Biswas

Biography

Gautam Biswas is a Professor of Computer Science and Computer Engineering in the EECS Department and a Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Software Integrated Systems (ISIS) at Vanderbilt University. He has an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay, India, and a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from Michigan State University in E. Lansing, MI.

Prof. Biswas conducts research in Intelligent Systems with primary interests in two areas: (i) design and implementation of intelligent learning environments in STEM domains, and (ii) hybrid modeling, simulation, and analysis of complex embedded systems, and their applications to diagnosis and fault-adaptive control. In the area of learning environments, he has worked on systems for K-12 math and science education, teaching of DC and AC circuit problem solving to electrical engineering undergrads, and diagnostic training for pediatric audiology. His recent research has examined how simulation-based exploratory learning environments supported by problem solving representations, scaffolding mechanisms, and dynamic assessment schemes help middle school students learn problem solving in math and science domains. More recently, he has been developing Teachable Agent environments that support learning of knowledge content as well as self-regulated learning strategies. A number of studies have been run with this system in middle school science classrooms. The system, called Betty’s Brain can be downloaded from http://www.teachableagents.org/bettysbrain. As part of his research in hybrid modeling and analysis, he has developed fault-adaptive control for fuel transfer systems for aircraft, and Advanced Life Support systems for NASA. More recently, he has been working on health management schemes for aircraft and spacecraft power distribution systems. He has also initiated new projects in distributed monitoring and diagnosis and prognosis and health management of complex systems.

His research has been supported by funding from NASA, NSF, DARPA, AFOSR, the US Department of Education, and Boeing Phantom Works. He has published extensively, and has over 300 publications. Dr. Biswas is an associate editor of the IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics. He has served on the Program Committee of a number of conferences, and most recently was Program co-chair of the 18th International Workshop on Principles of Diagnosis. He is a senior member of the IEEE Computer Society, ACM, AAAI, and the Sigma Xi Research Society.