• European Erasmus Mundus Master's in Complex Systems Science (CSSM)
  Consortium: University of Warwick, Ecole Polytechnique, Chalmers University of Technology/University of Gothenburg LEAFLET (9/2012)
  
  
• "Complex Systems Track", French Master's in Logic & Philosophy of Science (LoPHiSS-SC2)
  Consortium: Ecole Polytechnique, Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7), Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris

  These two new Master's programs started in the fall of 2010. I was member of the committee of 4 who wrote in 2008-2009 the "Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Course" grant proposal that was approved by the European Commission in 2010 for 5 years (10-15% rate of acceptance) with a budget of ~€3.2M (~€600K/year for scholarships). I closely collaborated to the design of the core curriculum common to both Master's (based on Polytechnique's course offer for the 1st year M1, and an original creation for the 2nd year M2), and coordinated the first year 2010-2011 at Ecole Polytechnique, advising and following the progress of the students who were accepted into the program that year. This degree offers unique interdisciplinary experience and educational tools for analyzing complex systems and understanding their emergent behavior.

  20 Erasmus scholarships per year, distributed over 3 partner sites ≈ 13 M1+M2 per site per year

• "Complex Systems Made Simple by Agent-Based Modeling" (Fall 2012, Fall 2011)
  European Erasmus Mundus Master's in Complex Systems Science (CSSM)
  French National Master's in Logic & Philosophy of Science (LoPHiSS-SC2)

  I created this course to explore the canonical families of complex systems through "simple", non-mathematical agent-based modeling and simulation. Relying on the NetLogo platform in a computer lab setting, including a programming tutorial, students could familiarize themselves with popular case studies (cellular automata, pattern formation, swarm intelligence, complex networks, spatial communities) and think about their unifying key concepts (emergence, self-organization, decentralization), then complete an original term project, with code, paper and slides. More →

  2nd MS year (M2), 2 semesters, 10-12 Erasmus Mundus & Polytechnique students, 6 sessions / semester, 3h / session

  Part 1: Introduction (2011) Part 1: Introduction (2008) Part 2(a)-(c): A Complex Systems Sampler Part 2(d)-(f): A Complex Systems Sampler

  Part 3: Commonalities Part 4: NetLogo Tutorial

• HSS 512F: Brain and Cognition (Neuroscience Seminars) (Fall 2010, Fall 2009)

  I co-led with Pr. Yves Frégnac a series of 12 seminars given by prominent invited neural and cognitive scientists (including Jean-Pierre Changeux), on the multiscale neural basis of cognition: from the microscopic level (molecular, genetic and cellular foundations, individual neuron physiology) to the mesoscopic level (computational neuroscience, electrophysiology, complex neural dynamics, neural network modeling) and macroscopic level (cognitive neuroscience, functional imaging, phenomenology, social cognition). After a 1-hour seminar given by the guest researcher, a group of 2-3 students presented a review of selected scientific articles relevant to the seminar's topic. I organized the entire program of invited talks, the distribution of students into groups, co-moderated the sessions with Pr. Frégnac and the guest speaker (comments, questions), closely followed students' preparation and progress by email, and gave one talk myself. More →

  3rd year of engineering degree (= 1st MS year), 2 semesters, 35 students, 12 weeks / sem, 2h / week

  Session 1: Introduction
  Session 11: Complex neurodynamics

• Complex Systems Made Simple: A Hands-On Exploration of Agent-Based Modeling (2007-2011)

  See course description above in Adjunct Lecturer, Ecole Polytechnique. More →

• Toward a Fine-Grain Mesoscopic Neurodynamics (2007)

  An overview of spiking neural network models, introducing temporal coding and the "binding problem", and describing various studies of emergent spatiotemporal order of neural activity/connectivity at the mesoscopic level of cognition (concluding Yves Burnod's course, "Multilevels of Brain: Models of Sensorimotor and Cognitive Functions"). SLIDES  More →

• From Embryogenesis to Embryomorphic Architectures (2007)

  Example of a computational model and numerical simulation of biological organism development based on intercellular coupling among gene regulatory networks (concluding Nadine Peyriéras's course, "Complex systems approach of multi-cellular organization and animal embryogenesis"). SLIDES 1  SLIDES 2  More →

freshmen, seniors and graduates, 6 semesters, 110 students total, 16 weeks / semester, 2h30 / week
Created over 1,000 original PowerPoint slides, many of which are now used by other instructors.

