Simon Levin

Simon Levin is the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University. He is also the Director of the Center for BioComplexity. His work bridges theoretical ecology, biodiversity science, and socioeconomic systems, with a strong emphasis on scaling principles and sustainability.

Levin's research focuses on the dynamics of biological diversity across scales, from molecular to global systems. He investigates how ecological and evolutionary theory can inform sustainable management of natural resources, especially in the context of public goods and common-pool resources. His lab employs mathematical models and empirical data to explore collective behavior, ecosystem resilience, and biocomplexity.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward integrating human behavior into ecological and epidemiological models, exploring prosocial behavior, risk compensation, and invasion dynamics. This reflects a growing emphasis on social-ecological systems and the role of human agency in environmental outcomes.

Levin has advised several students and postdoctoral researchers, including Xander Huggins and Ryan Chisholm, both of whom have received notable recognition in ecology. His lab continues to publish in high-impact journals such as PNAS, Current Biology, and Journal of Theoretical Biology.

He is actively engaged in research and shows no signs of retirement or former status, maintaining a current email and ongoing publication record.