David Sivak

David Sivak is a Professor and Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in the Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University (SFU). His research focuses on theoretical and computational biophysics, exploring the physical limits of energy and information transduction in molecular machines. He investigates how biological systems operate efficiently under fluctuating conditions, with emphasis on molecular motors, free-energy transduction, and nonequilibrium thermodynamics.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Biophysics, University of California, Berkeley
• B.A. in Philosophy, Politics & Economics, University of Oxford
• A.B. with Honors in Applied Mathematics, Harvard University

Research Interests: Sivak's work integrates statistical mechanics, information theory, and molecular biophysics to understand how microscopic systems achieve functional efficiency. Key areas include:

• Optimal control strategies for nonequilibrium systems
• Energy-information trade-offs in molecular machines
• Stochastic thermodynamics of biochemical processes
• Design principles of ATP synthase and similar rotary motors

Publications & Awards: Sivak has authored over 60 peer-reviewed articles, including foundational work on nonequilibrium fluctuation theorems and optimal control in stochastic systems. His awards include the Canada Research Chair and the Young Investigator Award from the Biophysical Society of Canada.

Grants & Collaborations: He leads projects funded by the Simons Foundation and collaborates with experimental groups globally. His lab actively mentors graduate students and postdocs, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to biophysical problems.

Labs & Teams: The Sivak Group at SFU develops theoretical models and numerical simulations to analyze molecular-scale processes. Current projects explore information engines, microbiome dynamics, and the thermodynamics of cellular processes.