Current Miller Fellows - Miller Institute

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Current Miller Fellows

	Pascal Audet Miller Fellow, 2008 - 2011 Earth and Planetary Science Sponsor: Richard Allen Ph.D. Institution: University of British Coumbia E-mail: paudet[at]berkeley.edu Address: 307 McCone Hall # 4767 Dr. Audet is interested in the interaction of Earth’s tectonic plates at their boundaries where they collide, pull apart, or slide past each other. His research focuses on developing methods in seismology and geophysics to extract information on fundamental processes involved in the evolution and deformation of the Earth.
	Tessa Burch-Smith Miller Fellow, 2007 - 2010 Plant & Microbial Biology Sponsor: Patricia Zambryski Ph.D. Institution: Yale University E-mail: tburchsmith[at]berkeley.edu Address: 281 Koshland Hall # 3102 Phone: 510 643-9204 Despite having rigid cell walls, plant cells do not exist in isolation but rather, communicate with each other through channels known as plasmodesmata (PD). The sizes of PD can be modified to facilitate, or limit, the transit of signaling molecules including nucleic acids and proteins, which are crucial for plant development and defense. Dr. Burch-Smith will study how PD aperture is regulated to control the movement of endogenous signaling molecules.
	Candace Chan Miller Fellow, 2009 - 2012 Chemistry Sponsor: Peidong Yang Ph.D. Institution: Stanford University E-mail: candacec[at]berkeley.edu Address: 419 Latimer Hall # 1460 Dr. Chan is interested in synthesizing and understanding nanoscale heterointerfaces, nanostructured materials, and nanocomposites for use in energy storage and energy harvesting applications.
	Gregory Crutsinger Miller Fellow, 2009 - 2012 Integrative Biology Sponsor: Paul Fine Ph.D. Institution: University of Tennessee, Knoxville E-mail: crutsinger[at]berkeley.edu Address: 3060 Valley Life Sciences Building # 3140 Dr. Crutsinger is interested in the links between genetic diversity within species, species diversity within communities, and the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. In particular, he focuses on functional trait variation within dominant plants and the effects on above- and below ground community members, as well as ecosystem processes such as primary production, nutrient cycling, and invasion resistance.
	Tanja Cuk Miller Fellow, 2007 - 2010 Physics Sponsor: Joseph Orenstein Ph.D. Institution: Stanford University E-mail: tanjacuk[at]berkeley.edu Address: 329 BIRGE # 7300 Dr. Cuk's area of research is experimental condensed matter physics. Her PhD investigated the high-Tc superconductors using optical spectroscopies and high pressures. At Berkeley, she will be looking at the dynamics of structural and electronic properties of materials using time-resolved optical spectroscopies and x-ray diffraction.
	Christopher Douglas Miller Fellow, 2007 - 2010 Mathematics Sponsor: Peter Teichner Ph.D. Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology E-mail: cdouglas[at]berkeley.edu Address: 970 Evans Hall # 3840 Dr. Douglas is interested in algebraic topology and its application to problems in geometry and mathematical physics. His research focuses on developing algebraic invariants for studying the topology of infinite-dimensional manifolds.
	Alexander Engström Miller Fellow, 2009 - 2012 Mathematics Sponsor: Bernd Sturmfels Ph.D. Institution: KTH, The Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden E-mail: alex[at]math.berkeley.edu Address: 970 Evans Hall # 3840 Dr. Engström's research in mathematics is on algebraic methods in statistics and topological combinatorics. As a Miller fellow, he will also work on a topic close to these, tropical geometry.
	Genevieve Graves Miller Fellow, 2009 - 2012 Astronomy Sponsor: Chung-Pei Ma Ph.D. Institution: UC Santa Cruz E-mail: graves[at]astro.berkeley.edu Address: 601 Campbell Hall # 3411 Over the last 13 billion years of cosmic time, galaxies have assembled from smaller components, drawn together by their mutual gravitational attraction. This assembly process (which is dominated by invisible dark matter) can be modeled with computer simulations, but the physics of star formation(which produces the visible galaxies)is too complicated to model. Dr. Graves attempts to bridge the gap by comparing observations from the most extensive spectroscopic survey of galaxies ever undertaken with the results of the largest cosmological computer simulations ever produced. The goal is to achieve a cradle-to-grave understanding of galaxy formation and evolution.
