Editing Martin Nowak

{{short description|Austrian-born scientist (born 1965)}}
{{Peacock|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox scientist
| name              = Martin Nowak
| image             = Dr._Martin_Nowak.jpg
| image_size        = 250px
| caption           = Nowak at Harvard in 2014
| birth_date        = April 7, 1965
| birth_place       = [[Vienna]], Austria
| birth_name        = Martin Andreas Nowak
| death_date        = 
| death_place       = 
| nationality       = Austrian
| field             = [[Mathematical biology]]
| work_institution  = [[Harvard University]]<br />[[Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry]]<br /> [[University of Oxford]]<br />[[Princeton University]]<br />[[Institute for Advanced Study]]
| alma_mater        = [[University of Vienna]] ([[PhD]])
| thesis_title      = Stochastic strategies in the prisoner's dilemma
| thesis_year       = 1989
| thesis_url        = https://ubdata.univie.ac.at/AC00028043
| doctoral_advisor  = [[Karl Sigmund]]
| doctoral_students = [[David G. Rand]]<br /> [[Erez Lieberman Aiden]]<ref name=mathgene>{{MathGenealogy|id=70042}}</ref><br />[[Marc Lipsitch]]<br />[[Sebastian Bonhoeffer]]<br /> [[Franziska Michor]]
| known_for         = [[Evolution of cooperation]], [[Evolutionary dynamics]], [[Somatic evolution in cancer]], [[Viral dynamics]], [[Language evolution]]
| prizes            = [[Weldon Memorial Prize]]<br /> Albert Wander Prize<br />[[Akira Okubo Prize]]
| website           = {{URL|www.martinnowak.com}}
}}
'''Martin Andreas Nowak''' (born April 7, 1965)<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Nowak |first1=Martin A. |title=SuperCooperators: altruism, evolution, and why we need each other to succeed |last2=Highfield |first2=Roger |date=2012 |publisher=Free Press |isbn=978-1-4516-2663-6 |edition=1. Free Press trade paperback |location=New York, NY}}</ref><ref name="Wax" /> is an Austrian-born professor of mathematics and biology at [[Harvard University]]. He is a researcher in [[evolutionary dynamics]],<ref name="Wax">{{cite news |last=Wax |first=Heather |date=October 15, 2007 |title=Cooperation counts for math professor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703034711/https://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/articles/2007/10/15/cooperation_counts_for_math_professor/ |url=https://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/articles/2007/10/15/cooperation_counts_for_math_professor/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 3, 2011 |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=[[The Boston Globe]] |quote= Nowak, 42, a Harvard University mathematician and biologist, is at the forefront of a new field called evolutionary dynamics, in which Darwin's idea of natural selection is formulated in terms of math equations.}}</ref> and has made contributions to the fields of [[Evolution|evolutionary theory]] and [[viral dynamics]].

He held faculty positions at [[Oxford University]] and the [[Institute for Advanced Study]] in Princeton, before being recruited by Harvard in 2003. During this time, [[Jeffrey Epstein]] funded a portion of Nowak's work, helping to set up a center for studying cooperation in evolution.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Marks|first1=Stephen M.|last2=Schuker|first2=Lauren A. E.|title=Magnate donates $30M to sciences|website=[[The Harvard Crimson]]|date=February 7, 2003|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2003/2/7/magnate-donates-30m-to-sciences-an/}}</ref> He was the director of Harvard's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics (PED) from 2003 until 2020. He was suspended from supervising undergraduate research for two years and his institute permanently closed due to Epstein’s continued use of a personal office in the PED building for over ten years after his conviction for [[sex crimes]].<ref name="harvmag">{{cite web|last1=Gibson|first1=Lydialyle|date=March 25, 2021|website=[[Harvard Magazine]]|title=Martin Nowak sanctioned for Jeffrey Epstein involvement|url=https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2021/03/martin-nowak-sanctioned-for-jeffrey-epstein-involvement}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Helmore|first1=Edward|title=Harvard closes evolution center after finding connections to Jeffrey Epstein|date=March 27, 2021|website=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/mar/27/harvard-closes-evolution-center-after-finding-connections-jeffrey-epstein}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=May 1, 2020|first1=Susan|title=Jeffrey Epstein had his own office at Harvard University — after he was convicted as a sex offender|last1=Svrluga|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/05/01/jeffrey-epstein-harvard-report/}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Nowak was born in Vienna, Austria, on April 7, 1965.<ref name="Wax" /> He studied at Albertus Magnus Gymnasium and the [[University of Vienna]], earning a doctorate in biochemistry and mathematics in 1989. He worked with [[Peter Schuster]] on [[Quasispecies model|quasispecies theory]], and with [[Karl Sigmund]] on [[evolution]] of cooperation. Nowak received the highest Austrian honors ([[Sub auspiciis Praesidentis]]) when awarded his degree.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Witzmann|first=Erich|date=2011-04-03|title=Martin Nowak: "Junge sollen unabhängig forschen"|url=https://www.diepresse.com/647277/martin-nowak-junge-sollen-unabhangig-forschen|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Die Presse|language=de}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> In 1993, he received his [[habilitation]] at the Institute of Mathematics, University of Vienna. In 2001, he was elected into the [[Austrian Academy of Sciences]].

