Michigan State University To Establish Bio-Digital Evolution Center

Michigan State University To Establish Bio-Digital Evolution Center.

The AP (2/18, Goodman) reports, "The National Science Foundation has awarded $25 million to Michigan State University to create a center for the joint study of natural and digital evolution." According to Erik Goodman, the director of Bio/computational Evolution in Action Consortium, or BEACON, "the center will conduct basic and applied research that includes and combines evolutionary biology and computer science." The AP notes, "BEACON is one of five new centers being launched under the NSF's Science and Technology Centers Program. ... Four other universities - North Carolina A&T State University and the universities of Idaho, Washington and Texas at Austin - are collaborating with Michigan State."

        The Detroit News (2/17, Kozlowski) reported, "Biologists studying natural evolutionary processes will work with computer scientists and engineers who are applying these processes to solve real-world problems such as the development of safer and efficient car systems that detect computer intrusions." Richard Lenski, Hannah Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics said, "We have an incredible opportunity now for the two-way flow of ideas and methods between biology and engineering. We can use deep biological principles to stimulate innovation in computational realms and, at the same time, use the speed and precision of computers to explore open questions in biology."

        The Lansing State Journal (2/17, Miller) noted the work of MSU professor Kay Holekamp, who uses "research on the evolution of intelligence in hyenas to inform work on more intelligent robots." Holekamp said, "What we anticipate is that translating that information about what simpler animals do when they're making complex social decisions that will help computer scientists develop algorithms that will function in the evolution of intelligent machines."

        MSU Starting online Option For Educational Technology Doctorate. The AP (2/18) reports, "Michigan State University is starting an online option in its Ph.D. program in educational technology. The program is designed for working professionals." The program "is designed for people who wish to continue working while pursuing their doctorates," and will take 4-5 years to complete.