Dr Mathias Foo

Biography

I am currently an Associate Professor in Control and Engineering Biology, in the School of Engineering, University of Warwick, UK.

I obtained my PhD degree in Electronics & Electrical Engineering from the Department of Electrical and Electronics EngineeringLink opens in a new window, The University of MelbourneLink opens in a new window, Australia, Melbourne, Australia in 2012, under the supervision of Prof. Erik Weyer, where I worked on modelling and control design of river systems (click hereLink opens in a new window for access to my PhD thesis).

Prior joining University of Warwick, I was an Assistant Professor in Control Engineering at the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Automotive EngineeringLink opens in a new window, Coventry UniversityLink opens in a new window, UK from 2018-2021, I was a Research Fellow in Warwick Integrative Synthetic Biology Centre (WISB)Link opens in a new window, School of Engineering, University of WarwickLink opens in a new window, UK, in the research group of Prof. Declan Bates. from 2015-2018. I was a Postdoctoral Fellow in Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics (APCTP)Link opens in a new window in Pohang, South Korea from 2012-2015, in the research group of Dr. Pan-Jun Kim. I was a tutor/lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering, Multimedia UniversityLink opens in a new window, Malaysia from 2002-2007.

Research Interests

My primary research interests are dynamical systems modelling and control of biological system. I have mostly studied on plant gene regulatory network and my research mainly focuses on application of engineering design principles for synthetic biology application to improve crop productivity.

News

• May 2025: Our latest work Link opens in a new windowlooks at designing kernel function to estimate long impulse responses for the first time. We propose an incremental approach for the design of multiple-kernels, where the kernels are added sequentially in a structured manner, with checks to ensure that they match practical expectations. The proposed method possesses the advantages of simplicity, low computational complexity, good numerical conditioning and high feasibility in practical applications. We applied this approach to vehicle suspension system subject to two different grades of road classification. The proposed technique outperformed the current state-of-the-art diagonal-correlated and single Kautz kernels, in terms of highest output fit and the lowest uncertainty under real-world conditions on four separate experimental datasets. Moreover, the proposed approach successfully captured multiple resonances in the system, making this approach useful for identifying systems with multiple resonances. This is a joint work with Ai Hui Tan from Multimedia university.
• May 2025: Alex, Tea and I, were invited to South Korea from 19 to 23 May 2025 as part of a Korea-UK Biohealth International Collaborative Research Grant. This initiative, launched by the South Korean government, aims to foster joint research in key healthcare sectors while promoting collaboration and strengthening research competitiveness between the two nations. During our visit, we engaged with collaborators from Seoul National University (SNU), Kyungpook National University (KNU), and Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). Alex and I delivered invited talks at SNU and KNU on our recent work in control and engineering biology, highlighting its potential to advance the design of synthetic biology circuits. Tea presented her PhD research during lab group meetings at KNU and POSTECH. A highly productive visit that sparks new research ideas and provides valuable experimental support for theoretical validation. We look forward to deepening these collaborative efforts and contributing to the development of future healthcare technologies.
• Apr 2025: Our latest paperLink opens in a new window published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface looks at designing biological network motif controller using “reverse engineering” Hill function type model from linear model approach. Obtaining Hill function model kinetic parameters that ensure these biological controllers achieve perfect adaptation (good reference tracking) is often non-trivial. In this study, instead of using optimisation to search parameter space, which is often computational intensive, we utilise linear control design tools to obtain conditions that ensure perfect adaptation, then we map these conditions to the Hill function model. These reverse-engineered Hill function models provide us initial kinetic parameters that are able to achieve perfect adaptation with potential improvement through fine-tuning. This work is a joint work with my colleague Alexander Darlington as well as Xun Tang and Thales Rossi Spartalis from LSU. Thanks also to my undergraduate student Matthew Spurgeon, and my PhD student Tea Clark for their hard work. Well done both!
• Jan 2025: Our recent paperLink opens in a new window published the Journal of the Royal Society Interface looks at how fundamental feed-forward loop biological network motifs can be used to improve transient dynamics of an antithetic biological controller. This work is a collaboration with Xun Tang's group from LSU. Great job by the first author Thales R Spartalis in getting this superb work done.