==Career==
From 1989 to 1998, Nowak worked at the [[University of Oxford]] with [[Robert May, Baron May of Oxford|Robert May]]. First, he was an [[Erwin Schrödinger]] Postdoctoral Scholar, then a [[Junior Research Fellowships|Junior Research Fellow]] at [[Wolfson College, Oxford|Wolfson College]] and [[Keble College, Oxford|Keble College]]. From 1992, he was a [[Wellcome Trust]] Senior Research Fellow.<ref name=paynerj>{{cite journal |last1=Payne |first1=R J |last2=Nowak |first2=M A |last3=Blumberg |first3=B S |title=The dynamics of hepatitis B virus infection. |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |date=25 June 1996 |volume=93 |issue=13 |pages=6542–6546 |doi=10.1073/pnas.93.13.6542 |pmid=8692852 |bibcode=1996PNAS...93.6542P |doi-access=free |pmc=39060 }}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}}</ref> From 1997 to 1998, Nowak was a professor of mathematical biology.<ref name=nowak_sigmund>{{cite journal |last1=Nowak |first1=Martin A. |last2=Sigmund |first2=Karl |title=Evolution of indirect reciprocity by image scoring |journal=Nature |date=June 1998 |volume=393 |issue=6685 |pages=573–577 |doi=10.1038/31225 |pmid=9634232 |bibcode=1998Natur.393..573N |s2cid=4395576 }}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}}</ref>

In 1998, Martin Nowak was recruited by the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, and was Head of the Institute's first Initiative in Theoretical Biology from 1998 until 2003. In 2003, Nowak joined [[Harvard University]] as a Professor of Mathematics and Biology.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|title=University Lures Specialist In Interdisciplinary Science |newspaper= The Harvard Crimson|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2002/10/1/university-lures-specialist-in-interdisciplinary-science/|first=Christina M. |last=Anderson |date=2002-10-01|access-date=2020-10-10}}</ref> Nowak was also co-director, with [[Sarah Coakley]], of the Evolution and Theology of Cooperation project at [[Harvard University]], sponsored by the [[Templeton Foundation]],<ref>[http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~etc/index.html Evolution and Theology of Cooperation<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> where he was also a member of their Board of Advisors.<ref>[http://www.templeton.org/about_us/who_we_are/board_of_advisors/ About Us : Who We Are : Board of Advisors<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070123171823/http://www.templeton.org/about_us/who_we_are/board_of_advisors/ |date=2007-01-23 }}</ref> He was appointed Director of the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics (PED).<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.ped.fas.harvard.edu | title=Program for Evolutionary Dynamics}}</ref> The PED was funded with a large sum of money from the [[Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation]].<ref>Financier pledges $30 million to support Harvard researcher, ''The Associated Press'', 7 February 2003</ref> In 2003, Epstein had introduced himself as a science philanthropist, cementing the initial interaction with a large donation to Harvard.<ref name="nymag">{{cite magazine|url=http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/n_7912/|author=Landon Thomas Jr.|title=Jeffrey Epstein: International Money Man of Mystery|magazine=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|date=2002-10-28}}</ref> Nowak's team had received US$6.5 million between 2003 and 2006, but they did not receive any additional funds after 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harvard To Keep Epstein Gift {{!}} News {{!}} The Harvard Crimson |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2006/9/13/harvard-to-keep-epstein-gift-after/ |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=www.thecrimson.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Svrluga |first=Susan |date=2020-05-01 |title=Jeffrey Epstein had his own office at Harvard University — after he was convicted as a sex offender |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/05/01/jeffrey-epstein-harvard-report/ |access-date=2025-05-27 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Levenson |first=Michael |date=2020-05-01 |title=Harvard Kept Ties With Jeffrey Epstein After ’08 Conviction, Report Shows |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/01/us/jeffrey-epstein-harvard.html |access-date=2025-05-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

