Matthew Smith is post doctoral researcher in the Computational Ecology and Environmental Science Group, a part of the European Science Initiative at Microsoft Research Cambridge. His main focus is in conducting research into current ecological problems, and developing tools ho help address such problems in the future. Matthew completed a PhD in ecological modelling with Prof. Jonathan Sherratt (Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK) and Prof. Xavier Lambin (Aberdeen University). Prior to that he was CITES Projects Officer at RBG Kew, primarily developing tools to aid in the implementation of CITES. Current research projects include Tools for analysing and interpreting data on disease dynamics. Datasets on disease spread in human and wildlife populations are increasing in size and variety. This project will address how can we best understand and predict host-pathogen dynamics in wildlife populations and whether we can predict the risk posed to human populations from zoonoses through the study of their dynamics in their wildlife reservoirs. Exploring the significance of the different mathematical concepts of stability for ecological systems. Spatiotemporal models of ecological systems are now common. Knowing the precise type of stability for solutions to these models can indicate what dynamics will be observed in spatiotemporal field data. However, understanding the different categorisations of stability is demanding even for many mathematicians, let alone ecologists. This collaborative project will aim to explain clearly what is meant by these different concepts and show how they can be computed. Tools to aid in making non-detriment statements. International trade in species listed on Appendix II of CITES is allowed providing exporting countries declare that the export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species. However, there is a general perception that the scientific basis used for making such “Non-Detriment Declarations” could be improved. One key computational challenge is in bringing together the knowledge and tools to allow the basis for making Non-Detriment statements to be assessed, and for sustainable harvest levels to be set. This collaborative project will aim towards developing computational aids to making non-detriment statements, primarily using the well regarded non-detriment making system for snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) in Turkey as a model system to test the concept. Testing ecological tools and theory with the analysis of artificial ecological systems. This project will assess the potential utility of using simulated data generated by mechanistic models of ecological systems to allow the assessment of empirical techniques. Tools to aid in Scientific Teaching and Communication. Improving the communication of scientific principles and techniques is a widely desired goal in schools, universities and academic institutions. One of the key challenges in achieving this is in developing communication methods that are understandable and memorable to a varied audience. This project will explore the potential benefits of using small computational “toys” to demonstrate key ideas in scientific communication. Submitted 1. M. Smith, S. Telfer, K. Kallio, S. Burthe, X. Lambin, M. Begon. Disease dynamics in wildlife reveal transmission mechanism that transforms epidemiological prediction
2. M. Begon, S. Telfer, M. Smith, S. Burthe, S. Paterson, X. Lambin. Seasonal host dynamics drive the timing of recurrent epidemics in a wildlife population 3. J. Sherratt, M. Smith, J. Rademacher. Calculating the Width of Wavetrain Bands behind Invasion. In Press 1. M. Begon, S. Telfer, S. Burthe, X. Lambin, M. Smith, S. Paterson. Effects of abundance on infection in natural populations: field voles and cowpox virus. Epidemics
2. M. Smith. The application of population modelling techniques to the development of non-detriment findings for Galanthus elwesii in Turkey. Peer reviewed conference paper for International Expert Workshop on CITES Non-Detriment Findings.
Peer Reviewed Publications (PDFs available on request) 1. M.Smith, J.A.Sherratt, X. Lambin (2008) The effects of density dependent dispersal on the spatiotemporal dynamics of cyclic populations. Journal of Theoretical Biology. doi: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2008.05.034. DENSITY-DEPENDENT DISPERSAL IN CYCLIC POPULATIONS SIMULATOR. A Free-to-download tool for exploring the numerical dynamics illustrated in this paper. 2. Massey, F.P. Smith, M.J. Lambin, X. Hartley, S.E. (2008) Are silica defences in grasses driving vole population cycles? Biology Letters. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2008.0106 3. M.Smith, A.White, J.A.Sherratt, S.Telfer, M.Begon, X.Lambin, (2008) Disease effects on reproduction can cause population cycles in seasonal environments. Journal of Animal Ecology, 77(2), 378-389 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2656.2007.01328.x. Supplementary Material .
4. M.Smith, J.A.Sherratt (2007) The effects of unequal diffusion coefficients on periodic travelling wave properties in
oscillatory reaction diffusion systems. Physica D, 236(2), 90-103, doi:10.1016/j.physd.2007.07.013 5. Sherratt, J.A. & Smith M.J. (2008) REVIEW, Periodic Travelling Waves in Cyclic Populations: Field studies and reaction-diffusion models. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2007.1327 Proc. R. Soc. Interface, 5, 483-505. 6. M.Smith, R.Sibly (2008) Identification of tradeoffs underlying the primary strategies of plants. Available online, Evolutionary Ecology Research , 10(1), 45-60. 7. M.Smith, J.A.Sherratt, N.J.Armstrong, (2008) The effects of obstacle size on periodic travelling waves in oscillatory reaction-diffusion equations. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London - Series A, 464, 365-390. doi: 10.1098/rspa.2007.0198.
8. M.Smith, A.White, J.A.Sherratt, X.Lambin, M.Begon,
(2006) Delayed Density Dependent Season Length Alone can Lead to Rodent Population
Cycles. American Naturalist 167(5), 695-704.
9. C.Buckee, K.Koelle, M.Mustard (Smith), S.Gupta, (2004). The Effects of Host Contact Network Structure
on Pathogen Diversity and Strain Structure. PNAS 101(29), 10839-44.
10. M.J.Aitkenhead, M.J.Mustard (Smith), A.J.S.McDonald, (2004). Using neural networks to predict
spatial structure in ecological systems. Ecol. Mod. 179(3), 393-403.
doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2004.05.008.
11. M.J.Mustard (Smith), D.B.Standing, M.J.Aitkenhead, D.Robinson, A.J.S.McDonald (2003). The emergence of primary strategies in evolving
virtual-plant populations. Evol. Ecol. Res. 5, 1067-81. Available online. Other Publications Smith, M.J., Brodie, C., Kowalczyk, J., Michnowicz, S. & McGough, H.N. (2006). CITES Orchid Checklist Volume 4. United Nations (2005). “Endangered Species” stamp series. Contributed text. Mustard (Smith), M.J. & Yuzbasioglu, S. (2005). Turkish Delights. Kew Magazine, Spring 2005 McGough, H.N. Groves, M.G. Sajeva, M. Mustard (Smith), M.J. & Brodie, C (2004). CITES and Succulents, A User’s Guide. Lego Press McGough, H.N. Groves, M.G., Mustard (Smith), M.J.‡ & Brodie, C.(2004). CITES and Plants, A User’s Guide. Lego Press Williams, C. Davis, K. & Cheyne, P. (with the assistance of Mustard (Smith), M.J. & Brodie, C) (2003). The CBD, for Botanists. |
Contact Details Dr. Matthew Smith Postdoctoral Researcher Computational Ecology and Environmental Science Group Microsoft Research Ltd. Roger Needham Building 7 J J Thompson Avenue Cambridge, CB3 0FB, UK +44 (0)1223 479 784 mattsmi(at)microsoft(dot)com |
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