Microbial Multicellularity Professors and Supervisors | ApplySharif

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Hochberg MichaelView profile

Researcher

Graz University of TechnologyAustria

Prof. Michael Hochberg is a Distinguished Research Director at CNRS and an External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute. His career spans senior roles at CNRS (1991–present), sabbaticals at University of Wisconsin and University of California, Berkeley, and fellowships at Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin. His research bridges population ecology, evolutionary biology, and cancer evolution , focusing on host-parasite coevolution, phage therapy, and the ecological underpinnings of cancer risk. His recent publications emphasize the application of evolutionary principles to medical challenges , including phage-antibiotic synergy and evolutionary constraints on tumor development. Trends include interdisciplinary approaches connecting microbial ecology, cancer biology, and social evolution . CNRS Silver Medal (1997) Honorary Research Fellow, University of Wisconsin Zoology (1998) Visiting Miller Professor, UC Berkeley (2009) Fellow, Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin (2013–2014) Hochberg has trained over 50 Masters and PhD students, supervised 10 postdocs, and secured grants from ANR, INCa, and the James S. McDonnell Foundation. He leads editorial roles at Faculty of 1000 and Science Advances , and previously directed the Darwinian Evolution of Cancer Consortium (2012–2015).

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Julia SchwartzmanView profile

Assistant Professor

University of Southern CaliforniaUnited States

Dr. Julia Schwartzman is a Gabilan Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on microbial ecology, particularly in marine systems, exploring how microorganisms interact within communities to drive biogeochemical processes. Key themes include bacterial cooperation, stress responses, symbiotic relationships, and the evolution of microbial life strategies. Her work integrates genomic, biochemical, and ecological approaches to study topics such as polysaccharide degradation, metabolic cross-feeding, and the impact of environmental stresses on microbial communities. Notably, she investigates how phenotypic heterogeneity and historical contingencies shape ecological dynamics in marine environments. Recent studies have addressed the role of microbes in ocean carbon flux regulation, the emergence of complex life cycles in bacterial aggregates, and the application of enterococci as indicators of marine ecosystem health. Dr. Schwartzman’s publications span over 15 years, with a focus on symbiosis, bacterial interactions, and evolutionary microbiology. Her research has implications for understanding climate change impacts, microbial community resilience, and the development of biotechnological applications from marine microbial systems.

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Christopher P. KempesView profile

Professor

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Christopher P. Kempes is a Professor at the Santa Fe Institute and an External Professor at the Complexity Science Hub Vienna, where he conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biology, physics, and complex systems. His work is focused on uncovering universal principles governing life across scales—from cells to cities. Research Interests: Dr. Kempes explores the fundamental laws underlying biological organization, the origins of life, ecological dynamics, and the complexity of human systems. His approach integrates physical constraints, mathematical modeling, and data-driven analysis to predict large-scale patterns in nature and society. Key themes include scaling laws, metabolic theory, astrobiology, urban systems, and evolutionary transitions. Publication Trends: Over the past 15 years, his research has consistently advanced theoretical frameworks in complexity science. His publications reveal a strong focus on universal patterns in biology and society, with recurring themes in scaling, thermodynamics, and system-level organization. He applies these principles to diverse domains including climate change, inequality, biosignatures, and organizational growth. Scientific Recognition: Work featured in BBC, Wired, and other major media outlets. Contributions to foundational theories in complexity and biological organization. Advising and Grants: While specific students and grants are not listed, his senior faculty role at leading complexity research institutes suggests active mentorship and leadership in funded interdisciplinary projects. He likely advises postdoctoral researchers and collaborates on large-scale initiatives in complexity science, astrobiology, and urban sustainability. Labs and Research Groups: Dr. Kempes is affiliated with the Santa Fe Institute’s core faculty, participating in its collaborative, theory-driven research environment. He also contributes to the Complexity Science Hub Vienna, engaging in cross-institutional projects on complex systems in natural and social domains.

