The $R^3$ Lab

We study the growth of rules and regulations across Biology and Society, and the role that randomness plays in shaping a system’s function and structure.

Core questions driving the $R^3$ Lab’s research are:

• In what ways are biological regulatory networks like societal rule books?
• How does biochemical randomness complicate our understanding of genetic regulation?
• What are the constraints dictating how regulatory systems diversify, specialize and coordinate themselves?

James, the PI, will be joining WashU as an assistant professor in the Fall of 2026. Until then he will be doing research at the Santa Fe Institute. The Lab is activeley recruiting PhD students and Postdocs from Comp Bio, Math Bio, Evo Bio, Applied Math, and Statistical Physics backgrounds to start at/after Fall 2026—please get in touch!