Tarek Acila

About

I am Tarek Acila, a fourth-year PhD student under the supervision of Dr Björn StinnerLink opens in a new window and Dr Thomas HudsonLink opens in a new window. I am generally interested in Nonlinear PDEs analysis, applications and mathematical modelling.

Research Interests

My current PhD project explores a coupled bulk-surface Cahn-Hilliard cross-diffusion system of lipid rafts-receptors interactions in the Wnt signalling pathway. The work involves deriving and analysing nonlinear PDE models, including existence results, energy estimates, and asymptotic reductions. It also includes the development of numerical schemes and simulations to study their behaviour. I have also had experience with the mechanics of cell membranes and membrane-actin cortex systems which is relevant in phenomena such as cell membranes blebbing, and membrane deformation via BAR proteins.

I am currently looking for PostDocs.

Education

• [2022–current] PhD in Mathematics, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
• [2020–2022] Master's Degree in Mathematics, Kasdi Merbah University Ouargla, Algeria.
• [2017–2020] Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, Kasdi Merbah University Ouargla, Algeria.

Publication and Research

• Derivation and Simulations of a Coupled Bulk–Surface Model for Wnt Signalling and Lipid-Raft Dynamics (in progress)

• Existence of Weak Solutions for a Degenerate Cahn–Hilliard–Cross-Diffusion System with Logarithmic Entropy (in progress)

Talks Given

• Analysis of a Coupled Cahn-Hilliard Cross-Diffusion System for Lipid Raft-Receptor Dynamics on Cell Membranes, 15th AIMS ConferenceLink opens in a new window, Athens, July 2026
• Modelling Lipid Raft-Receptor Interactions in Wnt Morphogen Signalling via a Bulk-Surface PDE Framework, 15th AIMS ConferenceLink opens in a new window, Athens, July 2026
• A Thermodynamically Consistent Bulk-Surface PDE Model for Morphogen-Driven Receptor Dynamics and Lipid Raft Patterning, SciCADE 2026Link opens in a new window, Edinburgh, June 2026
• Nonequilibrium as a Driver of Complex Patterned Steady States, SPAAM SeminarLink opens in a new window, January 2026
• Mathematical Modelling of Inverse Blebbing, Applied Mathematics Postgraduate ConferenceLink opens in a new window, Oxford, July 2025
• Mathematical Modelling of Inverse Blebbing, Joint BMC & BAMCLink opens in a new window, Exeter, June 2025
• Optimisation, Machine Learning Reading GroupLink opens in a new window, University of Warwick, May 2025
• Qualitative Mathematical Modelling of Inverse Blebbing, Warwick Maths Postgrad SeminarLink opens in a new window, February 2024.
• Mathematical Modelling of Inverse Blebbing, Kasdi Merbah UniversityLink opens in a new window, Ouargla, December 2023.

Conferences and Workshops Attended

• Machine Learning Reading Group, University of Wawrwick, May 2025
• UK Graduate Modelling CampLink opens in a new window, Isaac Newton Institute, Cambridge, September 2024.
• SIAM-UKIE National Student ChapterLink opens in a new window, SIAM-IMA Student Chapter, University of Cardiff, June 2024.
• European Study Group with Industry (171)Link opens in a new window, ICMS, University of Edinburgh, July 2023.

Teaching

2025-2026

• Term 1 - Teaching Assistant for MA3J4-15 Mathematical Modelling with PDELink opens in a new window
• Term 2 - Teaching Assistant for MA4J1-15 Continuum MechanicsLink opens in a new window

2024-2025

• Term 1 - Teaching Assistant for MA3J4 Mathematical Modelling with PDELink opens in a new window
• Term 2 - Teaching Assistant for MA254/MA354 Theory of ODEsLink opens in a new window

2023-2024

• Term 1 - Teaching Assistant for MA265 Methods of Mathematical Modelling 3Link opens in a new window
• Term 2 - Teaching Assistant for MA254 Theory of ODEsLink opens in a new window
• Terms 1,2 & 3 - Supervisor of first-year undergraduate Mathematics students.

Awards

• IMA Team Student Prize, UK Graduate Modelling Camp 2024.
• Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, 2023/2024, University of Warwick.
• A four-year scholarship for the PhD program from the University of Warwick.

Contact

Email: tarek.acila@warwick.ac.uk
Address: Office B2.01, Zeeman Building, University of Warwick.