The Random Sample

MACSYS

Welcome to The Random Sample - a podcast from the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS). In this podcast, we share stories about mathematics, statistics, data science and the people involved. The Random Sample is also proud to have the support of these supporting partners: the Australian Data Science Network (ADSN), the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA), the Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS), the OPTIMA ARC Training Centre, the MATRIX Mathematical Research Institute, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS). ACEMS created the podcast in 2018. For further resources and show notes, visit therandomsample.com.au

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S11 · E131
September 16 · 39 min
Modelling the Mysteries of Multiple Sclerosis – with Dr Adrianne Jenner
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, affects millions of people worldwide, yet many aspects of the disease remain poorly understood. One of its defining characteristics is the way symptoms can fluctuate over time, with periods of relapse followed by remission. What drives these cycles, and why does the disease appear stable one moment before suddenly worsening the next? In this episode, we speak with Dr Adrianne Jenner, Senior Lecturer in QUT’s School of Mathematical Sciences, about her latest research tackling this question through mathematics. Adrianne and her collaborators have developed a groundbreaking mathematical model that reproduces the relapsing-remitting patterns seen in MS, offering new insights into the biological processes that may underlie disease progression. We also explore Adrianne’s broader work in mathematical oncology, where mathematical models are helping researchers better understand how cancers grow, evolve and respond to their environment. Along the way, we discuss the unique role mathematics can play in biology and medicine, and why collaboration between mathematicians and experimental scientists is becoming increasingly important in modern research. Our host is Dr Haripriya Sridharan, a Research Fellow with MACSYS at The University of Melbourne. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/ms-maths-adrianne-jenner/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S11 · E130
August 26 · 52 min
Science at Pandemic Speed: The Clinical Trial that Changed COVID Care - with Professor Thomas Jaki
In 2020, as COVID-19 spread across the globe, researchers faced an urgent challenge: finding treatments that could save the lives of patients hospitalised with the virus. One of the most important efforts was the RECOVERY trial, a clinical trial designed to rapidly test potential therapies and generate reliable evidence at a time when the world desperately needed answers. Our guest, Professor Thomas Jaki, was part of the team behind RECOVERY from its earliest days. In this episode, he shares how the trial came together at remarkable speed, the challenges of conducting research during a global pandemic, and the key statistical and design decisions that allowed the study to deliver results quickly without compromising scientific rigour. The impact was extraordinary. RECOVERY identified five life-saving COVID-19 treatments while also showing that several commonly used therapies were ineffective. Its findings influenced clinical practice around the world and helped shape the care of millions of patients. It’s a fascinating conversation about clinical trials, decision-making under pressure, and the power of statistics to improve healthcare on a global scale. Our host for this episode is Dr Min Zhang – a biostatistician with the University of Queensland's Clinical Trials Capability (ULTRA). She also serves on The Random Sample editorial group as a representative of the Statistical Society of Australia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S11 · E129
August 12 · 48 min
Academia or Industry? Why Professor Roslyn Hickson Chose Both
It’s a question many early career researchers grapple with: academia or industry? For Professor Roslyn Hickson, the answer is simple: why choose? Roslyn is an applied mathematician with a joint appointment at CSIRO and James Cook University, where she serves as Science Leader for Emerging Infectious Diseases. Her career has taken her across academia, the military, government and industry, before arriving at her current role bridging research and real-world application. In this episode, Roslyn reflects on the career decisions that shaped her journey, the different cultures she’s experienced across sectors, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Earlier this year, Roslyn was awarded the inaugural K.A. Landman Medal by ANZIAM, recognising her outstanding contributions to industrial and applied mathematics. She shares why the award is particularly meaningful to her and what it says about the growing importance of mathematics beyond the university setting. Our host for this episode is Dr Sophie Raynor, a lecturer in mathematics at James Cook University. Podcast Episode Page: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/roslyn-hickson/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S11 · E128
