Oct. 16, 2011

Research Interests

My current research interests are in the areas of evolutionary and developmental robotics and software for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in education. My other research interests include artificial life, the evolution of evolvability, the interactions between learning and evolution, social robotics and swarm intelligence, and biologically inspired architectures for robotics and artificial intelligence. I am also involved in computer science education research including studying the effects of pair-programming on the acquisition of programming skill in an introductory course.

"The Effects of Learning on Evolvability and its Evolution," Ph.D. Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 2005.

"Adaptive Control of Leg Coordination in a Hexapod Robot Using a Biologically Inspired Heterogeneous Neural Network," MS Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 1995.

"A Remotely Controllable Fully 3-Dimensionally Movable Probe Drive System for a Plasma Discharge Device," Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, 1992

Introduction to Computing I Introduction to Computing II Data Structures and Problem Solving Computer Organization Operating Systems

Analysis of Algorithms Artificial Intelligence Microcomputer Interfacing Artificial Life Computer Science Senior Seminar

Introductory Mechanics Communication Systems

Introduction to Digital Control Systems Digital Integrated Circuit Design

Russell Toris (2011) Evolving Robotic Desires: A New Approach to Bridging the Reality Gap
Matt Bachmann (2009) The Effects of Network Structure and Fitness Sharing on the Evolutionary Dynamics of Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma Strategies
Mark Veronda (2008) Applying a Genetic Algorithm to the Localization Problem using a Sensing Limited Robot
Ryan Zeigler (2008) A New Approach for Evolving Robotic Controllers
Scott McHugh (2007) Developing Small World Structures through Evolutionary Neural Networks.
Stevan Kominac (2006) Evolving Small-world Neural Networks.
Ash Dean (2003) The Effect of Learning on the "Influence of Chance, History and Adaptation" in Artificial Evolution.
Adam Labadorf (2003) Dynamic Correlation: The Effect of Learning on Evolution when Learning and Evolutionary Tasks are Different.
Becky Wells (2003). Effects of Learning on Coevolution.

Nate Mitchell & Colin Angevine (Spring 2007) Software Design and Engineering
Jim Hanselman (Fall 2003) Microcomputer Interfacing
John Butler (Fall 2003) NP-Completeness: Theory and Applications
Bill Menzie & Garrett Wheeler (Spring 2002) Microcomputer Interfacing
Brian McLoughlin (Spring 2001) XML / SOAP
Wes Murry (Fall 2000) Fair Scheduling and Wireless Networks
Mike Bartosiewicz (Fall 1999) Introduction to Linear Control Systems
Kathy Clawson (Spring 1998) Operating Systems

Braught, G., Wahls, T. and Eby, M. (2011). The Case for Pair Programming in the Computer Science Classroom. Transactions on Computing Education, 11(1), Article 2 (February 2011), 21 pages.

Braught, G. & Wahls, T. (2008). Teaching Objects in Context. Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, 23(5), 101-109.

Braught, G. & Reed, D. (2001). The knob & switch computer: A computer architecture simulator for introductory computer science. ACM Journal of Education Resources in Computing (JERIC), 1(4), 31-45.

Braught, G. (2001). Computer Organization in the Breadth-first Course. Journal of Computing in Small Colleges, 16(4), 182-195.

Braught, G. & Thomopoulos, S. (1998). Adaptive Control of Leg Coordination in a Hexapod Robot Using a Biologically Inspired Heterogeneous Neural Network. The International Journal of Intelligent Control and Systems, 2(1), 93-110.

Braught, G., Pfister, H. & Wachtel, J. (1993). An Innovative, Simple Design for a Computer-Controlled Three-Dimensional Plasma Probe Drive System, Review of Scientific Instruments, 64(11), 3270-3273.

Bruaght, G. (2012). dLife: A Java Library for Multiplatform Robotics, AI and Vision in Undergraduate CS and Research. To appear in Proceedings of the forty third ACM-SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education.

Braught, G., MacCormick, J. & Wahls, T. (2010) The benefits of pairing by Ability. In Proceedings of the forty first ACM-SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. (pp. 249-253).

Braught, G., Eby, L. & Wahls, T. (2008). The Effects of Pair-Programming on Individual Programming Skills. In Proceedings of the thirty ninth ACM-SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. (pp. 200-204).

