World-renowned scientist Dani S. Bassett to join Yale
The Wu Tsai Institute welcomes Dani S. Bassett as Wu Tsai Professor in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Psychology
Dani S. Bassett, a complex systems scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, will join the Wu Tsai Institute (WTI) at Yale University in July 2026 as Wu Tsai Professor in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Psychology. Bassett's interdisciplinary research spans engineering, neuroscience, physics, and behavioral science, and advances a network approach to understanding human learning, curiosity, and thought.
Bassett is currently the J. Peter Skirkanich Professor of Bioengineering, Electrical and Systems Engineering, Physics and Astronomy, Neurology, and Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, and an External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute.
Their research combines theoretical and empirical approaches in order to understand how human cognition emerges from the structure and dynamics of brain networks. Bassett has pioneered computational frameworks that link biological, psychological, and societal complexity. The implications of their research are wide-ranging, spanning mental health, education, artificial intelligence, and even citation bias in publishing.
"Dani's creative and collaborative mind will transform how we think and do science in exciting and yet-to-be-imagined ways. Their appointment is already catalyzing new connections at Yale between traditionally separated communities of biomedical engineers, psychologists, and other researchers."
Kia Nobre, Director of WTI's Center for Neurocognition and Behavior
Bassett's work has been published across more than 450 articles in leading journals and in the book Curious Minds: The Power of Connection (2022), and they have been recognized with numerous honors. Bassett is a MacArthur Fellow, a Sloan Fellow, an AIMBE Fellow, and a Fellow of the American Physical Society. Their work has been recognized with an NSF CAREER Award, the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award, the Erdős-Rényi Prize from the Network Science Society, the Lagrange-CRT Foundation Prize, and the George H. Heilmeier Faculty Award for Excellence in Research.
"Dani represents the best of science — bold, integrative, and humane. Their research embodies the interdisciplinary and creative spirit that defines the Wu Tsai Institute’s approach to understanding human cognition," said Nick Turk-Browne, WTI Director. "Their interests, methods, and mentorship greatly expand our capacity to bridge mind, brain, and computation."
About the Institute
The Wu Tsai Institute is an interdisciplinary research endeavor at Yale University. Established in 2021 through a historic and transformative gift from Joseph C. Tsai '86, '90 J.D., and Clara Wu Tsai, the Institute connects neuroscience and data science to accelerate breakthroughs in understanding human cognition.