I joined CPIB as a mathematician in September 2009. My role is to undertake deterministic (differential-equations based) modelling of gene and signalling networks involved in lateral root initiation. In particular, I am developing models of hormone interactions regulating the priming of founder cells in lateral root initiation at a cellular and multi-cellular scale. The model formulation requires working in collaboration with a biologist, Ute Voß, and other mathematicians of the centre, Alistair Middleton and Leah Band.