Our people

Professor Manfred Opper
Professor of Machine Learning

Research interests: machine learning, data assimilation, statistical inference, Bayesian modelling, neural network models, nonparametric statistics, and statistical mechanics of complex systems.

Professor Michael Biehl
Honorary Professor of Machine Learning

Research interests: Machine Learning and Computational Intelligence, Applications in life sciences, biomedical data, astroinformatics, Statistical Physics and Scientific Computing.

Professor Viktor Jirsa
Professor of Network Dynamics and Brain Sciences 

Research interests: theoretical and computational neuroscience, network dynamics, connectome-based brain models, epilepsy. 

Professor David Smith
Professor of Applied Mathematics 

Research Interests: Mathematical and computational modelling of biological systems, with a focus on microscale mechanical processes. Research Themes include: Cell motility, particularly sperm swimming; Modelling embryonic development; Biological viscous fluid mechanics; Biomedical modelling.

Dr Anirban Dutta 

Associate Professor of Quantitative Biomedicine

Research interests: Neuromodulation, rehabilitation engineering, neuroimaging, electroceuticals, informatics, huma-machine interfaces.

Research interests: Fluid dynamics, Image analysis, Modelling physiological systems.

Theme Lead, Endocrinology, Metabolism & Reproduction.

Dr Atif Shahzad

Assistant Professor of Medical Technologies and Lead for MSc in Biomedical Innovation

Research interests: Health Technology Innovation, Smart Sensors, Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Medical Signal & Image Processing. 

Theme lead for Medical sensors and wearable technology.

Dr Eder Zavala

Research Interests: Research interests: Network analysis, Dynamical systems, Endocrinology, Wearable technology.

Theme Lead Mathematical and computational modelling in biomedical & clinical systems. 

Dr Wessel Woldman

Assistant Professor of Mathematics for Health

Research Interests: Network analysis, Dynamical systems, Machine learning, Neurology.

Dr Catherine Drysdale, Centre Fellow 

Research interests: Non-self-adjoint Operators, Numerical Computation of Pseudospectra, Delay Differential Equations, Reduced Order Modelling, Time Series Analysis.

Dr Yingjing Feng, Research Fellow

Research interests: Spatiotemporal machine learning, pattern discovery and survival analysis of clinical treatment, data assimilation of mathematical models with patient data, validation of novel mapping and treatment methods.

Research interests: Network analysis, Dynamical systems, Numerical methods.

Dr Leandro Junges, Centre Fellow

Research interests: Numerical methods, Complex systems, Network analysis, Machine learning.

Theme lead for Neuroscience & neurology.

Dr Isabella Marinelli, Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Research interests: Network analysis, Dynamical systems, Diabetes.

Dr Jake Ahern, Research Fellow

Research interests: computational neuroscience and mathematical modelling, understanding complex neural dynamics, biological rhythms and neuroendocrinology.

Dr Louis Gall, Centre Fellow

Research interests: Agent-based modelling, quantitative systems pharmacology/toxicology (QSP/T) and mathematical modelling of intracellular protein networks (such as the circadian clock and cell cycle). 

Dr Debbie Marsden, Senior Research Manager

Debbie's role is to support Centre researchers in all aspects of the research grant lifecycle, with a particular emphasis on large and complex bids, fellowships and industry funding opportunities.Debbie has joined us from the University of Exeter, where she was previously Senior Research Manager and Cluster Lead for Engineering and Physical Sciences.If you would like to discuss a funding opportunity with the Centre, please contact Debbie. 

Contact Debbie

Dr Rebecca Ward, Centre Manager

Rebecca’s role is to support the Centre researchers in the delivery of their research. She works with Professor John Terry to develop the Centre’s vision, strategy and delivery plan and to manage the Centre resources.
Prior to joining the team, Rebecca worked for the Medical Research Council in London as a programme manager and previously for the UK Clinical Research Collaboration and the Royal Society in programme management and science policy roles.
She is the point of contact for anyone interested in the working with the Centre or finding out more about the work we do. Please get in touch with Rebecca. 

Contact Rebecca

Sathish Balasundaram, Business Development Manager

Sathish’s role is to manage and identity new opportunities to enhance SMQB’s commercial opportunities regionally, nationally, and internationally. He leads on income generation for the centre, growing industry collaborations, consultancy opportunities, Continued Professional Development (CPD) and analytical services within the Centre.

Aileen Delaney, Public Engagement Officer

Aileen’s role is to provide public engagement support for SMQB. Her PhD research at the University of Leeds was focused on analysing and treating multi-species oral biofilms using microfluidics, Raman spectroscopy and microbubbles. Her background and PhD is in physics, but the inter-disciplinary nature of her project allowed her to also work across oral biology and computing.  

Rebecca Wycherley, Senior Adminstrator and PA to Professor John Terry

Rebecca provides PA and Administrative support to John Terry and the SMQB.

Contact Rebecca