Kevin Bronson Wood, Associate Professor of Biophysics and Physics and Biophysics’ Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies at the University of Michigan, passed away on September 28, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Known for his profound contributions to science and his deep commitment to his students, Kevin leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
Born on January 11, 1979, in Lexington, Kentucky, Kevin was a lifelong learner with a love for math, science, sports, and family. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Physics from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, before going on to complete two simultaneous Ph.D.s—one in Theoretical Physics and the other in Physical Chemistry—at the University of California, San Diego. His postdoctoral research at Harvard University solidified his reputation as a brilliant physicist and educator. He joined the University of Michigan faculty in 2013.
Kevin’s research at the University of Michigan combined his expertise and love of theory with novel experiments to explore how multidrug resistance manifested in bacterial communities. His graduate work with Dr. Katja Lindenberg explored emergent ordering phenomena in stochastic dynamical systems far from equilibrium, where he established a correspondence between specific nonequilibrium phase transitions and a well-known class of equilibrium phase transitions. These theoretical models have served as minimal descriptions for a wide range of experimental systems, ranging from blinking semiconductors to synchronized cell populations. His postdoctoral work with Dr. Philippe Cluzel combined theoretical tools from statistical physics and dynamical systems with modern and high throughput methods in microbiology to understand antibiotic interactions in microbial systems. His work revealed surprisingly simple quantitative rules for predicting the behavior of complex cellular populations.
In his own lab at the University of Michigan, Kevin combined theoretical and experimental tools to investigate spatiotemporal dynamics of multi-cellular communities, where collective population dynamics emerge from local interactions between cells. He and his trainees applied his unique perspective to the pressing practical application of antibiotic resistance, exploring how spatial organization and cooperativity in bacterial communities impact growth in stressful environments, and by developing proof-of-principle strategies for steering evolution using currently available drugs to slow the emergence of resistance. His multi-pronged approach to studying this phenomenon led to new discoveries regarding the spatial pattern development within bacterial colonies that informed potential therapeutic treatment strategies in cancer.
Kevin was not only a visionary scientist but also a deeply respected mentor, creating a supportive environment for his students to develop into independent researchers. He went out of his way to support graduate students, including those outside of his laboratory, as they navigated difficult transitions in their scientific and personal lives. As Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies, he was a trusted guide to countless biophysics majors, significantly shaping their academic journeys. In efforts to build a new interfacial major in Quantitative Biology, Kevin worked with colleagues in UM Biophysics and the Program in Biology to design new courses and curricula moving toward this goal.
In Kevin’s honor, his family requests that donations be made to a memorial fund in Kevin's name to support educational opportunities for young biophysics students at the University of Michigan in need of financial support. You may donate to this fund online at https://gofund.me/b5f1fcb6, or via check straight to the university by mailing “U-M Biophysics, ATTN: Alex Franklin, Room 4028, 930 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor, 48109-1055″, with checks payable to “The University of Michigan.”
Kevin Wood was a cornerstone of the Biophysics community at Michigan, and he will be deeply missed by colleagues, students, and friends. His dedication to both science and his students’ well-being leaves an enduring legacy that will continue to shape and inspire the field of biophysics for years to come.
Kevin’s full obituary can be found here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kentucky/name/kevin-wood-obituary?id=56465746
