Réka Albert

Réka Albert is an Evan Pugh University Professor in the Department of Physics and Biology at Pennsylvania State University. Albert's research applies network-based mathematical modeling to biological systems, including signal transduction in plant guard cells, cell cycle regulation, cancer signaling, and the control of cellular decision-making processes such as the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Albert also works on ecological network dynamics, examining plant-pollinator communities and cascading extinctions, and has extended network modeling methods to social influence and group behavior change. Across these areas, Albert develops and applies Boolean network frameworks, attractor identification, and control theory to understand and manipulate the behavior of complex systems.