Braught, G. & Dean, A. (2007). The Effects of Learning on the Roles of Chance History and Adaptation in Evolving Neural Networks. In Marcus Randall, Hussein A. Abbass, Janet Wiles (Eds.): Progress in Artificial Life, Third Australian Conference, ACAL 2007, Gold Coast, Australia, December 4-6, 2007. Lecture Notes in Computer Science 4828 Springer. (pp. 201-211).

Braught, G. (2005). Learning and Lineage Selection in Genetic Algorithms. In Proceedings of IEEE SoutheastCon 2005 (pp. 483-488).

Braught, G. (2005). Evolving Evolvability: Evolving both representations and operators. In ICANNGA05, Proceedings of 7th International Conference on Adaptive and Natural Computing Algorithms (pp. 185-188).

Braught, G. (2005). Teaching Empirical Skills and Concepts in Computer Science using Random Walks. In Proceedings of the thirty sixth ACM-SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. (pp. 41-45).

Braught, G., Miller, C. & Reed, D. (2004). Core Empirical Skills and Concepts for Computer Science. In Proceedings of the thirty fifth ACM-SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. (pp. 245-249).

Braught, G., Bilitski, J. & Johnson, T. (2002). An Architecture for CMAC Neural Network Adaptation of a Genetic Algorithm in a Load Balancing Application. In Proceedings of the 6th World Multiconference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, Vol. VI. Orlando, FL, July 14-18.

Braught, G. & Reed, D. (2002). Disequilibration for Teaching the Scientific Method in Computer Science. In Proceedings of the thirty third ACM-SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. (pp. 106-110).

Reed, D., Miller, C. & Braught, G. (2000). Empirical Investigation throughout the Curriculum. In Proceedings of the thirty first ACM-SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. (pp. 202-206).

Braught, G., Laws, P. & Ward, D. (1998). Potential Pedagogical Advantages of Collecting Homework on the Web. In Proceedings of Syllabus98, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA, July 25-31.

Braught, G. & Thomopoulos, S. (1996). Adaptive Leg Coordination with a Biologically Inspired Neurocontroller. In Schenker, P. & McKee, G. (Eds.), SPIE Proceedings Vol. 2905, Sensor Fusion and Distributed Robotic Agents. (pp. 18-29).

Thomopoulos, S. & Braught, G. (1996). Machine perception and intelligent control architecture for multirobot coordination based on biological principles. In Schenker, P. & McKee, G. (Eds.), SPIE Proceedings Vol. 2905, Intelligent and Fault-Tolerant Robotic Automation (pp. 64-72).

Braught, G. & Thomopoulos, S. (1995). Adaptive Control of Leg Coordination in a Hexapod Robot Using a Biologically Inspired Heterogeneous Neural Network. In Proceedings of the 3rd IEEE Mediterranean Symposium on New Directions in Control and Automation, Limassol, Cyprus, July 11-13.

Braught, G. & Thomopoulos, S. (1994). A Neural Architecture for Learning Hexapod Locomotion based upon Insect Neurophysiology. In Proceedings of IMACS International Symposium on Signal Processing, Robotics and Neural Networks, Lille, France, April 25-27.

Braught, G. (2011). Robotics, AI and vision in Java with the dLife library. The 16th Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, Northeast Regional Conference (CCSC-NE), Springfield MA, April 15-16, 2011. (Abstract appears in Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, 26(6), 173-174.)

Braught, G. (2011). dLife: A Java Library for Robotics, AI and Computer Vision. The forty second ACM-SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. Dallas TX, March 9-12, 2011.

Braught, G., Wahls, T. and Ziantz, Z. (2007). Assessing The Effects of Pair-Programming on Individual Ability: Results from the First Year of a Two-Year Study. Faculty Poster Session, The thirty eighth ACM-SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. Covington KY, March 7-10, 2007.

Reed, D., Miller, C. and Braught, G. (2006). Integrating Empirical Methods into the Computer Science Curriculum. Faculty Poster Session, The thirty seventh ACM-SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. Houston TX, March 1-5, 2006.

Braught, G., Pfister, H., Wolf, N., Wachtel, J. and Filippova, O. (1992). An Innovative, Simple Design for a Computer-Controlled Three-Dimensional Plasma Probe Drive System, Poster Session, American Physical Society, >Division of Plasma Physics, Seattle WA, Nov. 16-20, 1992.

Braught, G. (2011). Robotics across the Curriculum with dLife. Demonstration at The 16th Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, Northeast Regional Conference (CCSC-NE), Springfield MA, April 15-16, 2011. (Abstract appears in Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, 26(6), 51-52.)

