Insightful Modelling

Mathematical modelling is the process of translating a real-world situation into mathematical equations, analysing these equations, and relating the results back to the real-world. Mathematical modelling is particularly powerful when several processes interact or when a complex process changes over time. In these situations, our intuition often fails and mathematical modelling provides an invaluable understanding of the real-world phenomenon. It also helps us make sense of data and integrate information.

Alona is an experienced mathematical modeller who enjoys solving problems using Mathematics. She was trained as a mechanical engineer (BSc and MSc from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology) and worked for a couple of years in the Israel Electric Corporation before pursuing a PhD in Mathematics at the University of Auckland. Following a New Zealand Science and Technology Post-Doctoral fellowship at the Bioengineering Institute in Auckland, Alona worked at Massey University, Albany Campus, between 2005 and January 2022, as a lecturer, senior lecturer and an Associate Professor in Mathematics.

Alona is an honorary Associate Professor and a member of Manaaki Mānawa – The Centre for Heart Research at the University of Auckland. She currently develops mathematical models of the cardio-respiratory system which aim to help us understand how high blood pressure can be managed. Other projects she worked on previously include: developing a Boolean network that can explain how the breathing pattern is controlled in the brainstem, developing a model that can explain how the air in the lungs of birds flows in one direction and analysing a mathematical model that explains the appearance of sudden voltage spikes (ferroresonance) in the electric grid.