Prof John Terry
Professor in Biomedical Modelling
Extension: 5274
Telephone: 01392 725274
Professor Terry’s research is focussed on the development and application of mathematical and computational methodologies for understanding the dynamics of neural systems, with a particular interest in the transitions between healthy and diseased states in the human brain. Since 2003 he has supervised the research training of 18 individuals, including 7 PhD students.
He graduated in Mathematics with 1st class honours from the University of Reading in 1997. Subsequently he studied for a PhD in Applied Mathematics jointly between the University of Surrey and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Following postdoctoral positions at the University of Warwick and the University of Queensland, he was appointed Lecturer in Mathematical Sciences at Loughborough University in 2002. From 2006–2010, he was first Lecturer, then Senior Lecturer and finally Reader within the Department of Engineering Mathematics at the University of Bristol. He then moved to a Prize Readership in Theoretical Neuroscience at the University of Sheffield in 2010, before joining the University of Exeter in 2012.
He has a long track-record in multidisciplinary research with scientists in clinical and experimental neuroscience. He is internationally renowned for his systems modelling approaches in neuroscience and in particular applications to epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and Neuroendocrinology. His current research focus includes:
- Characterising the evolution of epilepsies using neural modelling techniques, with the aim to create improved diagnosis techniques for clinicians and to better predict treatment outcomes.
- Developing models for interpreting the effects of Deep Brain Stimulation with applications to Parkinson’s and Epilepsy.
- Exploring the interactions between neural dynamics and hormone secretions in the Hypothalmic-Pituituary-Adrenal axis; by understanding the mechanisms responsible for fluctuations observed in blood concentrations of steroids, more appropriate treatments for a number of clinical conditions may be developed.
He has authored nearly 40 publications of original research, as well as a number of conference proceedings. He is a member of the steering committee of the UK’s Mathematical Neuroscience Network, as well as the UK’s Neuroinformatics Node. He sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience, and has acted as an associate editor for PLoS Computational Biology, as well as guest editor for special issues of Progress in Molecular Biology and Biophysics and the European Journal of Neuroscience. He is also a reviewer for several neuroscience journals.
Dr Terry’s research has been funded by the EPSRC, the MRC, the BBSRC, the Leverhulme Trust and the Royal Society. In total he has held or co-held in excess of £2.5 million of research funding since 2003.
Outside of work he is a keen runner, representing Westbury Harriers both competitively and in his role as team manager for the senior men. He also enjoys music, cooking, and travelling.
