Mathematics PhD student wins top prize at ICMS Modelling Camp 2025

Daniel Norman, a second year PhD candidate in Mathematics and graduate of the MMath (Hons) course in 2023, was part of the winning team at the ICMS Modelling Camp 2025. Held at the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences in Edinburgh, the event brings together early career researchers from across the UK to solve real-world problems set by industry partners.

Daniel’s team tackled a challenge presented by Trainline, focused on the issue of split ticketing, a common rail pricing quirk where buying multiple tickets for parts of a journey can be cheaper than a single ticket for the entire route. The company faces constraints in how many split options it can search and present to customers. The task was to develop a model that could identify and prioritise the most useful combinations that save money while remaining computationally efficient.

He commented: "Our solution pipelines take a customer request to see the price of a certain train, find the intermediate stations, find all trip combinations, use the XGBoost decision tree machine learning method to predict the prices of all trip combinations, construct the graph using NetworkX, and recommend split points for the customer using the hop-constrained shortest path method."

Using ensemble statistical learning and combinatorial optimisation, Daniel’s team designed a predictive model that highlighted the most valuable split ticket options. Their approach earned praise for its balance of technical precision and practical application, winning first prize from a panel of academic and industry judges.

“We are incredibly proud of Daniel’s achievement. Opportunities like the ICMS Modelling Camp show how mathematical research can solve real-world challenges and have an immediate impact. For PhD students, these experiences build essential skills such as teamwork, communication, and translating theory into practice which are highly valued both in academia and industry.”

– Dr Eric Hall, Baxter Fellow and Lecturer in Applied Mathematics and Daniel’s academic co supervisor

Reflecting on the experience, Daniel said:

“It was a great opportunity to collaborate with fellow PGR mathematicians to crack this problem. Together we explored what Trainline was missing from their current approach and recommended a very satisfying solution that scratches the surface of what is possible. I feel very motivated to continue doing knowledge exchange, building links with industry and applying a diverse range of mathematical concepts.”

This achievement showcases the value of knowledge exchange between academia and industry which is a key focus in Mathematics at Dundee. It also demonstrates the breadth of opportunities available to postgraduate research students at the University, from applied problem solving to collaboration with top UK institutions.

The MMath (Hons) Mathematics degree at the University of Dundee is designed for students who want to explore mathematics in depth and prepare for advanced careers in research, industry or education. With a strong emphasis on real-world applications, collaborative problem solving and exposure to current research, this integrated master's programme equips students with the skills and experience to take on complex challenges in both academic and professional settings. Learn more about the course.

The University of Dundee also offers vibrant PhD opportunities in Mathematics, inviting graduates to join a supportive and research-driven environment. Doctoral researchers work closely with experienced supervisors on cutting-edge topics across applied mathematics, data science, and interdisciplinary modelling. With access to specialist training, industry-linked projects, and a collaborative research culture, Dundee’s PhD programme prepares students to contribute meaningful solutions to real-world problems. Learn more about PhD opportunities in Mathematics at Dundee.