Southampton Doctoral Researchers accepted into Turing Institute Enrichment Scheme
Linus Ho Yi Too, School of Mathematical Sciences and Anthony Lindley, School of Ocean & Earth Sciences will take up their placements in 2021 at the Turing offices in the British Library. Enrichment students have the opportunity to find new collaborators for their research project, or to start a collaboration on something related to their field. Upon starting a placement students join a cohort from across the UK, as well as the range of researchers already active at the Turing.
Linus Ho Yi Too, School of Mathematical Sciences
"The title of my proposed research project in Turing is "Geometrical and topological interpretation of information quantities from partition function and application to tensor network machine learning."
During my time in the Turing, I am hoping to explore the relation between physics and data science using geometry and topology. In both of these fields, a fundamental question to ask is how should one quantify 'information'. String theory provides us with an elegant geometrical interpretation of information shared between two quantum systems. It is similar to how Einstein described gravitation dynamics with the fabric of spacetime or how Hawking quantified missing information in a black hole by the area of the horizon. On the other side, there has been data science research on extracting data information from their topology called topological data analysis. I would love to translate these methodologies between theoretical physics and data science."
Anthony Lindley, School of Ocean & Earth Sciences
"My doctoral research has revolved around the development and use of a low-cost, automated microscope system to take pictures of phytoplankton in water samples (see the image above of a few of the thousands of microorganisms found in one 10ml water sample that Anthony has analysed with his system). Phytoplankton are extremely important for all aquatic life and play an essential role in global climate, yet we struggle to get accurate data about the abundance, diversity and functions of these microscopic plants on the scales needed. Researchers need cheaper methods of measuring plankton in order to better understand their seasonal and long-term behaviours - and ultimately to observe and predict their responses to climate change and pollution.
My placement at the Alan Turing Institute will allow me to work with world-leading data scientists to develop the tools needed to extract useful information from the massive volume of images that devices such as mine produce. I will be particularly focused on ‘edge processing’ - deploying artificial intelligence in small, cheap systems that can be directly built into the tools collecting the data. This will allow my system to be used in remote environments without internet access or traditional computing resources, and should increase the scope and impact of my PhD research. I am incredibly excited to have this opportunity and can’t wait to get started at the Turing!"
About the Enrichment Scheme
The Enrichment scheme offers students currently enrolled on a doctoral programme at a UK university the opportunity to join us for up to 12 months at the Turing. Students continue their PhD in conjunction with their current supervisor, while enriching their research and making new collaborations during their time at the Institute.
Enrichment places are offered for 6, 9, or 12 months with a choice of start dates each year. While on placement students are expected to work out of the Turing offices in the British Library. To support relocation and travel costs the award provides either a stipend top-up and/or expenses allowance for eligible students.