Download Dr. Aaron P Wagner

340 Orchard St
TEL ( 5 1 7 ) 5 7 5 - 9 4 4 3
East Lansing, MI 48823
EMAIL a p w a g n e r @ m s u . e d u
WEB r o b o t h y e n a . c o m
Dr. Aaron P Wagner
Current Appointment
Research Scientist & Associate
BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action – an NSF Science and Technology Center, Michigan
State University, East Lansing, MI
Education
o Postdoc, Michigan State University, Dept of Computer Science & Engineering, E Lansing, MI, 2010
o PhD, Montana State University, Department of Ecology, Bozeman, MT, 2006
o BS with Distinction in Environmental Science (geology, physical geography, and climatology), minors
in Biology and Geography, University of Delaware, Department of Geography, Newark, DE, 1996
Experience
Research Associate and Software Engineer
BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action (C. Ofria Lab) & Institute for
Cyber-Enabled Research (HPCC), Michigan State University 2010-PRESENT
o Core developer of Avida (C++), a major open-­‐source, agent-­‐based, digital evolution research platform. o Fundamentally extended the utility of the Avida software facilitating a wide range of research, including the evolution of intelligence and (information-­‐theoretic) complexity. o Successfully designed and led a unique research and development project creating deployable ‘bio-­‐
informed’ control algorithms for autonomous robot navigation. o Spearheaded computational research into the evolution of vision, navigation strategies, and other adaptively responsive, flexible, and intelligent behavioral algorithms. o Conceived, designed, implemented, and integrated software supporting complex adaptive systems research, including virtual worlds, sensory systems, and unique cognitive control architectures. o Supervised (concurrently) up to 5 teams of up to 8 computer scientists and senior researchers in research and development projects, including a project focused on predictive deployment of environmental sensor networks. o Led and advised teams of computer science and biology graduate students through the full research project process, from conception to publication. o Primary or senior author on multiple scientific research and methods publications. o Presented research results to internal staff and outside stakeholders in numerous seminars. o Produced numerous data visualization and statistical analysis pipelines using Python, R, and BASH. o Identified and implemented significant performance optimizations in the Avida execution code. o Actively participated in the regular development and maintenance of the Avida code, documentation, and Git (and formerly Subversion) repository, including regression testing to detect, isolate, and correct any degradation in performance or loss of consistency. Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Magadi, Kenya & Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 2006-2010
o Led high-profile teams investigating complex ecological and evolutionary dynamics and their
impacts on behavior, space use patterns, and spatial distributions in large African carnivores.
o Developed and implemented a unique ecosystem-monitoring network combining the use of remote
cameras, transects, and direct observation.
Dr Aaron P Wagner
340 Orchard St
TEL ( 5 1 7 ) 5 7 5 - 9 4 4 3
East Lansing, MI 48823
EMAIL a p w a g n e r @ m s u . e d u
WEB r o b o t h y e n a . c o m
o Created and managed relational databases for compiling and analyzing spatial, behavioral,
ecological, and genetic data (originally in MSAccess, later maintained in MySQL).
o Established and administered a research base, including full responsibility for the unique and
substantial technological, electro-mechanical, financial, logistical, and diplomatic requirements of
maintaining a team in a remote region of Kenya.
Founder and Lead Researcher, Striped Hyena Research Project
Nanyuki, Kenya 1999-2006
o Led the first successful in-depth study of the socio-ecology of the striped hyena.
o Extensive behavioral and spatial data collection using GPS and VHF triangulation and telemetry.
o Conducted a variety of analyses, including GIS analysis of spatial and ecological data.
o Developed the theory and algorithms implemented in the widely used software ML-Relate.
