Christopher W. Lynn
Chris is an Assistant Professor of Physics and a member of the Quantitative Biology Institute and the Wu Tsai Institute at Yale University. He is also an Early Career Member-at-Large of DBIO in the American Physical Society. Previously, Prof. Lynn was a James S. McDonnell Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for the Physics of Biological Function at Princeton University and the City University of New York. Prof. Lynn earned his Ph.D. in Physics & Astronomy at the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 under the guidance of Prof. Dani Bassett, and he obtained B.A.’s with High Honors in Physics and Mathematics from Swarthmore College in 2014.
✉︎ christopher.lynn@yale.edu | Google Scholar | Twitter | Bluesky | CV
Postdoctoral Fellows
MATTHEW LEIGHTON, Mossman Fellow
Matt is broadly interested in applying quantitative tools from physics to study biology, especially nonequilibrium systems with stochastic dynamics. He earned is PhD in Biophysics from Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, Canada), working with Prof. David Sivak to study free energy transduction in molecular machines. When he’s not working on research, you can find him enjoying the outdoors: running, biking, surfing, or skiing.
Graduate Students
JOSE BETANCOURT, PhD student in Physics (co-advised with Ben Machta)
Jose is interested in understanding design principles that arise from the need to transfer information in the brain at various scales. Specifically, he uses tools from statistical physics and network science to derive bounds on the information transmission capability of systems of neurons and evaluate whether real-world systems operate near optimality. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, bouldering, and playing video games.
ALLISON BRATTLEY, MD-PhD student in Physics
Allison is interested in the application of statistical and quantum physics to neurological activity. Particularly, she is interested in understanding the properties of neural communication and information processing, and how those properties change in disease states. Outside of research, she can be found playing cello, swimming, or cooking new recipes.
DAVID CARCAMO, PhD student in Physics
David is interested in applying techniques from statistical physics to model real living systems. Currently, he is working on developing new tools to fit maximum entropy models for neural activity. Outside research, you can find him riding his bike around East Rock. He also plays the guitar and cello and is looking for members to join a string quartet/band.
CARLTON SMITH, Wu Tsai and NSF Fellow, PhD student in Physics (co-advised with Ben Machta)
Carlton is broadly interested in applying tools from statistical mechanics to understand biological and specifically, neural, systems. Of particular interest is the application of the above to understanding behavior and neural function. When he’s not working, you can find him reading existentially dreadful science fiction books, practicing his bass guitar and upright bass, or inconsistently learning Portuguese.
YUCHANG TIAN, Master’s student in Stats & Data Science
Yuchang is a master’s student in S&DS. Coming from a computational background, she is now exploring theoretical frameworks to better understand how the human brain perceives, processes, and represents information. Outside of academics, she enjoys backpacking and trail running.
NICK WEAVER, PhD student in Physics (co-advised with Ben Machta)
Nick is interested in the theoretical and computational study of information processing in living systems, and in particular the brain, using statistical mechanics, information theory, and network science. He enjoys spending time with my cats, playing video games, and skiing.
Undergraduate Students
BRYCE LOWDEN
Bryce is a member of Morse College studying Physics and Mathematics. He is working on creating three-dimensional neuronal connectivity models in which realistic network properties emerge from the branching morphology of neurons. Outside of academics, Bryce enjoys playing French horn with the Yale Symphony Orchestra and playing pool with friends.
KAIYUE SHI
Kaiyue is an intern from the School of Physics at Peking University interested in using statstical physics to understand biological complex systems. Outside research, Kaiyue enjoys playing the piano, assembling metal models and going jogging.
Alumni
VARUN VARANASI (now PhD student at Harvard)