July 29 · 44 min
The Algorithm that Transformed Optimisation - with Dr Sophie Huiberts
How do airlines schedule flights, logistics companies route deliveries, and supermarkets manage stock? Many of these challenges are examples of linear programming problems – and one algorithm has dominated their solution for decades: the Simplex Method. Widely regarded as one of the most important algorithms ever developed, the Simplex Method has helped organisations save vast amounts of time, money and resources. But despite its remarkable success, one question has puzzled mathematicians for decades: why does it work so well in practice? In this episode, Dr Sophie Huiberts from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) explores one of optimisation’s biggest open questions: why is the Simplex Method so much faster than theory often predicts? We also discuss Sophie’s research journey and how she brings her values and social awareness into her work as a mathematician. Our host is Professor Kate Smith-Miles – Director of the OPTIMA ARC Training Centre, and a Professor of Applied Mathematics at The University of Melbourne. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/simplex-method/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S11 · E127
June 24 · 40 min
From DNA to Discovery: How Statistics Brings the Ancient Past to Life - with Dr Adam "Ben" Rohrlach & Dr Simon "Jono" Tuke
How are statistics and data science transforming advances in genetic sequencing into new insights about how people lived, formed families, and organised their societies thousands of years ago? Our guests are Dr Adam “Ben” Rohrlach, an Australian statistician at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany, and Dr Simon “Jono” Tuke, Senior Lecturer in the School of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Adelaide. From their early collaboration during Ben’s PhD to their ongoing work today, they’ve combined mathematical rigour with archaeological and genetic research to help uncover patterns in ancient human life that would otherwise remain hidden. Together, they’ve applied cutting-edge statistical methods to support major discoveries – including their contribution to the 2017 Eureka Prize–winning research confirming the connection between Aboriginal Australians and their ancestral lands. In this conversation, we revisit that work and dive into their latest research, using ancient DNA to reconstruct family networks in a European society from over 1,300 years ago. It’s a fascinating look at how collaboration across disciplines – and the power of statistics – can bring us closer to understanding the lives of people from the distant past. Our host is Dr Haripriya Sridharan – a MACSYS Research Fellow at The University of Melbourne. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/ancient-dna/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S11 · E126
May 27 · 43 min
From Granular to Nano: Big Science at Small Scales – with Prof Natalie Thamwattana
In this episode of The Random Sample, we explore the science of scale – from the behaviour of granular materials to the remarkable world of nanotechnology. Professor Natalie Thamwattana, an applied mathematician from the University of Newcastle, shows how studying the very small can lead to big insights across science and engineering. Her pioneering work in nanotechnology is helping unlock how some of nature’s smallest building blocks can tackle some of our biggest challenges – in medicine, energy, and electronics. In a field often dominated by heavy numerical simulations, Natalie was among the first to take a different path, developing analytical, formula-based approaches to understand the mechanics of carbon nanostructures. Alongside her research, Natalie shares a deeply personal story of growing up in Thailand and forging a path into mathematics. It’s a journey shaped by resilience, curiosity, and the support of her family – one that led to an international career at the forefront of applied mathematics. Our host is Cait Pryse – from The University of Melbourne. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/nanotechnology-natalie-thamwattana/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S11 · E125
May 11 · 41 min
Tracking the Spread of Vaccine Hesitancy - with Prof Stacey Smith?
