My background is in physics and complex adaptive systems, and my research sits at the intersection of theoretical biology, evolutionary modeling, and systems science. I use computational and mathematical models to study how simple rules at the cellular or molecular scale generate complex, emergent behaviors.

My most recent work (see Masters Thesis tab) focuses on the evolution of multicellularity through the lens of evolutionary transitions in individuality. Specifically, I study how unicellular life cycles can shift toward multicellular ones, how group reproduction emerges, and what evolutionary pathways must be present for individuality to transition to a higher level. Using agent-based models, I explore how patterns of interaction, cooperation, and selection shape these evolutionary outcomes.

More generally, I aim to uncover the drivers of biological complexity and to better understand how emergent behaviors across multiple levels—molecules, cells, organisms, and societies—shape the evolution of life. Staying true to my physics roots, I am drawn to abstraction, framing phenomena in terms of the universal forces that shape them—such as energy flows, physical constraints, and the transfer of information—where this perspective is useful and realistic. But as is often the case in biology, I am equally willing to dive into the specifics of a system, using concrete details to better illuminate larger patterns.