David Lubensky

David Lubensky is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Michigan, specializing in theoretical and computational research at the intersection of physics and biology. His work focuses on systems biology, particularly the self-organization of living matter through interactions between biological molecules and cells.

• Ph.D., Harvard University (2001)
• A.M., Harvard University (1997)
• A.B., Princeton University (1994)

Research interests include:

• Morphogenesis: How mechanical forces and feedback mechanisms shape tissues during animal development.
• Biological Clocks: Precision and robustness of circadian oscillators, including energy-driven synchronization in bacteria.
• Growth Control: Quantifying physical limits to cellular size precision and noise in biological systems.
• Mechanobiology: Cytoskeletal regulation under stress and scaling laws in epithelial tissues.

His recent publications explore 2025 topics like intercellular force-driven fate patterns and chemical sensing limits, 2024 work on cellular size precision and noise in Drosophila wing development, and 2020–2021 studies on epithelial mechanics and circadian clock robustness.

Scientific Awards:

• NSF CAREER Award (2011)

Lubensky collaborates with experimental labs such as Yohanns Bellaïche's team to validate theoretical models. His work spans epithelial tissue mechanics, zebrafish cone mosaic formation, and fundamental questions about biological precision.