After Epstein's 2008 conviction, Harvard president [[Drew Faust]] decided that the university would no longer accept his donations. A [https://ogc.harvard.edu/files/ogc/files/report_concerning_jeffrey_e._epsteins_connections_to_harvard_university.pdf report], commissioned by the university, found that Nowak allowed Epstein to visit the PED offices more than 40 times after his conviction,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rosenberg|first=John S.|date=2020-06-08|title=Jeffrey Epstein's Extensive Harvard Reach|url=https://harvardmagazine.com/2020/07/jhj-epstein-extensive-reach|access-date=2020-10-10|website=Harvard Magazine|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Stieb|first=Matt|date=2020-05-29|title=What We've Learned From Recent Jeffrey Epstein Allegations|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/05/what-weve-learned-from-recent-jeffrey-epstein-allegations.html|access-date=2020-10-10|website=Intelligencer|language=en-us}}</ref> to maintain an office with a phone line and webpage, and to interact with students at PED. In 2020, the university placed Nowak on paid academic leave for violation of campus policies including professional conduct and campus access.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Levenson |first=Michael |date=2020-05-01 |title=Harvard Kept Ties With Jeffrey Epstein After '08 Conviction, Report Shows |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/01/us/jeffrey-epstein-harvard.html/ |access-date=2020-05-02 |newspaper=The New York Times |quote="Harvard said it had placed one professor, Martin A. Nowak, on paid administrative leave . . ."}}</ref><ref name="harvmag" /> In 2021, Harvard decided a proportionate response to the severity of Nowak's failure to follow Harvard policies, closing the institute founded with Epstein's money, and donating the remaining money to a foundation helping victims of sexual assault. Harvard also imposed a two year ban on Nowak that barred him from supervising undergraduate research or further supervising new graduate students or postdoctoral fellows. He was also banned from acting as the [[principal investigator]] of new grants.<ref name="harvmag" /> Nowak said he would "take the lessons from this time with me as I move forward".<ref>{{Cite news|title=FAS Places Prof. Nowak On Leave After Report Finds Epstein Used His Program to Rehabilitate Image |newspaper= The Harvard Crimson|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2020/5/2/epstein-review-nowak-leave/|first=James S. |last=Bikales |date=2020-05-01|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Svrluga |first=Susan |date=May 1, 2020 |title=Jeffrey Epstein had his own office at Harvard University — after he was convicted as a sex offender |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/05/01/jeffrey-epstein-harvard-report/ |access-date=2020-06-08 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en |quote="Nowak was placed on paid administrative leave . . . "}}</ref> The sanctions against Nowak were lifted in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2023/5/22/nowak-sanctions-lifted/|last1=Hamid|first1=Rahem D.|last2=Schisgall|first2=Elias J.|date=May 22, 2023|website=[[The Harvard Crimson]]|title=Harvard lifted sanctions on Epstein-associated professor Martin Nowak in March}}</ref>

==Academic research==
Martin Nowak contributed to various scientific disciplines, including evolutionary game theory, virology, cancer dynamics, the evolution of cooperation, and the origins of language. Throughout his career, Nowak has collaborated with notable figures such as [[Robert May, Baron May of Oxford|Robert May]], [[Karl Sigmund]], and [[John Maynard Smith]]. 

