Simon Hardy

Simon Hardy is an Associate Professor at Laval University, affiliated with the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering and the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Bioinformatics. He is also an Investigator at the CERVO Brain Research Centre, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of computational biology, neuroscience, and systems biology.

• 2017 – Present: Associate Professor, Laval University
• 2011 – 2017: Assistant Professor, Laval University
• 2007 – 2011: Postdoctoral Fellow, Systems Biology Center New York (Mount Sinai School of Medicine)
• 2010: Short-term Postdoctoral Fellow, National Center for Biological Sciences, India

Dr. Hardy’s research develops mathematical and computational models to analyze complex biological systems, particularly neural networks and cellular signaling pathways. His work integrates experimental data with computational methods to predict system responses, identify pathological disruptions, and propose interventions. Key methodologies include dynamic graph analysis, Petri net modeling, and formal methods in systems biology.

Recent publications highlight his focus on:

• 2025: Algorithm development for influence graph representation of signaling networks
• 2024: Structural plasticity in olfactory bulb neurons and Python tools for neuroscience
• 2023–2020: Computational approaches to cell migration, metabolic robustness, and network motif analysis
• 2018–2007: Foundational work on Petri net frameworks, molecular activity visualization, and signal propagation dynamics

His laboratory, accessible at http://www2.ift.ulaval.ca/~hardy/, emphasizes collaboration with experimental biologists to generate hypotheses through modeling. He utilizes control theory and computational methods to study cell regulation mechanisms.