	Philip Hopkins Miller Fellow, 2008 - 2011 Astronomy Sponsor: Eliot Quataert Ph.D. Institution: Harvard University E-mail: phopkins[at]berkeley.edu Address: 553 Campbell Hall # 3411 Dr. Hopkins will be working on modeling the dynamics of merging galaxies and the role of active galactic nuclei in galaxy formation. Specifically, his research program aims to use simulations to understand the structural properties of galaxies and their relation to feedback processes from accretion onto a central black hole. A major goal is to use these models to develop new observational tests that can constrain how (and when) black holes and galaxies co-evolve.
	Prashant Jain Miller Fellow, 2008 - 2011 Chemistry Sponsor: Paul Alivisatos Ph.D. Institution: Georgia Institute of Technology E-mail: jainprashant[at]berkeley.edu Address: Hildebrand Hall D45 # 1460 Inorganic nanostructures that exhibit novel physical and chemical properties on account of their nanoscale dimensions greatly fascinate Dr. Jain. In particular, he is interested in nanostructures of noble metals which can be utilized to confine and sculpt the electromagnetic field of light for “lighting up” novel optical processes in molecules and condensed matter. Recently, he has also been interested in the enhanced ability of inorganic nanostructures to catalyze chemical and photochemical reactions that are relevant for renewable energy. He is employing fluorescence microscopy to image a nanocatalytic reaction at molecular resolution, in order to learn more about the dynamics, heterogeneities, and bottlenecks involved in catalysis.
	Heather Knutson Miller Fellow, 2009 - 2012 Astronomy Sponsor: Geoffrey Marcy Ph.D. Institution: Harvard University E-mail: hknutson[at]berkeley.edu Address: 601 Campbell Hall # 3411 Dr. Knutson is interested in characterizing the atmospheres of planets orbiting nearby stars, including their temperatures, compositions, and weather patterns. The planets Dr. Knutson studies are too far and too faint to resolve directly, therefore she uses observations of eclipsing systems, where the planet periodically passes in front of and then behind its parent star, to infer their properties. Many of these unique worlds have characteristics that differ substantially from those of the solar system planets, including such oddities as hot, Jupiter-like planets orbiting at a fraction of the earth-sun distance. Observations of these systems allow us to study the potential diversity of planetary atmospheres and provide an important testing ground for our models of these atmospheres.
	Chang Liu Miller Fellow, 2009 - 2012 Bioengineering Sponsor: Adam Arkin Ph.D. Institution: The Scripps Research Institute E-mail: ccliu[at]berkeley.edu Address: 309B Hildebrand # 3220 Much of Nature’s complexity emerges from evolution in the context of interacting organisms. I am interested in modeling and enforcing various forms of interaction among bacteria in order to understand the dynamics of the resulting ecologies. I will also conduct directed evolution experiments within the constraints of these interdependences with the aim of finding new dynamical properties.
	Adi Livnat Miller Fellow, 2006 - 2009 Electrical Engineering & Computer Science / Economics Sponsors: Christos Papadimitriou, Chris Shannon Ph.D. Institution: Princeton University E-mail: alivnat[at]berkeley.edu Address: 387 Soda Hall # 1776 Dr. Livnat is interested in questions at the interface between biology, computer science, and economics. Each of these fields gives us a window into the emergence and behavior of complex systems. Two lines of research are currently pursued. One uses circuit models and game theory to explore counterintuitive properties of brain and behavior, such as internal conflict and irrational choice. The other examines evolutionary questions from a computer science perspective.
	Julius Lucks Miller Fellow, 2007 - 2010 Bioengineering / Mathematics Sponsor: Adam Arkin Ph.D. Institution: Harvard University E-mail: jblucks[at]berkeley.edu Address: 309 Hildebrand # 5230 Living systems are constantly performing computations to sense their environment and make behavioral decisions. Dr. Lucks is interested in harnessing this computational ability so that one day we can program living systems in the same way we program computers today. To investigate this possibility, Dr. Lucks utilizes the tools being developed in the emerging field of Synthetic Biology. Much like in the mid-nineteenth century, when chemistry began its transformation from an analytical to a synthetic science, Synthetic Biology aims to transform biology by developing a set of engineering principles with which we can create and understand new biological systems. In particular, Dr. Lucks is using these tools to design and implement programmable computational frameworks inside living bacteria. One of the interesting questions he is pursuing is whether or not our deep knowledge of silicon-based computing is useful for cellular computing, and if not, if there is a computing paradigm that is.
