Samuel Johnson
// hello, world

Samuel Johnson

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mathematical Epidemiology at the Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, University of Oxford
Stipendiary Lecturer in Applied Mathematics at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
01

About

I'm a D.Phil. (PhD) student supervised by Prof. Philip Maini and Prof. Ruth Baker. My research concerns the construction and analysis of mathematical models of both single and collective cell migration, using the cranial neural crest as a model paradigm.

In March 2026, I will take up a role as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Mathematical Epidemiology under Prof. Robin Thompson, also at the Mathematical Institute.

I also enjoy working on other problems in mathematical biology, drawing on techniques including graph theory, optimal control theory, solid mechanics, and percolation theory.

I'm always keen to talk about maths and looking for new collaborations — please reach out!

Research Interests

cell migration neural crest epidemiology agent-based models

Education

D.Phil. Mathematics
University of Oxford
(Christ Church)
MASt Applied Mathematics
University of Cambridge
(Gonville and Caius)
BSc Theoretical Physics
University of Edinburgh
02

Publications

∇VEGF → followers leaders
arXiv Preprint · 2026
The spontaneous emergence of leaders and followers in a mathematical model of cranial neural crest cell migration
S.W.S. Johnson, R.E. Baker, P.K. Maini
stream 1 (r1-r2) stream 2 (r4) stream 3 (r6-r7) Trail · Colec12 · Dan
Developmental Dynamics · 2026
Mathematical modelling predicts novel mechanisms of stream confinement from Trail/Colec12/Dan in collective cranial neural crest cell migration
S.W.S. Johnson, P.M. Kulesa, R.E. Baker, P.K. Maini
collective motion
The Conversation · 2023
How swarming animals can help humans and AI make better decisions
S.W.S. Johnson
03

Teaching

Stipendiary Lecturer in Applied Mathematics

Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford · 2023–Present

Teaching multiple undergraduate courses, conducting admissions interviews for prospective students, and serving as a personal tutor.

Geometry Fourier Series & PDEs Mathematical Biology Numerical Analysis

ASO Graph Theory

Balliol College, Oxford
Trinity 2023

C5.4 Networks

Mathematical Institute, Oxford
Michaelmas 2022

Math Model Building in Biomedicine

Doctoral Training Centre, Oxford
Michaelmas 2022

Essential Mathematics

Doctoral Training Centre, Oxford
Michaelmas 2022
04

Conferences

Honourable Mention — Poster Prize

The Extracellular Matrix: How to Model Structure Complexity

March 2023 · Poster Presentation

Presented a poster entitled “Follow the Leader: Collective Cell Migration in the Cranial Neural Crest”, receiving a prize of honourable mention.

05

Outreach

UNIQ Mentor

Mathematical Institute, Oxford

Running mock tutorials for prospective undergraduates, familiarising them with the Oxford system and teaching style.

AMSP Mentor

Mathematical Institute, Oxford

Leading classes for prospective undergraduates, working through selected problems with a focus on problem-solving techniques and logical reasoning.