Professor Graeme Pettet

I have been interested in the application of mathematical methods to biological problems, typically relating to growth, form and disease, for over two decades.

My research interests lie at the interface of mathematics, life sciences and engineeringwhere there are a wealth of problems for which novel and inventive solutions are sought. The application of applied mathematical methodologies for modelling, solution and simulation prove to be a powerful and stimulating component of such collaborative research activities. With a particular interest in biomechanics and regenerative medicine, my collaborative projects cover such topics as modelling the lumbar spine, growth and function of the human epidermis, soft-tissue wound healing, tumour growth and fracture repair in bone.

From a mathematical perspective, elements from many of these projects have led to models of chemotactically driven travelling waves and other issues of emergent behaviour wherein population or tissue level patterns evolve from small scale or cell level interactions.