Dr. Layton gave an invited seminar presentation at University of Michigan titled “How Nature’s Systems Can Guide More Resilient and Sustainable Human Network Design” Sept. 26, 2023. The talk coincided with some excellent collaborative brainstorming with Dr. Sita Syal and other new contacts.

Abstract: Inspiration from nature has produced some fascinating, novel, and life-changing solutions for the human world. Most of these bio-inspired designs however have been product-based, but taking a systems perspective when we look to nature taps inspirations that can improve the critical networks we depend on. This talk focuses on biological ecosystems, in particular, complex networks of interacting species that are able to support individual needs while maintaining system-level functions during both times of abundance and unexpected disturbances. This talk will show how these networks can offer inspiration for achieving both sustainability AND resilience. Quantitative ecosystem descriptors and analysis techniques adapted from ecology enable desirable ecosystem characteristics to be used as design guides for things like industrial resource networks, water networks, supply chains, and power grids.