Computation, AI & Theory-Driven Biophysics
Cells are soft matter machines, optimized by evolution and driven far from equilibrium. We build physics-grounded AI and multiscale models to decode how biomolecules self-organize, communicate, and compute: from allosteric enzymes and phase-separating condensates to epigenetic networks and nuclear-scale gene regulation.
Recent Papers View all →
Research Directions
Multi-scale models uncovering sequence-encoded dynamics in phase-separating systems.
AI- and physics-based methods to decode allosteric communication in biomolecular assemblies.
Generative and explainable AI for modeling and interpreting biomolecular dynamics.
How do epigenetic marks propagate and persist? We build mesoscale models of nuclear organization and epigenetic networks to uncover how cells encode, transmit, and erase transcriptional memory.
Join the Group
We welcome students and researchers from all backgrounds: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, and beyond. Creativity, curiosity, and the drive to push boundaries matter far more than any specific prior training. You should be genuinely excited about science and willing to work closely with a wide range of computational tools and AI methods, and approach problems with an open mind.
Prospective PhD students should apply through the ISU graduate admissions portal and mention the Potoyan group in their statement.
Postdocs, PhD applicants, and undergraduates are all welcome to reach out directly at potoyan [AT] iastate [dot] edu.