Dr Katerina Kaouri

Cyhoeddiad

• Date
• Type

Ymchwil

Research Groups

Applied and Computational Mathematics Group

Research Interests

Deterministic and stochastic modelling for cutting-edge challenges from biology, engineering, and physics, industry and society.

Fluid Mechanics; Mathematical Biology; Industrial Mathematics; Asymptotic methods;

Mathematical/Quantitative Biology research:

I am currently researching the crucial role uncertainty plays in the way our cells function and sustain life, focusing on the temporal stochastic modelling of intracellular calcium signals. Calcium is an ubiquitous second messenger that communicates important information across the cell. Collaborators: Dr Ioannis Lestas (Cambridge University), Dr Ruediger Thul (University of Nottingham).

I am also developing deterministic mechanochemical models of intracellular and intercellular calcium signalling, which take into account the coupling of calcium to the mechanical behavior of the cell. This coupling plays a crucial role in many body processes and diseases, for example embryogenesis, wound healing, atherosclerosis and cancer. Collaborators: Prof. Philip Maini (Oxford University) Prof. Jon Chapman (Oxford University), Dr Paris Skourides (University of Cyprus), Dr Neophytos Christodoulou (University of Cambridge).

Fluid Dynamics research:

a) Water resources management: In the context of the 1st Study Group with Industry I have started collaborating with the Water Development Department in Cyprus, the governmental organisation managing water resources in Cyprus.  Together with an international team of modellers (Raka Mondal, Graham Benham, Sourav Mondal and others) we have been working on models of the Germasogeia aquifer with the objective to establish an optimal recharge protocol.

b) Fluid flow in optical fibers: With Dr Paul Christodoulides at the Cyprus University of Technology we co-supervise an MSc student working on this project. We aim to link the developed models to experiments with optical fibers.

Other research projects:

I have worked on various other research projects throughout the years. Below I highlight some key projects:

• Sonic boom modelling: In my DPhil research (University of Oxford) I have developed mathematical models of sonic booms from supersonic aeroplanes, as a member of SOBER, the Sonic Boom European Research Programme. SOBER was a multi-university, academia-industry consortium, coordinated by AIRBUS. Sonic boom research is still a hot research area since no civil supersonic carrier flew again after Concorde was terminated.
• Modelling magnetic hyperthermia: magnetic hyperthermia is a minimally invasive cancer therapy, where an external magnet guides magnetic nanoparticles through the bloodstream to reach a tumour. The tumour is then burnt by elevating its temperature, while healthy cells remain, ideally, unaffected. Cancer modelling is a very active area of quantitative biology.

Business consulting: I have worked outside academia for three years, as a business consultant. At the Boston Consulting Group, we advised large companies, at CEO level, on strategic and operational issues, and as a technology transfer consultant at the HELP-FORWARD network (Enterprise Europe Network) I connected SMEs across Europe and also researchers with companies.

Industry-academia activities: I am a Management Committee member of the Mathematics for Industry Network (MI-NET, COST Action TD1409), an EU-funded of 32 country members that promotes the use of mathematics for solving industrial and societal challenges. I am also the leader of the “Case Studies” Working Group of MI-NET, where we are gathering and editing together successful collaborations between industry and mathematical modellers across Europe.

In 2016 I led the organization of the first Study Group with Industry in Cyprus, an intensive week-long, academia-industry workshop where mathematical modelling experts from 17 countries solved four Cypriot industrial challenges, ranging from improving bus routes in Nicosia to increasing the innovation factor of ENGINO toys. This 5-day workshop was followed by a half-day industry-academia workshop in October 2017. I am currently planning the next problem-solving workshop which will be on mathematical modelling of societal challenges. This will take place in Cyprus in early December 2018 (more details will be uploaded as they become available.)

Science communication activities: I am passionate about sharing maths and science with everybody and I have been involved in various science communication activities for more than a decade. Aside from being a co-founder of the Mediterranean Science Festival (the largest science festival in Cyprus - approximately 10K visitors) and of the non-profit organization SciCo Cyprus I have given several popularized talks to a wide range of audiences, including a TEDxNicosia talk. Audiovisual explanations of science fascinate me and I have worked on this TED-Ed animation on sonic booms which has been watched more than a million times until now.

Addysgu

M0332 - Fluid Mechanics

Bywgraffiad

Work experience

• Lecturer in Applied Mathematics, School of Mathematics, Cardiff University, UK (2018-)
• Co-Founder and Director of the non-profit SciCo Cyprus, Cyprus (2015-)
• Research Fellow, Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus (2016-2017)
• Expert Scientist, Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus (2015-17)
• Assistant Professor, Intercollege Limassol (2010-2015)
• Strategy and business consultant (2007-2010) (Boston Consulting Group, HELP-FORWARD Network)
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Mathematical Medicine and Biology, Nottingham University (2005-2007)
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Oxford Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics & Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Oxford University (2004-2005)

Education

• DPhil in Applied Mathematics, University of Oxford (fully funded by the Sonic Boom European Research Programme)
• MSc in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing, Oxford University (top Distinction)
• MS in Applied Physics, Columbia University (fully funded by a university award)
• BA in Pure and Applied Mathematics, University of Cambridge (full-cost Cambridge Commonwealth Scholarship)

Grants and awards

• SciShops.eu, H2020 project (RIA, Science with and for Society) -101K Euros (Role: Project leader, SciCo Cyprus). Total EU budget: 3 million. 18 partners in 12 countries. Identification and solution of 250 societal challenges across Europe through community-based research
• Awards and sponsorships for the organisation of the 1st Study Group with Industry in Cyprus (2016)-37K. (Role: Principal applicant) Funding bodies: Mathematics for Industry Network (major contributor), KPMG Cyprus (major sponsor), Cyprus University of Technology, University of Cyprus, Research Promotion Foundation, Cyprus Tourism Organisation, British High Commission in Cyprus
• Award for the organisation of the industry-academia workshop in Cyprus (2017) - 1500 Euros (Role: Principal applicant) Funding bodies: Mathematics for Industry Network, British High Commission in Cyprus, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Several awards for international research visits ~10K Euros Funding bodies: Mathematics for Industry Network (3 Short-Term Scientific Missions to Oxford University), ERASMUS+, Cyprus University of Technology
• Fund-raising for the organisation of the Mediterranean Science Festival - ~50K Euros (Role: MSF Co-founder and co-director)
• Scholarships for academic excellence throughout the course of studies - ~150K Euros Funding bodies: Cambridge Commonwealth Trust (BA studies), Columbia University (MSc studies), Alan Tayler Bursary, Oxford University (MSc studies). Somerville College, Oxford University (DPhil studies). Leventis Foundation (DPhil studies)

Anrhydeddau a dyfarniadau

Member of the Technical Advisory Group of the Welsh government (Environmental subgroup), advising the government on the pandemic

Judge for Famelab (science communication competition) at the 2019 semi-finals (invited by British Council)

Pwyllgorau ac adolygu

Member of the Impact Acceleration Committee of Cardiff University

Meysydd goruchwyliaeth

• Fluid Mechanics (in particular,  water resources management, and sonic boom modelling)
• Mathematical Biology (in particular, calcium signalling and cancer)
• Industrial mathematics (industrial/business challenges that can be tackled with mathematical modelling)

Goruchwyliaeth gyfredol

Mr Abhishek Chakraborty

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Mr Timothy Ostler

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Miss Layla Sadeghi Namaghi

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