Teaching

Postgraduate Level

• ES4A3 Automobile Systems, Dynamics and Control

• ES97J Computational Synthetic and Systems Biology
• ES4F0 Advanced Control Systems

Undergraduate Level

• ES3C8 Systems Modelling and Control
• ES3J1 Advanced Systems and Software Engineering

• ES2C6 Electromechanical System Design

• ES2C1 Introduction to Biomedical and Clinical Engineering

Selected Publications (latest 3 years)

Full publication list can be found here (Google ScholarLink opens in a new window).

Submitted

• S. Hong, S.S. Shoaib, M.Foo, X. Tang, J. Kim, "Multi-level regulation in RNA-protein hybrid incoherent feedforward loop circuits for tunable pulse dynamics in Escherichia coli", submitted.

Published

1. A. Hussain, E. Yeong, M. Foo (2025), "The versatility of a lab-scale aquaponic system for teaching and learning mechanical engineering education", to appear in International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education (doi: 10.1177/03064190251356612)
2. A.H. Tan, M. Foo (2025), "Kernel design for estimation of resonant systems: a case study on vehicle suspension", Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing 234, p112875.
3. M. Spurgeon, T. Clark, T.R. Spartalis, A.P.S. Darlington, X. Tang, M. Foo (2025), "Designing biological network motif-based controllers by reverse engineering Hill function-type models from linear models", Journal of the Royal Society of Interface, 22, p20240811.
4. T. Spartalis, M. Foo, X. Tang (2024), "Feed forward loop improves the transient dynamics of an antithetic biological controller", Journal of the Royal Society of Interface, 22, p20240467.
5. A.M.H. Chan, M.L. Pay, J. Christensen, F. He, L.C. Roden, H. Ahmed, M. Foo (2024), "Red, blue or mix: choice of optimal light qualities for enhanced plant growth and development through in silico analysis" in Silico Plants, 6, diae008.
6. J. Tan, M. Foo (2024), "An extended design framework of antithetic integral feedback controller for restoring disrupted circadian gene profiles" Proceedings of Irish Signal and Systems Conference, 13-14 June, Belfast, UK, pp. 1-6.
7. C. McGirk, H Ahmed, D.S. Laila, A. Pike, M. Foo, R. Osborne, Q. Lu (2024), "Practical guide for noise characterisation of back pressure sensors: towards digital twin for an industrial high horse power engine test cell" IEEE Sensors Letter, 8, pp.1-4.
8. M.L. Pay, J. Christensen, F. He, L. Roden, M. Rasel, L. Tyler, H. Ahmed, M. Foo (2024), "A review of LED driver topologies and control methods for energy efficient smart farming application", In: Peng, Z. (eds) Trends and Technological Challenges in Green Energy. Green Energy and Technology. Springer.
9. M.L. Pay, J. Christensen, F. He, L.C. Roden, H. Ahmed, M. Foo (2023), "PLL-based enhanced control of Boost PFC converter for smart farming lighting application" Renewable Energy Focus, 47, pp 100502.
10. H. Mistry, D.S. Laila, M. Foo (2023), "Teaching embedded control system design of electromechanical devices using a lab-scale smart farming system", International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education, 53, pp. 391-410.
11. M.L. Pay, J. Christensen, F. He, L.C. Roden, H. Ahmed, M. Foo (2023), "A comparative study of FLL and PLL in boost PFC converter control for smart greenhouse farming application" Proceedings of IEEE International Conference on Agrosystem Engineering, Technology & Applications, 9 Sep, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp. 62-67.
    
12. N.M.G. Paulino, M. Foo, T.F.A. de Greef, J. Kim, D.G. Bates (2023), "A theoretical framework for implementable nucleic acids feedback systems" Bioengineering, 10, 466.
13. I. Enebuse, B. Ibrahim, M. Foo, R.S. Matharu, H. Ahmed (2023), "An accuracy assessment of hand-eye calibration techniques in uncertain environment for vision guided robots", Proceedings of International Conference on Mechatronics, 13-15 Mar, Loughborough, UK, pp.1-6.
    

Projects (on-going)

• Control theoretic framework for gene expression network.

