University of Michigan
Biological Sciences · 2022–present
Curriculum vitae
Philip J. Gerrish
Theoretical evolutionary genetics · probability theory · microbial evolution
Education
Training
- Michigan State University
- PhD, Zoology, 1998 · advisor: Richard Lenski
- Michigan State University
- MS, BioSystems Engineering, 1994
- Hope College
- BS, Physics; BA, Philosophy, 1988
Selected affiliations
Research appointments
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo
Mathematics · 2020–present
University of New Mexico
Biology · 2008–present
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Theoretical Division · 2006–2021
Georgia Institute of Technology
School of Biology · 2015–2019
Gulbenkian Institute & University of Lisbon
Biology & Mathematics · 2008–2011
Postdoctoral experience
Early research appointments
2006–07
Santa Fe Institute
Evolutionary theory
2000–03
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Evolutionary theory and influenza evolution
1998–00
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Evolutionary theory and HIV evolution
Selected publications
Recent and foundational work
2026
Forecasting Evolution: Mining for Predictability in the Unpredictable
P. J. Gerrish, R. Dominguez Aguilar & A. Colato. Springer.
publication2025
Natural selection and the advantage of recombination
P. J. Gerrish et al. bioRxiv / manuscript.
preprint2025
Natural selection promotes the evolution of recombination 1: between products of selection
P. J. Gerrish et al. bioRxiv / manuscript.
preprint2025
Natural selection promotes the evolution of recombination 2: during the process of evolution
P. J. Gerrish et al. bioRxiv / manuscript.
preprint2021
Why are viral genomes so fragile? The bottleneck hypothesis
N. S. C. Merleau et al. PLoS Computational Biology 17:e1009128.
publication2017
Dynamics and fate of beneficial mutations under lineage contamination by linked deleterious mutations
S. Pénisson et al. Genetics 205:1305–1318.
2012
Real time forecasting of near-future evolution
P. J. Gerrish & P. D. Sniegowski. Journal of the Royal Society Interface.
2001
The rhythm of microbial adaptation
P. J. Gerrish. Nature 413:299–302.
1999
Clonal interference and the evolution of RNA viruses
R. Miralles, P. J. Gerrish, A. Moya & S. F. Elena. Science 285:1745–1747.
1999
Diminishing returns from mutation supply rate in asexual populations
J. A. G. M. de Visser et al. Science 283:404–407.
1998
The fate of competing beneficial mutations in an asexual population
P. J. Gerrish & R. E. Lenski. Genetica 102/103:127–144.
1997
Evolution of high mutation rates in experimental populations of Escherichia coli
P. D. Sniegowski, P. J. Gerrish & R. E. Lenski. Nature 387:703–705.
Selected support
Grants & awards
NIH R01, Principal Investigator — Mutation rate catastrophe: testing a novel theory for extinction of clonal organisms (2008–2012).
NIH ARRA, Principal Investigator — Tricking natural selection: the promise of recombination inhibitors as treatment for chronic viral infections (2010–2012).
NASA Astrobiology Institute, co-Principal Investigator — Reliving the Past: Experimental evolution of major transitions in the history of life (2014–2019).
Selected awards — DFG Fellowship (2019–2020); Fulbright International Fellowship (2018–2019); CNRS Visiting Scholar appointments (2015, 2018); LANL Director’s Fellowship (2000–2003).
Skills
Methods & languages
Statistics: probabilistic modeling, hypothesis testing, statistical inference; familiarity with stochastic calculus and analysis.
Programming: Julia and Wolfram scripts; familiarity with Python, R, C++, and AI interfaces.
Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French.
Professional membership: Society for the Study of Evolution.
Web version based on short-form CV dated 24 July 2025; updated here to include the 2026 Springer chapter.