Peter Grindrod's Homepage

 

Professor Peter Grindrod CBE CMath FIMA

I am the Professor of Mathematics and its Applications

at the

Department of Mathematics

and the

Centre for Advanced Computing and Emerging Technologies

at the

University of Reading

email me on p.grindrod@reading.ac.uk

 

 

I worked in industry from 1989-2007 (see below for more info on this...).

Much of my work there is still "commercial in confidence"

and some is embedded within proprietary software...

 

see an intro to maths at NEW Open day PG .pps

 

Here is some recent work on Evolving Networks - Complexity problems for both the Digital Economy and Neurodynamics presented recently at Warwick.... evolving graphs New.pps

 

 

I recently gave a cross school crash course for graduates on plausible reasoning and various applications of probability theory  - especially to business, cognition, math modelling, dynamical systems:

see Probability Primer lecture notes Probability Primer V2 .pdf

 

Mathematics for Commerce & Mathematics for the Life and Environmental Sciences

 

Maths for Commerce: analysis of vast databases; forecasting behaviour; nonlinear time-series; unsupervised learning; discrimination; inference problems; Bayesian methods; graph theory; networks; Markov models; stability and error propagation; complexity and organisation; applications to retail, online/digital economy, retail banking, telecoms...

 

Maths for Life and Env Sciences: nonlinear PDEs (usually parabolic systems), ODEs, waves, pattern formation, networks and graphs, data compression and inference problems; applications to chemistry, geochemistry, biochemistry, physiology, neurosciences, ecology, epidemiology, subsurface flow, transport and chemistry...

 

You can obtain a new edition of my book

Patterns and Waves at www.grindrodbook.com


 

Recent drafts and publications available online:

 

Peter Grindrod and Desmond J Higham,  Evolving Graphs: Dynamical Models, Inverse Problems and Propagation, 2009,

submitted to Interface evolve.pdf

 

Peter Grindrod and Dimitris Pinotsis, On the spectra of certain Integro-Differential-Delay problems with applications in neurodynamics, 2009,

submitted to Physica D newdim7.pdf

 

Peter Grindrod , Preprint 2008, Periodic solutions for nonlinear dilation equations recursion equations

 

J K Vass, L A Scott-Carragher, G Kalna, D Bakewell, J J Curto Garcia, P Grindrod, B W Ozanne, D J Higham, 2007. HRas and drug-resistance expression identity distinct breast cancer patients with poor prognosis.

 

Peter Grindrod, Desmond J. Higham, Gabriela Kalna, Alastair Spence, Zhivko Stoyanov, Keith Vass, DNA Meets the SVD, Mathematics Today 2008.

             (see draft dnasvd_august07_rev.pdf  )

 

Peter Grindrod  and Elias Tuma, 2007, Some semi-linear parabolic equations with nonlinear flux boundary
conditions, Nonlinearity 20 (2007) 1421-1429.PGET-nolin

 

Sam Clarke and Peter Grindrod, A Bayesian estimation of unfolded pitchfork bifurcation structure based upon experimental data, accepted, to appear IMA Jour Applied Maths bifurcation_structure_Bayes

 

P Grindrod and E Tuma, 2007, On novel wave front problems for reaction-advection-mixing systems, conference proceedings for WAVES07at Reading UK. wavesConference

 

P Grindrod, Preprint 2007, On models of dispersion at macroscopic scales. Dispersal and scaling

 

P Grindrod and F. Reardon, Preprint 2007, On the existence and interaction of invariant tubes for volume preserving mappings. VPMjan07.pdf.

 

P Grindrod, D J Higham, J K Vass, A. Spence,2006.  Systems biology: unravelling complex networks?  Submitted to Roy Soc Interface Journal, 2006. IMAWARWICKconf

 

P Grindrod and M Kibble, 2004 Review of the uses of network and graph theory concepts within proteomics, Expert Rev Proteomics, 1(2), 2004. Review.

