John MacKenzie

Professor John MacKenzie is a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics within the Faculty of Science at the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom. He holds the academic rank of Professor and is actively engaged in interdisciplinary research spanning computational biology, industrial mathematics, and numerical analysis of partial differential equations.

• Doctor of Philosophy, University of Oxford, 1991
• Bachelor of Science, University of Strathclyde, 1987

His research interests lie at the intersection of applied mathematics and real-world applications. He specializes in computational modelling of biological systems, particularly eukaryotic cell migration and chemotaxis, with implications for cancer metastasis, wound healing, and embryonic development. He also applies advanced numerical techniques to industrial problems such as liquid crystal modelling, photocatalytic inks, and spray drying processes. His methodological expertise includes adaptive finite element methods, moving mesh techniques, and mass-conservative schemes for evolving domains.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in combining cutting-edge numerical methods with complex biological and physical systems. The work spans from Bayesian inference in collective cell movement to computational models of liquid crystal defects and cell polarization. These articles reflect a consistent focus on developing and applying robust computational frameworks to interdisciplinary challenges in health technologies and industrial applications.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Leverhulme Research Fellowship (2014–2016) for work on cell migration and chemotaxis

Professor MacKenzie is actively involved in supervising PhD students and leading major research grants. He is currently a Principal Investigator on EPSRC-funded projects, including the Maths DTP 2021/22 and DTP 2224, and has previously led grants funded by CRUK, Hewlett-Packard, and Procter & Gamble. His collaborative network includes researchers from the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast, and industrial partners. He is also a member of the Research in Cancer at Strathclyde (RICAS) group, contributing to the Health Technologies theme at the University’s Technology and Innovation Centre.

He plays a significant role in the academic community, having organized major conferences such as the 28th Biennial Conference on Numerical Analysis and delivered invited talks at international workshops. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through education and applied research in health and sustainable technologies.