Mathematics and Statistics

Professor Michael Plank

Funded research

• Mathematical modelling to support New Zealand's response to Covid-19 - with Shaun Hendy, Rachelle Binny, Audrey Lustig - funded by the New Zealand Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (2020-2023)
• Understanding key epidemiological features of the Covid-19 pandemic in NZ to improve the response - with Jennifer Summers - funded by the Ministry of Health (2022-2023)
• Te Ara o te Reo Māori - the trajectory of the Māori language - with Rachael Ka'ai Mahuta and Markus Luczak-Roesch (2023-2025)
• Mathematical models of 4D multicellular spheroids: mathematical model development and mathematical model parameterisation - with Matthew Simpson and Nikolas Haass - funded by the Australian Research Council (2020-2023)
• Improving biosecurity outcomes via surveillance analytics - with Alex James and postdoctoral fellow Rebecca Turner (Scion Research) - funded by Te Pūnaha Matatini and the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge (2018-2021)
• Mathematical models of cell migration in three-dimensional living tissues - with Matthew Simpson and Ruth Baker - funded by the Australian Research Council (2017-2020)
• Very large-scale conservation: pan-regional control of invasive predators - with Alex James and postdoctoral research fellow Audrey Lustig - funded by Te Pūnaha Matatini (2017-2020)
• The role of intercellular signalling in neurovascular coupling - with Tim David (2013-2019)
• Social network models for identifying vulnerable children - with Alex James and Jeanette McLeod - funded by Ministry of Social Development (2017-2018)
• Cell invasion: interactions across scales - with Matthew Simpson and Richard Law - funded by the RSNZ Marsden Fund (2012-2015)
• Population models of Tradescantia fluminensis - with Alex James - funded by AgResearch (2010-2016)
• Aquatic ecosystem dynamics: size or species - with Richard Law - funded by the by RSNZ Marsden Fund (2009-2012)
• Quantifying the effect of garden waste displosal on the spread of invasive species - with Alex James - funded by the Department of Conservation
• Modelling invasive species and weed impact - with Jennifer Brown and Alex James - funded by the NZ Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (2006-2010)