The Cooperation Lab

We examine diverse systems including human societies, cancer in multicellular bodies, the human microbiome, and cooperative multi-species communities (kombucha) to understand the fundamental principles that are shared across systems and to discover new strategies for addressing challenges. Our goal is to better understand how this fundamental tension has shaped the evolution of life and how the management of cooperation and conflict within us (and between us) can support human health and well-being.

We value cooperation, inclusivity, diversity of backgrounds and perspectives, community engagement through science outreach and arts, and the principles of open science. We believe that creativity and play are tools for discovery, that diversity of all kinds enhances our capacity to explore new intellectual territory, and that interdisciplinary cooperation and effective communication are essential tools for 21st century science.