Plenary Speakers

Dr Ashleigh Hutchinson

Dr Ashleigh Jane Hutchinson is a Lecturer in Applied Mathematics at the University of Manchester, UK. In 2016 she earned her PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. In 2021, she was awarded a prestigious Newton International Fellowship, allowing her to conduct research at Cambridge University, UK. Her research is primarily focused on fluid mechanics, particularly problems involving low-Reynolds number flows and non-Newtonian fluids, which have a variety of applications in both nature and industry. Dr Hutchinson’s approach to solving complex problems is multidisciplinary, combining theoretical modelling, laboratory experiments, and numerical simulations. In addition to fluid dynamics, she has a keen interest in other areas of applied mathematics, including population dynamics, energy conservation, and mining.

Professor David Mason

David Mason is an Emeritus Research Professor in the School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. His research interests are in Continuum Mechanics. In fluid mechanics he has worked on boundary layer theory which includes jet flows and wake flows and also in thin fluid film theory. In elasticity he has undertaken research on nonlinear oscillations in finite elasticity and on problems in rock mechanics in mines. He has also worked on the interaction of fluids with  solids in hydraulic fracturing. Since 2004 he has organised the Mathematics in Industry Study Group in South Africa.

Professor Peter Leach

Peter Leach was born in late 1941 in Melbourne, Australia.  His basic university training was BSc, DipEd at the University of Melbourne.  He spent six years teaching at government high schools during which time he completed his BA.  In 1970 Peter joined the Mathematics Department of the Bendigo Institute of Technology and commenced the task of upgrading his mathematical education.  An MSc from LaTrobe University (in Melbourne) in 1976 was followed by a PhD in 1979 , also from LaTrobe to which university he moved as a staff member in 1978.  In 1983 he became Professor of Applied Mathematics at Wits.  In 1990 Peter moved to the then University of Natal and shortly after submitted his thesis for the DSc.  During this time he was elected a Fellow of the University of Natal and also of the Royal Society of South Africa.  The possibility of controlled thermonuclear fusion excited Peter as a teenager and his fruitful research on the motion of a charged particle in an electromagnetic field opened up a whole new area of activity.  It also led to visits to the Los Alamos National Laboratory.  Further collaborations developed in France and Belgium to be followed by extensive experience in Greece and Cyprus.  A chance meeting at a conference led to collaborations with scientists at Pondicherry University which has expanded to several universities in India. 

Professor Precious Sibanda

Precious Sibanda is a Full Professor in Applied Mathematics at the University of Kwazulu-Natal. He graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in Mathematics from the University of Zimbabwe in 1991. He pursued his MSc and PhD degrees in Applied Mathematics at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, completing these in 1992 and 1996, respectively. His main research area is in theoretical fluid dynamics particularly relating to boundary layer flows and flow instabilities. He has however researched and supervised students in areas such as mathematical biology and numerical mathematics. 

Prof. Sibanda is actively involved in the South African Mathematical Society and previously served as President, Vice-President and Financial Manager.