Braught, G. (2011). Programming Hemissons in Java Using dLife. Presentation, demonstrations and hands-on activities in the Robot Hoedown and Rodeo at The forty second ACM-SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. Dallas TX, March 9-12, 2011.

Braught, G. (2010). dLife: A Java Library for AI, Robotics and Computer Vision. Lightning Talk at The Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, 26th Annual Eastern Region Conference, Juniata, PA, October 15-15, 2010.

Braught, G., Wahls, T. & Ziantz, L. (2007). Integration and Assessment of Pair Programming, Unit Testing and Lab Practica in an Introductory Computer Science Course. NSF CCLI Showcase at SIGCSE07, Covington, KY, March 7-10, 2007.

Braught, G. (2003). The Pong Lab, Nifty Assignments Panel at SIGCSE 2003. Reno, NV, February 19-23, 2003.

Braught, G. (2001). Computer Organization in the Breadth-first Course, The Consortium for Computing in Small Colleges, 6th Annual Northeastern Conference, Middlebury, Vermont, April 20-21, 2001.

Baught G. (1999). An Alternative Path for Recruiting Computer Science Faculty. Invited Talk on The crisis in academic hiring in computer science, Thirtieth SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 24-28, 1999.

Braught, G., D. Ward, P. Laws (1998). The Use of a Web Assignment System in the Teaching of Introductory Physics Courses, Invited Talk, American Association of Physics Teachers, Summer Meeting, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, August 8, 1998.

Braught, G., D. Ward, P. Laws (1998). A WWW Based Assignment System: Facilitating Targeted and Timely Feedback To Enhance Student Learning, Syllabus '98, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California, July 25-31, 1998.

Braught, G. (1996). Using Multimedia for Instructor Preparation in a Workshop Style Course. National Science Foundation Seminar on Teaching Introductory Physics Using Interactive Teaching Methods And Computers, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, June 16-28, 1996.

Braught, G. (1995). Computers, Networks, Multimedia, and the World Wide Web in Education. National Science Foundation Seminar on Teaching Introductory Physics Using Interactive Teaching Methods And Computers, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, June 4-16, 1995.

Toris, R. ('11) & Advisor: Braught, G. (2011). Evolving Robotic Desires: A New Approach to Bridging the Reality Gap. In Proceedings of PACISE 2011: Pennsylvania Association of Computer and Information Science Educators (pp. 83-89). Shippensburg, PA. (Received Best Undergraduate Paper Award).

Toris, R. ('11) & Advisor: Braught, G. (2010). Integration between dLife and the Player/Stage Robotics Simulation System. Student Poster Session at The Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, 15th Annual Northeastern Conference, Hartford, CT, April 16-17, 2010.

Bachmann, M. ('09) & Advisor: Braught, G. (2009). The Effects of Network Structure and Fitness Sharing on the Evolutionary Dynamics of Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma Strategies. Student Poster Session at The 20th Annual Saint Joseph's University Sigma Xi Student Research Symposium, Philladelphia, PA, April 17, 2009.

Veronda, M. ('08) & Advisor: Braught, G. (2008). Applying a Genetic Algorithm to the Localization Problem using a Sensing Limited Robot. Student Poster Session at The Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, 13th Annual Northeastern Conference, Staten Island, New York, April 11-12, 2008. (Received Best Poster Award).

Zeigler, R. ('08) & Advisor: Braught, G. (2008). A New Approach for Evolving Robotic Controllers. Student Poster Session at The Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, 13th Annual Northeastern Conference, Staten Island, New York, April 11-12, 2008.

McHugh, S. ('07) & Advisor: Braught, G. (2007). Evolving Small-world Neural Networks. Student Poster Session at The Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, 12th Annual Northeastern Conference, Rochester, New York, April 21-22, 2007.

Wells, R. ('03) & Advisor: Braught, G. (2003). Effects of Learning on Coevolution. Student Poster Session at 8th Annual Northeastern Conference, Providence, Rhode Island, April 25-26, 2003. (Abstract appears in Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, 18(5), 246-247.)

Labadorf, A. & Advisor: Braught, G. ('03) (2003). Dynamic Correlation: The Effect of Learning on Evolution when Learning and Evolutionary Tasks are Different. Student Poster Session at The Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, 8th Annual Northeastern Conference, Providence, Rhode Island, April 25-26, 2003. (Abstract appears in Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, 18(5), 262-263.)

