Emily Muller

Emily Muller obtained a BSc honours in mathematics (first class) from Southampton University in 2014. She pursued further studies at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in Cape Town, obtaining an MSc in mathematics cum laude in June 2017. She will continue her research master’s at AIMS in 2018.

Muller is an applied mathematician with a keen interest in modelling human behaviours using networks. Her research aims to determine the influence of dynamic social network structures on particular outcomes, for example, how students’ social networks influence their academic performance. Her work will amalgamate data science and social sciences to ultimately build predictive models for human behaviours. Muller’s work will present various applications for optimising organisational structures.

Alongside her academic work, Muller has worked in the actuarial profession for two years. She is currently contracted to the CSIR in Pretoria, using data science to solve real-world challenges facing the nation.

She was awarded the Victor Rothschild Scholarship for her MSc studies at AIMS. Muller is passionate about outreach and science communication, and is a member of the AIMS South African Women in Mathematical Sciences Foundation, which aims to encourage the involvement and retention of women in this field. Muller was involved in coordinating AIMS National Science Week activities in August 2017, and will present her research as a poster as part of a science week exhibition.