Mathematics is often used to model how diseases spread. But what about the spread of information – or misinformation – about those diseases and their vaccines? Professor Stacey Smith? from the University of Ottawa is a trans mathematician whose research focuses on modelling infectious diseases. Increasingly, her work has turned to the social and behavioural dynamics that shape anti‑vaccination sentiment. In this conversation, we explore how mathematical approaches can help make sense of attitudes ranging from vaccine hesitancy to outright resistance, and why understanding these dynamics is critical for effective public health responses. The episode is hosted by Eva Stadler, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Infection Analytics Program at the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney. Together, Eva and Stacey discuss how tools from the mathematical sciences can be applied well beyond traditional epidemiology, intersecting with psychology, sociology, and communication science. This episode is part of a special two‑part series released to coincide with Women in Mathematics Day (12 May), celebrating the contributions of women – and those who identify as women – in the mathematical sciences worldwide. The other episode in the series explores how the mathematical sciences are playing an increasingly important role in understanding women’s health. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S11 · E124
May 11 · 46 min
What Maths can tell us about Women's Health - with Prof Alys Clark & Dr Claire Miller
Mathematics is not often associated with women’s health, yet the mathematical sciences are playing an increasingly important role in understanding pregnancy, reproductive health, and chronic conditions that disproportionately affect women. Professor Alys Clark and Dr Claire Miller, both from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute at the University of Auckland, use mathematics to shed light on complex health challenges faced by women, including pregnancy and endometriosis. In this episode, they highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly between mathematicians, biologists, and clinicians. In a twist on our usual format, Alys and Claire interview each other, offering a candid and engaging look at their research, their collaborations, and what it’s like to work at the interface of mathematics and medicine. This episode is part of a special two‑part series released to coincide with Women in Mathematics Day (12 May), celebrating the contributions of women – and those who identify as women – in the mathematical sciences worldwide. The other episode explores how mathematics can help us understand the growing challenge of anti‑vaccination sentiment. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/maths-womens-health/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S11 · E123
May 6 · 59 min
Game Theory: The Mathematics of Strategic Choices - with Dr Maria Kleshnina
Each year, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Program recognises a small number of exceptional female early‑career researchers in Australia and New Zealand with a prestigious fellowship. In 2025, for the first time since the program began in 2007, the award went to a mathematician: Dr Maria Kleshnina from QUT’s School of Mathematical Sciences. Maria’s research is in game theory – an interdisciplinary field grounded in the mathematical sciences that studies how people make decisions when their outcomes depend on the actions of others. In this episode, we explore why game theory matters, the kinds of real‑world problems it is designed to tackle, and how it has become a powerful way of thinking across economics, politics, and – in Maria’s area of interest – conservation. Maria is a Senior Lecturer at QUT, an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow, and a Chief Investigator with the Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future initiative. We spoke with her about her research, her career journey, and what it means to be awarded a L’Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science Fellowship. Our host is Dr James Nichols. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/game-theory/ ‎ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S11 · E122
April 22 · 37 min
The Kalman Filter: The Mathematics of Knowing Where You Are
The Kalman filter is a hidden mathematical tool with an enormous impact on our daily lives. Most people have never heard of it – yet it quietly powers everything from spaceflight and aviation to our GPS, smartphones, and wearable devices. Developed in the late 1950s and early 60s, the Kalman filter provides the optimal solution to this problem: If you have an imperfect prediction of where something should be… and a noisy measurement of where it seems to be… what’s the best estimate of where it actually is? And more remarkably – it lets you answer that question over and over again, in real time. In this episode, we explore the origins, ideas, and lasting influence of the Kalman filter with two world‑leading experts, Laureate Professor Emeritus Rob Evans and Professor Bill Moran from The University of Melbourne. Along the way, we unpack concepts like least squares, minimum mean square error, and even dip into probability and statistics, including Bayes’ Theorem. But don’t let that scare you off – because this is a story about powerful mathematics hiding in plain sight – and quietly shaping the technology we rely on every day. Our host for this episode is Dr Tom Kimpson, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with MACSYS at The University of Melbourne. The episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/kalman-filter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S11 · E121
April 8 · 36 min
Maths Meets Biology: Inside the Mission to Model a Living Cell - Part 2
