Matishalin Patel

Dr. Matishalin Patel is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Hull, affiliated with the Data Science AI and Modelling Centre (DAIM). He holds a DPhil (PhD) in Evolutionary Theory from the University of Oxford (2015–2019) and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge in Zoology and the Centre for the Future of Intelligence. His research focuses on theoretical biology, social evolution, and the evolution of complex behaviors, particularly in microbial and animal systems. He integrates computational models and artificial intelligence to explore co-evolutionary dynamics and intelligence evolution.

Research interests include altruism/spite in microbes, democratic peace mechanisms in animal societies, and AI-driven comparative cognition studies. His work bridges evolutionary biology with AI to address questions about cooperation and adaptation. He co-leads the Experiencing human-wildlife conflict management through playful learning project, funded by the British Ecological Society (£3,460), exploring interactive methods for ecological education.

Key contributions include developing the Animal-AI Environment, a virtual lab for cross-disciplinary cognition studies, and elucidating microbial warfare strategies influencing symbiosis evolution. His grants and projects reflect interdisciplinary approaches to ecological and evolutionary challenges.