• CS 790R: Computational Models of Complex Systems (Spring 2006, Spring 2005)

  Designed from scratch, fully developed and taught this original, cross-disciplinary 3-credit seminar for graduate students, including lectures, paper reviews, programming assignments and term projects. We examined self-organized systems and emergence based on myriads of simple agents, across a variety of topics: cellular automata, pattern formation, insect colonies, spatial ecology, neural networks, complex networks, etc. More →

  graduate (Master's & PhD) students, 2 semesters, 8-10 students, 16 weeks / semester, 2h30 / week

  Examples of complex systems (part I) and course organization
  Examples (part II) and concepts of complex systems
  Topology and dynamics of complex networks
  Synchronization in spiking neural networks
  Introduction to NetLogo

• CS 446/646: Principles of Operating Systems (Spring 2006, Fall 2005)

  Taught the principles, components, and design of modern operating systems, focusing on the UNIX platform. Topics included: concurrent processes, inter-process communication, processor management, virtual and real memory management, deadlock, file systems, disk management, performance issues, case studies, etc. More →

  1. Introduction (1) - Role of an O/S 1. Introduction (2) - O/S History & Features 1. Introduction (3) - Types & Components of O/S 1. Introduction (4) - System Calls & O/S Architecture 2. Processes (1) - Process Description 2. Processes (2) - Threads

  2. Processes (3)-(7) - Concurrency 4. Memory (1)-(2) - Partitioning, Paging & Segmentation 4. Scheduling (1)-(2) - Concepts & Algorithms 5. Input/Output (1)-(4) - Hardware, Software & Disk 6. File System (1)-(2) - Interface & Implementation

  senior year ("4e année, L3/M1"), 2 semesters, 12-15 students, 16 weeks / semester, 2h30 / week

• CS 135: Computer Science I (Spring 2006, Fall 2005)

  Taught an introduction to modern problem solving and programming methods in C++, with emphasis on algorithm development. Also, an introduction to procedural and data abstraction, design, testing, and documentation. More →

  1. Introduction - Pseudocode & Elements of C++
  2. Functions I - Passing by Value
  3. File I/O - Reading & Writing Files
  5. Selection - If & Switch Controls
  6. Repetition - While & For Loops

  freshman year ("1re année, L1"), 2 semesters, 25-40 students, 16 weeks / semester, 2h30 / week (the curriculum was coordinated in collaboration with 2 other instructors)

• Complex Systems Made Simple: A Hands-On Exploration of Agent-Based Modeling (2011)

  Complex Systems Made Simple (Introduction). ABSTRACT
  Complex Systems Made Simple (Introduction). SLIDES

• Morphogenetic Engineering: New Avenues Toward Self-Organized Architecture (2012)

  Morphogenetic Engineering. ABSTRACT
  Morphogenetic Engineering. SLIDES

Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, Nevada — Mathematics Instructor Position
Lead Candidate, 5/2005

The thorough interview process for this position was conducted by a committee of 6 faculty members and consisted of one hour of questions and 30 minutes of a teaching demonstration on a topic given two days ahead. I was selected first among 6 interviewees. (I later declined the position in favor of UNR.)

Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California — Master's in Software Engineering
Guest Instructor, 2003

• CIS 386: Advanced Enterprise Java Programming

  Enterprise JavaBeans: BMP and CMP Entity Beans

Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany — Graduate Seminars in Cognitive Science
Lecturer, 1992, 1993

Organized and conducted credit seminar courses for graduate students (in German), including lectures and student presentations. Developed courses, selected literature, facilitated discussions:

• Language and Connectionism (Spring 1993)

  Analysis of the formal vs. dynamical systems debate in cognitive science (i.e., rule-based AI vs. example-based neural networks) from a linguistic perspective.

• Learning in Artificial and Natural Systems (Spring 1992; co-organizer)

  Overview of learning processes, theories and methods in psychology, animal behavior, neurophysiology and neural networks.

Ecole Supérieure de Physique et Chimie, Paris — Neural Networks for Engineers & Researchers
Training Instructor, 1989, 1990

Computer science (see also Industry)

• Core topics: theory and practice of programming languages (object-oriented, procedural, declarative; Java, C/C++, etc.), data structures, algorithms, automata, compilers, operating systems, GUIs, etc.
  
  
• Distributed systems: object distribution and component/middleware frameworks (J2EE, CORBA, Messaging, etc.), Web technologies, application servers, TCP/IP networking, database systems
  
  
• Software engineering: object-oriented methodology, design patterns, software architecture

Research & seminar topics (see also Research Topics)

• Complex systems, biological modeling & bio-inspired engineering: multi-agent systems, agent-based modeling, cellular automata, artificial life, pattern formation, morphogenesis, swarm intelligence, genetic algorithms, evolutionary computation, complex networks
  
  
• Computational cognitive science: computational neuroscience, artificial & spiking neural networks, neurobiological modeling, cognitive linguistics, pattern recognition, machine learning, computer vision

Undergraduate mathematics & physics

Postdocs

• Taras Kowaliw, Institut des Systèmes Complexes, Paris Ile-de-France: Adv 2010–2013
  • A virtual platform for artificial development and the evaluation of spatial computing paradigms.
  • A study of bias-variance decomposition for linear genetic programming.
  • Neuroevolution applied to classification tasks.
• Quan Zou, University of Nevada, Reno: Co-Adv 2006–2007 (Adv: Philip H. Goodman)
  • The role of spatiotemporal correlations in the encoding and retrieval of synaptic patterns by STDP in recurrent spiking neural networks.