	Frederick Matsen Miller Fellow, 2007 - 2010 Statistics / Mathematics / Integrative Biology / Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Sponsor: Steve Evans Ph.D. Institution: Harvard University E-mail: ematsen[at]gmail.com Address: 429 Evans Hall # 3860 Phone: 642-2450 Dr. Matsen develops mathematical techniques and computer algorithms to improve our understanding of evolution. Currently, his main focus is on phylogenetic reconstruction, which is the inference of evolutionary history from present-day genetic material. He is also interested in ways of quantifying the "shape" or overall structure of tree diagrams representing evolutionary history.
	Isamu Matsuyama Miller Fellow, 2008 - 2011 Earth and Planetary Science Sponsor: Michael Manga Ph.D. Institution: University of Toronto E-mail: isa[at]berkeley.edu Address: 307 McCone Hall # 4767 Dr. Matsuyama has a broad interest in planet formation and evolution. Currently, his main focus is on the rotational stability of planetary bodies in the solar system such as Mercury, Mars and Saturn’s moon Enceladus; and the formation of planets (solar and extrasolar) within protoplanetary disks. He is developing models for the reorientation of planetary bodies and the evolution of protoplanetary disks.
	Maryam Modjaz Miller Fellow, 2007 - 2010 Astronomy Sponsor: Alex Filippenko Ph.D. Institution: Harvard University E-mail: mmodjaz[at]astro.berkeley.edu Address: 601 Campbell Hall # 3411 Massive stars die violently. Dr. Modjaz is interested in understanding explosions of very massive stars that either die as Supernovae or as Gamma-Ray Bursts. In particular, she uses an array of ground-based and space-borne telescopes to study their temporal behavior as well as their immediate galactic environments, including their chemical abundances.
	Scott Morrison Miller Fellow, 2009 - 2012 Mathematics Sponsor: Vaughan Jones Ph.D. Institution: UC Berkeley E-mail: scott[at]math.berkeley.edu Address: 970 Evans Hall # 3840 Dr. Morrison is interested in the interplay between low dimensional topology (knots, surfaces and 3-manifolds) and algebra. I work on algebraic classification problems (e.g. fusion categories) using topological and combinatorial techniques. Conversely, I use rather algebraic constructions (Khovanov homology and blob homology) to develop new invariants of 3- and 4-dimensional manifolds.
	Dan Nicolau Miller Fellow, 2008 - 2011 Integrative Biology Sponsor: Mimi Koehl Ph.D. Institution: University of Oxford E-mail: danutz[at]berkeley.edu Address: 3060 VLSB # 3140 Randomness is a fact of life, especially in biological systems, where stochasticity frequently dominates deterministic interactions. This can be observed across the entire biological hierarchy and at all scales of space and time. Living systems have evolved ways to sometimes suppress the negative effects of randomness and other times to use it to drive processes of organization, information processing and control. Dr. Nicolau's research focuses on using computer modeling to better understand these biological 'algorithms' and how they evolved.
	Tae Joo Park Miller Fellow, 2009 - 2012 Molecular & Cell Biology Sponsor: Richard Harland Ph.D. Institution: University of Texas, Austin E-mail: parktj[at]berkeley.edu Address: 571 LSA # 3200 Dr. Park's research will focus on cartilage and bone development. Abnormal development of cartilage and bone is among the most common congenital birth defects. However, the precise mechanisms of bone development are not well understood. Most of our bones develop using a well-conserved mechanism known as endochondral bone formation. Considering the high conservation of cellular mechanisms for bone formation, the diversity of shapes seen in cartilages and bones is very intriguing. Dr. Park is specifically interested in bone shaping. To address the mechanism for shaping our bone and cartilage, he will combine computational prediction and live confocal imaging techniques. Also, conditional mutations will be introduced into mice to study cartilage and bone formation.
	Nicholas Piro Miller Fellow, 2009 - 2012 Chemistry Sponsor: Christopher Chang Ph.D. Institution: MIT E-mail: piro[at]berkeley.edu Address: 532A Latimer Hall # 1460 The availability of inexpensive, renewable fuels will be vital to the future of a healthy planet and population. Important to new technologies will be chemical catalysts that can form and break bonds for the synthesis and utilization of these fuels. Dr. Piro's work will focus on the synthesis and study of molecular catalysts that carry out reactions of small molecules, such as H₂, O₂ and CO₂, that are relevant to these processes. A key feature of this work will be the use of inexpensive, earth-abundant metals (including iron, cobalt, and nickel) to carry out these challenging transformations.