Nowak has authored books and scientific papers on topics in [[evolutionary game theory]], [[cancer]], [[virus]]es, [[infectious disease]], the [[Evolutionary linguistics|evolution of language]], and the [[evolution of cooperation]].<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Nowak | first1 = M.A. | doi = 10.1126/science.1133755 | title = Five rules for the evolution of cooperation | journal = Science | volume = 314 | pages = 1560–1563 | year = 2006 | issue = 5805 | pmid =  17158317| pmc = 3279745| bibcode = 2006Sci...314.1560N }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Wei | first1 = X. | last2 = Ghosh | first2 = S.K. | last3 = Taylor | first3 = M.E. | last4 = Nowak | first4 = M.A. | last5 = Hahn | first5 = B.H. | last6 = Saag | first6 = M.S. | last7 = Shaw | first7 = G.M. | doi = 10.1038/373117a0 | title = Viral dynamics in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection | journal = Nature| volume = 373| pages = 117–122 | year = 1995 | issue = 6510 | pmid = 7529365 | bibcode = 1995Natur.373..117W | s2cid = 4343212 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Reiter | first1 = J.G. | last2 = Makohon-Moore | first2 = A.P. | last3 = Gerold | first3 = J.M. | last4 = Heyde | first4 = A. | last5 = Iacobuzio-Donahue | first5 = C.A. | last6 = Vogelstein| first6 = B. | last7 = Nowak | first7 = M.A. | doi = 10.1126/science.aat7171 | title = Viral dynamics in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection | journal = Nature| volume = 373| pages = 117–122 | year = 1995 | issue = 6406 | pmid = 30190408 | pmc = 6329287}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Nowak | first1 = M.A. | last2 = May | first2 = R.M. | doi = 10.1038/359826a0 | title = Minimal functional driver gene heterogeneity among untreated metastases | journal = Science | volume = 361 | pages = 1033–1037 | year = 2018| issue = 6406 | pmid = 30190408 | pmc = 6329287 | bibcode = 1992Natur.359..826N }}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite book
  | last1 = Nowak   | first1 = Martin
  | title = Evolutionary Dynamics: Exploring the Equations of Life
  | publisher = [[Harvard University Press|Belknap Press]]
  | date = October 2006
  | isbn = 978-0-674-02338-3
  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Michel | first1 = J.B. | last2 = Shen | first2 = Y.K. | last3 = Aiden | first3 = A.P. | last4 = Nowak | first4 = M.A. | last5 = Aiden | first5 = E.L. | doi = 10.1038/359826a0 | title = Quantitative analysis of culture using millions of digitized books | journal = Science | volume = 331 | pages = 176–182| year = 2011 | issue = 6014 | pmid = 21163965 | pmc = 3279742| bibcode = 1992Natur.359..826N }}</ref> At Oxford, he helped to establish the fields of virus dynamics<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nowak |first1=Martin A. |last2=Anderson |first2=Roy M. |last3=McLean |first3=Angela R. |last4=Wolfs |first4=Tom F. W. |last5=Goudsmit |first5=Jaap |last6=May |first6=Robert M. |title=Antigenic Diversity Thresholds and the Development of AIDS |journal=Science |date=15 November 1991 |volume=254 |issue=5034 |pages=963–969 |doi=10.1126/science.1683006 |pmid=1683006 |bibcode=1991Sci...254..963N }}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}}</ref> and spatial games<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nowak |first1=Martin A. |last2=May |first2=Robert M. |title=Evolutionary games and spatial chaos |journal=Nature |date=October 1992 |volume=359 |issue=6398 |pages=826–829 |doi=10.1038/359826a0 |bibcode=1992Natur.359..826N |s2cid=4328667 }}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}}</ref> (which later became evolutionary graph theory). He maintained a collaboration with [[Karl Sigmund]] in game theory.<ref name="nowak_sigmund" /> He collaborated with [[John Maynard Smith]] on genetic redundancy,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nowak |first1=Martin A. |last2=Boerlijst |first2=Maarten C. |last3=Cooke |first3=Jonathan |last4=Smith |first4=John Maynard |title=Evolution of genetic redundancy |journal=Nature |date=July 1997 |volume=388 |issue=6638 |pages=167–171 |doi=10.1038/40618 |pmid=9217155 |doi-access=free |bibcode=1997Natur.388..167N }}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}}</ref> with [[Baruch Samuel Blumberg|Baruch Blumberg]] on hepatitis B virus,<ref name="paynerj" /> and with [[Robert May, Baron May of Oxford|Robert May]]  as well as George Shaw and [[Andrew McMichael]] on HIV.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wei |first1=Xiping |last2=Ghosh |first2=Sajal K. |last3=Taylor |first3=Maria E. |last4=Johnson |first4=Victoria A. |last5=Emini |first5=Emilio A. |last6=Deutsch |first6=Paul |last7=Lifson |first7=Jeffrey D. |last8=Bonhoeffer |first8=Sebastian |last9=Nowak |first9=Martin A. |last10=Hahn |first10=Beatrice H. |last11=Saag |first11=Michael S. |last12=Shaw |first12=George M. |title=Viral dynamics in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection |journal=Nature |date=January 1995 |volume=373 |issue=6510 |pages=117–122 |doi=10.1038/373117a0 |pmid=7529365 |bibcode=1995Natur.373..117W |s2cid=4343212 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nowak |first1=Martin A. |last2=McMichael |first2=Andrew J. |title=How HIV Defeats the Immune System |journal=Scientific American |date=August 1995 |volume=273 |issue=2 |pages=58–65 |doi=10.1038/scientificamerican0895-58 |pmid=7652527 |bibcode=1995SciAm.273b..58N }}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> 

