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Charlie CornwallisView profile

Professor

Lund UniversitySweden

Charlie Cornwallis is a Professor in the Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab at Lund University. His research focuses on evolutionary transitions, particularly the emergence and maintenance of complex life forms such as multicellularity, cooperative societies, and symbiotic relationships. Key areas include understanding why transitions occur, how complex systems persist, and factors causing their breakdown. Cornwallis employs experimental and phylogenetic methods, studying systems like cooperative breeding birds (ostriches) and green algae (Volvox/Chlamydomonas). Affiliations: Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Swedish Research Council-funded projects Education: Not explicitly stated in text Research interests span cooperative behavior, thermal adaptation, disease dynamics, and genomic innovations enabling evolutionary transitions. Recent work addresses how fluctuating environments influence cooperation, pathogen-driven breakdown of sociality, and molecular mechanisms underlying cancer resilience via polyploidization. Cornwallis leads projects on ostrich thermal physiology, gut microbiota development, and symbiont-driven ecological diversification. His lab has produced 65+ publications, with notable contributions to Trends in Ecology and Evolution , Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , and Cancer Research Communications . Current projects include studying multicellular origins, temperature adaptation in endotherms, and evolutionary plasticity. Grants: Swedish Research Council (2023-2027), multiple international collaborations Labs/Teams: Cornwallis Group focuses on four themes: Cooperation, Evolutionary Innovation, Disease, and Sex

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Nicola Stanley-WallView profile

Professor

University of DundeeUnited Kingdom

Professor Nicola Stanley-Wall is the Chair of Microbiology and Head of the Division of Molecular Microbiology at the University of Dundee's School of Life Sciences. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of East Anglia (2000) and conducted postdoctoral research at UCLA (2000-2005) before establishing her laboratory at Dundee through a BBSRC David Phillips Fellowship.

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Chi-Lien ChengView profile

Professor

University of IowaUnited States

Chi-Lien Cheng is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Iowa, where she investigates fundamental mechanisms of plant development with emphasis on alternation of generations in land plants and vegetative phase change in maize. Her research program leverages the model fern Ceratopteris richardii to dissect asexual life cycle transitions and identify evolutionarily conserved genetic pathways. Education: PhD, University of Connecticut Dr. Cheng's research integrates genetics, molecular biology, and evolutionary perspectives to understand how plants regulate developmental transitions across generations. Her laboratory focuses on molecular mechanisms controlling gametophyte-sporophyte switching in ferns and phase change in maize, utilizing genomic, transcriptomic, and functional approaches to elucidate conserved regulatory networks. This work provides critical insights into the evolution of developmental processes from non-seed to seed plants. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2018-2025) reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) WOX gene family evolution and function in fern gametophyte development, (2) hormonal and epigenetic regulation of vegetative phase change in maize, and (3) molecular adaptation mechanisms in mangroves under environmental stress. Her publications consistently bridge model systems—from ferns to maize to mangroves—demonstrating how comparative approaches uncover universal principles in plant development. Dr. Cheng leads an active research laboratory that pioneered transformation techniques for Ceratopteris gametophytes, enabling genetic dissection of asexual reproduction pathways. Her team's identification of key genes in apogamy and apospory provides foundational knowledge for understanding apomixis in crop plants, with potential applications for agricultural innovation through clonal seed production.

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Silvia BulgheresiView profile

Associate Professor

University of ViennaAustria

Silvia Bulgheresi is an Associate Professor at the University of Vienna , leading the Environmental Cell Biology Group within the Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology. Her research focuses on the cell biology and physiology of animal-attached bacteria , particularly marine nematode-bacterium symbioses and oral cavity symbionts, with an emphasis on host immune responses and bacterial division mechanisms. Fields of Interest: Symbiosis, Microbial Ecology, Bacterial Cell Biology, Host-Microbe Interactions, Chemosynthetic Symbionts, Chromosome Biology Scientific Contributions: Her recent publications highlight innovations in bacterial division patterns, chromosome stability, and environmental adaptation. Current projects explore the role of the SMC complex in symbiont chromosome folding and the Genome Instability PhD program. She has supervised numerous PhD and Master students, including Niels Heindl and Nikolaus Leisch. Key Awards: EMBO Member (2014) European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Member (2024) Labs & Collaborations: As part of the Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, her work intersects with research groups such as the Schleper Lab and Rittmann Lab, addressing microbial nitrogen cycling, marine symbioses, and bacterial genome plasticity.

