Daniel Brendan Cooney

Daniel Brendan Cooney is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics affiliated with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on mathematical models of evolutionary dynamics, particularly multilevel selection theory and partial differential equation (PDE) frameworks applied to biological systems.

His work bridges theoretical biology and applied mathematics, with key interests in altruistic punishment evolution, group competition dynamics, and the origins of cooperative behaviors in protocells. Recent studies include modeling classroom turnover patterns and protocell evolution under multilevel selection pressures.

Dr. Cooney's research outputs demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches to understanding complex evolutionary processes through rigorous mathematical modeling. His articles have been widely read, with some achieving significant media attention and academic citations.