 

P Grindrod and D.J. Waters, 2003. Customer centric strategy: success or survival?, Executive Outlook, Vol.3, Number 4 (December 2003), page 74-81. [This is a journal for Senior Executives of Retailers and their Vendors/Suppliers]executiveoutlook.pdf

 

P Grindrod, 2003. Modelling proteome networks with range dependent graphs, Amer. Jour. of PharmacoGenetics, 3(1), 2003.

 

P Grindrod, 2002. Range dependent random graphs and their application to modelling large small world data sets, Physics Reviews E, 66, 2002. PREproteomics.pdf
 

 

My research interests stretch from PDEs to graph theory, from theoretical stuff into multidisciplinary applications

I was awarded a CBE for services to mathematics research and development July 2005

I am President and Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications 2006 – 2008. See my presidential lecture and much more news at www.ima.org.uk

I was a Member of Council of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and Chair of EPSRC User Panel, 2000-2004

I am a Member of the Isaac Newton Institute National Advisory Board, 2004-

I received an Honorary Doctorate from Oxford Brookes University, 2006  

Peter Grindrod is a mathematician working within the commercial sector for over seventeen years, most recently managing the development and application (and deployment) of mathematical methods to gain business insights from very large databases for large customer facing companies.

He has a PhD in the mathematical analysis reaction diffusion systems, and is the author of a graduate textbook on pattern formation within medical, biological and chemical systems, concerning the theory and application of semi-linear parabolic systems.

o       Graduated in Mathematics from Bristol University  (1978-1981)

o       Completed a PhD in mathematics at Dundee University (1981-1983)

o       Held a post doctoral fellowship at Dundee Universty (1983-85): research in functional analysis, nonlinear dynamical systems,..

o       Appointed Junior Lecturer in mathematics at the Mathematical Institute, Oxford University, and Research Fellow at Brasenose College, Oxford (1985-88): research in nonlinear PDEs.

o       Held an SRC Advanced Fellowship at Oxford University (1988-89) working primarily on problems in mathematical ecology, chemistry, and physiology; developing an eikonal approximation (the geometry and motion of internal transition layers) approach to problems for excitable reaction diffusion systems, and problems of multiple fronts within large geochemical systems. He also lectured on Mathematical Biology including problems with coupled oscillators.

o       Joined an international oil sector and environmental risk management consulting company (1989-98), building up and managing a mathematical modelling group working on multidisciplinary projects in the UK, Europe, US and Japan. He was responsible for client development, particularly within Japan and the EU, developing collaborative and commercial relationships. His own research ranged from the application of fractals to simulating subsurface environments (micro medium structure controlling channelling flow and dispersion phenomena at the macroscopic scale), and non-linear multiphase (solutes, gases, colloidal) dispersion processes, fully coupled chemical-temperature–and hydration systems, through to the development of frameworks for estimating uncertainties within risk assessments, and the analysis of public risk perception. His work on nonlinear PDEs continues most recently with results existence symmetry breaking and stability of solutions for semi-linear parabolic equations with non-linear boundary conditions. He also developed analytics, based on state space embedding techniques for time series, for ForEx trading useful to financial institutes.

o       He was co-founder and Technical Director for a self-funded start–up company, Numbercraft Limited, (1998-2003) to supply services and software to commercial sectors: to retail and consumer goods manufacturing and supply, in particular. The need to extract structure and information, rapidly, and exhaustively, from large commercial data sets drove this: there was market pull from almost all data rich retail and consumer goods companies. Such problems occur within many fields. More and more businesses collect data on products, customers and transactions, whilst media channels and communications have become more diverse. The challenge was to derive valuable insights by interpreting and modelling such data whilst avoiding hypothesis driven approaches. Numbercraft, differentiated by the excellence in analysis, worked with all of the major grocery retailers in the UK (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Safeway, Waitrose, Carrefore, Ahold) and their largest suppliers (Coke, Pepsi, P&G, Unilever, RBK, Deageo, .. and so on). Numbercraft owned all of the IP generated through its work and licensed this to third party software and service providers. Numbercraft, designed to be a five year project, and was exited on time and completely acquired by Lawson Software (St Paul, US) in 2003.