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Renske VroomansView profile

Research Fellow

University of CambridgeUnited Kingdom

Renske Vroomans is a Research Fellow at the Sainsbury Laboratory , University of Cambridge. She is a theoretical biologist specializing in evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-Devo) and computational modeling of biological processes. Her work focuses on how gene regulatory networks and dynamical processes shape the evolution of plant and animal development. PhD in Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University Postdoctoral research at University of Helsinki and Origins Center Her research explores patterns in developmental evolution, including: Evolution of multicellularity under selection pressures Role of gene networks in tissue morphogenesis Computational models for long-term plant evolution Recent publications highlight computational approaches to: Evolutionary dynamics of genome fragility and division of labor Multicellularity driven by spatial information integration Developmental constraints in plant organ evolution Scientific awards include the Gatsby Career Development Fellowship . Her group includes PhD students Steven Oud, Alexandre P Fernandes, and Research Assistant Pjotr van der Jagt.

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Stephanie CroftsView profile

Assistant Professor

College of the Holy CrossUnited States

Stephanie Crofts is an Assistant Professor of Biology at the College of the Holy Cross. Her research focuses on biomechanics and functional morphology, applying principles from physics and engineering to study how organisms adapt their morphology to ecological roles. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Washington, Seattle, and teaches courses such as Introduction to Mechanisms of Multicellular Life and Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy . Her work investigates functional trade-offs and evolutionary constraints in specialized morphologies, particularly in dentition and defensive structures like spines and fangs. She employs CT scanning, physical specimens, and computational models to explore how morphological changes enable diversification and ecological adaptation. Key research themes include puncture mechanics in snake fangs, sea urchin spine functionality, and the biomechanics of predator-prey interactions in marine species. Crofts’ recent articles span studies on frugivorous fish dentition, sea urchin anatomy under environmental stress, and the biomechanics of defensive spines across taxa. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges comparative anatomy, evolutionary biology, and material science. No scientific awards are explicitly listed, though her active research program includes grants and collaborations in biomechanical modeling and ecological adaptation studies.

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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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Guy M. NarbonneView profile

Professor

Queen's University at KingstonCanada

Dr. Guy M. Narbonne is a Professor at Queen's University, specializing in the origin and early evolution of animals and ecosystems from 700-500 million years ago. His work integrates paleontology, sedimentology, and geochemistry to explore the interplay between biological evolution and global environmental changes during the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition. His research spans fieldwork in Newfoundland, NW Canada, Australia, and Namibia, including the Science cover story on modular development of early multicellular life. He co-authored the international standard for the Cambrian Period and co-defined the Ediacaran Period, a first in over a century. Current affiliations include leadership roles in the UNESCO-IUGS International Geoscience Program and the Deep-Time Digital Earth initiative. Earth Science in Canada Leader Award (2023) Neale Medal, Geological Association of Canada (2017) Bancroft Award, Royal Society of Canada (2014) Fellow, Royal Society of Canada (2010) Elkanah Billings Medal in Paleontology (2009) Active in public outreach, he collaborated with David Suzuki and Sir David Attenborough on documentaries, served as Chief Scientist for the UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination of Mistaken Point, and continues to influence global geological timescale development.

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Michael PuruggananView profile

Professor

New York UniversityUnited States

Michael Purugganan is a Silver Professor and Professor of Biology at New York University, serving as Dean for Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science. He holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of the Philippines (1985), an M.A. in Chemistry from Columbia University (1986), and a Ph.D. in Botany with a Global Policy minor from the University of Georgia (1993). His research focuses on plant evolutionary genomics, particularly crop domestication and adaptation. Key areas include understanding the genetic basis of plant adaptations, the evolution of domesticated crops like rice, and the genetics of social behavior in Dictyostelium discoideum. Dr. Purugganan has received prestigious awards such as the Guggenheim Fellowship and AAAS Fellowship. His work integrates genomic, ecological, and computational approaches to study plant evolution and domestication. He collaborates with institutions globally, including NYU Abu Dhabi and the International Rice Research Institute. His lab is funded by the NSF Plant Genome Research Program and the Population and Evolutionary Processes program. Purugganan’s research spans diverse topics from genomic studies of rice and pineapple to the evolutionary origins of multicellularity. He serves on editorial boards for journals like Genome Biology and Evolution and Molecular Ecology . His contributions bridge evolutionary biology, genomics, and agricultural science, emphasizing the interplay between genetics and human culture in shaping crop species.

