Matt Keeling
What is your current role and what does a typical week look like?
I hold a join position between Maths and Life Sciences; I'm also the director of SBIDER and the Impact director for Maths.
I'm not sure I have a typical week. Usually my days are full of meetings - from Faculty level meetings, to project meetings, to PhD meetings, to UG project students - each brings insights and interests.
Nationality: British - born and raised just down the road in the Black Country.
Which part of your role do you enjoy the most, and what are the biggest challenges?
What I enjoy the most is seeing people I'm supervising/mentoring succeed. I've been really lucky to supervise some brilliant PhD students and post docs who have gone on to have fantastic careers - but I get just as much of a buzz from working with enthusiastic and engaged students.
Time is my biggest challenge. There are only 24 hours in a day, and I need my sleep. I have trouble saying no to exciting new projects.
Which skills help you most in being able to perform your role?
Patience and enjoying seeing others succeed. I really enjoy working with others and the interplay of new ideas from other researchers.
How has your education or roles previous to joining Life Sciences, informed your interests, and why did you choose this career direction?
My background is Mathematics, doing an undergraduate degree in Cambridge. I then did a PhD in Warwick and starting thinking about problems motivated by biology. I then returned to Cambridge for post-doctoral fellowships in infectious disease modelling (mainly measles). While at Cambridge, I undertook modelling to help inform policy around the Foot-and-Mouth outbreak. This led me into a career of using mathematical models (often simple models) to address policy questions about the control of infectious diseases.
What is your favourite place on campus and why?
Anywhere except my office (I get very bored of looking at the same four walls). I particularly like the route past the ponds and through the woods as I walk from main campus to SLS.
What are your main interests or passions, outside of work?
Running, hiking and nature.
I don't run that far or that fast, but I enjoy the feeling and it's a great way to unwind.
I love being outside and relish the mountain environment - when at work I have my Teams background which lets me pretend.
I also really enjoy nature and get a real thrill out of seeing wildlife.
February 2026