Proposal for a UVM
Transdisciplinary Research Initiative
in
Complex Systems
Complex Systems TRI Working Group:
Assoc. Prof. Margaret J. Eppstein, Computer Science, (Chair)
Asst. Prof. Chris Danforth, Mathematics
Assoc. Prof. Charles Hulse, Family Medicine
Prof. Charles Irvin, Medicine
Asst. Prof. David Novak, Business
Asst. Prof. Alessandra Rellini, Psychology
Assoc. Prof. Donna Rizzo, Engineering
Prof. Russell Tracy, Pathology
Asst. Prof. Asim Zia, Public Administration
What is Complex
Systems Science and
why is it important?
Complex Systems Comprise:
Collections of (heterogeneous) entities
(molecules, cells, genes, fish, plants, people,
electrical substations, planets, etc.)
These entities can ‘compute’ (have I/O, state)
Entities interact with other entities and their
environment
Interactions are localized and self-organizing
(nonlinear, dynamic, possibly chaotic)
Collective Dynamics of a Complex System give
rise to ‘Emergent Properties’ at higher scales
in space and/or time
e.g., cooperation such as swarming;
intelligence, consciousness;
genetic regulation – homeostasis, development,
disease;
cascading failures in electrical grid;
invasiveness in plants;
hurricanes;
self-repairing materials;
Life; etc.
Complex Physical, Biological, and Social
Systems often have similar properties
e.g., interaction network topologies, scaling
phenomena, phase transitions, tipping points,
robustness, adaptability, pattern formation,
dynamics at the edge-of-chaos, etc.
Similar theoretical, mathematical and
computational approaches can be applied to
diverse systems.
Can we understand, and potentially engineer,
the emergent properties of complex systems?
Food web
Power Grid
Regulatory network
Ecosystems
Climate dynamics
Epileptic seizures
“The Promise of Complex Systems research is
that universal principles learned from one
area could lead to exciting breakthroughs in
seemingly unrelated disciplines”
-- NSF Solicitation 09-610
“Building Engineering Complex Systems”
Complex Systems Theory and Methods
Agent-based modeling (including cell automata)
Chaos, Fractals, & Dynamical systems theory
Complex Network science
Game Theory
Multi-scale modeling
Distributed control
Nonlinear pattern recognition and data mining
Evolutionary, Adaptive, Developmental approaches
Bio-inspired Computing (ANNs, EC)
Etc.
Complex Systems Science is at an exciting
time of Maturation
Data Collection Technology
High-throughput Microarrays
Molecular Imaging
Distributed Sensor Networks
Web mining, Etc.
Increasing
Recognition of
the Limits of
Reductionism
Computational Capabilities
Massive Data Storage
Rapid Data Access
Processor speed
Distributed and parallel computing
Etc.
Consequently, there has been a recent
“Call to Arms” for using Complex Systems
Approaches in a variety of Disciplines, by
prominent scientists and engineers in top
journals.
2006
ComPlexUs 2003
Spread of Crime
Traffic jams
Marriage
Complex Systems is highly fundable:
Complex Systems play a prominent
role in the strategic plans and current
funding opportunities (including
solicitations for large center grants) at
NSF, NIH, DOE, DHS, and other
funding agencies.
Building Blocks, Biological Pathways, and Networks
Complex elements—from individual genes to entire organs—work together in a
feat of biological teamwork to promote normal development and sustain
health. These systems work because of intricate and interconnected pathways
that enable communication among genes, molecules, and cells. Scientists are
still working to discover all of these pathways and to determine how
disturbances in them may lead to disease.
Nanomedicine
A long-term goal of this NIH Roadmap is to create materials and devices at the
level of molecules and atoms to cure disease or repair damaged tissues, such as
bone, muscle, or nerve. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, too small to be
seen with a conventional lab microscope. And it is at this scale that biological
molecules and structures inside living cells operate. Researchers have set their
sights on replacing broken parts of a cell with miniature biological devices and
searching out and destroying infectious agents before they do harm.
Opportunities for Grad Education have lagged behind
this growing demand:
•Non-credit summer schools (e.g., Santa Fe Inst., New
England Complex Systems Inst, etc.)
