Based at Michigan State University, we work on various projects related to applying evolutionary algorithms in software and the real world. We also study more fundamental questions in Genetic Programming and other EC methods around regulation, open-ended evolution, novelty and search space dynamics. Algorithms influenced by ecology and social systems are another topic of interest, so is the field of Artificial Life in general and its subfield of Artificial Chemistries.
Evolutionary Computation is a field of optimization theory where instead of using classical numerical methods to solve optimization problems, we use inspiration from biological evolution to 'evolve' good solutions.
Artificial intelligence is the attempt to create human-level intelligence processes in computing machines. Specific applications of AI include pattern recognition, e.g. speech and image recognition as well as decision support. Recently artificial neural networks (ANNs) have become very prominent in AI with deep learning processes.
Genetic Improvement is a subfield of Evolutionary Computation which starts not from randomly created initial individuals, but from functional individuals that are subsequently improved through variation and selection.
Here are some of our selected research projects
A secure and scalable digital leder design to support data centric applications with reliable traceability information sharing across supply chain networks.
POET is a Genetic Programming tool alternative to Directed Evolution, that evolves sequence-function models that can predict protein traits from their sequence to be evaluated in lab environment.
Developing a systematic approach to generating desirable constitutive models from test data using Genetic Programming.
Wolfgang Banzhaf is the John R. Koza Chair for Genetic Programming in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. His research interests are in the field of bio-inspired computing, notably evolutionary computation and complex adaptive systems.
Email: banzhafw AT msu.edu
I finished my Ph.D. at Michigan State University in “Evolution of Decision-Making Systems.” My broad focus is on understanding the cultivation of features that make up intelligent and robust life-like behavior at all levels of complex systems. Feb 7 I begin with the Banzhaf Lab on several new or ongoing projects. More information forthcoming!
Email: jory AT msu.edu
My thesis subject was about bioinformatics and was focused on genome annotation using deep learning and genetic programming approaches. I had the opportunity to discover and exploit bio-inspired algorithms that fascinated me. I joined the Banzhaf lab on September 1st of 2022 and I am focusing on the development of a new approach based on evolutionary algorithms for the POET project. I enjoy the fusion of biology with computer science to solve problems.
Email: scalzit1 AT msu.edu
I focus on utilizing digital ledger technologies for developing secure, traceable and trust oriented data sharing applications for food supply chains. My area of research lies in the overlap of blockchains, machine learning and big data technologies. During my time here, I have been focussing on using decentralized ledger technnologies to collect and process big data for beef supply chain.
Email: alisalm1 AT msu DOT edu
I am interested in designing active learning tools to use with genetic programming systems to help drive the data collection and experimentation process to gather data that is most informative.
Email: hautnath AT msu.edu
I am CSE PhD student and a researcher at BEACON. I'm interested in bio-inspired algorithms and applying them on complex real life problems. I'm currently working on underpinning computational gene regulatory networks with artificial chemistry, developing a GP for Python code synthesis, Automation in Factorio and POET: Protein Optimization Evolving Tool. I love coding and implementing my ideas specially on computer games!
Email: miralavy AT msu.edu
I focus on evolutionary computation with cultural algorithms, as well as the intersection between evolutionary methods and nueral networks. I have additional experience in robotics and STEM education research.
Email: kocherov AT msu.edu
I am a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering. I am interested in developing a systematic approach to generating constitutive models for engineering materials using Genetic Programming. Using our approach, we can develop a constitutive model with comparable fitness but it is much simpler and physically reasonable.
Email: guojun2 AT msu.edu
I am an undergrad student majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Michigan State University. I am working on automatic code repair and evolutionary program synthesis. I also love spontaneously traveling, listening to overplayed music and consuming too much coffee.
Email: thammina AT msu.edu
I am a sophomore undergrad studying Computer Science and Information Science with a Spanish minor. During my time on this team, I have contributed to research on Multi-Task Reinforcement Learning and learned about various elements of evolutionary computation through other team members.
Email: voegerlt AT msu.edu
I am an undergraduate student from Johns Hopkins University working as a research assistant in the Banzhaf Lab starting May 2021. I am working on the implementation and evaluation of the genetic programming framework Shackleton that optimizes the sequence of LLVM compiler passes. I was able to add new features to the Shackleton Framework and improve the optimization from 2% to 20%.
Email: sli136 AT jhu.edu
I focus on genetic programming in reinforcement learning tasks. I am particularly interested in how emergent forms of memory and hierarchy allow digital evolution to build programs in partially-observable and multi-task environments. In addition to general problem solving, my collaborative research-creation projects apply bio-inspired computing in art/science hybrids that focus on storytelling, activism, and public engagement.
Email: kellys27 AT msu.edu
Yuan Yuan was a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and a member of the BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action at Michigan State University, USA. His research interests include evolutionary computation, machine learning, and search-based software engineering.
Email: yyuan AT msu.edu
Honglin was a graduate student at the Banzhaf Lab focusing on the intersection of social simulation, artificial life, complex systems, and computational social science. More info about him can be found in his page: carsonhlbao.com
Email: baohongl AT msu.edu
Ken's primary research focus was the overlap of evolutionary algorithms with machine learning. Additionally, he was working on genomic prediction in animals and humans using AI, formulating problems from the video game `Factorio' for research into real-world optimization problems, and in employee scheduling problems.
Email: reidken1 AT msu.edu
MSU – BEACON Center Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building 567 Wilson Road Room 1441 East Lansing, MI 48824