Thomas Quinlan

DPhil Mathematics, 2024
MRC Partnership Award

Thomas studied mathematical sciences at University College Cork and became fascinated by applied maths and mathematical modelling. He remained at UCC to complete his masters and carried out research in the mathematical modelling of cancer growth. During that year he came across an exciting PhD project based in the University of Oxford’s Mathematical Biology department focused on the development of new models of atherosclerosis, a disease of the arteries.  This was a perfect opportunity to blend his interests in mathematics and biology.

His thesis is centred around the development of new mathematical models of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of heart and circulatory diseases worldwide. Mathematical modelling is widely used to study cancer and improve treatments but remains underused in cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis. In collaboration with the Kennedy Institute and Novo Nordisk, the team aims to develop realistic models to better understand the disease and predict treatment outcomes.