Dean, A. ('03) & Advisor: Braught, G. (2003). The Effect of Learning on the "Influence of Chance, History and Adaptation" in Artificial Evolution. Student Poster Session at The Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, 8th Annual Northeastern Conference, Providence, Rhode Island, April 25-26, 2003. (Abstract appears in Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, 18(5), 277-278.)

Murry, W. ('01) & Advisor: Braught, G. (2001). Developing a Fairness Metric for Packet Scheduling Algorithms in a Single-hop Wireless Network. Student poster session at The Consortium for Computing in Small Colleges, 6th Annual Northeastern Conference, Middlebury, Vermont, April 20-21, 2001. (Abstract appears in Journal of Computing in Small Colleges, 16(4), 305-306.)

Williams, J. ('97) & Advisor: Braught, G. (1997). Design and Implementation of a Learning Model Reciprocal Inhibition Network. Poster session at The Centennial Conference Student Research Colloquium, Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1997.

System and Mechanism for Ensuring Near-end Privacy in Electronic Mail Communications, G. Braught, Preliminary Patent Application Number: 60/226,549. Filed 8/21/2000. (Full application not filed).

"Excel Spreadsheet Tutorial with Workshop Physics Tools," J. Gastineau, M. Gjertsen, J. Risley, P. Engelhardt, S. Schultz, G. Braught, P. Laws, P. Cooney. Best Seller, Physics Academic Software, Raleigh, NC, 1999.

"WPtools Version 5.0," Physics Academic Software, Raleigh, NC, 1996.


"VideoPoint Movie Browser," Lenox Softworks, Lenox, MA, 1996.


"WPtools Version 2.1," Physics Academic Software, Raleigh, NC, 1993.

"This Does Compute: Computer-science students score high at programming competition." Dickinson College, Extra Features, 8(6), November 6, 2007.

"Web of (Artificial) Life: Dickinsonians suss out a new species." Dickinson Magazine, 80(4), Spring 2003.

"Collecting Homework on the Web." Syllabus: New Directions in Education Technology, 12(3), 49-51, October 1998. (with Laws, P. & Ward, D.)

"Do the Bug Walk II," Research Penn State, December 1995.

"Robot Redux, Part 2," The Amazing Science Emporium, broadcast on WPSU public radio, State College, PA, May 31, 1995.

"Robot Redux, Part 1," The Amazing Science Emporium, broadcast on WPSU public radio, State College, PA, May 3, 1995.

"Walk Like a Hexapod," The PennStater, March/April 1995.

"Do the Bug Walk," Research Penn State, December 1994.

"Studying Self-Adaptive Mutation Rates in a Competitive Co-Evolutionary Game of Robot Tag." Grant Braught, Russell Toris. Dickinson College Student Faculty Research and Development Grant. May 31-July 30, 2010. Funded for $8,496.

"Interfacing dLife to Player/Stage/Gazebo Open-Source Robot Simulators." Grant Braught, Russell Toris. Dickinson College Dana Research Assistantship. September 2009-May 2010. Funded for $1,539.

"A New Approach for Speeding the Evolution of Robot Controllers." Grant Braught. Dickinson College Student Faculty Research and Development Grant. June 4-July 27, 2007. Funded for $9,098.

"The Effect of Learning on the Roles of Chance History and Adaptation in Digital Evolution." Grant Braught. Central Pennsylvania Consortium Mellon Grant. Summer 2007. Funded for $6,000.

"Integration and Assessment of Pair Programming, Test-Driven Development and Lab Practica in an Introductory Computer Science Course." Grant Braught, Tim Wahls, Louis Ziantz. NSF CCLI-A&I program, Award: DUE-0511264, July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2007. Funded for $79,797.

"Integrating Empirical Methods into the Computer Science Curriculum," David Reed, Craig Miller, Grant Braught. NSF CCLI-EMD program, Award: DUE-0230950, July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2005. Funded for $74,996.

"Characterization of the Pollination Algorithm for Mobile Ad-hoc Networks," Whitaker Foundation. June 11, 2001 - August 17, 2001. Funded for $7778.30.

"An N Step Algorithm for Receiving a Ph.D. in Your Spare Time: Steps 1-7," Dickinson College Professional Development Grants, November 1999 - August 2001. Funded for $11,526.

