Christopher W. Lynn
Chris is an Assistant Professor of Physics and member of the QBio and Wu Tsai Institutes at Yale. He’s interested in understanding the statistical physics of the brain: How do simple interactions between neurons, once emedded into networks of billions of cells, produce qualitatively distinct phenomena like conciousness, planning, and memory? Outside the lab, Chris is an avid soccer player, NBA fan, board game enthusiast, and general pain in the ass for his wife Tara.
✉︎ 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.
AIDAN SCHNEIDER, Wu Tsai Fellow 
Aidan studies how brief, localized sleep-like states emerge in the awake brain and shape neural activity across space and time. His interdisciplinary work involves recording cortical dynamics in mice, developing machine-learning tools, and applying theoretical models to interpret these data. Aidan earned his PhD in Computational and Systems Biology at Washington University in St. Louis, where he worked with Prof. Keith Hengen to reveal hidden embeddings of state, genetics, and anatomy in the neural code. Outside the lab, he enjoys tabletop role-playing games, walks through East Rock Park, and doting on his cats, Smokey and Bird.
VINCENT THIBEAULT, Wu Tsai Fellow 
Vincent is interested in identifying low-dimensional representations that capture the emergent behavior of complex systems, such as neural networks and coupled oscillators. He earned his PhD in theoretical physics at Université Laval under the supervision of Antoine Allard and Patrick Desrosiers, where he developed spectral approaches and identified structural conditions for reducing the dimensionality of large dynamical systems on networks. Outside of work, he enjoys a variety of sports, playing classical guitar, and engaging in philosophical discussions.
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.
ZIMO LI, PhD student in Neuroscience (co-advised with Jess Cardin)
Zimo is interested in understanding how sensory information is represented and processed in the cortex at the population level. She uses techniques that combine theory, computation, and experiments. During weekends, she could be reading history, knitting sweaters, or playing with her orange cat, Pippy.
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.
ANNA-LYDIA VIELI, PhD student in Physics
Anna-Lydia is interested in understanding collective human behavior using methods from statistical mechanics. She is studying the collective dynamics of basketball players from tracking data and the emergent nonreciprocal interactions. In her free time, she does ballet and figure skating, and likes to watch basketball with her friends and cat.
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 his 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.
IVAN LUPTAK
Ivan is a member of Pierson College studying Physics and Economics. He is using the minimax entropy principle to study how higher-order correlations shape neural population activity. Outside the lab, he enjoys racing with the Yale Ski Team and spending as much time outdoors as possible.
LEAH WU
Leah is a member of Silliman College studying Physics. She is interested in how network structure and coarse graining procedure influence emergent long-range variables. Outside the lab, she enjoys calling friends, playing the bassoon, and taking walks.
Alumni
YUCHANG TIAN (now PhD student at UT Austin)
KAIYUE SHI (now PhD student at Princeton)
VARUN VARANASI (now PhD student at Harvard)