Christopher Norman

Chris graduated in 2022 with a PhD in Mathematics for Real-World Systems.

Warwick 3MT 2021Link opens in a new window Finalist: "How the Brain Talks to Itself"

Audio transcript Link opens in a new window of video.

Is your AI solution giving you value for money?Link opens in a new window

My article with the Smith InstituteLink opens in a new window discusses how businesses can leverage AI for a good return on investment.

"There are key questions you should be asking to interrogate your machine learning solution and ensure the rigour of your AI deployment"

I am an applied mathematician working at the interface of mathematical modelling, computer science, and neuroscience. I collaborate closely with experimental neuroscientists to design biologically constrained models of neuronal systems which allow hypotheses to be tested beyond the spatiotemporal resolution of current experimental equipment. The modern computational methods I implement are enabling simulations over increasingly larger and longer scales and provide the necessary frameworks to handle the growing size and dimensionality of neuroscientific data.

PhD: "Mechanistic Modelling of Presynaptic Dynamical Systems"

During my PhD I have focused on modelling dynamical systems in presynaptic terminals, from AP excitation to neurotransmitter secretion. This includes the activation of voltage-gated calcium channels, the subsequent diffusion and buffering of calcium ions within the terminal, and finally their interaction with vesicle-membrane machinery to drive vesicle fusion. Protein dynamics are captured by (semi-)Markov chain simulations, and the presynaptic terminal itself as a 3D environment using VCell. In each case the models are constrained, in collaboration with experimental neuroscientists, by recent experimental data and the natural restrictions of biochemical reactions.

Using a specialised implementation of the Gillespie algorithm to enable efficient stochastic simulation, the dynamics of protein complexes are predicted by a Monte Carlo approach up to timescales of minutes. This allows for analysis of long-lasting asynchronous release at mossy fiber boutons. Recent high-resolution crystal structures of the vesicle-membrane machinery enable a mechanistic `dual-clamp’ model of vesicle fusion, in particular suggesting a mechanism for the functional role of synaptotagmin-7. Additionally, the disruption of normal calcium channel function and the consequences for synaptic release induced by a familial hemiplegic migraine mutation are described by a data-constrained Markov chain model.

If this summary of my PhD research is of interest to you then please check my publications or get in touch if you have any comments or questions, particularly with respect to the currently unpublished topics.

Publications:

Chamberland S, Timofeeva Y, Evstatova A, Norman CA, Volynski K, Toth K. Slow-decaying presynaptic calcium dynamics gate long-lasting asynchronous release at the hippocampal mossy fiber to CA3 pyramidal cell synapse. Synapse. 2020; 74:e22178. https://doi.org/10.1002/syn.22178Link opens in a new window

Norman CA, Timofeeva Y, Krishnakumar S, Volynski K. Computational Modelling Framework to Study Ca²⁺ Activation of Synaptic Vesicle Fusion. 64th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical SocietyLink opens in a new window; 2020 Feb 15-19; San Diego, Ca.

Norman CA, Krishnakumar S, Timofeeva Y, Volynski K. Calcium-triggered reversal of synaptotagmin fusion clamp describes kinetics and plasticity of neurotransmitter release. (In writing).

Awards and Grants:

Warwick Three-Minute-Thesis CompetitionLink opens in a new window Finalist	2021
Postgraduate Certificate in Transferable Skills in ScienceLink opens in a new window	2021
Student Research Achievement Award (SRAA) Finalist - Biophysical Society 2020 Annual MeetingLink opens in a new window	2020
Travel Grant - Guarantors of BrainLink opens in a new window £1,000 awarded as presenting author at the Biophysical Society's 2020 ConferenceLink opens in a new window in San Diego.	2019
Studentship - EPSRC Tuition + maintenance grant for the MathSys CDTLink opens in a new window MSc & PhD (4 years).	2016

Education & Training:

MSc (Distinction) - Mathematics of Real World Systems, University of Warwick, 2016 - 17

Graph theory & complexity science	Machine learning & data analysis
Dynamical systems and population dynamics	Mathematics in finance

BSc MMathPhys (1^st) - Mathematics and Physics, University of Warwick, 2012 - 16

Theoretical neuroscience, mathematical biology & medicine	Analysis, game theory, & statistics
Electromagnetism, energy & scientific computing	Cosmology, quantum mechanics, & relativity

Independent Skills Development

Machine learning in data science events and competitions inc. KaggleLink opens in a new window. Focus on deep learning with CNNs.
Collaborative coding projects in Python, MATLAB, and Julia using Linux (Bash) & HPC resources inc. AWS.
Design & execution of wet lab experiments involving C. elegans and, independently, the bacteria B. subtilis.

