Michael Cates

Michael Cates is the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge, leading the Soft Matter research group in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP). He has held prestigious roles, including Royal Society Research Professor (2007-2022) and Professor of Natural Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh (1995-2015). His research focuses on soft matter physics, active matter, rheology, and non-equilibrium statistical physics, with a recent ERC Advanced Grant on Active and Driven Systems. Cates has received awards such as the Bingham Medal (2016), Dirac Medal (2009), and recognition by the US National Academies of Sciences and Engineering.

His research interests span the flow dynamics of colloids, polymers, and gels; shear-thickening rheology; and theoretical models of active matter, including phase separation and collective motion. He also contributed to pandemic modeling during the RAMP initiative. His work bridges fundamental physics with applications in materials science and biophysics.

Grants & Awards:

• ERC Advanced Grant (ADNeSP, completed)
• Royal Society Research Professorship (2007-2022)
• Over 11 major scientific awards, including Bingham Medal and Dirac Medal

Labs & Teams: Heads the Soft Matter group at DAMTP, collaborating on interdisciplinary projects in active matter and complex fluids.