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INFORMATION FOR

    Thierry Emonet

    Lewis B. Cullman Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and Professor of Physics
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    Contact Info

    Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

    260 Whitney Avenue, P.O. Box 208103

    New Haven, CT 06520-8103

    United States

    About

    Titles

    Lewis B. Cullman Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and Professor of Physics

    Biography

    Thierry Emonet is a Professor of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology & Physics at Yale University. Trained as an astrophysicist before shifting his focus to biology, Emonet applies computational methods to the understanding of biological systems. By combining mathematical modeling with biophysical experiments, he shows how bacteria and insects navigate their environment. His discoveries include new insight on how microscopic organisms gather and react to information; how insects’ sense of smell enables them to navigate their environments; and how bacteria move and act collectively, akin to the behavior of a flock of birds. These findings have illuminated the natural world: they enable us to make predictions about how biological systems will act and react and how living systems respond to environmental fluctuations at all scales, from the smallest individual molecule to the population level. Before coming to Yale in 2007, Thierry studied physics at the ETH Zürich. He received his PhD (cum laude) in theoretical astrophysics from the University of La Laguna (Spain) in 1998, before doing postdocs at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder CO and The University of Chicago, discovering key mechanisms that enable magnetic field to float to the surface of the Sun to create Sunspots. During his postdoc Thierry became fascinated with the question of where individuality comes from and what is its functional role in life and he switched to biology. His work is supported by NIH, NSF, the Paul G Allen Family Foundation (Distinguished Allen Investigator), the Whitehall Foundation, the James S. McDonnell Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Outside of science, Thierry’s main interest is rock climbing and art. He grew up at the intersection of science and art and he is married to renowned sculptor Susan Clinard

    Last Updated on March 19, 2025.

    Departments & Organizations

    Research

    Overview


    We combine theory and experiments to understand the computations organisms perform to navigate chemical environments, and the molecular and cellular circuits that enable them. With bacteria we analyze information processing in individual cells, the molecular basis of individuality, and how biological diversity can be beneficial to populations. With fruit flies we examine how insects use their sense of smell to perform goal oriented olfactory navigation, and how they adapt their decision-making strategies in real time as odor signal statistics and environmental conditions change.

    Our lab is interdisciplinary with expertise in microbiology, neuroscience, physics and engineering. If you are interested in a postdoc, graduate or undergraduate students position, please contact Thierry by email with your CV and a latter of intent.

    The Emonet Lab is gratefull for funding by The National Institute of Health, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, The Whitehall Foundation, The James S. McDonnell Foundation, The National Science Foundation, The National Academies Keck Futures Initiative, and The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

    Research at a Glance

    Yale Co-Authors

    Frequent collaborators of Thierry Emonet's published research.

    Publications

    2025

    2024

    2023

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    Contacts

    Mailing Addresses

    Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

    260 Whitney Avenue, P.O. Box 208103

    New Haven, CT 06520-8103

    United States

    Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

    BASS Receiving, YSB 155, 266 Whitney Ave

    New Haven, CT 06511

    United States

    Administrative Support

    Locations

    • C169

      Academic Office

      Yale Science Building

      260 Whitney Avenue, Fl C, Rm C169

      New Haven, CT 06511