Dr Eder Zavala PhD

• PhD in Molecular Biomedicine, 2012, CINVESTAV Mexico
• MSc in Engineering and Biomedical Physics, 2008, CINVESTAV Mexico
• BSc (Hons) in Physics, 2006, UANL Mexico

Eder trained as a physicist in Mexico, where he developed a keen interest for mathematical biology and biomedicine. While in graduate school at CINVESTAV, Mexico, his research focused on modelling signalling pathways and gene regulatory networks, with the goal of understanding how the topology of these networks influences their dynamics and robustness to noise. During his MSc in Engineering and Biomedical Physics, Eder developed mathematical models of self-regulated gene circuits, exploring how negative and positive regulatory feedback loops control phenotypes in prokaryotes. While doing his PhD in Molecular Biomedicine, he developed mathematical models in developmental biology. His thesis proposed a mathematical model of a somitogenic regulatory network that considers the interactions between antagonistic gradients and genetic clocks that embryonic cells use as spatiotemporal cues to achieve robust, irreversible commitment to a developmental fate. Eder undertook his first postdoc appointment at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) in Japan, where he investigated non-classic stochastic effects in gene expression and used advanced computational tools to simulate these processes at the single gene level. He also investigated asymmetric protein segregation in yeast using spatial stochastic simulations and developed a Delayed Stochastic Simulation Algorithm with cell division (DSSAcd) to explore cell cycle effects in feedback-regulated gene circuits. In 2015, Eder moved to the UK to work alongside Professor John Terry and Professor Stafford Lightman (FRS) in the emergent field of mathematical endocrinology. In 2017, he secured an MRC Skills Development Fellowship to develop his career transition to independence. In 2022, Eder was appointed Assistant Professor in Mathematics at the University of Birmingham where he continues his research on mathematical biomedicine.

At the College of Medicine and Health

- Lecturer on the Endocrinology and Metabolism module (BMedSci in Medical Science, Year 3).
- Lecturer on the Molecular Medicine (Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorder) module (BSc/MSci in Biomedical Science, Year 3).

School of Mathematics

- Lecturer on the Advanced Mathematical Modelling module (BSc/MSci in Mathematics, Year 3)

• Currently supervising 1 PhD student. Contact me for informal enquiries about PhD supervision
• Regular supervision of MSc projects in Applied Mathematics and Biomedical Sciences (contact me for enquiries).

Eder is an applied mathematician investigating the dynamic regulation of stress hormones and their interaction with metabolism, fertility, sleep and inflammation. His goal is to develop a mathematical understanding of endocrine regulation that includes rhythmic hormone secretion, responses to perturbations, and long-term physio-pathological changes. This can translate into healthcare technologies for the diagnosis and management of endocrine conditions. To do this, he works alongside clinicians, computer scientists and other mathematicians to develop quantitative analyses of circadian hormone profiles and data collected from wearable devices. His mathematical models and algorithms facilitate the identification of computational biomarkers that signal abnormal hormone dynamics more efficiently than current single time point analyses, supporting personalised diagnosis and clinical interventions.

Research Groups and Centres

Centre for Systems Modelling and Quantitative Biomedicine (SMQB)

• Member of the EPSRC Mathematical Sciences Early Career Forum (2022-2026)
• Member of the Mexican National System of Researchers - Level 1 (2016-2018)

Media

Innovating chronodiagnosis of endocrine conditions

Modelling inflammation after heart surgery