I am excited by nonlinear, nonequilibrium, and often stochastic and dynamical aspects of biology: where the effects of a large number of interacting biological aspects (from molecules or measurable aspects of organismal health) are strong. This is where self-assembly of soft-matter objects occurs and structure is important. We use computational approaches to bring a quantitative theoretical approach to important biological systems, with the goal of modelling, understanding, and highlighting physical mechanisms.
Of current interest are organismal aging and mortality. For this we use complex networks, machine learning (ML), information theory, stochastic-simulation algorithms (SSA), and other tools and approaches that help us gain insight into this important process.
We are also studying the structure and properties of collagen fibrils, specifically how cross-links formed due to aging changes in both hydration and mechanical properties.