	Daniel Rabosky Miller Fellow, 2009 - 2012 Integrative Biology Sponsor: John Huelsenbeck Ph.D. Institution: Cornell University E-mail: drabosky[at]berkeley.edu Address: 3060 VLSB # 3140 One of the most striking features of the natural world is the disparity in diversity among groups of organisms: some groups contain an impressive array of different species and morphologies, yet many other groups are just as noteworthy for what they lack in diversity. Dr. Rabosky studies evolutionary radiations across a variety of organisms, timescales, and geographic settings in order to make sense of this variation. His research combines empirical analyses of diversification in Australian lizards and other taxa (including marine phytoplankton and birds) with the development of new mathematical and computational techniques for modeling evolutionary data.
	Marcus Roper Miller Fellow, 2008 - 2011 Mathematics Sponsor: Jon Wilkening Ph.D. Institution: Harvard University E-mail: mroper[at]berkeley.edu Address: 970 Evans Hall # 3840 The goal of Dr. Roper’s research is to use asymptotic models and simple experiments to understand fluid dynamical problems, often with biomechanical inspiration. He is especially interested in quantifying the constraints upon organisms that swim, shoot or pump against fluid stresses, including e.g. evolutionary and developmental transitions between locomotory strategies among very small swimmers, and the continuous and adaptive flow of nutrients and nuclear material in fungal networks. Although applications-led, such research can also produce surprising insights into the properties of the equations that are used to describe these systems.
	Raman Sanyal Miller Fellow, 2008 - 2011 Mathematics Sponsor: David Eisenbud Ph.D. Institution: Technical University Berlin, Germany E-mail: sanyal[at]math.berkeley.edu Address: 970 Evans Hall # 3840 Dr. Sanyal’s research interests lie in the intersection of combinatorics, geometry, and topology. To be precise, his work centers around topological obstructions for the geometric realization of combinatorially given structures. Furthermore, he is interested in the “combinatorial complexity” of discrete-geometric objects.
	Eva Schmid Miller Fellow, 2008 - 2011 Bioengineering Sponsor: Daniel Fletcher Ph.D. Institution: University of Cambridge E-mail: evaschmid[at]berkeley.edu Address: 306 Stanley Hall # 1762 Cells routinely sample their local environment, process this information through internal signaling, and respond accordingly. However, the sheer complexity that underlies cellular behavior makes cells notoriously difficult to understand and control. How can we reach a detailed understanding of complex biological systems? Traditionally, biologists have advanced knowledge by employing a top-down approach starting from a living organism, manipulating it and investigating its responses. This has generated a vast amount of information but has sometimes struggled to isolate the individual mechanisms that make up a complex process. To address these issues, traditional approaches are now being complemented with an engineering-inspired approach. Here in Berkeley, in the department of bioengineering, Dr. Schmid proposes to build ‘cell-like’ systems component-by-component from the bottom-up. The collaboration with physicists and engineers allows for the development of novel techniques, that are able to generate micron-sized containers, surrounded by a membrane of controlled lipid and protein composition and user-defined contents. Assembly of cellular building blocks should now lead to the reproduction of cellular functions outside a living system, thereby constructing a highly simplified artificial cell. In accordance with the often-cited Feynman quote ‘What I cannot build, I do not understand’; this bioengineering approach will test our understanding of biological systems to the core.
	Rebecca Schulman Miller Fellow, 2008 - 2011 Physics Sponsor: Jan Liphardt Ph.D. Institution: California Institute of Technology E-mail: rschulman[at]berkeley.edu Address: Liphardt Lab, 174 Stanley Hall # 7300 Phone: 510-666-2786 Biology is replete with forms of organization we encounter nowhere else, such as self-replication, self-healing or autonomous, goal-oriented motion. Dr. Schulman’s research seeks to understand these types of biological processes by synthesizing simplified mimics of them. She is currently investigating the synthesis of materials whose assembly is goal-oriented, and the assembly of materials that can dynamically reassemble in response to changes in the surrounding environment.