o       Head of Lawson Software’s Retail mathematics based research and technology group (2003-2006), responsible for the specification and derivation of mathematical algorithms developed and embedded within Lawson’s Retail InSight software products, and also responsible for managing mathematicians who consult to major retailers and suppliers within the UK and Europe. Responsible for the group’s relationships with major retailers in the US, such as Safeway Inc in CA, and internationally.

o       Developed range dependent (scale free) graph concepts applicable to post genome (proteome, metabolome) large interaction data sets. Introduced the notion of inverse problems as a way of attributing functional roles to proteins, and developed collaborative (currently EPSRC funded) research with Bath and Strathclyde universities, and the Beatson Laboratory (Glasgow), to develop and encourage the use of mathematical methods (spectral theory, maximum likelihood modelling) in resolving problems associated with complexity and massive networks.

o       Assisted Bath’s Mathematics and Engineering group with strategy and cross theme development for their Critical Mass Complexity Grant (BICS).

o       Directed an EPSRC “sandpit” on environmental risks and their assessment for regulatory purposes, 2006.

o       Advised on Systems Biology funding through the BBSRC/EPSRC.

o       He is interested in knowledge transfer and in particular how to encapsulate and grow value within activities (such as those within pure science, including mathematics) that are essentially people led. He chaired the EPSRC’s first Knowledge Transfer Centres funding panel (2006), and also currently taking part in their Knowledge Transfer Challenge evaluation panel (2006).

 

Peter has published articles and refereed papers, when time and confidentiality restrictions permit, the most recent being in the field of range dependent random graphs and their application to modelling large small world proteome data sets. He has worked in various fields including complex system modelling, dynamical systems analysis of signals, continuous and discrete optimisation and searches, range dependent graph theory, Bayesian forecasting methods, self tuning Markov models, fuzzy logic, finite mixture modelling, and so on.
Since 2000 Peter has been engaged with the EPSRC, both as member of Council and as Chair of the User advisory panel (which goes into much greater depth than Council). Regular assessment and balance reviews were carried out; whilst this was a time of considerable changes in the nature of operations for all of the research Councils, an of course RCUK and OST. In particular the devolvement of responsibility for doctoral training and knowledge transfer to universities (DTAs and CTAs); the development of sector management; the funding of adventure in research, the growth of the life-sciences interface(s) and doctoral training centres; the development of cross council activities such as GRID, bioinformatics, energy and basic technology programmes. Peter also saved on the Wellcome Trust’s Functional Genomics panel, providing a mathematical view on matter s related to bioinformatics.

 

          KEY AREAS OF EXPERIENCE

o        Responsibility for client relationships and technology within the customer insight software suite developed for the retail sector.

o        Founded and grew a successful SME to provide mathematics and software to retail, supply and media sectors. Exited on plan, on time, with a trade sale.

o        Innovative applications of mathematics and related to large corporations and regulators in the financial services, retail, environmental and government sectors.

o        Advice for research councils on strategic opportunities and review (e.g. science programmes, Grid demonstrator projects; Integrated Knowledge Centres, Critical Mass grants, Systems Biology grants, Doctoral Training Centre, etc), including membership of EPSRC Council for five years.

o        Advice on collaborations with industry, the development of critical mass groups, and the management of CTAs for Universities of Bath, Oxford, and Bristol.

o         Director of successful multidisciplinary EPSRC IDEAS factory on Risk within Regulatory Assessment for government stakeholders (FSA, DEFRA, EA, DoH)

o        8 years experience developing and managing, internationally competitive consultancy in the environmental sciences, commerce and industry. Completed leadership and management skills development courses.

o        5 years of experience in academic research developing mathematical models and techniques for nonlinear phenomena in the applied sciences.

o        Experience of inter-disciplinary projects involving mathematics in the geochemical, physical and biosciences.

o        Experience in public and stakeholder risk perception, and in advising national and international programmes on public understanding and public engagement concerning perceived risks and benefits of scientific activities.

o        Authored a graduate text in Mathematics of pattern formation, and published over 50 peer reviewed scientific papers in journals as well a very large number of conference proceedings and institutional technical reports in the US, UK, EU and Japan.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Book

P Grindrod.  Patterns and Waves in Reaction-Diffusion: Techniques and Applications, OUP, 1991; second edition, 1996, Author edition 2007, available from www.grindrodbook.com .

