Milena Chakraverti-Wuerthwein

Milena Chakraverti-Wuerthwein (she/her) is a biophysicist and social activist dedicated to deepening our understanding of ecological networks and to supporting scientists from underrepresented backgrounds.

Milena joined the Biophysical Sciences PhD Program at the University of Chicago in the fall of 2021. She is dual-mentored by Professor Arvind Murugan, a physicist with a focus on non-equilibrium dynamical systems, and Professor Stefano Allesina, a theoretical ecologist specializing in ecological networks. During her PhD, Milena looks forward to approaching the question of how dynamic environments impact community assembly and ecological interactions.

As an undergraduate at Princeton University (A.B. Physics, Class of 2020), Milena explored diverse questions at the intersection of biology and physics, from behavioral science to microscope development to materials physics, building a repertoire of experimental and computational methods to complement her physics theory education. In parallel, Milena developed and ran an intergenerational mentorship program for women in physics.

After college Milena worked with Science and Arts Engagement NY, Inc., leveraging Harlem middle school and high school students’ interest in gaming to inspire lifelong engagement with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

In her free time, Milena enjoys gardening, cooking, and exploring new ways to be creative!