Ph.D. students

• Julien Delile, Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7): Adv 2008–2012 (Co-Adv: Nadine Peyriéras)
  • Multiscale modelling of animal morphogenesis: mechano-chemical coupling of genetic and cellular dynamics.
• Carlos Sánchez Quintana, Universidad de Málaga, Adv 2011–2012 (Co-Adv: Francisco Vico)
  • The evolutionary development of animated tensegrity structures: population dynamics and environment.
  • Pattern recognition by recurrent spiking neural networks that produce complex spatiotemporal dynamics.
• José David Fernández, Universidad de Málaga, Co-Adv 2010, internship (Adv: Francisco Vico)
  • The dynamics of emergent biodiversity in an evolving community of virtual L-system plants.
• Emmanuel Faure, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris: Co-Adv 2006–2007, Jury Examiner, 2009 (Adv: Paul Bourgine)
  • Automated reconstruction of the spatiotemporal cellular lineage during embryogenesis.
• Rich Drewes, University of Nevada, Reno: Co-Adv 2004–2005 (Adv: Philip H. Goodman)
  • Testing a proposed fundamental information processing function of cortical microcircuits.
  • A spatially extended model of endogenous speciation without external environmental constraints.
• Christine Wilson, University of Nevada, Reno: Co-Adv 2004–2005 (Adv: Philip H. Goodman)
  • A spatially-realistic multisensory/motor, cortical and subcortical brain system.

Ph.D. reviews & juries only

• Weibing Deng, L'Université Nantes-Angers-Le Mans (L'UNAM), France: Examiner, 6/2013 (Adv: Alexandre Wang)
  • On the ranking property and underlying dynamics of complex systems.
• Anaïs Soubeyran, Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris 4), France: Reviewer, 12/2012 (Adv: Daniel Andler)
  • Emergence and mind-body problem: towards a characterization of the contemporary notion of emergence and its application in cognitive science.
• Régis Martinez, Université Lumière Lyon 2, France: Reviewer, 9/2011 (Adv: Hélène Paugam-Moisy)
  • Dynamics of cognitive and complex systems: The role of delays in information transmission.
• David Colliaux, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris: Reviewer, 5/2011 (Adv: Jean Petitot, Yves Frégnac)
  • Classes of neuronal dynamics and experience dependent structured correlations in a visual cortex.
• Kristen Manac'h, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, France: Jury Examiner, 1/2011 (Adv: Pierre De Loor)
  • Towards the notion of "enactive" virtual agent: Application to a dynamic evolutionary approach.
• Daniel Lobo, Universidad de Málaga, Spain: Jury Examiner, 11/2010 (Adv: Francisco Vico)
  • Evolutionary development based on genetic regulatory models for behavior-finding (generative systems based on string grammars).
• Sylvain Cussat-Blanc, Université Toulouse 1 Capitole, France: Jury Examiner & Chair, 11/2009 (Adv: Yves Duthen)
  • Artificial creatures: The development of organisms from a single cell.
• Heike Sichtig, Binghamton University SUNY, US: Committee Member & Jury Examiner, 4/2009 (Adv: Craig Laramee)
  • The SGE paradigm: Exploring information processing in biological systems using spiking neural networks (S), a genetic algorithm (G) and expert knowledge (E).

Master's students

• David Medernach, Master's in Philosophy of Science, Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7): Co-Adv 2012 (Adv: Taras Kowaliw)
  • The usefulness of local rules in open-ended evolution of cellular automata.
• David Fourquet, Erasmus Master's in Complex Systems, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris: Adv 2011-2012
  • DevoBots: From "programmed attachment" to swarm intelligence.
• Razvan Dordea, Erasmus Master's in Complex Systems, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris: Adv 2011
  • Using models inspired by naturel complex systems for the engineering of self-organized complex computer and ICT systems.
• Pierre Chaigneau, Master's in Philosophy of Science, Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7): Adv 2011 (Co-Adv: Jean Petitot)
  • Can self-organization be architectured? The epistemological gap, and possible bridges, between natural complex systems and complex industrial systems.
• Adam MacDonald, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton: Adv 2008–2009 (Co-Adv: Mihaela Ulieru)
  • Self-organizing structured networks and agent-based software design.
• Oscar Sessions, University of Nevada, Reno: Adv 2006–2007 (Co-Adv: Philip H. Goodman) &
• Milind Zirpe, University of Nevada, Reno: Co-Adv 2006–2007 (Adv: Philip H. Goodman)
  • Recurrent Asynchronous Irregular Networks (RAIN) and NeoCortical Simulator (NCS) benchmarks.
• James King, University of Nevada, Reno: Co-Adv 2004–2005 (Adv: Philip H. Goodman)
  • Brain communication server: A dynamic data transferal system for a parallel brain simulator.
• Andreas Schwarz, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany: Adv 1993–1994 (Co-Adv: Christoph von der Malsburg)
  • Coding metric with delayed temporal correlations: An oscillator model of graph-matching.