Peter Jarvis

Peter Jarvis is a University Associate in the Physics department at the School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania. His research spans mathematical physics with applications to quantum mechanics, quantum information theory, and mathematical biology, particularly in the area of phylogenetics. He maintains an active research program with recent publications extending to 2024 and collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions.

Dr. Jarvis's research interests focus on the mathematical aspects of classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and quantum information theory, with significant contributions to biological mathematics. His work bridges physics and biology through the application of quantum physics tools to evolutionary analysis (phylogenetics). Key research areas include:

• Algebraic structures in mathematical physics
• Quantum entanglement and information theory
• Mathematical modeling of evolutionary processes
• Lie superalgebras and representation theory
• Markov models for phylogenetic analysis
• Applications of quantum physics to biological systems

His publication record demonstrates a consistent trajectory from fundamental mathematical physics toward interdisciplinary applications in biology. Early work focused on supersymmetry, algebraic structures, and quantum field theory, while more recent research emphasizes the application of these mathematical tools to phylogenetics and evolutionary biology. This shift reflects a growing trend of applying physics methodologies to complex biological problems, particularly in developing mathematically consistent models for DNA sequence evolution.

Dr. Jarvis has successfully supervised numerous graduate students through completion of their doctoral and masters degrees. His supervision record includes 16 doctoral students and 2 masters students, with the most recent completions in 2024. His students have worked on diverse topics including quantum error correction, Markov invariants, superalgebras, gravitational lensing, and entanglement theory.

He has secured significant research funding from the Australian Research Council and the University of Tasmania, with total project funding exceeding $1.6 million. Notable projects include "An efficient approach to the computation of bacterial evolutionary distance" (2018-2022), "Algebraically informed models of biological sequence evolution" (2015-2018), and "Markov Invariants and Phylogenetic Tree Reconstruction" (2008-2010). These projects highlight his interdisciplinary approach, combining mathematical physics with biological applications.