Profile
Chon I Kam
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About Me:
I live with my partner in Dundee, Scotland. I am a mathematical biologist. When I am not solving equations, I am probably playing computer games. I do (occasionally) touch grass though!
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To be exact, I am a PhD student in biology at the University of St Andrews. Different from typical biologists (who do experiments in a lab or the wild), I use mathematics and computer programs to study nature. So, I spend most of my days indoor in front of a computer (or computers, sometimes).
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My pronouns are:
he/him
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How does my work involve computers?:
Instead of solving equations by hand, I mostly do that with computer software, which handles complex computations much faster than I can! Also, computer software can be used to visualise data and cross-check mathematical results.
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My Work:
I study the evolution of social tendencies (e.g. our tendency to be nice to each other and when conflicts may arise). My work applies widely to nature (so, more or less, to humans too)!
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One project of mine now is about the evolution of dispersal, which is about when animals may want to leave their home and live elsewhere. My work shows that social conflicts over this decision is common; mothers may want their children to leave home and siblings themselves may want to kick out one another too, given that they all have different interest. However, on the flip side, my work also shows that this conflict of interest can also lead to cooperation!
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My Typical Day:
The best thing of being a mathematical biologist is that my home is my office so I get to work from home (but it also means that I never really leave my office)! I usually wake up at 10 am and dive straight into working until my partner reminds me to eat…
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No, I am kidding… My days are mostly quite organised. I usually start my day with some water (avoid being addicted to coffee). After checking emails and my computer simulation (which has been left running overnight), I have my brunch with my partner at home. Then, I either solve equations using my computer or write up reports of the output.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I think I would build a website where I share with students how they can do some basic programming to simulate evolution.
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Education:
I did my basic education and undergraduate studies in Hong Kong. Then, I did my master’s in psychology in the U.S., and now I am doing my PhD in biology at St Andrews in Scotland.
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Qualifications:
Master’s degree (Harvard University)
Bachelor’s degree (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
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Current Job:
PhD candidate
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Employer:
School of Biology, University of St Andrews
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Mathematics & evolutionary biology
What did you want to be after you left school?
Firefighter (or policeman?)
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes, of course! I failed most of my courses in primary school.
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Quantitative analyst
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Odd squad family
What's your favourite food?
Something Asian
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Omnipotence, omniscience & omnipresence (kidding, I am a happy man).
Tell us a joke.
I have once met Socrates, and then I waked up...
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