In 1990, Nowak and [[Robert May, Baron May of Oxford|Robert May]] proposed a mathematical model which aimed to explain the delay between [[HIV]] infection and [[AIDS]]. in terms of the evolution of different strains of the virus during individual infections, to the point where the genetic diversity of the virus reaches a threshold whereby the immune system can no longer control it.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal | last1 = Eigen | first1 = M. | last2 = Nieselt-Struwe | first2 = K. | doi = 10.1097/00002030-199001001-00014 | title = How old is the immunodeficiency virus? | journal = AIDS | volume = 4 | pages = S95–7 | year = 1990 | pmid =  2152591}}</ref> 

At Harvard, Nowak continued his work on virus dynamics, cancer dynamics, and evolutionary game theory. In 2004, he established evolutionary game dynamics in finite populations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/4686799 | title=Evolutionary Game Dynamics in Finite Populations | date=2004 | last1=Taylor | first1=Christine | last2=Fudenberg | first2=Drew | last3=Sasaki | first3=Akira | last4=Nowak | first4=Martin }}</ref> In 2005 and 2006 he wrote papers establishing evolutionary graph theory.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lieberman |first1=Erez |last2=Hauert |first2=Christoph |last3=Nowak |first3=Martin A. |title=Evolutionary dynamics on graphs |journal=Nature |date=January 2005 |volume=433 |issue=7023 |pages=312–316 |doi=10.1038/nature03204 |pmid=15662424 |bibcode=2005Natur.433..312L |s2cid=4386820 }}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}}</ref> In 2006, he suggested that cooperation was a third fundamental principle of evolution beside mutation and selection.<ref>{{cite journal | pmc=3279745 | date=2006 | last1=Nowak | first1=M. A. | title=Five rules for the evolution of cooperation | journal=Science | volume=314 | issue=5805 | pages=1560–1563 | doi=10.1126/science.1133755 | pmid=17158317 | bibcode=2006Sci...314.1560N }}</ref> In 2007, he proposed a theory for the origin of life that views it through competition with its chemical precursors.<ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1073/pnas.0806714105 | title=Prevolutionary dynamics and the origin of evolution | date=2008 | last1=Nowak | first1=Martin A. | last2=Ohtsuki | first2=Hisashi | journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | volume=105 | issue=39 | pages=14924–14927 | pmid=18791073 | pmc=2567469 | bibcode=2008PNAS..10514924N | doi-access=free }}</ref> In a 2008 paper, he suggested that punishment behavior does not encourage the evolution of cooperation, and describes that behavior as maladaptive.<ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1038/nature06723 | title=Winners don't punish | date=2008 | last1=Dreber | first1=Anna | last2=Rand | first2=David G. | last3=Fudenberg | first3=Drew | last4=Nowak | first4=Martin A. | journal=Nature | volume=452 | issue=7185 | pages=348–351 | pmid=18354481 | pmc=2292414 | bibcode=2008Natur.452..348D }}</ref>

