Ran Libeskind-Hadas

Ran Libeskind-Hadas is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Harvey Mudd College, with a distinguished research career spanning over three decades. His work bridges theoretical computer science with biological applications, particularly in phylogenetics and computational biology.

His research interests focus on computational biology, especially phylogenetic reconciliation using models like DTL (Duplication-Transfer-Loss) and DTLOR. He has made significant contributions to algorithms for cophylogeny reconstruction, maximum parsimony reconciliation, and analyzing evolutionary events in gene and species trees. Additionally, he has been a leader in computer science education, developing biology-themed introductory CS courses and contributing to broader CS education initiatives.

His publications show a consistent trajectory of research from networking and algorithms in the 1990s toward computational biology applications in the 2000s and 2010s, with recent work focusing on reconciliation algorithms, phylogenetic networks, and educational approaches to computer science. His collaborative work spans multiple institutions and disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his research.

• Multiple publications in top bioinformatics journals (BMC Bioinformatics, Journal of Computational Biology)
• Regular contributions to computer science education venues (SIGCSE, ITiCSE)
• Development of software tools like Jane and eMPRess for phylogenetic analysis

As an educator, Libeskind-Hadas has pioneered biology-themed computer science education, developing and evaluating a CS1 course with biological applications that has been running for over a decade. His educational work has influenced how computer science is taught with domain-specific contexts, particularly in interdisciplinary settings.