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Prof. Dr. Apala Majumdar is an applied mathematician specializing in the mathematical modelling and analysis of nematic liquid crystals and partially ordered materials, with applications in industry and technology. Her research bridges mathematical modelling, applied analysis, and theoretical physics, focusing on four key themes: (i) the analysis of continuum theories for liquid crystals and soft materials; (ii) multiscale theories that focus on the relationship between microscopic and macroscopic continuum approaches; (iii) non-equilibrium phenomena, e.g., switching processes and transition pathways between metastable states; and (iv) modelling of soft-matter-based applications in industry and technology, with emphasis on geometry- and energy-driven pattern formation. With a strongly interdisciplinary approach, she collaborates with mathematicians (pure, applied, numerical, and industrial), physicists, chemists, and industry partners. Her global network includes researchers in Luxembourg, Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, China, India, and Mexico, supported by multiple active externally funded projects. Before joining the University of Strathclyde, Professor Majumdar held positions at the Universities of Bristol, Oxford, and Bath. At Bath, she served as Director of the Centre for Nonlinear Mechanics (2018–2019), fostering interdisciplinary applied mathematics, and led a Bath–Chile–Mexico research network that organized multiple international workshops. She is also a Visiting Professor at IIT Bombay in India. Her leadership extends to advisory roles, including membership in the Programme Committee of the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences (Edinburgh), the London Mathematical Society Research Committee, the Glasgow Mathematical Journal Trust, and sectional committees of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Committed to interdisciplinary applied mathematics, she welcomes inquiries about collaborations, PhD, and postdoctoral opportunities.

The following is a short interview with Prof. Dr. Apala Majumdar:

1. Could you summarize the key mathematical breakthroughs or contributions that led to this award? What excites you most about your current research?
My research focuses on the mathematics of material science, with a focus on the mathematics of liquid crystals. Liquid crystals are classic examples of partially ordered materials. They are more ordered than liquids but less ordered than solids. They have anisotropic, or direction-dependent, physical, optical, and rheological properties. They are also very soft materials and have become the working material of choice for a variety of electro-optic devices, including the display industry. Today, their applications are expanding into healthcare technologies, engineering, biology, smart materials, and energy applications.
The mathematics of liquid crystals is rich because it intersects many different branches of mathematics. At the heart of it are continuum mechanics, nonlinear partial differential equations, calculus of variations, applied analysis, functional analysis, topology, geometry, and scientific computation. It sits at the interface of pure and applied mathematics and is intrinsically interdisciplinary.
In terms of breakthroughs, my collaborators and I were among the first people to develop rigorous mathematical foundations for continuum theories for liquid crystals; in particular, the Landau-de Gennes theory for nematic liquid crystals. We developed benchmark mathematical analytic tools for this theory and rigorously analyzed this theory for physically relevant scenarios. I have also worked on multiscale theories that bridge microscopic and macroscopic models, have worked extensively on multistable liquid crystal systems used in real-life applications, and on mathematical models for new types of materials such as bent-core and ferronematic liquid crystals. More recently, I have also been working on machine learning for liquid crystal applications. It is not one single breakthrough but a sequence of interconnected results that together reveal the big picture for liquid crystals and soft matter.
What excites me most about my current research is the tremendous potential of the field. It brings together mathematics in its abstract and applied forms and connects directly to physics, chemistry, biology, and industry. I am excited by the possibility of using mathematics to design material systems to perform specific functions in an automated and programmed way. I also value the interdisciplinary and global nature of the work, with collaborators in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, and the inclusiveness of the research community. While doing fundamental research, we are also making a positive impact on society and education, and I find that rewarding.

2. Your work bridges mathematical modeling, applied analysis, and theoretical physics. How do interdisciplinary perspectives shape your approach to problems?
Interdisciplinarity is crucial for liquid crystal research and for applied research in general. Out of about 80 peer-reviewed papers that I have published, 20 are with non-mathematicians. I have worked with theoretical physicists, experimentalists, chemists, geoscientists, and with industry, including Hewlett-Packard and Merck.
Practical collaborators give us problems wherein we can apply mathematical methods and test our theories. These problems provide an excellent test bed to see if the theories are viable and realistic. Interdisciplinarity also motivates the development of new mathematical tools. It creates a two-way feedback loop; mathematics is applied to real problems to explain physical reality, and real-life problems guide the creation of new mathematical theories and tools.
For example, with Prof. Jan Lagerwall’s experimental group in Luxembourg, we have published several papers on liquid crystal shells, which can be used for authentication and security purposes. We combined experiments and mathematical modelling to explain experimental observations and refine our models. With colleagues at IIT Delhi in India, we developed theories for bent-core liquid crystals that model their physical experiments. These collaborations show how interdisciplinarity shapes my approach to problems.

3. What inspired you to pursue mathematics, and were there pivotal moments or mentors who guided your path? As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you wish to thank most?
Mathematics is the language of the physical sciences and engineering, but it is also abstract with symmetry, patterns, and fundamental concepts. It has deep connections with philosophy. It is logical and often deterministic, with yes or no answers. It is inclusive and can be practiced with few constraints.
I was naturally good at mathematics and found it interesting. As a child, I attended schools in India and multiple schools across the United Kingdom, with broadly supportive teachers. At the University of Bristol, I studied for my undergraduate degree and benefited from good lecturers and a strong syllabus. My most important mentorship came during my PhD, with supervisors Professor Jonathan Robbins, Dr. Maxim Zyskin, and Dr. Chris Newton. Later, at Oxford, I worked in two groups, led by Professor Sir John Ockendon and Professor Sir John Ball, who shaped my career in different ways. I have also had excellent colleagues in my workplace.
My biggest thanks and tremendous gratitude go to my parents, Dr. Swadhin Kumar Majumdar and Mrs. Atreyi Majumdar, who are medical doctors and university academics, and my extended family. They believe in me, my values, and in education and have always supported me as a person.

4. From your perspective, what are the biggest challenges women researchers face in your field? Do you have any advice for aspiring young women researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
Women researchers face a glass ceiling effect, stereotyping, and workload issues. Dedicated time for research is difficult to secure, and women often have caring responsibilities. There are also issues with visibility, diversity of networks, opportunities for collaboration, and career progression. Work is being done to improve visibility, such as through awards and interviews, but systemic issues remain.
My advice to aspiring young researchers is that if there is a will, there will be a way. People find their way without needing to plan every step. It is also important not to fear failure, because failure often leads to success.

5. What distinctive strengths do women mathematicians bring to academic research, and what strategies would you recommend for leveraging these advantages in career development?
Women mathematicians often demonstrate attention to detail, patience, resilience, teamwork, and the ability to understand alternative points of view. These qualities are crucial for mathematics, where progress depends on detail, focus, and repeatedly revisiting problems. Such qualities help challenge perspectives and contribute to strong research.
To leverage these strengths, young women should seek opportunities, ask questions, and build connections. They should not be self-conscious about mistakes. By making their qualities and strengths more visible, they can progress in their careers and contribute to higher-quality mathematics.

6. Finally, which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
In the coming years, there will be many applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning to material science. Applied mathematics can play a role by providing rigorous analysis and frameworks for these methods, which are often treated as black boxes. Mathematics can help ensure that machine learning is accurate, efficient, robust, and validated.
This integration has the potential to support the design of smart materials, which connects directly to my area of research. If successful, it will be a crucial development in materials science, the physical sciences, and engineering.