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Jorge PeñaView profile

Assistant Professor

University of LausanneSwitzerland

Jorge Peña serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Toulouse 1 Capitole and is a core member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse (IAST), where he conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of mathematics, biology, and social sciences. His institutional affiliation combines university faculty responsibilities with advanced research activities at IAST, an independent institute fostering innovative approaches to complex societal challenges. His research program centers on Evolutionary Game Theory, Social Evolution, and Collective Action Problems, with specific expertise in mathematical modeling of cooperation dynamics. Key investigation areas include: Stability analysis of Nash equilibria in dynamic game environments Group-size effects on collective action in public goods games Evolution of environmentally mediated social interactions Institutional evolution and cultural transmission mechanisms Cooperation dynamics in spatially structured populations Mathematical foundations of social dilemmas Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2016-2025) reveals consistent methodological rigor in evolutionary dynamics modeling, with increasing focus on large-group cooperation (2023-2025) and interdisciplinary applications spanning biological symbiosis to institutional design. His work demonstrates sophisticated integration of graph theory, population dynamics, and game-theoretic stability concepts, particularly evident in studies of Wolbachia symbionts and voter participation games. As an active IAST researcher, Peña contributes to an environment that bridges theoretical mathematics with empirical social science, leveraging the institute's collaborative framework for cross-disciplinary innovation in evolutionary social theory.

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Manuel LiebekeView profile

Researcher

Max Planck Institute for Marine MicrobiologyGermany

Manuel Liebeke is a Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen, Germany, where he heads the "Metabolic Interactions" research group. His work focuses on developing and applying advanced metabolomics techniques to understand microbial communities and host-microbe interactions in marine environments. Dr. Liebeke's research interests span several interconnected fields: Metabolomics - studying metabolites as indicators of active metabolic pathways Spatial metabolomics - developing high-resolution imaging methods to map metabolites in microbial systems Host-microbe interactions - investigating metabolic exchanges between microbes and their hosts Marine microbiology - applying these techniques to understand ocean ecosystems Mass spectrometry imaging - pushing the boundaries of analytical techniques for microbial research His laboratory develops innovative spatial imaging methods for in situ measurements of metabolites in host-microbe systems. Key approaches include: Spatial metabolomics on host-microbe systems using mass spectrometry imaging at the micrometer scale Correlative imaging approaches combining MALDI-MSI with FISH to map bacteria 3D scanning approaches like µCT to understand host anatomy Environmental metabolomics in marine systems, including seawater, tissue extracts, and sediment porewater Stable isotope tracer experiments to follow metabolic pathways in symbiotic systems A significant finding from his research includes the discovery that sugars accumulate in the rhizosphere of seagrasses through metabolic interactions with plant phenolics. His vision is to transfer spatial metabolite data from single cells into multicellular and environmental contexts for a more comprehensive understanding of microbial ecosystems.

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Felipe CavaView profile

Associate Professor

Umea UniversitySweden

Felipe Cava is an Associate Professor and group leader at the Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, and Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). He serves as Director of the Umeå Hypoxic Research Facility (UHRF) and is affiliated with Icelab at Umeå University. His research focuses on bacterial cell wall biology to combat infectious diseases, investigating how microbes adapt through protective cell wall structures. Key areas include peptidoglycan recycling, cell wall remodeling, and environmental adaptation mechanisms critical for antibiotic development. Analysis of his recent publications reveals dominant themes in peptidoglycan cross-linking diversity, stress response pathways across species like Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Mycobacterium tuberculosis , and evolutionary adaptations in cell wall synthesis. His work bridges fundamental bacteriology with therapeutic applications. His notable awards include: Jaime Ferran Award (2017) from the Spanish Microbiological Society Fernström Prize (2018) Wallenberg Academy Fellowship (2013) As leader of the Cava Lab, he mentors students and researchers in bacterial physiology while directing the UHRF facility. His Wallenberg Fellowship provides critical funding for investigating cell wall dynamics in pathogenic and environmental bacteria. The Cava Lab operates within Umeå University's Hospital area (Plats 6K/6L), utilizing the UHRF for hypoxia studies and MIMS resources for infection-focused research. Current projects examine cell wall variability across bacterial species to identify novel antibiotic targets.

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Michael GingerView profile

Professor

University of HuddersfieldUnited Kingdom

Michael Ginger is Professor and Dean of the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Huddersfield, researching evolutionary cell biology of parasitic and free-living protists. His work combines genomics, biochemistry, and computational approaches. Education: Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of Liverpool (1996) B.Sc. in Biochemistry (First Class Honors), University of Liverpool (1993) Research explores: Metabolic adaptations in trypanosomes and euglenids Evolution of eukaryotic cellular complexity Host-parasite interactions in neglected diseases Comparative genomics of protist lineages He leads the Centre for Biomimetic Societal Futures project and has held prestigious fellowships including a Royal Society University Research Fellowship. Recent publications examine protist diversity, evolutionary origins of multicellularity, and microbial biotechnology applications.