Machine Learning Experiences in Artificial Intelligence (MLExAI) workshop preceeding Florida Artificial Intelligence Research Society Conference (FLAIRS-24). (May 18-20, 2011)

An Audacious iPhone Workshop at SIGCSE 2010. (March 10, 2010)

Greenfoot Workshop: Programming With Greenfoot (Or: Introducing Java Via Games And Simulations) at SIGCSE 2009. (March 4, 2009)

Studio-Based Learning Workshop: Exploring Studio-Based Instructional Models for Computing Education preceeding SIGCSE 2009. (March 3-4, 2009)

Pyro Workshop 2005: Introduction to Pyro, an open source, python-based programming environment for exploring robotics and artificial intelligence. (August 2-5, 2005)

Best Paper Award: Computer Organization in the Breadth-first Course, G. Braught, The Consortium for Computing in Small Colleges, 6th Annual Northeastern Conference, Middlebury, Vermont, April 20-21, 2001.

Honorable Mention: "Application of Modern Control Theory to the Control of Artificial Superorganisms," at the 10th Annual Graduate Research Exhibition, The Pennsylvania State University, March 17-18, 1995.

Honorable Mention: "A Neural Architecture for Learning Hexapod Locomotion based upon Insect Neurophysiology," at the 9th Annual Graduate Research Exhibition, The Pennsylvania State University, March 25-26, 1994.

Evolving Robot Brains. Mathematics and Computer Science Majors Dinner, Dickinson College, April 27, 2010.

Evolution, Learning and the Baldwin Effect: An Exploration in Artificial Life. Math/CS Chat, Dickinson College, November 28, 2006.

Biologically Inspired Computing. Alumni College Class, Dickinson College, June 10, 2005.

Bees, Ants, Robots and Wireless Networks. Math/CS Chat, Dickinson College, September 11, 2000.

Sorting Algorithms. Math/CS Chat, Dickinson College, February 1, 1999.

Java: From Bits to Beans. Math/CS Chat, Dickinson College, December 2, 1997.

Introduction to Artificial Neural Networks, Math/CS Chat, Dickinson College, March 10, 1997.

Computability: What Computers Can and Cannot Do (Is Consciousness Computable?). September 2011.

Situated Artificial Intelligence. December 2010.

Computer Science and the Philosophy of Mind: Is the Mind Computable? November 2009.

Biologically Inspired Artificial Intelligence. October 2006.

Departmental Service

Computer Science Assessment Coordinator (2008-2010)
Transfer Credit / Study Abroad Coordinator (2008-2010, 2011-present)
Global Education Liaison (2008-2010, 2011-present)
Teaching Assistant Coordinator (2004-2008)
Led Searches for New Computer Science Faculty (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011)
Led Searches for Adjunct Computer Science Faculty
Hosted Annual Dickinson College Spring Programming Contest (2001-present)
Computer Programming Team Coach (2000-present)
Math/CS Chat Colloquium Series Coordinator (1998-2004)

Academic Program and Standards Committee (2007-2010)
Liaison for Global Education outside review (Spring 2009)
Liaison for Policy Studies outside review (Spring 2008)
APSC Sub-comittee on Writing (2007-2010)
APSC Representative to Trustee Committee on Honorary Degrees (Fall 2009)
APSC Sub-committee on Study Abroad Programming (2009-2010)

Global Education

On-Campus Director, Norwich Science Program (March 2010-present)
Norwich Science Program Committee (2006-2010)
University of Queensland Selection Committee (2004-2010)

Search Committees
Director of Writing (Spring 2009)
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid (Fall 2007)

Britton Scholarship Selection Committee (Spring 2009, Spring 2007)
Speech Contest Judge (Spring 2009, Spring 2010)
Senior Research Symposium Judge (Spring 2009)
Coordination of Priestly Award to Vinton Cerf. (Fall 2007)
Science Executive Committee (2005-2006)

Conferences

Paper Session Chair:
26th Annual Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, East Regional Conference (2010)
Third Australian Conference on Artificial Life (2007)

Conference Committees:
Birds-of-a-Feather Chair, Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges, North East Regional Conference (2008)

Peer Reviews

IEEE Transactions on Education (March, 2011, January 2010, August 2009)
IEEE Systems Journal (March, 2011)
Computer Science Education (December 2010)
Addison Wesley. (October 2006)
John Wiley and Sons. (February 2006)
IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics Part B: Applications and Reviews. (July 2005, August 2003)
"Nifty Assignments" for ACM SIGCSE 2004. (September 2003)
ACM Journal Of Education Resources in Computing. (June 2003)
McGraw-Hill Publishers. (September 2002)

External Evaluations

Gettysburg College, Department of Computer Science. (April 2008)