Hello!
My name is Claus Aranha. I'm an associate professor at the University of Tsukuba, Graduate Program in Computer Science and the College of Information Sciences. I'm also a member of the Center of Artificial Intelligence Research.
My research topics are Evolutionary Computation and Artificial Life. In my research, I study how to reproduce the mechanisms of Biological Evolution in computating systems. This can be used to solve engineering problems (Evolutionary Computation, Optimization), and also to study the creation of life in artificial systems (Artificial Life). Finally, I'm also interested in Multi Agent Simulations, specially when simulating agents that evolve or display life-like behavior.
In short, I want to make computer programs evolve and become more life-like!
Short Bio:
I graduated in Computer Science from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil, and obtained my PhD from the University of Tokyo, Iba Laboratory.
I am a member of the International Society of Artificial Life, the Japanese Society for Evolutionary Computation, the AIWolf Project, the Artificial Life Newsletter, and the Organizing Committee for ICPC Japan, among other groups.
Teaching
I teach programming classes (intro and intermediate) for undergraduate students, and classes on research methodology for graduate school. I have also given outreach talks about my research topics for companies and high schools.
I love supervising students. I coach the local ICPC competitive programming teams, as well as undergraduate students and exchange students on short-term projects. I also coordinate international exchange programs at graduate and undergraduate levels. Feel free to contact me if you want to know more about exchange programs at Tsukuba University.
For more information about my teaching activities, see the Teaching page.
Researching
The keywords for my research are Evolutionary Computation and Artificial Life. My key idea is that if we want to create and understand digital life, we should follow the same path that nature once used to create the life that we see today: Evolution from simpler organisms and intense interaction with the environment.
This key idea can be used for applications (such as optimization), for pure sciente (to understand life), and also for entertainment (by creating exciting virtual worlds).
I am particularly interested in Genetic Programming (GP). GP considers code itself as the genetic material and substrate of a different kind of chemistry, that could be used to create digitally living creatures made purely of code.
I am also very interested in the use of Evolutionary Computation (EC) as a general problem solver for applications where simple optimization (gradient descent and friends), can not quite cut it, such as the optimization of highly non-linear simulations and design problems.
For details on these ideas and recent research results, please see the research page.
Quick Reference for the visitor:
- The About Me page has my publication list, CV, and other profile information.
- The Contact Me page has my phone number, office hours, and some information for prospective students.