In 2006, Nowak enunciated and unified the mathematical rules for the five understood bases of the evolution of cooperation ([[kin selection]], [[Reciprocity (evolution)|direct reciprocity]], [[Reciprocity (evolution)|indirect reciprocity]], [[Reciprocity (evolution)|network reciprocity]], and [[group selection]]) which published as a paper in ''Science''. Nowak suggests that evolution is constructive because of cooperation, and that we might add “natural cooperation” as a third fundamental principle of evolution beside mutation and natural selection.<ref>{{Cite journal | pages = 1560–1563 | year = 2006 | pmid = 17158317 | pmc = 3279745 | doi = 10.1126/science.1133755 | issue = 5805 | volume = 314 | title = Five Rules for the Evolution of Cooperation | journal = Science | last1 = Nowak | first1 = M. A.|bibcode = 2006Sci...314.1560N }}</ref>

In 2007, Nowak and colleagues demonstrated that the transition of irregular verbs to regular verbs in English over time obeys a simple [[inverse-square law]], thus providing one of the first quantitative laws in the evolution of language which featured on the front cover of ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]''.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Lieberman | first1 = E. | last2 = Michel | first2 = J. B. | last3 = Jackson | first3 = J. | last4 = Tang | first4 = T. | last5 = Nowak | first5 = M. A. | title = Quantifying the evolutionary dynamics of language | doi = 10.1038/nature06137 | journal = Nature | volume = 449 | issue = 7163 | pages = 713–716 | year = 2007 | pmid = 17928859 | pmc =2460562 | bibcode = 2007Natur.449..713L }}</ref>

In 2010, Nowak, with [[E.&nbsp;O. Wilson]], and [[Corina Tarnita]], in ''Nature'', argued that standard natural selection theory represents a simpler and superior approach to [[kin selection]] theory in the evolution of [[eusociality]].<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Nowak | first1 = M. A. | last2 = Tarnita | first2 = C. E. | last3 = Wilson | first3 = E. O. | doi = 10.1038/nature09205 | title = The evolution of eusociality | journal = Nature | volume = 466 | issue = 7310 | pages = 1057–1062 | year = 2010 | pmid =  20740005| pmc = 3279739| bibcode = 2010Natur.466.1057N }}</ref> This work has led to many comments including strong criticism from proponents of [[inclusive fitness]] theory.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Krakauer | first1 = D. C. | last2 = Flack | first2 = J. C. | doi = 10.1038/467661a | title = Better living through physics | journal = Nature | volume = 467 | issue = 7316 | pages = 661 | year = 2010 | pmid =  20930827| bibcode = 2010Natur.467..661K | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Gadagkar | first1 = R | year = 2010 | title = Sociobiology in turmoil again | journal = Current Science | volume = 99 | pages = 1036–1041 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Rousset | first1 = F. | last2 = Lion | first2 = S. | doi = 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02251.x | title = Much ado about nothing: Nowak et al.'s charge against inclusive fitness theory | journal = Journal of Evolutionary Biology | volume = 24 | issue = 6 | pages = 1386–1392 | year = 2011 | pmid =  21457170| s2cid = 10363508 | quote = Despite their claims of novelty and the media frenzy, [Nowak, Tarnita and Wilson]'s article is actually a collection of worn-out arguments and thus represents a conceptual and technical step backward.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | display-authors=3 | last1 = Abbot | first1 = P. | last2 = Abe | first2 = J. | last3 = Alcock | first3 = J. | last4 = Alizon | first4 = S. | last5 = Alpedrinha | first5 = J. A. C. | last6 = Andersson | first6 = M. | last7 = Andre | first7 = J. B. | last8 = van Baalen | first8 = M. | last9 = Balloux | first9 = F. | last10 = Balshine | first10 = S. | last11 = Barton | first11 = N. | last12 = Beukeboom | first12 = L. W. | last13 = Biernaskie | first13 = J. M. | last14 = Bilde | first14 = T. | last15 = Borgia | first15 = G. | last16 = Breed | first16 = M. | last17 = Brown | first17 = S. | last18 = Bshary | first18 = R. | last19 = Buckling | first19 = A. | last20 = Burley | first20 = N. T. | last21 = Burton-Chellew | first21 = M. N. | last22 = Cant | first22 = M. A. | last23 = Chapuisat | first23 = M. | last24 = Charnov | first24 = E. L. | last25 = Clutton-Brock | first25 = T. | last26 = Cockburn | first26 = A. | last27 = Cole | first27 = B. J. | last28 = Colegrave | first28 = N. | last29 = Cosmides | first29 = L. | last30 = Couzin | first30 = I. D. | title = Inclusive fitness theory and eusociality | journal = Nature | volume = 471 | issue = 7339 | pages = E1–E4 | year = 2011 | pmid =  21430721| pmc = 3836173| quote = [We] believe that [Nowak, Tarnita and Wilson's] arguments are based upon a misunderstanding of evolutionary theory and a misrepresentation of the empirical literature. | doi = 10.1038/nature09831| bibcode = 2011Natur.471E...1A }}</ref> Nowak maintains that the findings of the paper are conclusive and that the field of social evolution should move beyond inclusive fitness theory.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Nowak | first1 = M. A. | last2 = Tarnita | first2 = C. E. | last3 = Wilson | first3 = E. O. | doi = 10.1038/nature09836 | title = Nowak et al. Reply | journal = Nature | volume = 471 | issue = 7339 | pages = E9 | year = 2011 | bibcode = 2011Natur.471E...9N | s2cid = 52856286 | url = https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/22565795/NowakNature2011.pdf?sequence=1 }}</ref>

