Hej!
I’m Juan Gefaell, and I just joined Tobias Uller’s group as a postdoc in the Biology department. I will be primarily working on historical and philosophical topics related to evolutionary theory.
For those unfamiliar with the philosophy of evolutionary biology—or the philosophy of science more broadly—it basically involves reflecting on and shedding light on the fundamental assumptions underlying most scientific theories and disciplines. These reflections may not only provide insights into how science works but also can help specific disciplines move forward by identifying shaky foundations and suggesting sounder alternatives.
My background is in both philosophy of science and evolutionary biology. For my master’s, I assessed whether the history of contemporary evolutionary biology aligns with Thomas Kuhn’s theory of scientific change. For my PhD, I studied the evolutionary ecology of shell color polymorphism in the marine snail Littorina saxatilis. So I also know what it’s like to get dirty while searching for animals in the field!
Outside work, I’m very into sports—particularly skateboarding, which I’ve been riding for more than 20 years. I also enjoy diving into all sorts of scientific and philosophical disciplines, as well as politics and law, so you’ll likely spot me with a book in hand.
I’m looking forward to discussing science and philosophy with everyone interested and would love to hear more about what you’re working on. So don’t hesitate to get in touch!
