When art meets science

A wall-size mural portraying the link between ecology and statistics was unveiled at the University of St Andrews last week.

The CREEM mural was created by Dr Cornelia Oedekoven from the Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM), who in addition to being a statistician and naturalist is also a talented artist.

Located in the Observatory building on Buchanan Gardens, the wall-size mural depicts animals that have been the subject of research projects at the University, as well as some of the mathematical equations that CREEM researchers have used in their work.

Director of Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, Dr Len Thomas, said: “We are really proud of our research, developing new statistical methods to help ecologists discover more about the natural world and inform pressing conservation issues. The new mural is a beautiful depiction of our work. I love the way it puts a watchful researcher at the centre of a mathematical and ecological world.”

Notes to Editors

The Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) is an inter-disciplinary research centre at the University of St Andrews, linking researchers from the Schools of Mathematics and Statistics, Biology, and Geography and Geosciences. Its remit is to develop and apply advanced mathematical and statistical methods to practical problems in biology, ecology and geography.

Issued by the University of St Andrews Communications Office, contactable on 01334 462530 or via [email protected].