Simons Foundation Lectures
Biology: Microbiomes
The theme of the 2023 lecture series in biology is “Microbiomes.” Microscopic lifeforms live just about everywhere on Earth — in the deep ocean, suspended in the atmosphere and even in our planet’s interior. Microbial communities can even thrive within plants and animals, affecting the biology and biochemistry inside their hosts. On the environmental scale, microbial communities profoundly impact food chains, biogeochemical cycling and climate. This series of talks will explore microbiomes and their roles in specific hosts and environments.
Upcoming Lectures
Retracing the Evolutionary Steps Toward Symbiosis
Joseph Parker, Ph.D.Assistant Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology

Past Lectures
The Search for Fundamental Rules Underlying How Microbiomes Are Constructed
C. Brandon Ogbunu, Ph.D.Assistant Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University
External Professor, Santa Fe Institute
MLK Jr Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

External Professor, Santa Fe Institute
MLK Jr Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Lecture
How the Human Microbiome Adapts to Its Host
Eric Alm, Ph.D.Director, Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics
Professor, Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Professor, Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Lecture
- Watch Video
Understanding and Manipulating Immune Modulation by the Microbiome
Michael A. Fischbach, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Bioengineering,
Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University

Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University
- Lecture
From the Human Microbiome Project to the Earth Microbiome Project
Rob Knight, Ph.D.Wolfe Family Endowed Chair in Microbiome Research at Rady Children's
Director, Center for Microbiome Innovation
Professor of Pediatrics, Bioengineering and Computer Science & Engineering, University of California, San Diego

Director, Center for Microbiome Innovation
Professor of Pediatrics, Bioengineering and Computer Science & Engineering, University of California, San Diego
- Lecture