Nathan Van Der Riet
I am a second-year PhD student shared between the Mathematics for Real-World Systems Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Warwick and Institut Curie through Sorbonne University under a cotutelle arrangement. My research interests lie in systems biology, particularly in the development of mathematical and physical models of cellular structure and function. At present, my focus is on sorting, topology, and structural control in cells, with a particular interest in energy-minimisation-based physical descriptions.
Current Research:
Under the joint supervision of Matthew Turner (Warwick) and Pierre Sens (Institut Curie), I study the structure of the Golgi Apparatus, a key organelle responsible for the distribution of proteins and lipids within the cell.
The Golgi can be divided into structurally distinct compartments—cisternae, the Golgi stack, and the Trans Golgi Network—characterised by varying shapes, such as saddle-like membranes and tubular networks. We aim to understand the bi-compartmental organisation of this organelle using physical and mathematical models, drawing on techniques from soft matter physics and biological modelling.
Upcoming Talks:
- 17 March 2026 — CMCB Seminar Series — University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Campus, Room T0.08/0.09
Title: TBD
Past Talks:
- 8 January 2025 — MathSys PhD talks — University of Warwick Central Campus, Room D1.07
Title: Sanity Checking Speculative Parameters
- 27/28 September 2024 — Physics of Living Matter Conference (Poster Presentation) — Palais du Pharo, Marseille
Title: Can Vesiculation Processes Drive Subsequent Topology Changes in Cellular Membranes - 17 October 2024 — Soft Matter Seminar Series — University of Warwick Central Campus, Room D1.07
Title: Minimal Modelling of Vesiculation Processes as Drivers of Subsequent Topology Change in Cell Membranes
- 6 February 2024 — CMCB Seminar Series — University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Campus, Room T0.08/0.09
Title: The Golgi Puzzle: Simple Models in Search of Complex Shapes
Projects
Sorting, Topology and Structural Control in Cells
- PhD project (Oct 2023 - Present), supervised by Matthew Turner and Pierre Sens
From pancakes to cups: The physically driven structure of the Golgi Apparatus
- MSc individual project (Jun 2023 - Sep 2023), supervised by Matthew Turner and Pierre Sens
Evolving Predator-Prey Dynamics in Agent-Based Models of Collective Motion
- MSc group project (Mar 2023 - Jun 2023), supervised by Gareth Alexander and Matthew Turner
Macroscopic Pedestrian Dynamics: A Framework for Model Selection
- MMath dissertation (Sep 2021 - Apr 2022), supervised by Susana Gomes
Drug Delivery Across the Skin, a Mathematical Perspective
- Undergraduate summer research project (May 2021 - Aug 2021), supervised by Susana Gomes
Teaching Responsibilities
- 2024-2025 MA397 Third Year Consolidation Tutor
- 2023-2024 MA2K3 Second Year Consolidation Tutor
- 2021-2022 Supervisor for first year Mathematics and Mathematics & Physics students
Education
- 2023-Present PhD Mathematics of Real-World Systems, University of Warwick
- 2022-2023 MSc Mathematics of Real-World Systems, University of Warwick (Distinction)
- 2018-2022 MMath Master of Mathematics, University of Warwick (First Class)
Contact Information:
Email: Nathan.van-der-Riet@warwick.ac.uk a new window
Office: D2.17Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window Zeeman Building
Upcoming Talks:
17 March 2026
CMCB Seminar Series
University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Campus, Room T0.08/0.09