Gaurav Athreya (external PhD student, University of Mainz, co-supervised with Prof. Hanna Kokko)

I am a PhD student interested in using mathematical models to answer questions in evolutionary ecology. I work mainly on the evolution of sex, and on evolutionary conflicts of different flavours. I have worked previously on evolutionary transitions in individuality in endosymbioses, which has left me with an enduring interest in mutualisms and cooperation. I am from the southern Indian city of Bangalore, and outside the lab I enjoy bread-baking, sports, and trying new hobbies. Personal website: https://gauravathreya.github.io

Luca Ottonello (primary supervisor: Prof. Sander van Doorn, co-supervisor: Prof. Sijlbren Otto)

Luca Ottonello is a doctoral researcher at the University of Groningen. He holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Theoretical Physics from the Università degli Studi di Genova. His academic journey began in high-energy physics, where his Master’s thesis focused on neutrino mass generation models and Standard Model Effective Field Theories. Driven by a profound fascination with how complex structures emerge from fundamental physical laws, Luca transitioned from studying the theoretical frameworks of the early universe to the physical mechanisms that sparked the origin of life. He now applies his background in theoretical physics and non-linear dynamics to study complex chemical networks. Currently, his research integrates systems chemistry and evolutionary perspectives to address longstanding questions in the origin-of-life field. Specifically, he investigates the origin of metabolic control and information storage, the emergence of individuality, and the mediation of conflict and cooperation between coexisting replicators, analyzing these biological milestones through the lens of physics and thermodynamics.