Profile: Where molecular design fails, evolution can often find a solution.  Kevin is constructing a general-purpose system for the rapid evolution of proteins and nucleic acids by linking molecular functionality to gene replication in a novel format.  Whereas traditional directed evolution relies on the experimenter creating each new generation in vitro, Kevin took inspiration from the life cycle of the fastest-evolving Darwinian pattern in nature, the virus, and designed the system to enable continuous directed evolution in vivo.  Because of the automated, continuous nature of the process, the number of generations that can be selected in a single day is dramatically increased.

A native of Portland, Oregon, Kevin received his B.S. in chemistry and biology from Harvey Mudd College.  Outside the lab, he is an avid reader who enjoys unicycling and baking.