Dr. Anita Layton (譚穎欣) (Mathematical Biology and Medicine)
Dr. Layton, Professor at University of Waterloo, Canada 150 Research Chair in Mathematical Biology and Medicine, is recognized for her outstanding, impactful, and original contributions to mathematics, biology, and medicine, nationally and internationally. Layton’s work is highly interdisciplinary, and she has forged strong and effective links with a number of top-tier physiology groups all over the world (e.g., United States, Canada, Australia, Spain, France, China, Sweden, and Denmark). From these collaborations, Dr. Layton’s work has inspired important experimental and clinical studies.
A versatile researcher, she has produced a sustained body of work that has major impacts in scientific computing, renal physiology, and medicine. Dr. Layton is an international leader in mathematical biology. She uses mathematics as the new microscope to correct misconceptions about kidney function that have plagued the literature for years. Dr. Layton has made paradigm-shifting contributions to computational methods for fluid-structure interaction problems. Equations from these problems are notoriously difficult to solve due to the coupling between fluid and the immersed object. In ground-breaking studies, Dr. Layton developed the first sex-specific mathematical models of the kidney.
Dr. Layton’s research has transformed healthcare practice, from a reactive, one-size fits-all approach to a more personalized system of predictive, preventative, and precision healthcare, benefiting treatments of metabolic, renal, and cardiovascular diseases. The translational value of her research is supported by her partnerships with Grand River Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Colorado Hospital, University of Utah Hospital, and AstraZeneca.
Dr. Layton was born and raised in Hong Kong; she immigrated to Canada in the early 90s. She held the Distinguished Penn Professorship at Duke University, before relocating to the University of Waterloo. As a Chinese-Canadian professional, she has made sustained, outstanding contributions to mathematics and medicine, with major theoretical and clinical impacts, and to promoting diversity and inclusivity.
Education
- Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Toronto, 2001
- B.S., Computer Science, Duke University, 1994
- B.A., Physics, Duke University, 1994
Scholarship
- Over 200 publications in top-tier journals with over 6,200 citations and an h-index of 44
- Supervised/Trained 148 students
- Keynote lectures at major international meetings, including the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) Meetings, Joint Mathematics Meetings, and CMS Meetings. Her stature in the mathematics community is further evinced by her Associate Editorships at premier international journals: SIAM Journal on Applied Dynamical Systems, SIAM Review, and Maple Transactions.
Honours and Awards
| 2023 | John L. Synge Award, Royal Society of Canada |
| 2022 | Fellow, Royal Society of Canada |
| 2022 | Fellow, Canadian Mathematical Society |
| 2022 | Fellow, Association for Women in Mathematics |
| 2021 | Krieger-Nelson Prize, Canadian Mathematical Society |
| 2021 | Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award, Women’s Executive Network (WXN) |
| 2019 | Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology Research Leaders Award, University of Waterloo |
| 2018 – 2025 | Canada 150 Research Chair (Mathematical Biology and Medicine) |
| 2018 | Outstanding Performance Award, University of Waterloo |
| 2017 | APS Award for Interdisciplinary Research in Physiology, American Physiological Society |
| 2016 | Trinity Award for Excellence in Mentoring, Duke University |
| 2016 | Fellow, Clare-Boothe Luce-HERS (Higher Education Resource Services) |
| 2015 | Trinity Award for Excellence in Teaching, Duke University |
| 2013 | Fellow, Bass Society of Fellows |
| 2005 | Fellow, National Science Foundation ADVANCE |