Richard Lenski, Ph.D.

Richard Lenski

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Pronouns:
He/Him/His

University Distinguished Professor
Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

Phone:
517-884-5397

Email:

Degrees:
Ph.D., University of North Carolina

Degrees: 

  • Ph.D. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
    A.B. Oberlin College 

Dr. Richard Lenski is a University Distinguished Professor in several departments at MSU. His research examines the genetic mechanisms and ecological processes responsible for evolutionary change.  In particular, Dr. Lenski and his team perform experiments to analyze the process of evolution in action.  An experiment that he started in 1988 has followed 12 E. coli populations for 75,000 generations, providing insights into the dynamics of adaptation by natural selection, the mechanisms of genome evolution, the repeatability of evolution, and even the origin of new functions. He and his team have also studied the coevolution of bacteria and viruses, and they have performed experiments with computer programs that can replicate, mutate, compete, and evolve the ability to solve problems. Dr. Lenski is a past President of the Society for the Study of Evolution, and he co-founded the National Science Foundation’s BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, which brought together biologists, computer scientists, engineers, and philosophers to harness and illuminate the power of evolution in action. He is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. He received a Friend of Darwin award from the National Center for Science Education. Dr. Lenski has authored more than 280 papers, and he has mentored many graduate students and postdoctoral scientists who are now on the faculties of universities around the US and the world.

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