Kirsty Y. Wan

I am a Group Leader (PI) and Associate Professor at the Living Systems Institute, situated in the scenic surroundings of the University of Exeter, in the South-West of England, UK. My lab explores how cells and small organisms control and orchestrate complex behaviours. We integrate experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches to explore fundamental biological questions such as how aneural single-celled organisms actuate their motility appendages for swimming. We are particularly interested in the dynamics and coordination of remarkable organelles called cilia and flagella. We work at the interface of physics, mathematics and biology, seeking to combine and develop novel interdisciplinary methods to provide new insight into the origins, control, and mutability of life at the microscale.

Prior to joining the University of Exeter I spent many years at the University of Cambridge, where I obtained my undergraduate and masters degrees, and subsequently my PhD from the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) under the supervision of Professor Raymond E. Goldstein FRS. This was followed by a period of postdoctoral research in the same lab, during which I was also awarded a Thomas Nevile Junior Research Fellowship from Magdalene College.

Please follow lab updates/research activity on twitter @micromotility.