•Graduate Certificates or tracks (e.g., UVM, U. Mich,
Duke, Ind. U)
•PhDs in certain aspects of Complex Systems (CalTech, U.
Minn, Harvard, MIT, Case Western, Fl. Atl. U.)
•NSF IGERTs in complex systems areas (Northwestern,
Cornell, Carnegie-Mellon, Johns-Hopkins, U. Mich., U.
Nebr. Lincl., Ind. U.)
•A few foreign PhDs (Sweden, Japan)
Opportunities for Grad Education have lagged behind
this growing demand:
•BUT no stand-alone PhD in Complex Systems in the US.
•NO academic institutions using Complex Systems as a
unifying campus-wide transdisciplinary theme.
BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR UVM TO FILL THIS NICHE
AND STAND OUT
OUR RELATIVELY SMALL SIZE AND COMPACT
CAMPUS WILL HELP
What are UVM’s
current strengths in
Complex Systems?
Interest in Complex Systems has blossomed across campus:
•Since 2000: Grass-roots group in natural computing and
agent-based modeling (biology, plant biology, computer
science, engineering); reading groups, courses, publications,
grants, etc.
•2006 faculty organized VACC-funded Biocomplexity Retreat
(molecular to ecological scales): 33 faculty from 5 colleges.
•2006 CEMS thrust: Complex Systems Center, 30 faculty from
across campus, listserve (248 recipients), reading group (72 on
email list), speakers, GRAs, CSYS courses, etc.
•2006-2010: 6 New CEMS Complex Systems Hires in Computer
Science, Mathematics, and Engineering (Civil, Electrical,
Biomedical)
Interest in Complex Systems has blossomed across campus:
•2007-2010: NSF EPSCoR RII “Complex Systems Thinking and
Modeling for Environmental Problem Solving” ($6.7M); funded
group collaboration biocomplexity and watershed experts plus 15
pilot projects and many GRAs across campus.
•Building relationships with external enterprises: $1B+ Mitre Corp
opening satellite office at UVM, similar discussions with IBM
Research, Sandia Natl. Labs.
•Complex Ecosystems Modeling at Gund Institute for Ecological
Economics
•Complex Materials Research by transdisciplinary Materials Science
Group
•Various researchers from systems biology to complex social and
governance structures
Sources of data regarding UVM faculty interest in Complex Systems:
1) Complex Systems Center Faculty Member profiles (30)
2) Survey Respondents (139 responses, 112 complete, 105 research active,
85 provided names)
3) Additional memos to committee (27 written, many oral)
At least 50 faculty self-describe their research as all or partly
in Complex Systems: 13 in ‘core’ theory and methods who work in
multiple application domains (in Comp Sci, Math, Engr), 37 who work largely
in specific application domains (Med, MPBP, CDAE, BSAD, Pbio, Biochem,
Engr, Phys, Phil, Biol, RSENR, Gund).
At least another 50 faculty either already do, or would like to,
collaborate with Complex Systems faculty to bring a Complex
Systems component into their research (Med, Neurosci, Psych, An. Sci, Biol,
Geol, BSAD, Ed, Engr, RSENR, Math, MMG, Neurol, Nursing, PSS, Psych, Rom.
Lang.)
These numbers are conservative estimates.
Stuart Kauffman is joining UVM next 3 fall semesters as
research professor in Biochemistry and Mathematics
A founder of the field of Complex Systems
MacArthur “Genius” Fellow
Helped establish the Santa Fe Institute
Emeritus Professor of Biochem at U. Penn.
