| Title | : | Algorithms in Nature |
| Speaker | : | Phillip Compeau (Carnegie Mellon) |
| Details | : | Thu, 6 Feb, 2025 7:30 PM @ online |
| Abstract: | : | Nature has evolved remarkable strategies to solve complex problems, often in ways that challenge traditional computational paradigms. This talk explores how biological systems—from bacteria seeking nutrients to Drosophila cells determining sensory organ placement—implement elegant, decentralized algorithms that mirror fundamental challenges in computer science. We will examine how E. coli navigate their environment using a simple yet effective randomized search strategy and how fly neural precursor cells solve a distributed computing problem akin to Maximal Independent Set selection. These naturally occurring algorithms offer insights into robust, scalable solutions that require minimal communication and computation. By drawing inspiration from biology, we can uncover new approaches to long-standing computational problems.
Speaker Bio Prof. Phillip Compeau is an Associate Teaching Professor and Assistant Department Head in the Computational Biology Department at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where he teaches a variety of courses across mathematics, computer science, and computational biology. Phillip has designed such STEM courses for a diverse collection of student groups, successfully built and administered several student-led academic programs, and is a founder of scalable online education projects that have reached over a million learners, including Rosalind, Bioinformatics Algorithms, Biological Modeling, and Programming for Lovers. He received a Ph.D. in mathematics from UC San Diego and more recently his MBA in CMU's Tepper School of Business. He was presented the Herbert A. Simon Award for Teaching Excellence in Computer Science by the School of Computer Science at CMU to acknowledge excellence and dedication to teaching. Zoom - Link - https://zoom.us/j/95414491179?pwd=txD1hFtpFpy7aunNsr4skGjEsX5Ub5.1#success |
