Jane Hillston's Research Interests

My primary research interest is the Markovian process algebra PEPA,and its use for the performance modelling of computer and communication systems. Much of my work has focussed on the relationship between the compositional structures of the process algebra and structure in the underlying Markov process, especially in cases when this relationship can be exploited in order to ease the solution of the Markov process.

More recently I have been considering new applications for stochastic process algebra, particularly those related to systems biology. This has lead to consideration of new analysis techniques, particularly those based on fluid approximation and to the development of some new languages in the PEPA family, particularly Bio-PEPA and HYPE.

• Stochastic Process Algebras, particularly PEPA, PEPA nets, Bio-PEPA and HYPE; This involves both developing new theory, investigating ways to exploit the theory to model large systems, and undertaking case studies to demonstrate the theory in practice.
• Some of these languages have been inspired by studying problems in systems biology, particularly biochemical modelling of signal transduction pathways.
• This has also inspired work on fluid approximations of large discrete models. My current EPSRC ARF is studying this problem in a project entitled Process Algebra for Collective Dynamics.
• The work on PEPA is informed by formal studies of the relationship between Stochastic Process Algebras and other performance modelling formalisms such as Stochastic Petri Nets and Stochastic Automata Networks;
• Generally I have an interest in performance modelling and solution of Markov processes, especially compositional solution techniques, e.g. product form solutions, and time scale decomposition, and in formally expressing and checking properties of performance models.

• The CODA project --- Process Algebra for Collective Dynamics. Process algebras are very good for describing the behaviour and interactions of discrete entities. But in many systems we have large population of such entities and state space explosion problems hinder the analysis of such systems using the usual discrete state space semantics. In this project we investigated techniques to keep the precise descriptions of individuals but analyse their properties as populations. Funded by EPSRC and BBSRC, 2005--2010.

• The SIGNAL project --- Stochastic process algebra for biochemical signalling pathways analysis. In this joint project with the University of Glasgow we have explored ways in which the process algebra apparatus (equivalence relations, partial orders etc) can be exploited during analysis of biochemical signalling pathways. Funded by EPSRC and BBSRC, 2007--2011.

• The CSBE project --- Centre for Systems Biology at Edinburgh. CSBE's research goal is to develop broadly-applicable methods and large-scale infrastructure for modelling the temporal aspects of biological phenomena, informed by three pilot biological projects. A key emphasis will be to link diverse data and models tightly, through multiple iterations, ranging from static ab initio models to highly-constrained, kinetic models that cross multiple scales. Our role within CSBE is the development of a novel stochastic process algebra, BioPEPA, and investigation of its use against biological exemplar projects. Funded by BBSRC and EPSRC, 2006--2012.

• The SENSORIA project ---Software Engineering for Service-Oriented Overlay Computers.Service-oriented computing is emerging as a new paradigm based on autonomous, platform-independent computational entities (called services) that can be described, published and categorised, and dynamically discovered and assembled for developing massively distributed, interoperable, evolvable systems and applications. Our role in this project was the exploration and development of techniques to assess quality of service in large distributed systems based on stochastic process algebras. Funded by EU FET-IST Global Computing, 2005--2009.

• The Mobile VCE Core 4 project --- Removing Barriers to the Commercialisation of Ubiquitous Application and Services. This large consortium project sought to make the anywhere, any time, any device promise of wireless technology a reality. Our role within the project was the use of PEPA models to evaluate protocols which handle both mobility and quality of service, and to inform the design of a content adaptation architecture. Funded by DTI and EPSRC, 2005--2009.