Q&A

By developing new tools for visualizing subcellular structure and activity in molecular detail, Ed Boyden advances on his goal of understanding how the brain works.

The mathematician Richard Schwartz finds the hidden depth lurking in simple mathematical puzzles.

Corina Tarnita deciphers bizarre patterns in the soil created by competing life-forms.

Edward Witten reflects on the meaning of dualities in physics and math, emergent space-time, and the pursuit of a complete description of nature.

Federico Ardila opens up about his journey as a mathematician, teacher, Colombian transplant, DJ and creator of mathematical spaces.

And not destroy humanity in the process.

To tell truth from fiction, start with quantitative thinking, argues the mathematician Rebecca Goldin.

Nigel Goldenfeld applies the physics of condensed matter to understand how evolution sprinted for the earliest life — and then slowed down.

The rise of new extremist groups has served as both an impetus and test-case for Neil Johnson’s models of terrorism and insurgency.