NSF-Simons Center at Harvard
PROGRAMMATIC GOALS
The NSF-Simons Center for Center for Mathematical & Statistical Analysis of Biological Systems at Harvard has three programmatic aims: (i) advance our knowledge of complex biological systems using mathematical & computational tools; (ii) develop new mathematics & statistics which describe biological processes; and (iii) train a new generation of researchers in mathematical & computational biology. Just as physics has been intricately allied with mathematics for centuries, we believe that biology will be similarly allied with mathematics going forward. The Center aims to marry these disciplines by training graduate students and postdocs who are experts in mathematics and computation to effectively use their skills to provide a layered understanding of biological complexity. We also host visitors and hold workshops to foster linkages between mathematicians and biologists who embrace the natural complementarity of these disciplines.
SCIENTIFIC GOALS
The scientific goals of the Center are also three-fold: (i) reveal how molecular networks within individual cells orchestrate developmental decisions, (ii) discover how proteins and cells self-assemble and self-organize to produce the components of living things, and (iii) understand how biological systems adapt within and beyond the lifespan of individual organisms. We extract general principles which span a broad range of timescales (from milliseconds to millions of years) and length scales (from microns to hundreds of centimeters). To do so, we study a range of experimental systems: viruses, single-celled organisms, tissues, organoids, and multi-celled animals. We build predictive, causal mathematical models that account for biological decision-making, self-organization and adaptation, linking development and evolution.
CENTER DIRECTOR
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Andrew MURRAY
Director, NSF-Simons Center for Mathematical & Statistical Analysis of Biological Systems
Herchel Smith Professor of Molecular Genetics
Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Bridget QUEENAN
Executive Director of Research, Quantitative Biology
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CENTER MANAGEMENT TEAM
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Cassandra EXTAVOURProfessor of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology and of Molecular & Cellular Biology |
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L. MAHADEVANLola England de Valpine Professor of Applied Mathematics, of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, and of Physics; Faculty Dean of Mather House of Harvard College |
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Johan PAULSSONProfessor of Systems Biology |
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Sharad RAMANATHANLlura & Gordon Gund Professor of Neurosciences and of Molecular & Cellular Biology Professor of Applied Physics and Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology |
AFFILIATED FACULTY
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Ariel AMIRAssistant Professor of Mathematics and Applied Physics |
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Paola ARLOTTAProfessor of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology |
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Michael DESAIProfessor of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology |
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Frank DOYLEJohn A. & Elizabeth S. Armstrong Professor of Engineering & Applied Sciences |
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Victoria D'SOUZAProfessor of Molecular & Cellular Biology |
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Sean EDDYElmore C. Patterson Professor of Molecular & Cellular Biology and of Applied Mathematics |
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Ethan GARNERJohn L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Natural Sciences |
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Doeke HEKSTRAAssistant Professor of Molecular & Cellular Biology Assistant Professor of Applied Physics |
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Samuel KOUProfessor of Statistics; Associate of Center of Mathematical Sciences & Applications; Professor in the Department of Biostatistics |
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Na LIAssistant Professor of Electrical Engineering and Applied Mathematics |
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Richard LOSICK
Maria Moors Cabot Professor of Biology |
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Vinothan MANOHARANWagner Family Professor of Chemical Engineering and Professor of Physics |
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Xiao-Li MENG
Dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences |
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Daniel NEEDLEMANGordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics and Professor of Molecular & Cellular Biology |
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Christopher RYCROFTAssociate Professor of Applied Mathematics |
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David SCADDENGerald and Darlene Jordan Professor of Medicine; Professor of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology Chair of the Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biology |
Made possible by the generous support of
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