Profile

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Thomas Woolley

    • About Me:

      Mathematical Biologist producing beauty from numbers

    • Read more

      I studied mathematics at University of Oxford between 2004-2017 and I am now a Senior Lecturer in Applied Mathematics in Cardiff University. During my education I took a class in mathematical biology and fell instantly in love. I followed this direction and ended up doing a doctorate focused on understanding the pattern formation behind fish spots and zebra stripes. Alongside this research I now investigate mathematical models of stem cell movement, organ growth and IVF optimisation.

      My hope is that by understanding the biological systems better through mathematics we can influence them and make them better.

      When not doing mathematics, I am a keen participant in mathematical outreach workshops and I have given a variety of popular maths lectures nationally and internationally. I have previously worked for the BBC, illustrated Marcus du Sautoy’s book and worked on the popular maths show “Dara O’Briains school of hard sums”.  Most recently I was the Fellow of Modern Mathematics at the London Science Museum and helped redesign their mathematics gallery.

      Alongside these project I host, edit and produce a podcast called “Maths at”.

      http://www.mathsat.co.uk/

      Originally, it was just an audio podcast where I and my co-hosts discussed mathematical movies

      https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/maths-at/id1282043127

      Now we’ve ascended into videos and discuss mathematics appearing in the news

    • My Work:

      PATTERNS!

    • My Typical Day:

      Sleep – Zoom meeting – Eat – Zoom meeting – Sleep

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      My typical day involves lecturing students on a range of applied mathematics topics, doing my own research and supervising graduate students.

      Normally, I’d be doing these things from inside Cardiff’s School of Mathematics (see the video), but due to the corona virus all of teaching and supervisions have gone online. It’s not a huge barrier to my work because theoretical mathematics can be done anywhere, but I do miss the interpersonal feedback you get from being in the same room as other people.

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      By new equipment for my podcast.

    CV

    • Education:

      Leys Junior School (Alfreton, Derbyshire), Mortimer Wilson Secondary School and Sixth form (Alfreton, Derbyshire), University of Oxford, St John’s College (Oxford, Oxfordshire)

    • Qualifications:

      GCSE: 6A*, 4A and a B (in music :(). A Levels: A in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry. MMath: First. Doctorate: Pass with minor corrections.

    • Work History:

      Dining Room Attendant. Maths advisor of TV shows. Fellow of Modern Mathematics for the London Science Museum. Online maths tutor. Lecturer.

    • Current Job:

      Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University

    • Employer:

      Cardiff University

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Mathematician, performer, father

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        Taller

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        N'ah, I was the academic kid who followed the rules.

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Teaching

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Queen

        What's your favourite food?

        Carrot cake

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        I would love the ability to manipulate time: slow it down, speed it up, etc. I wish mathematics and the sciences more broadly always had as much funding as it needed. I wish my daughter could grow up without fearing global climate change.

        Tell us a joke.

        I got my friend a telepathic abacus for her birthday. It's the thought that counts!

Questions answered by Thomas

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