interaction types among species. We show that incorporating more exploitative interactions leads to higher stability, with greater proportion of predation among the consumers enhancing system robustness and supporting greater species diversity. Finally, we address a relatively unexplored phenomenon in community assembly, viz., sequential species additions and deletions help in creating different trophic levels. Our findings reveal that ecosystems with more trophic levels exhibit greater robustness to perturbations, emphasizing the stabilizing role of apex predators in complex ecological networks.
03 November 2025: Ruth Bowness (University of Bath)
Title: Modelling Infectious Diseases Within the Host: From Tuberculosis to COVID-19
Abstract: Most infectious disease models focus on transmission between individuals, yet the processes occurring within an infected host are equally critical to understanding disease dynamics and improving treatment outcomes. This seminar will explore mathematical and computational models that capture the complex interactions between pathogens, immune responses, and therapeutics within host tissues.
Focusing on pulmonary infections, particularly tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19, we will discuss multi-scale individual-based and network models that simulate infection progression across lung environments. For TB, the models reproduce granuloma formation, bacterial phenotypic switching, and antibiotic pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, offering insights into relapse mechanisms and treatment personalisation. For SARS-CoV-2, adaptations of the TB modelling framework allow exploration of epithelial infection dynamics, cytokine regulation, and immune response timing.
Together, these models highlight how within-host computational approaches can bridge experimental data and clinical application, supporting the development of personalised therapies and improved understanding of infectious disease behaviour in complex biological systems.
10 November 2025: Vasthi Alonso Chavez (Rothamsted Research)
Title: TBC
Abstract: TBC
17 November 2025: Diana Meza (University of Warwick)
Title: TBC
Abstract: TBC
17 November 2025: Steve Wu (University of Warwick)
Title: TBC
Abstract: TBC
17 November 2025: Elliot Vincent (University of Warwick)
Title: Modelling the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a sustainable method of crop disease control
Abstract: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is widely acknowledged to be an effective method of crop disease control. It is increasingly being seen as a viable way forward as chemical pesticides face increasing legal constraints, as well as disease resistance, globally. In the UK government's 2025 Pesticides National Action Plan they listed "Encourage uptake of Integrated Pest Management" as the first of three major objectives. Despite this, adoption of IPM in the UK has been limited. Many farmers incorporate some IPM practices into their farming, but few consider it as a large-scale, long-term alternative to pesticide use. There are a large number of behavioural factors contributing to this, including the complexity and effort of IPM compared to conventional fungicide regimes; and the perception that IPM is expensive and ineffective.
In our work, we combine epidemiological and behavioural modelling to explore the current state of IPM adoption in the UK. We investigate whether the 2030 pesticide-reduction targets outlined in the Pesticides National Action Plan are likely to be achieved under current conditions, and following this, we investigate the potential effectiveness of different types of incentive schemes at encouraging IPM adoption.
24 November 2025: Caroline Trotter (University of Cambridge)
Title: TBC
Abstract: TBC
1 December 2025: Leon Danon (University of Bristol)
Title: TBC
Abstract: TBC
8 December 2025: Freya Bull (UCL)
Title: TBC
Abstract: TBC