Teaching:

Mathematics for Computer Scientists 2 (2020): CS131 WebpageLink opens in a new window

First year module - Introducing the language and methods of mathematics as a foundation for computer science.

Quantitative Analysis for Management 1 (2019): IB121 WebpageLink opens in a new window

First year module - introducing applied statistics to Business and Management students.

Maths by Computer (2019): MA124 WebpageLink opens in a new window

First year module - teaching computational techniques in mathematics, using MATLAB.

Introduction to Computing (2018-19): Computing ResourcesLink opens in a new window

Masters level module - teaching Python with a focus on data analysis and manipulation.

Applied Dynamical Systems (2017-18): MA998 WebpageLink opens in a new window

Masters level module - teaching ODEs, stability analysis, bifurcations, and chaos.

Employment:

The Smith InstituteLink opens in a new window, Oxford - Mathematical Intern (Mar. 2020 - Jul. 2020)

Technical consultant for high-profile clients involved in spectrum auctions, infrastructure and transport.
Collaborative coding projects; optimisation problems; decision-making under uncertainty; and AI in industryLink opens in a new window.

The University of Warwick Taekwondo ClubLink opens in a new window, Coventry - Instructor (2016 - 2021)

Self-employed martial arts instructor teaching self defence along with traditional and competitive Taekwondo.

Smart Fibres Ltd.Link opens in a new window, Bracknell - Mathematics Consultant (May 2018 - Jan. 2020)

Modelling the viscoelastic behaviour of high performance polymers.
Design of empirical models to assist the development of cutting edge pressure sensor technology.

Camp TiogaLink opens in a new window, Pennsylvania - Youth Councillor (Jun 2014 - Aug. 2014)

24-hour responsibility for children aged 7-16 over nine weeks.
Organisation, quick-thinking, and team-building in an unfamiliar and loosely structured environment.

VPhase PLCLink opens in a new window, Chester - Data Analyst (Aug. 2012)

Analysing field data and building a central database to find energy savings of an eco-energy company.

Previous Research Projects:

‘Modelling Ecologies of Investors: Impact of Momentum Investment on Financial Stability’ - 2017

Robert MacKay (Warwick Maths Institute); Nicholas Beale & Richard Gunton (Sciteb, 23 Berkeley Square, London)

Design of a financial market model, including multiple assets and investment strategies
Highlighting the robust existence of a market-destabilising momentum investment threshold

‘Antibiotic Resistance and Group Motility in Bacterial Swarms’ - 2016
Marco Polin (Warwick Physics Dept.), Munehiro Asally (Warwick School of Life Sciences)

Multi-disciplinary collaboration to characterise the collective motion of swarming bacteria into antibiotic
Image analysis from wet-lab microscopy showed significance of bacterial ‘rafts’ in concentrated antibiotic

‘Behavioural Responses of C. elegans to Environmental Changes’ - 2015
Andre Brown (Imperial College London, Clinical Sciences Centre)

Novel tracking software identified new, environment-induced, behaviours in C. elegans
Creative environments, utilising light and heat, expanded the nematode’s measurable behaviour space

Taekwon-Do:

I have trained in ITF-style Taekwon-Do since 2002 an earned my 3^rd degree black belt in 2020. I was the instructor at The University of Warwick Taekwondo ClubLink opens in a new window from 2017 - 2021 under certification from our governing body the Professional Unification of Martial Arts (P.U.M.A.Link opens in a new window). Taekwon-Do is a versatile art renowned particularly for its dynamic kicking style, it involves practical self defence, traditional forms, and competitive sparring. If you'd like to talk about Taekwon-Do at Warwick, or more generally, then please get in touch!

Personal Photo

Computational Neuroscience PhD Researcher

Python	Linux
MATLAB	HPC
Julia	AWS

Supervisors:

Prof. Yulia Timofeeva: University of Warwick, Department of Computer Science

Prof. Kirill Volynski: UCL, Queen Square Institute of Neurology

Contact:

LinkedIn ProfileLink opens in a new window