Nathan Hodas

I am a graduate student in physics at Caltech in Pasadena, CA. I do both theoretical and experimental work in biophysics and optics. My work is only very roughly assigned to any particular discipline, as I have an advisor in chemistry and biology but attaining a degree in physics. I hope there are others who more specifically share my enjoyment of hiking, fishing, and playing squash on the St. John's courts.

1. What are your main interests? Feel free to include a "pie in the sky" big idea! I am curious about emergent behavior in networks. Cellular gene networks, traffic flow, and the economy are only a few examples of common phenomena where simple interactions properly coordinated give rise to wonderful results. To what extent does the underlying structure of the network determine the final dynamics? Is it possible to capture the overall behavior without knowing the microscopic details of individual interactions?

2. What sorts of expertise can you bring to the group? I hope my knowledge of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, stochastic differential equations, and computer programming will help others answer questions they are curious about. In a past life, I studied highway traffic dynamics, and so I have experience connecting microscopic and macroscopic dynamics in the non-physical arena.

3. What do you hope to get out of the CSSS? I am excited about the multi-disciplinary atmosphere of the CSSS. I know that each discipline has its own perspective on how to interpret experimental data and how to how to critique hypotheses. I hope to absorb as much and as many of the diverse perspectives as I can.

4. Do you have any possible projects in mind for the CSSS? I do not have any specific projects in mind, but I would like to do something in line with my interest in emergent behavior, as well as something outside of my primary field.