Scientists are generating more biological data than ever before, and new technologies now allow us to peer inside the cell in ways we couldn’t have imagined a decade ago. But even the most advanced tools can’t explain how a living cell actually works as a complete system. That’s the challenge at the heart of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS). The Centre brings mathematicians and computational scientists together with biologists to pursue a bold goal: building a predictive, fully computational model of a living cell. This is the second episode of our two-part series on MACSYS. Our guests are the leaders of MACSYS - Centre Director Professor Trevor Lithgow and Deputy Director Professor Jennifer Flegg. Together, they explore what a whole‑cell model is, why it matters, and how bridging wet‑lab and dry‑lab science is essential to tackling one of the most ambitious challenges in modern biology. Our host for this episode is Dr Haripriya Sridharan – a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with MACSYS at The University of Melbourne. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/macsys-pt2/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S11 · E120
March 25 · 34 min
Maths Meets Biology: Inside the Mission to Model a Living Cell - Part 1
Understanding a living cell is one of the biggest challenges in modern science. Cells carry out an extraordinary number of tasks every second and understanding how all those processes fit together is central to biology. But even with advanced experiments and mountains of data, scientists still don’t have a complete picture of what a cell does – or how it might respond to new conditions or interventions. The ARC Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems – or MACSYS – aims to change that. MACSYS brings together mathematicians and computational scientists to work alongside biologists toward a bold goal: creating a predictive, fully computational model of a cell. The Random Sample is excited to partner with MACSYS as our principal new partner organisation. To introduce you to the Centre’s work, we’re bringing you a two-part series. This first episode takes a mathematical lens, featuring two of the Centre’s mathematical modellers and Chief investigators: UNSW Professor Adelle Coster and QUT Professor Mat Simpson. Together, we explore how modelling helps make sense of biological data, how collaboration across disciplines pushes science forward, and why whole‑cell modelling demands both mathematical insight and biological intuition. Our host is Tim Macuga. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/macsys-pt1/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 · E119
Dec 10, 2025 · 42 min
From Surveys to LLMs: The New Era of Social Data – with Professor Frauke Kreuter
Technology is transforming how we understand society. For decades, researchers relied on surveys to learn about populations. But today, data comes from everywhere - administrative records, social media, and even fitness trackers. In this episode, we explore this shift with Professor Frauke Kreuter - a global leader in social data science. She explains how combining traditional survey methods with diverse data sources can help answer critical questions about health, education, and public policy, while also revealing the challenges of bias in digital data. Recently, Frauke has made a bold move into artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs). She shares why this transition matters, how AI is reshaping social research, and what the future holds for data-driven insights. Our host is Cynthia Huang. Episode page: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/social-data-science/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 · E118
Nov 26, 2025 · 46 min
Multi-Source Data & the Evolution of Official Statistics - with Dr Anders Holmberg
For decades, surveys have been the backbone of official statistics - helping us measure everything from population trends to economic activity. But response rates have been falling dramatically across the world for the past few decades. This decline is forcing statistical agencies to rethink how they collect the data we all rely on. In this episode, we explore the shift toward multi-source data with our special guest, Dr Anders Holmberg, General Manager and Chief Methodologist for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). What is multi-source data, how is it collected, and what are the challenges for official statistics agencies as they move to these new data sources? Our host is Professor James Brown, Professor of Official Statistics and current head of discipline for Mathematical Sciences at the University of Technology Sydney. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/multi-source-data-abs/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 · E117
Nov 12, 2025 · 58 min
Making the Invisible Visible: The Global Hackathon Against Modern Slavery
Modern slavery is often hidden in corporate supply chains, making it hard to detect and eliminate. Countries like Australia now require companies to publish annual reports on their efforts to combat slavery - but with thousands of reports, no government can read them all. That’s where Project AIMS comes in. Led by Adriana Bora at the QUT Centre for Data Science, Project AIMS explores how cutting-edge AI can be used to compare thousands of these reports. To push this work further, Adriana helped organise a global hackathon, bringing together teams from around the world to develop innovative solutions. In this episode of The Random Sample, we meet Adriana and members of the winning hackathon teams – from South Africa, Cameroon, and Australia – who share how data science can make the invisible visible and why technology can play a vital role in ending modern slavery. Our host is Tim Macuga. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/aims-hackathon/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 · E116
Oct 22, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Data We Can Trust
