Zachary Hale

Hi, I'm Zachary Hale, and I joined the ACT in November 2024 as a Young Graduate Trainee.

My primary interest is in modelling complexity with the tools of maths and physics, which is particularly relevant to the beautiful and variegated biological systems in our world (and beyond!). During my MSci at Univeristy College London I helped to develop a mathematical model for ageing in multicellular organisms where cells compete and cooperate optimally to prolong the healthy lifespan of the organism. Whilst typically applied to epigenetic drift, we found an alternate application of information theory to ageing, whereby in the model ageing is parametrised by Fisher information. I have also explored liquid-liquid phase separation and its links to the origins of life, as well as perception as a scientific and philosophical problem.

As a space enthusiast, however, I am keen to apply this ethos to space exploration. Whilst astrobiology is still a speculative field, we might soon be in a position to enable ecological succession, biomining, or to look for traces of life further and further from Earth.

In my free time I play the Japanese drums (wadaiko) and the Japanese flute (shinobue). I also have an interest in language, through literature, particularly the poetry of T.S. Eliot, creative writing, and foreign languages. I'm British/Australian so on the weekend you can usually find me at the beach.

Please get in touch!: tni.ase@elah.yrahcaz