Athen Ma

Dr. Athen Ma is a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London's School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. Their research focuses on complex networks, ecological systems, and interdisciplinary applications of network science. Key areas include ecosystem responses to global environmental change, ecological network resilience, and drought impacts on food webs. Teaching responsibilities include modules on Digital Circuit Design and Network Science, emphasizing probability, simulation, and reliability theory.

• Affiliations: Centre for Human-Centred Computing, Faculty of Science and Engineering
• Grants: £840,297 NERC Pushing the Frontiers Grant (2024–2027), EU SUNSET (£337,527)

Research highlights include Nature Ecology & Evolution and Nature Climate Change publications on agro-ecosystem resilience and drought-induced food web rewiring. Current projects investigate sub-network structures in ecological systems under climate stress. Collaborations involve institutions like the University of Essex and the Macao Polytechnic Institute.

• Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Advising includes PhD students Lachlan Burton and Jorge Eduardo Castro Cruces, focusing on machine learning applications in ecological networks. The lab actively engages in interdisciplinary research, blending computational methods with ecological data to address global challenges.