Alex Clarke

My project looked at the way collectives of plant cells communicate, and how our current methods of simulating biological systems fall short. I used machine learning to create a framework for training artificial cells to learn the rules for successful growth. The study of swarm dynamics is very topical in complexity science, and this is how I got interested in this area and into biology. I was interested not just to unpick the technical problem, but also the attitudes in science and interdisciplinary barriers between biology and computer science that are preventing better collaboration on this complex problem. I also made an interactive artwork for our end of year exhibition to try and translate these scientific ideas into a more intuitive form.

Bringing together a talented cohort of Masters' students with an open mindedness and curiosity certainly helps a lot, because the group discussion allows you to share but also challenge your previous disciplinary specialism, reaching common ground. The programme itself is designed to tie threads between different disciplines that are usually disjoint, which has inspired my research direction but also allowed me to be a much better 'translator' between different people I work with across disciplines.

The best thing about this university is its willingness to learn from the students. Take the initiative and leverage this academic freedom! Make sure you're reading and exploring in your own time, and bring to the discussion what interests you. It helps a lot to start thinking about how you could tie together a final project area early because you might have to pivot multiple times.