The Weitz group continues to grow, and we are excited to welcome Dr. Spencer Hobson-Gutierrez, a Quantitative Biology Initiative postdoctoral fellow.

Spencer comes to us from New York University, where he received his PhD in Theoretical Biology. He also holds an MS in Mathematics and a dual BS in Pure Mathematics and Physics from Kansas State University. Spencer’s past work largely focused on bacterial physiology, specifically cell size regulation (see his paper in Physical Review Letters) and the impact of nutrient conditions on cellular processes (see his papers in Nature and Disease Models & Mechanisms). His approach to this is also largely through how metabolic changes impact the host.

Consistent with his training, Spencer’s current biological research focuses on theoretical models. However, he is eager to start trying a mix of modeling and wet-lab work. Co-mentored by Dr. Jeff Maltas and Dr. Joshua Weitz through the Quantitative Biology Initiative, he aims to explore the impact of the bacterial host physiology on the phage replication cycle.