Paul M. Bingham

Paul M. Bingham is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Stony Brook University's College of Arts and Sciences, where he has maintained an active research and teaching career since 1982. His work spans two distinct but equally innovative domains: cancer metabolism research and evolutionary theory of human origins.

• BA in Biology, Blackburn College (1973)
• MS in Microbiology, University of Illinois (1975)
• PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harvard University (1980)
• Postdoctoral work at NIH NIEHS, Research Triangle Park (1980-1982)

Bingham's research interests demonstrate remarkable interdisciplinary breadth. His cancer metabolism work focuses on lipoic acid analogs that selectively target tumor cell mitochondria, exploiting fundamental differences between cancer and normal cell metabolism. This approach has yielded unprecedented therapeutic indices in animal models and led to clinical trials through Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals. His evolutionary theory proposes that uniquely human traits—including complex language, large brains, and social cooperation—stem from ancient access to inexpensive coercion, particularly through elite throwing capabilities. This parsimonious framework successfully explains diverse features of the human fossil record and historical transitions.

Bingham's publications reveal a clear trajectory from molecular genetics (notably the discovery of P element transposons in Drosophila) to his current dual research programs. His cancer metabolism papers emphasize mitochondrial targeting and metabolic disruption, while his evolutionary work demonstrates unprecedented explanatory power across anthropology, history, and social sciences. The interdisciplinary nature of his publications reflects his commitment to bridging scientific domains.

• Honorary Doctorate from Blackburn College (2006)
• Michael Maffetone Award for Cancer Research by the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund (2008)

Bingham has made significant educational contributions through developing and teaching BIO358: Biological Theories of Human Origins, Properties and History, and its online counterpart CEB553. As founding Faculty Director of Stony Brook's College of Human Development (with Joanne Souza), he pioneered programs helping undergraduates navigate research opportunities. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the crucial interconnection between high-quality research and undergraduate education, reaching students globally through online platforms. His work with Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals represents a successful translation of basic research into clinical applications.

Bingham maintains active research collaborations with Zuzana Zachar on cancer metabolism and with Joanne Souza and Daijiro Okada on evolutionary theory. His laboratory work on mitochondrial targeting continues to advance novel cancer therapeutics, while his theoretical framework for human evolution has generated extensive scholarly discussion and application across multiple disciplines.