The internationally recognized biologist Michael Levin, who previously directed the Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology at the Forsyth Institute, has left his post at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine to work as a biology professor at Tufts University, his alma mater.

The opportunity for interdisciplinary research at Tufts was a key factor in the switch for Mr. Levin, who was already working with Tufts researchers in biology and biomedical engineering. He believes interdisciplinary collaboration is becoming more important to medical research.

“I certainly think that’s the future of the field as a whole,” he told The Chronicle.

Mr. Levin is known for his findings on tissue growth as it relates to birth defects and cancer. He graduated from Tufts in 1992 with a degree in biology and computer science, and later received a Ph.D. from the Harvard University Medical School. —Caitlin Moran