King, Kirschner Named University Professors

A social scientist and a systems biologist are honored for their research.

Gary King
Marc Kirschner

Quantitative social scientist Gary King and systems biologist Marc Kirschner have been named University Professors.

King becomes the Weatherhead University Professor, succeeding the late Samuel P. Huntington.

Kirschner becomes the Enders University Professor, succeeding neurobiologist David Hubel, who is now emeritus.

Harvard’s official announcement of the appointments cites King for his work on “how data is [sic] used to study voting behavior, mortality rates, international conflict, experimental design, survey research, Supreme Court decision making, redistricting, and automated ways of understanding information in unstructured text.” His research was covered in Harvard Magazine’s early account of the Institute for Quantitative Social Science, which King directs; his involvement with global-health initiatives was covered as well.

Kirschner became the founding chair of the Harvard Medical School department of systems biology in 2003, having previously served as founding chair of the school’s department of cell biology. According to the announcement, his research spans “many areas of modern cell biology, including ‘how cells divide, how they generate their shape, and how embryos develop.’” Readers will find the systems biology department's work described in a 2005 article from the Harvard Magazine archives; Kirschner's recent book on the mechanisms of evolution was also reviewed in the magazine.

 

Sub topics

You might also like

When Code Meets Canvas

In brushstrokes and bytes, a symposium at Harvard explores data, perception, and art.

Isaac Kohlberg to Step Down as Head of Harvard Technology Development

Partnerships and licensing office could become more critical as funding cuts loom

Most popular

See Their Faces

Confronting “some of the most challenging images in the history of photography”

The Standoff: Harvard’s Future in the Balance

Introducing a guide to the issues, players, and stakes 

Judge Orders NIH to Restore Grants

Ruling likely won’t affect most of Harvard’s research cuts. 

Explore More From Current Issue

Can an Orange a Day Stave off Depression?

A research study digs into the gut microbiome.

Salsa Squared

Latin dancing fills the streets in Harvard Square   

Will the U.S. Dollar Always Be So Powerful?

The preeminence of U.S. currency at risk