Dr. Benjamin Good

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Benjamin Good is a theoretical biophysicist with a background in experimental evolution and population genetics. His research focuses on short-term evolutionary dynamics in rapidly evolving microbial populations, such as those found in the gut microbiome. With the rapid technological advances in our ability to catalog the components of these evolving ecosystems, Good's group aims to fill the vast gaps in understanding the population-level processes that control emergent structure and function. Utilizing tools from statistical physics, population genetics, and computational biology, they study microscopic growth processes and genome dynamics at the single cell level to explain the collective behaviors observed at the population level. Their projects range from basic theoretical investigations of non-equilibrium processes in microbial evolution ecology to the development of new computational tools for measuring processes in situ within natural experimental microbial communities. Good seeks to uncover unifying theoretical principles that help understand, forecast, and eventually control the ecological and evolutionary dynamics occurring across diverse scenarios.

Research Interests

Awards

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Stanford Prize

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Philippe Meyer Prize

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Alden H. Winifred Hubbard Brown Faculty Fellow

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Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator Award

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Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship

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Terman Fellowship

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Miller Research Fellowship

Courses

APPPHYS 205 BIO 126 BIO 226 APPPHYS 290 BIOE 391 BIOPHYS 300 PHYSICS 190 CME 391 PHYSICS 490 PHYSICS 205 BIOS 430 APPPHYS 237 BIO 251

Requirements for Stanford University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:26
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:160
Quantitative
Required:165
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Overall
Required:4.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree from an accredited institution Strong background in mathematics and programming
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

The Computer Science department emphasizes research potential. GRE General is currently optional but recommended for some tracks.