Laurie helps to figure out the cause of disease

Laurie helps to figure out the cause of disease. Laurie Crossley, from Hollingdean, Brighton, who graduates in Mathematics today (Wednesday afternoon, 18 July 2012), gave up part of her summer holidays while still an undergraduate to try to find out how changes in vital cell functions are linked to debilitating diseases in humans - using mathematics. Now Laurie is awaiting publication of her findings in the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology - a rare achievement for an undergraduate. Her experience has inspired her to study for a doctorate at Sussex in the same subject. Laurie was funded by a special Junior Research Associate bursary, awarded by the University to talented undergraduates so that they can stay on at University over the summer months and get a taste of real research outside of their normal studies. Laurie worked with postgraduate researcher Caroline Garrett and neuroscientist Majid Hafezparast of the University's School of Life Sciences. Laurie led the study with help from Mathematics lecturer Anotida Madzvamuse and Julie Carr from the University's Doctoral School, which supports postgraduate students and young researchers.