Oxford Mathematician Torin Fastnedge has won the Gold Medal for Mathematical Sciences at the 2026 STEM for BRITAIN poster competition held in the House of Commons on March 17th. Torin was among 20 researchers in mathematics presenting their work to politicians and a panel of expert judges.
Torin's poster was titled 'Mathematical Modelling of Microfibre Release by Washing Machines', based on research with fellow Oxford Mathematicians Chris Breward and Ian Griffiths. Microplastic fibres shed from our clothes account for around 35% of all ocean microplastics and are subsequently ingested and inhaled by both humans and animals, which may cause adverse health effects. Torin uses mathematical modelling and asymptotic techniques to simplify the complex geometry of the proposed filter, enabling more efficient future optimisation by removing the need for unnecessary numerical simulations and physical experiments.
STEM for BRITAIN is a major scientific poster competition and exhibition which has been held in Parliament since 1997, and is organised by the Parliamentary & Scientific Committee. It aims to give members of both Houses of Parliament an insight into the outstanding research work being undertaken in UK universities by early-career researchers.