Ben Machta (Assistant Professor)
Isabella Graf (Postdoc)
I’m a postdoc working on critical phase behavior in cellular membranes and multicomponent mixtures, and am generally interested in better understanding tuning mechanisms towards biological critical points. During my PhD with Erwin Frey at LMU in Munich, I studied self-organization in the context of the cell cytoskeleton and the role of demographic fluctuations for the self-assembly of heterogeneous structures. Outside of science, I enjoy various types of sports, board games and traveling.
Michael Abbott (Postdoc)
I’m a postdoc working on ideas about optimal learning from data, and on biologically plausible ways to understand symmetries in the world. Before joining the group, I was in mathematical physics, but decided that figuring out how to calculate the first approximation is more exciting the 2000th term. Outside of science, I like mountains, books & travelling.
Asheesh Momi (Graduate Student)
I am a Ph.D. student working on criticality in cochlear models of the inner ear. More generally, I am interested in physically inspired models of biological systems near criticality. I did my undergraduate degree at McGill University, studying physics with a concentration in biological physics. Outside work, I enjoy reading, hanging out with friends, and playing video games.
Pranav Kantroo (Graduate Student)
Mason Rouches (Graduate Student)
I’m a graduate student investigating the rôle of phase transitions in biology, specifically transitions where both membrane and protein components are involved. Broadly I’m interested in the physics of biological membranes and how biological functions may entail interesting physics. When not working on these things you can probably find me running or reading.
Derek Sherry (Graduate Student)
I am a graduate student developing a novel model for how bacteria process and amplify chemical signals. I did my undergraduate in physics at Colgate University, dabbling in superconducting electronics and dark matter. Outside of the office I enjoy tabletop gaming, historical fencing, and long walks in the woods.
Nick Weaver (Graduate Student)
I am a 2nd year PhD student in physics. I am currently studying the information processing required for insects to stabilize their flight. I am broadly interested in the theoretical and computational study of information processing in living systems using information theory and statistical mechanics. I enjoy spending time with my cats, playing video games, and skiing.
Carlton Smith (Graduate Student)
I am a second-year graduate student in the physics department. I am broadly interested in applying tools from statistical mechanics to understand biological systems. I completed my undergraduate degrees in physics and mathematics at the University of Florida, where I performed research in theoretical and computational neuroscience. When I’m not working, you can find me reading science fiction books, practicing my bass guitar and upright bass, or inconsistently learning a language.
Jose Betancourt (Graduate Student)
I am a graduate student working on the thermodynamic costs of information signaling in biological systems. More broadly, I am interested in the study of information transfer in physical systems and the thermodynamics of out-of-equilibrium systems. In my free time I enjoy playing video games and hiking.
Julian Rubinfien (Undergraduate Student)
Alumni
Samuel Bryant (PhD 2022)
I am a theorist working on information processing and dissipation in non-equilibrium systems. More generally, I am interested in the intersection of physics, biology, and computer science. I also am interested in signaling arrays in E coli chemoreceptors as a model system for biological information processing. In my free time I enjoy programming and skateboarding.