Biological Physics Groups at Northeastern University
Below is a list of faculty associated with the physics department at NU that are working on the physics of living and biological systems.
Max Bi
Associate Professor of Physics
Prof. Bi pursues theoretical/computational studies of collective behavior in biological tissues. To this end, concepts from condensed matter physics are often deployed to understand emergent phenomena in living systems.
Paul Champion
Professor of Physics
The Champion Lab uses a range of spectroscopic methods to study the short-time dynamics of biomolecules.
Srirupa Chakraborty
Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Affiliated Faculty Member, Physics
We use computational methods to understand the molecular evolution and dynamics of biopolymers, with an emphasis on the influence of modifications, including sugars.
Sijia Dong
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Affiliated Faculty Member, Physics
Affiliated Faculty Member, Chemical Engineering
The Dong group aims to use quantum mechanical methods to study electronic dynamics in biopolymers.
Michele Di Pierro
Assistant Professor of Physics
The Di Pierro Group investigates the dynamics of chromosomes through the development of novel theoretical and computational methods.
Christa Haase
Assistant Professor of Physics
Assistant Professor of Biogineering
The Haase Lab develops novel optical techniques for studying the spatial organization and communication between single cells.
Alain Karma
University Distinguished Professor of Physics
Director of the Center for Integrated Research on Complex Systems (CIRCS)
The Karma Group focuses on the theory of emergent phenomena in biological tissues.
Herbert Levine
University Distinguished Professor of Physics
University Distinguished Professor of Bioengineering
Co-director of the Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP)
Maijia Liao
Assistant Professor of Physics
Affiliated Faculty Member, Bioengineering
The Liao group uses computation modeling and experimental methods to understand the development of neuronal networks.
Mingyang Lu
Assistant Professor of Bioengineering
The Lu group uses systems biology approaches to understand genetic networks.
Tim Sage
Associate Professor of Physics
Physics Department Undergraduate Advisor
Professor Sage develops and applies novel spectroscopic approaches to understand the structure, dynamics, and function of biological macromolecules.
Bryan Spring
Associate Professor of Physics
Affiliated Faculty Member, Bioengineering
The Spring Lab develops develops non-linear optical techniques for the study of cancer diagnosis
Armen Stepanyants
Professor of Physics
Affiliated Faculty Member, Bioengineering
The Stepanyants Group develops computational and theoretical methods for understanding the relationship between neuronal connectivity and brain function.
Paul Stevenson
Assistant Professor of Physics
The Stevenson Lab develops quantum-based sensing methods for the study of single-molecule dynamics.
Vivek Venkatachalam
Assistant Professor of Physics
Affiliated Faculty Member, Bioengineering
We develop optical techniques for monitoring neuronal activity is living animals.
Meni Wanunu
Professor of Physics
Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Affiliated Faculty Member, Bioengineering
The Wanunu Lab is focused on the applications of nanopore technologies for the detection and study of individual molecules.
Paul Whitford
Professor and Graduate Program Director, Physics
Affiliated Faculty Member, Bioengineering
The Whitford Group develops theoretical models for complex molecular assemblies, such as the ribosome and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
Mark Williams
Professor and Department Chair, Physics
The Williams Lab develops and applies optical methods to probe the dynamics of single molecules, including proteins and DNA.