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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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Ricard SoléView profile

Research Professor

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Ricard Solé is an ICREA Research Professor at the Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies, based at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), where he leads the Complex Systems Lab within the Department of Experimental and Health Sciences. He is also External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute (USA), fellow of the European Centre for Living Technology (Italy), and external faculty at the Center for Evolution and Cancer at UCSF. He teaches undergraduate courses in Biomathematics, Biological Design, and Complex Diseases. Research Interests: Ricard Solé's work focuses on the emergence of complexity in biological systems. He investigates the evolutionary origins of major transitions—such as the rise of protocells, multicellularity, symbiosis, cognition, and language—through the lens of synthetic biology and mathematical modeling. He introduced the concept of 'synthetic major transitions' to simulate evolutionary innovations in the lab. Another key area involves unstable evolutionary dynamics in RNA viruses and cancer, where high mutation rates drive adaptation. He also explores 'terraforming' ecosystems to prevent catastrophic shifts, advocating for a multiscale synthesis across synthetic biology, ecology, and systems theory. The recent publications highlight his interdisciplinary approach, bridging virology, network theory, and evolutionary dynamics. His 2021 review on phase transitions in virology and 2018 paper on mutualistic networks as evolutionary spandrels reflect his focus on critical transitions and emergent structures in complex biological systems. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: ERC Advanced Grant (2012) Fellow, European Centre for Living Technology Advising and Grants: While specific students are not listed, Ricard Solé leads a research lab and likely mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. His research is supported by major grants, including funding from the European Research Council and Fundación Botin, enabling long-term, high-risk theoretical and experimental work in synthetic and evolutionary systems. Labs and Teams: He heads the Complex Systems Lab at the PRBB in Barcelona, fostering interdisciplinary research at the intersection of physics, biology, and computation.

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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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Ashley LaughneyView profile

Associate Professor

Cornell UniversityUnited States

Ashley Laughney is an Associate Professor of Systems and Computational Biomedicine at Weill Cornell Medical College since 2025, integrating computational and systems biology approaches to study cancer progression. Her work focuses on chromosomal instability, metastasis, and tumor microenvironment dynamics. Ph.D., Dartmouth College (2012) B.S., University of Vermont (2007) Her research explores: Chromosomal Instability and Its Role in Cancer Evolution Metastasis and Organotropism in Solid Tumors Interdisciplinary Modeling of Tumor Ecosystems Biomedical Imaging Techniques for Surgical Margin Assessment Metabolic Reprogramming in Aging-Associated Carcinogenesis Recent publications highlight her work on micronuclear collapse mechanisms ( 2024 ), lineage-specific oncogenic responses ( 2024 ), and metabolic drivers of metastasis ( 2023 ). Grants include funding from the National Cancer Institute for STING-targeting therapies ( 2025-2030 ) and systems-level approaches to prostate cancer metastasis ( 2023-2028 ).

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Enrico BorrielloView profile

Assistant Professor

Arizona State UniversityUnited States

Enrico Borriello serves as a Research Assistant Professor in Arizona State University's School of Complex Adaptive Systems and holds a concurrent appointment as Senior Global Futures Scientist. His interdisciplinary work bridges theoretical physics with complex systems science, focusing on network dynamics and astrophysical phenomena across ASU's research initiatives including the Complex Systems Research Group and Biosocial Complexity Initiative. Borriello's research centers on the controllability of complex networks—particularly gene regulatory systems—and non-linear dynamics in biological modeling. He equally investigates theoretical particle physics and astrophysics, specializing in neutrino behavior within supernovae and dark matter signatures through cosmic ray interactions. His expertise spans Network Science, Nonlinear Dynamical Systems, Neutrino Astrophysics, and Information Theory, with applications ranging from transcriptional regulation to galactic magnetic field phenomena. Analysis of his publication record reveals two dominant research streams: network science (focusing on Boolean network controllability, attractor landscapes, and evolutionary frameworks) and particle astrophysics (addressing neutrino oscillations, supernova modeling, and dark matter detection). This dual focus demonstrates his ability to apply theoretical physics principles to both biological complexity and cosmic-scale phenomena. Scientific Awards: No awards or fellowships were mentioned in the source materials. Advising and Grants: The provided information does not specify doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, or grant funding details. His teaching portfolio indicates extensive course development in complex systems methodology rather than direct research supervision. Labs and Teams: Borriello actively contributes to ASU's Complex Systems Research Group and Biosocial Complexity Initiative, interdisciplinary hubs that facilitate collaboration between computational modelers, biologists, and social scientists studying emergent phenomena in adaptive systems.

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