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Eric LibbyView profile

Associate Professor

Umea UniversitySweden

Eric Libby is an Associate Professor at Umeå University's Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, affiliated with the interdisciplinary IceLab research center. His research investigates the evolution of biological complexity through mathematical modeling, focusing on origins of multicellularity, endosymbiosis, and organizational scaling across biological systems. Research examines fundamental transitions in evolutionary history using computational approaches. Key areas include: Evolutionary trajectories between unicellular and multicellular states Endosymbiotic associations and metabolic integration Syntrophic microbial communities and resource exchange Evolutionary significance of phenotypic bet-hedging Research has received support from multiple prestigious sources including the Swedish Research Council, NASA Astrobiology Program, and National Science Foundation. Current projects explore evolutionary constraints in complex systems and agnostic biosignature detection. As head of the Mathematical Biology group, Libby advises doctoral candidates including Oleksandr Cherednichenko (machine learning applications in microbial recognition) and Defne Plattürk (differential equation modeling). The research group develops methodologies for studying biological complexity across scales.

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Steven A. FrankView profile

Professor

University of California, IrvineUnited States

Steven A. Frank is the Donald Bren Professor and UCI Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Irvine. His research integrates evolutionary theory with cancer biology, genetics, and systems biology. Frank's work focuses on understanding how evolutionary principles shape biological systems, particularly in cancer development, regulatory networks, and microbial ecology. He has authored influential books including Dynamics of Cancer and Foundations of Social Evolution . Research Interests: Evolutionary mechanisms in cancer and aging Regulatory networks and robustness Genomic conflict and cooperation Evolutionary dynamics of microbial communities Publications highlight innovative approaches such as applying control theory to biological systems and bridging evolutionary theory with machine learning. Frank's work emphasizes interdisciplinary methods to address questions in oncology, genetics, and ecology.

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Manu PrakashView profile

Associate Professor

Stanford UniversityUnited States

Manu Prakash is an Associate Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Oceans and Biology, and a Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment. His research integrates physics, engineering, and biology to explore computation in biological systems, develop low-cost diagnostic tools (e.g., Foldscope), and address planetary challenges through citizen science. He leads the Prakash Lab, focusing on frugal science innovations, oceanography, and disease diagnostics. Education: Ph.D., MIT, Applied Physics (2008) M.S., MIT, Applied Physics (2004) B.Tech, Indian Institute of Technology, Computer Science (2002) Research Interests: Biological computation in single-cell organisms and non-neuronal systems Frugal science tools for global health and environmental monitoring Marine plankton behavior and ocean carbon sequestration Diagnostic technologies for malaria, tuberculosis, and other diseases His work emphasizes accessibility: projects like Foldscope ( foldscope.com ) and Planktoscope aim to democratize scientific inquiry. Advising & Collaborations: Labs: Prakash Lab, Foldscope Instruments Projects: Open-source ventilator design, N95 decontamination, and citizen science initiatives like Plankton Planet Focus areas include biophysical mechanisms of cellular motility and environmental sensors Labs & Teams: Prakash Lab: Combines engineering and biology to create affordable tools Planktoscope Initiative: Citizen-driven oceanography platform

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Athena AktipisView profile

Associate Professor

Arizona State UniversityUnited States

Athena Aktipis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University (ASU), where she directs the Cooperation and Conflict Lab and co-directs the Human Generosity Project. She holds affiliations with the Center for Evolution and Medicine, the Biodesign Center for Biocomputing, Security and Society, and the Global Futures Scientists program. Her research bridges evolutionary biology, social psychology, and cancer biology, focusing on cooperation and conflict across biological and social systems. Education: Ph.D. in Psychology (University of Pennsylvania, 2008); B.A. in Psychology (Reed College, 2002). Postdoctoral training at the University of Arizona and UCSF’s Center for Evolution and Cancer. She has received grants, including a National Science Foundation grant for studying risk management strategies. Research interests include cancer as a breakdown of multicellular cooperation, human generosity in crises, and microbial interactions. She applies computational models and fieldwork to explore principles of cooperation, with applications to cancer treatment and disaster response. Notable projects include the Human Generosity Project and the Cooperation in the Apocalypse initiative. Her work has been featured in outlets like the New York Times, Washington Post, and Scientific American. She authored books like *The Cheating Cell* and *A Field Guide to the Apocalypse*, and hosts the podcast *Zombified*. She teaches courses on cooperation, evolutionary psychology, and science communication.