  • Collaborators: Tea Clark (PhD Student, Warwick), Dr. Alexander Darlington (Warwick).

• Design and evaluation of synthetic RNA-based Incoherent Feed-forward Loop circuit

  • Collaborators: Prof. Jongmin Kim (POSTECH), Seongho Hong (POSTECH), Prof. Xun Tang (LSU), Syead Shoaib (LSU).

• Modelling and control of diesel engine test cell exhaust pipe pressure

  • Collaborators: Colin McGurk (PhD Student, Coventry), Dr. Hafiz Ahmed (NMARC), Prof. Dina Laila (LTU), Dr. Qian Lu (Coventry), Dr. Andrew Pike (Coventry).

Grants

• £15,5k, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), [Co-I] "Improving consistency in state-of-health estimation of Lithium-Ion batteries for electric vehicle" (with Dr. Ai Hui Tan (PI), Prof. Duu Sheng Ong and Dr. Chin Leei Cham, Multimedia University), 2024-2026.
• £5.9k, Gulf University of Science Technology Seed Grant, [Co-I] "AI-Driven IoT monitoring system for combating obesity" (with Dr. Babul Ibrahim (PI), GUST, Dr. Abedalmuhdi Almoman, GUST, Dr. Muhammed Sutcu, GUST, Dr. Maram Khatib, Coventry Uni, Dr. Hisyam A. Rahman, UTHO) 2024 to 2025.
• £300k, Korea-UK Biohealth International Collaborative Research Grant, [Co-I] "Controlling pathogenic bacteria with engineered minicells carrying the toxin secretion system" (with Prof. Jinki Yeom (PI), SNU, Prof. Juhyun Kim, KNU, Prof. Jongmin Kim, POSTECH and Dr. Alexander Darlington, University of Warwick), 2024 to 2026.

• £10k, British Council UK-Brunei Higher Education Teaching and Learning Partnership Grant, [PI] "Development of shared virtual teaching and learning tools for improved quality hands-on education in system engineering" (with Dr. Dina Shona Laila, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Prof. Peter Mitchell, University of Bradford), 2022-2023.

• £14.5k, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), [Co-I] "Real-time input design method with machine learning for cyber-physical system identification" (with Dr. Ai Hui Tan (PI), Prof. Duu Sheng Ong and Dr. Chin Leei Cham, Multimedia University), 2021-2023.

• £1.05M, MRC Future Leaders Fellowship, [Co-I] "Developing a synthetic signalling system capable of the precise spatial and temporal control of protein function in living cells" (with Dr. Byron Carpenter (PI), SLS, University of Warwick), 2020-2022.

• £9.7k, MRC-KHIDI UK Korea Partnering Award [PI], "A framework for robust design of ribocomputing systems in probiotic strains for treating gastrointestinal disease" (with Dr. Jongmin Kim, POSTECH), 2019-2022.

• £12.2k, Royal Society Research Grant [PI], "Designing optimal light regulation of plant circadian systems for better crop productivity", 2018-2019.

• £27.3k, Ministry of Science and Technology Innovation of Malaysia, Science Fund [Co-I], "Multivariable identification for thermal systems" (with Dr. Ai Hui Tan (PI), Dr. Timothy Yap, Dr. Wee Ong Siew and Dr. Wooi Haw Tan, Multimedia University), 2005-2007.

• £29.3k, Ministry of Science and Technology Innovation of Malaysia, IRPA Fund [Co-I], "Identification of direction-dependent process" (with Dr. Ai Hui Tan (PI), Dr. Timothy Yap, Dr. Wee Ong Siew and Dr. Wooi Haw Tan, Multimedia University), 2002-2005.

Student Supervision

Current

• Tea Clark, PhD at University of Warwick (2024-present)

• Colin McGurk, PhD at Coventry University (2020-present)

Alumni

• Miao Lin Pay, PhD, Coventry University
• Ikenna Enebuse, PhD, Coventry University

• Nuno Paulino, PhD, University of Warwick

• Aleksandra Oswiecinska, PhD, Coventry University

• Iulia Gherman, PhD, University of Warwick

• Rucha Sawlekar, PhD, University of Warwick

• Seunghyeon Kim, PhD, POSTECH