In preparation.

P Grindrod, On models of dispersion at macroscopic scales.

P Grindrod and F. Reardon, On the existence and interaction of invariant tubes for volume preserving mappings.

P Grindrod, D J Higham, G Kalna,  J K Vass, A. Spence, Z. Stoyanov, From SVD to DNA.

Submitted for publication

P Grindrod, D J Higham, J K Vass, A. Spence, Systems biology: unravelling complex networks?  Submitted to Roy Soc Interface Journal, 2006.

Papers, Articles and Proceedings

P Grindrod and E Tuma, Some semi-linear parabolic equations with non-linear flux boundary conditions, to appear Nonlineraity, 2007.

S Clarke and P Grindrod, A Bayesian estimation of unfolded pitchfork bifurcation structure based upon experimental data. To appear in IMA J App Math.

P Grindrod, Z, Stoyanov, Analytical and numerical results for entrainment in large networks of coupled oscillators, Syposium on Network Analysis in Natural Sciences and Engineering, eds Hiche et al 2006, 33-36. Conference proceedings online: http://www.cs.bris.ac.uk/Publications/Papers/2000580.pdf  and revised paper submitted.

P Grindrod and M Kibble, Review of the uses of network and graph theory concepts within proteomics, Expert Rev Proteomics, 1(2), 2004.

P. Grindrod and D.J. Waters, Customer centric strategy: success or survival?, Executive Outlook, Vol.3, Number 4 (December 2003), page 74-81. [This is a journal for Senior Executives of Retailers and their Vendors/Suppliers]

P Grindrod, Modelling proteome networks with range dependent graphs, Amer. Jour. of PharmacoGenetics, 3(1), 2003.

P Grindrod, Range dependent random graphs and their application to modelling large small world data sets, Physics Reviews E, 66, 2002.

P Grindrod, M Peletier and H. Takase, Mechanical interaction between swelling compacted clay and fractured rock, and leaching of clay colloids, Engineering Geology, 54 (159-165), 1999

P Grindrod, H Takase, G Wood Modelling solicitation of a clay buffer subject to opposing temperature and hydration gradients, Engineering Geology, 54 , 215-222, 1999

P Grindrod, Chemical Aspects of the micro-structural modelling with special emphasis on the use of clays for waste isolation, Engineering Geology, 54  (1-2): 185-186, 1999

Grindrod P, Lee A J, Colloid migration in symmetrical non-uniform fractures: Particle tracking in three dimensions. Journal Of Contaminant Hydrology 27 (3-4): 157-175, 1997

Impey MD, Grindrod P, Takase H, Worgan KJ , A capillary network model for gas migration in low-permeability media, SIAM Journal On Applied Mathematics 57 (3): 597-608 1997

S P Crompton and P Grindrod, A geometric approach to fingering instabilities for reaction fronts in fully coupled geochemical systems, IMA Journal of Applied Maths, 57, 29-40, 1996.

P Grindrod and D J Waters, Quantify risk and anomalous behaviour within monitoring and investment problems,  SRA Europe 1996: Risk in a Modern Society, Lessons from Europe, SRA, 1996.

P Grindrod, Geometry and motion of sharp fronts within geochemical transport problems,  Proc Royal Society London,  A,449, 1995.

P Grindrod, Semi-linear elliptic equations with non-linear  boundary conditions: radial solutions and simple symmetry breaking, IMA Journal of Applied Maths, 54, 1995.

P Grindrod, M S Edwards, J J  W Higgo and G M  Williams, Analysis of Colloid and Tracer Breakthrough Curves, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 21, 1996.