He has over 300 scientific publications, of which 40 are in ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]'' and 15 in ''[[Science (journal)|Science]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~ped/people/faculty/all_publications.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827154547/http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~ped/people/faculty/all_publications.html |archive-date=2006-08-27 |title=Martin A. Nowak Publications}}</ref>

Nowak's research interests include:
* Somatic evolution of [[cancer]], [[Genetics|genetic]] instability, [[tumor]] suppressor genes
* [[Stem cell]]s, [[Tissue (biology)|tissue]] architecture
* [[Virus]]es, [[infectious disease]]s, [[immunology]]
* Dynamics of [[prion]] infections
* [[Quasispecies model|Quasispecies]]
* [[Genetic redundancy]]
* [[Evolutionary linguistics|Evolution of language]]
* [[Evolutionary game theory]]
* [[Evolutionary graph theory]]
* [[Evolution of cooperation]]
* Prelife and [[origins of life]]

== Published books ==
Aside from his scientific career, Nowak has also authored five books. His 2006 work ''Evolutionary Dynamics: Exploring the Equation of Life'' received praise for its unique perspective on theoretical biology and won the [[R.R. Hawkins Award]]. In 2011, he co-authored ''SuperCooperators'', which argues for cooperation as a fundamental principle of evolution and garnered positive reviews. Additionally, Nowak has edited books, including ''Evolution, Games, and God'', which examines the relationship between theology and evolutionary theory. Nowak identifies himself as a [[Roman Catholic]], advocating for the compatibility of science and religion in the pursuit of truth. His 2024 book, ''Beyond'', is a poetic exploration of the connection between religion and science. In 2015, he received the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters from the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology at [[University of California, Berkeley|Berkeley]].

