- Charles Darwin (1809-1882)
in his later years. Photo by J. Cameron, 1869.
Image: © Bettmann/CORBIS
Mission Statement
We are devoted to researching applications of Mathematics and Computer Science to Biology. At the center of a quantitative approach to biology is evolutionary theory as pioneered by Charles Darwin. Concepts of evolutionary biology can be formulated in terms of mathematical equations describing mutation and selection of replicating individuals. We have active research projects on the evolutionary dynamics of infectious agents, cancer cells, altruistic behavior, and human language.
The Program for Evolutionary Dynamics was established in 2003 by the 27th Harvard University President Lawrence Summers following an imaginative proposal by Jeffrey Epstein and Benedict Gross. The center operates under the auspices of Michael Smith, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Martin Nowak, Professor of Mathematics and Biology, is the director.
Press coverage:
Winners don't punish
Press coverage:
Language evolution
