I am a mathematical biologist in my final year of a PhD in statistical and applied mathematics, with a particular focus on modelling and simulation techniques for large (bio)chemical reaction networks. I have a Master of Research (MRes) in Mathematical Biology and a Master of Mathematics (MMath) in… Mathematics.

One of the first and most inconsequential things a reader of my blog might notice is my adoration of the æ ligature. I use this ligature wherever there is historical precedent for doing so; not to appear pretentious or antiquated (though that is likely the impression regardless), nor to make any particular point, but because I am a lover of history who feels positively robbed of the additional letters and ligatures available to Old and Middle English scribes. Only 26 letters in the alphabet? Really?

I have particular interests in palæoanthropology, phylogenetics, and ancient history. Given that much of what I plan to write about on this blog relates to these topics, I must give an important disclaimer. There is an unspoken rule within academia; namely, that one should “stick to one’s lane”. This is for good reason - my knowledge of simulation methods for biochemical reaction networks does not translate to having knowledge, in any meaningful sense, of the biochemistry of the reaction networks I simulate; let alone biochemistry in general, beyond basic principles. Outside of that which is strictly within the scope of my field of applied mathematics, I do not pretend to be anything other than an educated layman. Any who happen upon this should keep this fact in mind. I do my best to cite my source material, to which readers should refer and defer. If you spot a mistake, you can contact me on Discord @rattus_rattus.

As stated in the description to the left of the page, this blog is my attempt to communicate the “joy of life”. What this means is, to some extent, up to the reader. To me, this phrase comes from the lyrics of one of my favourite artists.¹ To me, I understand this the joy of appreciating and enjoying life - less in the narrow sense of our own, individual, lives; rather, exalting in the the natural world in which we live and having the privilege to look back and remember, if only in fragmentary glances, that which came before us. While much of what I write may be fairly bland academic miscellanea, I do my best to communicate why, in my mind, these topics are of great importance to understanding the human experience and our place within the universe.

Thanks for reading.