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Daniel LewView profile

Professor

Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States

Daniel Lew is a Professor of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), based in the Koch Biology Building. His research focuses on cell polarity, cellular shape determination, and spatial organization mechanisms in fungal systems, particularly using budding yeast as a model. He integrates cell biology, genetics, and computational approaches to study molecular mechanisms underlying cell morphology and organelle distribution. Education: PhD in Molecular Biology (1990, Rockefeller University); BA in Genetics (1984, University of Cambridge). His lab investigates how cells establish asymmetric structures and coordinate activities during growth, using tools like live-cell imaging and genetic engineering in species such as Aureobasidium pullulans . Research Interests: Cell Polarity, Cell Shape Regulation, Rho-GTPase Signaling, Feedback Loops in Development, and Fungal Genetics. His work bridges basic science and computational modeling, recently exploring multi-budding yeast systems to understand polarity dynamics and cellular decision-making. Key Awards: 2008 Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology; 2010 AAAS Fellow; 2019 Duke Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Award. His team's recent studies highlight breakthroughs in understanding polarity site stabilization and genetic engineering techniques for unconventional yeasts. Labs/Teams: Lead the Lew Lab at MIT, specializing in yeast-based cell polarity research with a focus on systems biology and live-cell analysis. Collaborates extensively with computational biologists (e.g., Timothy Elston) and genetic engineers.

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Michael B. EisenView profile

Professor

University of California, BerkeleyUnited States

Michael B. Eisen is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development at the University of California, Berkeley. He leads the Eisen Lab , affiliated with the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences. His work integrates computational and experimental approaches to study gene regulation and evolution in Drosophila melanogaster and Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Research interests focus on deciphering the molecular basis of organismal diversity through regulatory sequence evolution. Key projects include mapping chromatin accessibility in Drosophila embryos, modeling evolutionary constraints on regulatory sequences, and analyzing transcriptional network variation across species. Recent publications highlight trends in comparative genomics, host-pathogen interactions, and technical advances in RNA-seq. Scientific Awards: Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator Raymond & Beverly Sackler Chair in Computational Biology The Eisen Lab is committed to open science, publishing all work in open-access journals and freely sharing data, software, and intellectual property. The lab's interdisciplinary approach spans molecular biology, computational genomics, and evolutionary analysis.

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Lubos PolereckyView profile

Assistant Professor

Utrecht UniversityNetherlands

Dr. Lubos Polerecky is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences, specializing in NanoSIMS analysis since March 2013. His research focuses on aquatic biogeochemistry and microbiology, particularly the regulation of microbial function by environmental factors and mass transfer phenomena. His primary research interests include benthic primary productivity (photosynthetic and chemosynthetic), bioirrigation effects on sediment biogeochemistry, and method development with emphasis on high spatial resolution analytical methods including microsensors and imaging. His work spans multiple scales from single-cell analyses to ecosystem-level biogeochemical processes. Dr. Polerecky's recent publications demonstrate extensive work on cable bacteria, sulfur cycling, biomineralization processes, and advanced imaging techniques. His research integrates field observations, laboratory experiments, and mathematical modeling to understand complex biogeochemical systems, with particular expertise in applying NanoSIMS technology to environmental microbiology questions. BIOMARIS Forschungspreis zur Förderung der Meereswissenschaften im Land Bremen (2010) Marie-Curie scholarship, University of Paris-South, Orsay, France (2001) PhD scholarship, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland (1998-2002) Dr. Polerecky has developed strong collaborations across multiple disciplines, working with researchers in marine microbiology, geochemistry, and environmental engineering. His laboratory at Utrecht University maintains specialized equipment for microsensor measurements and NanoSIMS analysis, supporting research on microbial processes in sediments and aquatic systems.

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Tal DaganView profile

Professor

Christian-Albrechts-University zu KielGermany

Prof. Dr. Tal Dagan is a Professor at the Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Germany, within the Biology Center. Her research focuses on microbial evolution, plasmid dynamics, horizontal gene transfer, and bacterial symbiosis. Education: Habilitation in Microbiology (2011, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf), Ph.D. in Molecular Evolution (2005, Tel-Aviv University), M.Sc. & B.Sc. in Molecular Evolution and Biology (Tel-Aviv University). Her research explores the evolutionary mechanisms of plasmids, antibiotic resistance gene transfer, and microbial symbiosis in marine and plant-associated systems. She investigates how genetic elements like plasmids evolve under environmental pressures and contribute to bacterial adaptability. Recent publications highlight computational tools for DNA duplication detection, plasmid fitness optimization through toxin-antitoxin systems, and the role of natural transformation in cyanobacteria. Her work bridges theoretical models with experimental validation in microbial genomics. Grants from collaborative projects like CRC 754, CRC 1182, and SPP 2002 support her research. She leads a multidisciplinary team analyzing microbial interactions in extreme environments and synthetic biology applications.

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