Research Experiences for Undergraduates 2014-Mentors
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| Research Experiences for Undergraduates 2014 |
REU Program Principle Investigator (PI)
Cristopher Moore, Santa Fe Institute, Resident Faculty
Potential Mentors and Projects
Alfred Hubler, Santa Fe Institute, External Faculty
Project 1: The Physics of a Thought
What drives the emergence of intelligent behavior in self-assembling physical networks? In this project models of the growth and evolution of realistic physical networks in complex environments will be studied. The response of the networks will be analysed in terms of standard definition of intelligence. We will try to understand which forces drive the emergence of intelligent behavior.
Project 2: Why do Sand Castles Fall?
Why do sand castles fall why they dry, whereas adobe bricks gain mechanical strength when they dry. Fractal particle distributions might be the solution to this puzzle. In this project the mechanical properties of fractal particles agglomerates will be modeled as a function of the fractal dimension of the particles and the water content. Adobe bricks are a very low-cost, environmental-friendly building material, but little is known about the reasons for their mechanical strength. This project could help to introduce adobe bricks as a substitute for concrete.
Aviv Bergman, Santa Fe Institute, External Faculty
Ben Althouse, Santa Fe Institute, Omidyar Fellow
David Wolpert, Santa Fe Institute, Resident Faculty
Project 1: Exploring Information Exchange and Universals in Social Organization Are there universal constraints on the networks of human interaction that govern how we build our complex societies? Might there be such universals that explain the details of the transition from prime chiefdoms to the first administered and centralized economies 6000 years ago? Can they help us understand the structure found in modern hierarchical yet distributed collaborations, such as guerilla rebellions, or industrial firms? This REU opportunity is for a talented student to assist a project that examines the effect of constraints on networks of information and material exchange among decision-making agents. We will focus in particular on how the structure of such a network that optimizes the response of the network to environmentally imposed stress varies with that stress, and varies with those constraints. This project will combine model development and analysis with ethnographic and archaeological studies of social structure and decision-making, especially focusing on how microscale dynamics can form the macroscale patterning we identify in the rise of complex, urban-based society, such as those which arose in southern Mesopotamia (ca. 4000 BC), central China (ca. 2000 BC), and Mesoamerica (ca. 200 BC). This project will best engage a student with a quantitative background who is interested in applying information theory and the optimization of communication networks to understanding social dynamics and cultural evolution. The primary SFI faculty advising the student is David Wolpert (http://www.santafe.edu/about/people/profile/David%20Wolpert), with additional advising by Henry Wright (http://www.santafe.edu/about/people/profile/Henry%20T.%20Wright) and Eric Rupley (http://www.santafe.edu/about/people/profile/Eric%20Rupley).
Project 2: Uncovering Hidden Structure in Microbiome (Mentor Group: David Wolpert, Eric Libby, and James O'Dwyer (from afar))
Eric Libby, Santa Fe Institute, Omidyar Fellow
Project 1: [[Media:ericlibbyab.pdf |The Evolutionary Origins of Developmental Programs]
Project 2: Uncovering Hidden Structure in Microbiome (Mentor Group: David Wolpert, Eric Libby, and James O'Dwyer (from afar))
Eric Rupley, Santa Fe Institute, Researcher
Project Abstract: Exploring Information Exchange and Universals in Social Organization Are there universal constraints on the networks of human interaction that govern how we build our complex societies? Might there be such universals that explain the details of the transition from prime chiefdoms to the first administered and centralized economies 6000 years ago? Can they help us understand the structure found in modern hierarchical yet distributed collaborations, such as guerilla rebellions, or industrial firms? This REU opportunity is for a talented student to assist a project that examines the effect of constraints on networks of information and material exchange among decision-making agents. We will focus in particular on how the structure of such a network that optimizes the response of the network to environmentally imposed stress varies with that stress, and varies with those constraints. This project will combine model development and analysis with ethnographic and archaeological studies of social structure and decision-making, especially focusing on how microscale dynamics can form the macroscale patterning we identify in the rise of complex, urban-based society, such as those which arose in southern Mesopotamia (ca. 4000 BC), central China (ca. 2000 BC), and Mesoamerica (ca. 200 BC). This project will best engage a student with a quantitative background who is interested in applying information theory and the optimization of communication networks to understanding social dynamics and cultural evolution. The primary SFI faculty advising the student is David Wolpert (http://www.santafe.edu/about/people/profile/David%20Wolpert), with additional advising by Henry Wright (http://www.santafe.edu/about/people/profile/Henry%20T.%20Wright) and Eric Rupley (http://www.santafe.edu/about/people/profile/Eric%20Rupley).
Evandro Ferrada, Santa Fe Institute, Omidyar Fellow
Pan Zhang, Santa Fe Institute, Postdoctoral Fellow
Pan Project Abstract
Pan Project Abstract
Ruben Andrist, Santa Fe Institute, Omidyar Fellow
Sam Scarpino, Santa Fe Institute, Omidyar Fellow
Tanmoy Bhattacharya, Santa Fe Institute, Resident Faculty
Tanmoy Project Abstract