We recently celebrated World Statistics Day on 20 October. To mark the occasion, the Statistical Society teamed up with the Australian Data Science Network for a lively online panel discussion on a topic of growing importance: trust in data. The expert panel brought together a wealth of experience from government, academia, and industry to explore the real-world challenges of building and maintaining trust in data. Since both the Statistical Society and the Australian Data Science Network are partner organisations of The Random Sample, we’re excited to share that discussion with you here. The discussion was moderated by Lynne Giles, an Associate Professor of Biostatistics at The University of Adelaide and President of the Statistical Society of Australia. The panellists are: Dr Lucy Farrell is Director of Data Strategy in the Australian Centre for Disease Control Establishment Strategy Branch at the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Associate Professor Kalinda Griffiths is a Yawuru woman living and working on Larrakia Country. She is an epidemiologist and the Director of Poche SA+NT at Flinders University. Dr Ben Harrap is Vice President of the Statistical Society of Australia and a biostatistician who loves all things data. Simon Jackman is a leading analyst of public opinion, elections and electoral systems and an Honorary Professor at the University of Sydney. Dr Sue Keay is Director of the UNSW AI Institute and an expert in robotics, AI, and automation. Dr Aaron Snoswell is a senior research fellow in AI accountability at the QUT Generative AI Lab. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/data-we-can-trust/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 · E115
Oct 13, 2025 · 37 min
ReefCloud: Connecting Scientists to Save Coral Reefs – with Dr Manuel Gonzalez-Rivero
Coral reefs are among the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth – but they’re also among the most vulnerable. Thanks to climate change, pollution, and other human impacts – coral reefs are in crisis. The need for fast, coordinated action has never been greater. One of the biggest challenges is getting accurate, up-to-date data, especially from remote or isolated reef systems. Without that data, it’s hard to know where the damage is happening, how fast it’s progressing, or what actions might help. That’s where ReefCloud comes in. ReefCloud is a digital platform that brings together the world’s coral reef monitoring community. It combines artificial intelligence, statistical analysis, and data visualisation to help scientists and decision makers to understand reef changes and respond to them faster and more effectively. In this episode, we talk to Dr Manuel Gonzalez-Rivero, a Research Team Leader with the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). He also leads ReefCloud. Our host is Dr Julie Vercelloni, a research scientist at AIMS. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/reefcloud/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 · E114
Oct 1, 2025 · 34 min
Taylor Swift, Pesto the Penguin, and… Statistics?! - with Heather Lansdowne
The art of engagement for the Australian Bureau of Statistics How do you make statistics and complex data not just understandable - but engaging? For the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the answer is simple: meet people where they are - on social media. From pop culture and sports to quirky factoids, the ABS social media team uses fun, relatable content to build a massive following. How massive? We’re talking hundreds of thousands of followers across multiple platforms. Once they’ve got your attention, they make sure the important ABS material is right there in the mix - explained clearly and accessibly. In this episode, we speak with Heather Lansdowne, the leader of the ABS social media team, about how they’re changing the way people connect with statistics. Our host is Tim Macuga. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/abs-social-media/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 · E113
Sep 10, 2025 · 45 min
Patterns in Chaos: Exploring Complex Systems - with Professor Michael Small
What does it really mean for something to be complex - and how can mathematics help us make sense of it? In this episode of The Random Sample, our guest is Professor Michael Small, leader of the Complex Systems Group at the University of Western Australia. Michael’s research uses mathematics to uncover hidden patterns in the chaos of the world around us - from social networks and pandemics to psychiatric illness and engineering problems. Michael also shares candid thoughts on the pressures of academic publishing. Plus, we also dive into the rise of artificial intelligence, where Michael argues AI won’t replace mathematics - but it will change it. It’s a wide-ranging discussion – hosted by Dr Mehwish Nasim, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Western Australia. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/complex-systems-michael-small/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 · E112
Jul 9, 2025 · 30 min
Indigenous Data Governance & Sovereignty - with Levi-Craig Murray
In today’s data-driven world, questions around who controls data, how it’s used, and who benefits from it are more pressing than ever. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, these questions carry even deeper significance—rooted in histories of exclusion, marginalisation, and misrepresentation. In this episode, we explore the vital issue of Indigenous data governance and sovereignty with Levi-Craig Murray, an Aboriginal man of Wakka Wakka and Kubi Kubi descent. Levi brings deep insight to this conversation, drawing on his experience as the former Strategic Manager of Indigenous Data with the Indigenous Studies Unit at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. Now undertaking full-time postgraduate study, he continues to advocate for reshaping how Indigenous data is understood, governed, and respected. Released during NAIDOC Week 2025, this episode invites listeners to reflect on the role of data in shaping futures—and how we can all contribute to more inclusive and culturally informed data practices. Our host is Dr Bernadette Hyland-Wood from the QUT Centre for Data Science. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/indigenous-data/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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