Nowak's first book ''Virus Dynamics: Mathematical Principles of Immunology and Virology'', written with Robert May, was published by [[Oxford University Press]] in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://global.oup.com/academic/product/virus-dynamics-9780198504177 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240108072004/https://global.oup.com/academic/product/virus-dynamics-9780198504177?cc=us&lang=en& |archive-date=January 8, 2024 |title= Virus dynamics - Martin A. Nowak; Robert May - Oxford University Press |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=[[Oxford University Press]] |access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref> Nowak's 2006 book ''Evolutionary Dynamics: Exploring the Equations of Life'' discusses the evolution of various biological processes. Reviewing ''Evolutionary Dynamics'' in ''Nature'', [[Sean Nee]] called it a "unique book" that "should be on the shelf of anyone who has, or thinks they might have, an interest in theoretical biology."<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nee |first1=Sean |author-link1=Sean Nee |date=November 1, 2006 |title=Beautiful models  |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/444037a |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |volume=444 |issue=7115 |pages=37 |doi= 10.1038/444037a |bibcode=2006Natur.444...37N |access-date=January 8, 2024|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The book received the [[Association of American Publishers]]' R.R. Hawkins Award for the Outstanding Professional, Reference or Scholarly Work of 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ped.fas.harvard.edu/news/PSPaward_2006.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516005403/http://www.ped.fas.harvard.edu/news/PSPaward_2006.pdf |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |title=ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN PUBLISHERS ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE ''2006 PSP AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE'' |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=February 6, 2007 |website=[[Harvard University]] |access-date=January 8, 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Nowak's book ''SuperCooperators: The Mathematics of Evolution, Altruism and Human Behaviour (Or, Why We Need Each Other to Succeed)'', co-authored with [[Roger Highfield]], was published in 2011. ''SuperCooperators'' is both an autobiography of Nowak and a popular presentation of his work in mathematical biology on the evolution of cooperation, the origin of life, and the evolution of language. In the book, Nowak argues that cooperation is the third fundamental principle of evolution, next to [[mutation]] and [[natural selection]]. ''SuperCooperators'' received positive reviews in ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''Nature'', and the ''[[Financial Times]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harman |first1=Oren |author-link1=Oren Harman |title=How Evolution Explains Altruism |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214235126/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/10/books/review/book-review-supercooperators-by-martin-a-nowak.html |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/10/books/review/book-review-supercooperators-by-martin-a-nowak.html |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |access-date=January 8, 2024|website=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 8, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Milinski |first1=Manfred |author-link1=Manfred Milinski |date=March 16, 2011 |title=Biology: A revolution in evolution  |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/471294b |journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]] |volume=471 |issue=7338 |pages=294–295 |doi=10.1038/471294b |bibcode=2011Natur.471..294M |access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Willetts |first1=David |author-link1=David Willetts |title=The invisible hand that binds us all |url=https://www.ft.com/content/f3e5965e-6e9a-11e0-a13b-00144feabdc0 |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 8, 2024|website=[[Financial Times]] |date=April 25, 2011}}</ref>

With Sarah Coakley, Nowak edited the 2013 book ''Evolution, Games, and God: The Principle of Cooperation'', published by [[Harvard University Press]]. The volume features articles from experts in multiple fields who explore the interplay between theology and evolutionary theory as pertaining to cooperation and [[altruism]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674047976 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108080751/https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674047976 |archive-date=January 8, 2024 |title= Evolution, Games, and God — Harvard University Press |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=[[Harvard University Press]] |access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref>

==Awards==
Nowak is a corresponding member of the [[Austrian Academy of Sciences]]. He won the [[Weldon Memorial Prize]], the Albert Wander Prize, the Akira Okubo Prize, the David Starr Jordan Prize<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.davidstarrjordan.org/recipients/index.html |title=David Starr Jordan Prize recipients |access-date=2007-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825230354/http://davidstarrjordan.org/recipients/index.html |archive-date=2014-08-25 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> and the Henry Dale Prize.

==Personal life==
Nowak is a [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]].<ref name="discover">{{cite news |last1=Ohlson |first1=Kristin |title=The Cooperation Instinct |url=https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-cooperation-instinct |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604143639/https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-cooperation-instinct |url-status=live |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=[[Discover (magazine)|Discover]] |date=October 25, 2012 |archive-date=June 4, 2023}}</ref> In a 2007 lecture at Harvard, he argued that science and religion occupied different but complementary roles in humans' search for meaning, stating: "Science and religion are two essential components in the search for truth. Denying either is a barren approach."<ref name="Gazette">{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Alvin |title=Can science, religion coexist in peace? |url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2007/03/can-science-religion-coexist-in-peace/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922055027/https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2007/03/can-science-religion-coexist-in-peace/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=[[The Harvard Gazette]] |date=March 15, 2007 |archive-date=September 22, 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.martinnowak.com}}
* [https://www.whyarewehere.tv/people/martin-nowak/ Martin Nowak: Extended film interview with transcript for the 'Why Are We Here?' documentary series].

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nowak, Martin}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:Christian scholars]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Fellows of Wolfson College, Oxford]]
[[Category:Evolutionary biologists]]
[[Category:University of Vienna alumni]]
[[Category:Harvard University faculty]]
[[Category:Austrian Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Theistic evolutionists]]
[[Category:Austrian mathematicians]]
[[Category:Austrian biochemists]]