Andrew W. Murray, PhD
Director
Andrew Murray has been the Director of the Rowland Institute at Harvard since 2020. Along with many other pursuits like running his research laboratory and biking enough to kill a few brain cells, he has served as the Director of the Bauer Center for Genomics Research and its successor the FAS Center for Systems Biology, and is currently the Director of the Harvard Center for the Mathematical and Statistical Analysis of Biology. In addition, he directed the Bauer Fellows Program and currently directs its successor, the John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellows Program.
Andrew Murray grew up in England with American parents. When he was eleven he wanted to be a race car driver, but he discovered he had slow reflexes and was inspired to be a scientist by his high school chemistry teacher, “Doc” Powell. He did his Ph.D. with Jack Szostak constructing artificial chromosomes and a postdoc with Mark Kirschner showing that cyclin synthesis and destruction regulates the cell division cycle. His group works on experimental evolution using the brewer’s yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. They use genetic and physiological perturbations, synthetic biology, and collaborations with theorists to try to understand the “rules of the game” that explain how cells reproduce, respond to their environment, and evolve. In education, he is interested in breaking interdisciplinary barriers without sacrificing discipline.
Michael M. Burns, PhD
Associate Director for Science
Mike Burns works closely with each of our Rowland Fellows to advise and guide on their research goals, laboratories, and future plans. He is integral to the recruitment process.
C. Rose Hosking, PhD
Director of Research Affairs
Rosy Hosking provides support to the Rowland Fellows in their scientific communications and building lab culture. She oversees the recruitment process for new fellows.
Leigh A. Needleman, PhD
Executive Director
Leigh Needleman manages the intricate details of the Rowland Institute – from hiring, budgeting, programmatic planning, to organizing gatherings and much more.