Dr Marina Evangelou and Ella Orme

Maria and Ella's Research Project

“Our research project asks Year 12 students to study real population data, applying statistical techniques to analyse genetic and biological data. Complex diseases like cancer and asthma can manifest and develop very differently in different individuals. By identifying groups of individuals based on their genetic and biological architecture, we will be able to understand better the way they experience disease and respond to treatments. Such information will be invaluable for better diagnosing and treating complex diseases.

Year 12 students will get to familiarise themselves with the fundamental concepts in linear algebra, statistics, and will work on a machine learning clustering algorithm! We hope that the students will take away a sense of curiosity when uncovering the mechanisms behind healthcare.

It’s also a great chance for them to see concepts they learn in school, like matrices, get applied to real research work. As part of the project the students will enjoy coding and enhance their presentation skills."

Marina’s and Ella’s journeys to Mathematics

Marina: “I was interested in mathematics ever since the age of five. I liked mathematics as soon as I started school and just said, ‘I will study mathematics,’ from then. I come from a family of science teachers, so it was normal within the family to talk about mathematics and science. I grew up in Cyprus and I was able to go to a special kind of a private institute specializing in Maths and Science like Imperial’s Maths School. Of course, while I was a student, even an undergraduate one in the UK, I did not imagine that I would stay in academia and pursue research in Mathematics!"

Ella: “I did A-levels in the UK, but there was very little support for me, and I struggled with learning the skills required for MAT/STEP, which I think can be quite demoralising for students in my position.

I was actually planning to study Chemistry for a while, but I realised I would miss Mathematics more. In university, when I began to hone my skills in research, I began to enjoy Mathematics a lot more. I took every opportunity to do Mathematics in a more biological setting, and the research project is based on my current PhD project!”