Norman Packard

Norman Packard has worked in the areas of chaos, learning algorithms, predictive modeling of complex time series, statistical analysis of evolution, artificial life, and complex adaptive systems.

Packard holds a B.A. from Reed College (1976) and Ph.D. in Physics from University of California at Santa Cruz (1983). After post-docs at IHES (Bures-sur-Yvette) and IAS (Princeton), he joined the physics department at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1987, where he became an associate professor before leaving to become a co-founder of Prediction Company in 1991.

Prediction Company's business is based on building predictive models for financial markets. It has a long-standing exclusive relationship with Union Bank of Switzerland for the implementation of a technology-based trading system based on the predictive models. Packard served as CEO of the company from 1997 to 2003, when he left his management position to become chairman of the board of directors for the company.

Packard is currently working in a new scientific and business direction based on development of evolutionary chemistry in programmable microfluidic technology. Long-range applications of this technology include the fabrication artificial cells from non-living material, and their programming for useful functionality. Packard is co-founder of a new company, ProtoLife S.r.l., which aims to develop these ideas in the private sector.

Packard has had a long-standing involvement with the Santa Fe Institute, currently serving on its external faculty.

Work phone: 505-930-3123

Fax: 505-984-0853

Email: n@protolife.net