P Grindrod, H Takase, Reactive chemical transport within engineered barriers, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 21, 1996.

P Grindrod.  One way blocks in excitable media, Chaos, Solitons and Fractals, 5, 1995.

P  Grindrod,  Finding  inference rules from data sets using fuzzy logic, in Super Strategies for Advanced Technologies in Financial Services, IBC,1995.

P Grindrod, M S Penney and D J Waters, Inference rules from fuzzy data: the application of a quantitative model of perception, to appear, IMA Journal of Maths Applied in Business& Industry, 1996.

Edwards M, Grindrod P  A Channel Network Model For Chemical Migration In Subsurface Media, Mathematical Models & Methods In Applied Sciences 5 (5): 641-657 1995

M D Impey, P Grindrod, Trading on the FX market using chaos theory, in Intelligent Financial and Business Systems, Conference Proceedings, IBC, 1994

P Grindrod, M D Impey, Channelling and Fickian dispersion in fractal simulated porous media, Water Resources Research, Vol. 29, No. 12, 4077-4089, 1993.

P Grindrod, The impact of colloids on the migration and dispersal of radionuclides within fractured rock, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 13, 1993.

P Grindrod, Some reactive transport, dispersal and flow problems associated with geological disposal of radioactive waste, in Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations, Vol IV, (eds. B.D. Sleeman and R.J. Jarvis), Longman, 1993.

P Grindrod, M A. Lewis and J D Murray,  A geometrical approach to wave-type solutions of excitable reaction-diffusion systems, Proc. Royal Soc. London  A 433, 1991.

Lewis M A, Grindrod P, One-Way Blocks In Cardiac Tissue - A Mechanism For Propagation Failure In Purkinje-Fibers, Bulletin Of Mathematical Biology 53 (6): 881-899 1991

Grindrod P, Murray JD, Sinha S , Steady-State Spatial Patterns In A Cell-Chemotaxis Model, IMA Jour Of Mathematics Applied In Medicine And Biology  6 (2): 69-79 1989

P Grindrod, Models of individual aggregation or clustering in single and multispecies communities, J. Math. Biol., 26, 1989.

P Grindrod and J Gomatam,  The geometry and motion of reaction-diffusion waves on closed two dimensional manifolds,  J. Math. Biol., 25, 1987.

J Gomatam  and P Grindrod, 3-Dimensional Waves In Excitable Reaction-Diffusion Systems,  Journal Of Mathematical Biology 25 (6): 611-622 1987

P Grindrod and B P Rynne, Time periodic solutions to semilinear parabolic equations,  Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., 104A, 1986.

Grindrod P, Sleeman B D, Weak Travelling Fronts For Population-Models With Density Dependent Dispersion, Mathematical Methods In The Applied Sciences  9 (4): 576-586 1987

Tuma E, Sleeman BD, Grindrod P , The Asymptotic-Behavior Of Solutions Of Belousov-Zhabotinskii Type Reaction-Diffusion Equations, Quarterly Journal Of Mechanics And Applied Mathematics  39: 403-415 Part 3 1986

P Grindrod and B D Sleeman,  A model of a myelinated nerve axon; threshold behaviour and propagation.  J.Math. Biol., 23, 1985.

P Grindrod, A model of a myelinated nerve axon, In: Proceedings of the 8th Dundee Conference on the Theory of Differential Equations, Lecture Notes in Mathematics, 1157, Springer, 1985.

P Grindrod,  Initial boundary value problems for coupled nerve fibres,  Proc. Edin. Math. Soc., 28, 1985.

Grindrod P, Sleeman BD, A Model Of A Myelinated Nerve Axon - Threshold Behaviour And Propagation, Journal Of Mathematical Biology  23 (1): 119-135 1985

Grindrod P, Sleeman Bd, Homoclinic Solutions For Coupled Systems Of Differential-Equations, Proceedings of The Royal Society Of Edinburgh Section A-Mathematics 99: 319-328 Part 3-4 1985

TelCoTab.xls

That's all.