My Research Interests

Last Updated:
31st January 2002

Over the last few years my main interests have been in the areas of database theory, query optimisation, multidatabase systems, interoperability of legacy systems, formal methods, and healthcare information systems. A few years ago we designed and constructed an Interoperator Prototype for Multidatabase Systems using a CORBA implementation from Iona Technologies (Orbix). The prototype is known as Jupiter and allowed autonomous database sytems to cooperate. A new algebra and calculus were developed for multidatabase systems as part of this work which was partially funded under the EDITH initiative of ESPRIT III.

I am interested in data mining and data warehousing techniques, especially for bioinformatics applications. I am also interested in the philosophy of computing and in particular research relating to consciousness and the cognitive limits of species, in other words, the limitations of what can be known.