An expert in knowledge exchange and impact from Cardiff University has been recognised for fostering academic and industry collaborations in the UK and internationally.
Dr Katerina Kaouri, Reader in Applied Mathematics, and Director for Impact and Engagement from the School of Mathematics, received the prestigious Hedy Lamarr Prize 2025 from the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA).
The award recognises Dr Kaouri's outstanding achievement in the exchange of mathematical knowledge and its applications, on a national and international level.
In making the award, the IMA referenced Dr Kaouri's leadership in building partnerships with industry and society and engaging the public with mathematics.
She said: "This award highlights the impact of Maths beyond academia — from advising government during the pandemic, to organising problem-solving workshops with industry, applying maths to improve health, and engaging the public through science communication.
"I've been passionately working on these activities for years, and so it's really gratifying to see my work recognised by the IMA in this way."
I'm deeply grateful to the brilliant collaborators and students I've had the privilege of working with. I'm excited to continue building bridges between maths, industry, health, policy, and wider society to demonstrate the power of mathematics to change lives!
Established in 2020, the Prize takes its name from the pioneering inventor and mathematician Hedy Lamarr.
It is awarded biennially to recipients who have demonstrated excellence in bringing mathematics to wider communities and forging impactful collaborations beyond academia.
The award includes a medal, certificate, and a £1,000 cash prize, to be formally presented on 25 March 2026 in London, where Dr Kaouri will also give a talk about her work.
In the UK, the IMA recognised Dr Kaouri's role in:
- contributing her expertise to the Welsh Government's Technical Advisory Group during the Covid-19 pandemic
- organising major events like the Mathematics for Industry Day and Maths Adventures Day
- chairing the School of Mathematics' Industrial Advisory Board
- the Newton Gateway Scientific Advisory Panel and as a KE Champion in the UK KE Hub for Mathematical Sciences
Internationally, the IMA commended Dr Kaouri for:
- organising two international problem-solving workshops with industry in her home country Cyprus in 2016 and 2018
- co-founding the Mediterranean Science Festival and the non-profit SciCo Cyprus to share science with the public
- serving as Vice-President of the Parallel Parliament for Research, Innovation, and Digital Governance in Cyprus
- serving on the Council of the European Consortium for Mathematics in Industry and the EU Mathematics for Industry Network (MI-NET)
- delivering popularised talks, including a TEDx talk and a TEDx animation with over 5 million views
The award also showcased Dr Kaouri's research, particularly in the biomedical field, where she co-leads the GW4 interdisciplinary network 'Fertility: In Vitro, In Silico, In Clinico (inFer), using collaboration to improve IVF success rates'.
Huge congratulations to Katerina on behalf of everyone here in the School. Knowledge exchange is at the heart of everything she does as an applied mathematician and is evident throughout her research, scholarship and engagement activities.
"The inFer network is just one example of this – an initiative which bridges mathematics, experimental biology, and clinical practice, demonstrating the impact of mathematical thinking on medical advancements.
"I can't think of anyone who is more deserving of IMA recognition that Katerina."
