The committee for the 2012 JH Michell Medal has unanimously agreed to nominate Matthew Simpson of the Queensland University of Technology for this award.

Matthew obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Newcastle in 1998 and a PhD from the University of Western Australia in 2003. Between 2003 and 2010 he was a Research Fellow and then Australian Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Since 2010 he has been a Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology.

Matthew's PhD research involved developing computational algorithms to solve mathematical models that describe mixing of fresh and saline fluids in coastal aquifers. In 2003 Matthew joined Professor Kerry Landman’s group at the University of Melbourne where he used advanced computational and mathematical modelling to design and interpret new experiments that challenged existing hypotheses about the development of the enteric nervous system. Three articles by Simpson, Landman and Newgreen published on this work have already received 100 citations and the work was featured as a cover illustration of the prestigious journal, Developmental Biology. Having been awarded an ARC Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2006, Matthew then worked with Professors Kerry Landman and Barry Hughes to develop new mathematical tools that describe multiscale data from cell biology experiments. Since his appointment at QUT Matthew has established strong collaborative links with both mathematicians and life scientists. He has published approximately 40 papers, many of which have been well-cited.

Matthew has obtained significant research funding, supervised a number of students, and presented results at ANZIAM meetings since 2004. The committee regards him as a worthy recipient of the 2012 J.H. Michell Medal.

Committee:

• Carlo Laing, Massey University (Chair)
• Natashia Boland, University of Newcastle
• Tony Roberts, University of Adelaide