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When it comes to mathematics James Oliver, formerly a graduate student at the Mathematical Institute, really enjoys a challenging problem. And they don’t come much more challenging than his work at the Centre for Mathematical Medicine at the University of Nottingham into developing new mathematical models to describe cell motility. This project ties in nicely with a study of cell motility on the surfaces of biomaterials – or ‘biologically compatible materials’ – that he’s undertaking as part of a complementary non-stipendiary Research Fellowship from the Royal Commission of the Exhibition of 1851 which he holds in the Bioengineering Group at University of Nottingham. The aim in both fellowships is to develop mathematical models to describe how mammalian cells travel over the surface of the biomaterials used for medical implants.

Further information is available in the EPSRC Newsline Issue 37.

James Oliver returned to the Mathematical Institute in October 2007.

We are please to announce the following awards:

Individual achievement

• Prof. Jon Chapman
• Dr Janet Dyson
• Dr Karin Erdmann
• Dr Ben Hambly
• Dr Keith Hannabuss
• Prof. Roger Heath-Brown
• Dr Peter Howell
• Dr Sam Howison
• Prof. Marc Lackenby
• Prof. Hilary Priestley
• Prof. Terry Lyons
• Prof. Alex Wilkie

Course development

• Integration (Prof. Alison Etheridge)
• Maple
• Organisation by subject of past examination questions (small pilot)

Congratulations to Professor Victor Flynn, Professor Marc Lackenby, Professor Hilary Priestley, and Professor Alex Scott on the award of the title of Professor, and to Dr John Lennox on the award of the title of Reader.

Prof. Sir John Ball Receives Royal Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement. Further information

Marcus du Sautoy presents Painting With Numbers, a series of 4 fifteen minute programmes on mathematics for Teachers TV. The programmes will be shown as part of Maths Week on the channel starting on the 26 June 2006. The programmes will also be available to download from the Teachers TV website

Gareth Jones was one of three students given prizes at the 2006 BAMC by SIAM UK-Ireland for a postgraduate presentation. It was entitled "Buckling of a spherical shell embedded in an elastic matrix with a uniaxial stress field at infinity".

Professor Philip Maini was recently appointed to a three-year Adjunct Professorship at the School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane. He is a frequent visitor to Brisbane and this appointment will fund him to visit Professor Sean McElwain for one month per year during the period of the professorship.

Professor Philip K. Maini, Centre for Mathematical Biology (CMB), Mathematical Institute, was recently appointed to a Guest Honorary Professorship at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) in Chengdu. The inaugural ceremony, attended by the Vice-President and several deans of UESTC, was held in early April. As its name suggests, UESTC is committed to supporting the technological revolution in China. However, it is keen to expand its research into mathematical biology and this appointment recognises the world class reputation of the CMB. It will cement collaborative ties between the two universities.

Dr Shirley Harris has been awarded a Grace Chisholm Young Fellowship by the London Mathematical Society.

Sir Roger Penrose has been presented with the 2006 JPMB Communications Award.