Founded Bios Group (Complex Systems Business Consulting)
Founded Inst. for Biocomplexity & Informatics at U. Calgary
~300 peer-reviewed papers
5 books
Runs a science blog on npr.org
Extremely well-cited (e.g., over 4000 citations on Origins of Order)
Current Graduate Education in Complex Systems at UVM:
•Certificate of Graduate Study in Complex Systems (5 courses)
(Started Fall 2009; 9 matriculated, 3 applying, more interested)
CSYS/Math 300: Principles of Complex Systems
CSYS/CS 302: Modeling Complex Systems
CSYS/Math 266: Chaos, Fractals & Dynamical Systems
CSYS/Math 303: Complex Networks
CSYS/Biol/CS 352: Evolutionary Computation
CSYS/Stat/CS 256: Neural Computation
CSYS/Stat/CS 355: Statistical Pattern Recognition
CSYS/Stat/CE 369: Applied Geostatistics
CSYS/CE 359: Applied Artificial Neural Networks
CSYS/Math 268: Mathematical Biol & Ecol
CSYS/CS 251: Artificial Intelligence
CSYS/ME 312: Multi-scale Bioengr Systems
CSYS/ME 350: Multi-scale modeling
PA 308: Decision Making Models
PA 317: Systems Anal & Strategic Management
Biol 271: Evolution
Phys 265: Thermal Physics
Core CSYS
Theory and
Methods
Applicationdomain specific
CSYS courses
What do we
envision for
Complex Systems
at UVM?
Core Complex
Systems Theory
and Methods
Core Complex
Systems Theory and
Methods
Develop Full Range of Options
Complex Systems
Application Domains
Complex Systems
Application Domains
Complex Systems synergizes with other Disciplinary Areas
Core Complex
Systems Theory
and Methods
*46
Core Complex
Systems Theory and
Methods
new umbrella
PhD in Complex
Systems, with
named tracks*
New Complex
Systems Tracks,
within existing
strong PhDs **
Complex Systems
Application Domains
Complex Systems
Application Domains
Complex Systems synergizes with other Disciplinary Areas
**54
Core Complex
Systems Theory
and Methods
Core Complex
Systems Theory and
Methods
Transdisciplinary Complex Systems
Matrix Center or School:
Faculty Joint Appts
in Complex Systems (1ary and 2ary)
and another Discipline
Complex Systems
Application Domains
Complex Systems
Application Domains
Complex Systems synergizes with other Disciplinary Areas
79%
77%
73%
Loosely organized get-togethers
UVM-based CSYS conference
Pilot funding for transdisciplinary CSYS collaborations
62%
56%
90%
Faculty fellowships: release time for developing projects
Faculty fellowships: release time for prof. development
Visiting CSYS scholars in residence for 1-3 months
Transdisciplinary CSYS GRAs
87%
80%
79%
67%
Co-housing for transdisipilinary CSYS grad students
63%
Co-housing for transdisipilinary CSYS faculty
51%
Important for
CSYS Spire
CSYS Seminars (application-domain specific)
CSYS Seminars (wider audience)
1-day intensive Workshops in CSYS methodologies
Interested
in attending
Provide opportunities and time for Faculty Development and
New Collaborations in Complex Systems at UVM
Ultimately sustained by partial return of grant overheads to Complex Systems Center or School
Continue to Establish strong
relationships with other
institutions around Complex
Systems:
•
Bring high-skills jobs and
companies to VT
•
Promote industry-sponsored
funding for grad students
•
Develop relevant cutting-edge
applied research at UVM
•
Promote technology transfer
from UVM to business and
industry
STIMULATE VERMONT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
OVPR
Potential CSYS Resource Investment Scenarios
3 Investment
Scenarios
Number of new
“Core” CSYS
theory and
methods faculty
Number of new
disciplinary
scholars using
CSYS
Expected
Outcomes
High
Resource
Medium
Resource
Low
Resource
15
10
5
9
(3 in each of 3
areas*)
6
(3 in each of 2
areas*)
3
(in one area*)
UVM becomes
international
leader in CSYS
UVM establishes
Minimum
strong national necessary for a
presence in
successful CSYS
CSYS
PhD
*Solicit competitive proposals from faculty to select disciplinary areas
Complex Systems is a uniquely trans-disciplinary area that:
a) Is intellectually rich, scientifically important, eminently
fundable, and a ‘ripe’ opportunity for strategic
investment
b) Has strong grass-roots strengths and excitement among
UVM faculty, imminent arrival of Stuart Kauffman
c) Can create a unifying theme to connect and synergize
currently separated pockets of strength on campus
d) Can help to strengthen and synergize with other strong
programs
e) Offers UVM a unique opportunity to become the WorldClass Leader in this area
f) Has strong potential to stimulate VT economic
development
GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR STRATEGIC INVESTMENT at UVM!