معرفی
Dr. Stephen Hagen is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Physics at the University of Florida. His career spans physics, biological research, and policy work, including stints at NIH and as a Congressional Science Fellow. His research focuses on quorum sensing mechanisms in bacteria, particularly in Vibrio fischeri and Streptococcus mutans, exploring how bacteria use chemical signaling to coordinate behavior. He investigates the dynamics of microbial communication networks, their spatial propagation, and applications to synthetic biology and nanotechnology.
Dr. Hagen’s academic journey includes a PhD from Princeton University, postdoctoral work on superconductors, and later shifts into biological physics and policy. His lab studies the physics of biological systems, such as the light-emitting Hawaiian bobtail squid, to understand decision-making processes at the molecular level. Key themes include signal crosstalk, biofilm dynamics, and the interplay between environmental cues and genetic responses.
His research integrates experimental and computational approaches to analyze quorum sensing pathways, spatial signal propagation, and bacterial population behaviors. Grants include interdisciplinary studies on Vibrio fischeri signaling networks. Teaching and mentoring emphasize hands-on research for students, advocating for skill development in programming and problem-solving.
