Marek Kwiatkowski

Tea time in Scotland

I am a PhD student in Informatics at the University of Edinburgh. I work on modelling of biochemical pathways with so-called process algebras. They are formal languages originally designed for specification and validation of concurrent computing systems. I am especially interested in the (Darwinian) evolution of protein interaction pathways. Currently, I am trying to exploit and extend the inherent flexibility and modularity of process algebras to capture evolutionary variability in these systems. More on my webpage.

When I'm not at work I read books, mostly 20th century American fiction. Another great reason to go to Santa Fe! I also play squash and pretend to be a football (soccer) manager, but I am not very good at either.

You can reach me at M.Kwiatkowski@ed.ac.uk, even just to say hello. Otherwise, see you in Santa Fe.

---Now, my answers to Dan's questionnaire---

1. What are your main interests? Feel free to include a "pie in the sky" big idea!

I am interested in computational modelling of molecular evolution. I would like to be able to quantitatively investigate the evolutionary past and future of a given molecular system. This of course ties with mutational robustness, so I want to develop means of assessing it as well.

2. What sorts of expertise can you bring to the group?

I am a computer scientist and I have focused of the theoretical foundations of this field. I know what computers can and cannot do. I know a range of mathematical structures we can use to formalize our ideas, among them graphs, topologies, transition systems, automata, vector spaces, and hybrids of these.

3. What do you hope to get out of the CSSS?

First of all, exposure to scientific endeavours that are in need of formal mathematical treatment. I am quite keen on interdisciplinary research and would be thrilled to find real-world (i.e. from outside of computer science) problems and people who are in need of the kind of mathematical support I can provide. This has been a particularly strong feeling for me and the driving force behind my decision to try to switch to computational biology 3 years ago.

Second, I hope to take part in an exciting modelling project, along the lines described above. I hope to provide the theoretical base of fire for my team.

Finally, I am looking forward to meeting all the brilliant and original minds who are coming to CSSS.

4. Do you have any possible projects in mind for the CSSS?

No.