Mission Statement
Evolution is the one theory that permeates all of biology. The evolutionary biologist Theodosius Dobzhanski once remarked: "Nothing in biology makes sense if not seen in the light of evolution." We add: "Nothing in evolution makes sense if not seen in the light of evolutionary dynamics."
Evolutionary dynamics is the study of the fundamental principles of evolutionary change. Evolution requires populations of reproducing individuals. Mutation generates novelty. Natural selection and random drift determine the fate of new mutants. Cooperation leads to organization.
The natural laws of evolution can be formulated in terms of precise mathematical equations. These equations describe reproduction, mutation, selection and cooperation. Reproduction can be genetic or cultural. Therefore, evolutionary dynamics describe both genetic and cultural evolution.
The Program for Evolutionary Dynamics (PED) at Harvard University is dedicated to research and teaching. We would like to communicate our enormous enthusiasm of doing science to students, post-docs and visitors from all over the world. Martin Nowak, Professor of Mathematics and Biology, is the Director of PED. May Huang is the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
Our current research topics include:
Evolution of cooperation
Evolutionary game theory
Evolutionary graph theory
Somatic evolution of cancer
Virus dynamics
Prelife
Publication genetics
Evolution of language
and "Winners don't punish"
PED meets China: a Feng Fu event.