Simon A. Levin
Tyler Prize Laureate 2014
Using mathematics to solve the problems of environmental degradation
Quick Facts
Born: April 22, 1941, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Affiliation at the time of the award: Princeton University
Environmental achievement recognized: Recognized for his signal contributions to understanding complex systems in many fields, particularly for establishing and modelling fundamental concepts of conservation, and documenting the importance of adaptive systems for improved management of fisheries and forests.
Get to know Simon A. Levin
Meet the
Simon Levin is known for using mathematical modeling to show the complexity of ecosystems and interactions between species. His work impacted a wide variety of fields, among them environmental policy, resource management, healthcare, economics, and bioterrorism preparedness. An esteemed ecologist, Levin’s models revealed ecosystems to be complex adaptive systems driven by cooperation and competition. His research brought ecology and social science together, helping protect Earth systems through global collaboration.