Bruce Lahn

Bruce Lahn (1969- ) is a geneticist at the University of Chicago specializing in evolutionary genetics, especially the genetic basis that underlies the dramatic evolutionary changes of the human brain. Lahn's other research interests include stem cell biology and neurogenetics. His research on the microcephalin gene led to a hypothesis that Neanderthals may have contributed to the recent development of the human brian. His claim that variants of genes commonly found outside of Africa may be linked to a higher IQ has provoked controversy.

Lahn came to the U.S. from China to continue his education after being a leader in the pro-democracy movement of the late 1980s.

Lahn's honors include the Merrill Lynch Forum Global Innovation Award, the TR100 Award from Technology Review, the Burroughs Wellcome Career Award, and a Searle scholarship. He was recently named to the 40-Under-40 list by Crains Chicago Business. Lahn received his B.A. in biology from Harvard University and his Ph. D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.