Publications
o Wagner AP, L Zaman, I Dworkin & C Ofria. In review. Arms races and strategy chases promote the
evolution of prey intelligence arXiv:1310.1369.
o Lehmann K, BW Goldman, I Dworkin, D Bryson & AP Wagner. In review. From cues to signals: Evolution
of interspecific communication via aposematism and mimicry in a predator-prey system arXiv:1309.2852.
o Fish, J, D O’Donnell, A Parigi, I Dworkin & AP Wagner. In review. The role of standing genetic variation
and historical contingency in the evolution of anti-predator traits.
o Theis KR, A Venkataraman, JA Dycus, KD Koonter, EN Schmitt-Mazen, AP Wagner, KE Holekamp, & TM
Schmidt. In press. Symbiotic bacteria appear to mediate hyena social odors. Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences.
o Wagner AP, R Biswas & C Ofria. Causes vs benefits in the evolution of prey grouping. Actively in prep.
o Wagner, AP, D Knoester, DM Bryson, A Parigi, R Potts & C Ofria. Evolution of adaptive complexity via
variability selection. Actively in prep.
o Wagner, AP, DM Bryson, F Bartlett, A Hintze & C Ofria. Digital hyenas and animat bees: convergent
evolution of robust navigation strategies in dissimilar computational systems. Actively in prep.
o Bryson, DM, C Ofria & AP Wagner. Genetic modularity promotes functional adaptability in digital
organisms. Actively in prep.
o Califf KJ, EK Ratzloff, AP Wagner, KE Holekamp & BL Williams. 2013. Forces shaping MHC evolution in
two hyena species. Journal of Mammalogy 94:282-294.
o Fortuna MA, L Zaman, AP Wagner, C Ofria. 2013. Evolving digital ecological networks. PLoS
Computational Biology 9: e1002928.
o Prager KC, JAK Mazet, EJ Dubovi, L Frank, L Munson, AP Wagner, et al. 2013. Rabies virus and canine
distemper virus in wild and domestic carnivores in Northern Kenya: Are domestic dogs the reservoir?
EcoHealth 9:483-498.
o Schuette P, AP Wagner, ME Wagner & S Creel. 2013. Occupancy patterns and niche partitioning within a
diverse carnivore community exposed to anthropogenic pressures. Biological Conservation 158:301-312.
o Wagner AP. 2013. Hyaena hyaena Striped Hyena. In Mammals of Africa Vol V: Carnivores, Pangolins,
Equids and Rhinceroses. Kingdon J & Hoffmann M (eds). Bloomsbury Publishing, London. pp 267-272.
o Hammond GL, S Miguel-Queralt, TM Yalcinkaya, C Underhill, NJ Place, SE Glickman, CM Drea, AP
Wagner & PK Siiteri. 2012. Phylogenetic comparisons implicate sex hormone- binding globulin in
“masculinization” of the female spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). Endocrinology 153:1435-1443.
o Arumugam R., AP Wagner & G Mills. 2008. Hyaena hyaena. In IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species. Version 2009.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>.
o Wagner AP, LG Frank & S Creel. 2008. Spatial grouping in behaviorally solitary striped hyenas (Hyaena
hyaena). Animal Behaviour 75:1131-1142.
2 Dr Aaron P Wagner
340 Orchard St
TEL ( 5 1 7 ) 5 7 5 - 9 4 4 3
East Lansing, MI 48823
EMAIL a p w a g n e r @ m s u . e d u
WEB r o b o t h y e n a . c o m
o Wagner AP, S Creel, LG Frank & ST Kalinowski. 2007. Patterns of relatedness and parentage in an
asocial, polyandrous striped hyena population. Molecular Ecology 16:4356-4369.
o Wagner AP, LG Frank, S Creel & EM Coscia. 2007. Transient genital abnormalities in striped hyenas.
Hormones & Behavior 51:626-632.
o Wagner AP. 2006. Behavioral ecology of the striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena). PhD Dissertation. Montana
State University, Bozeman, MT.
o Kalinowski ST, AP Wagner & ML Taper. 2006. ML-Relate: a computer program for maximum likelihood
estimation of relatedness and relationship. Molecular Ecology Notes 6:576-579.
o Wagner AP, S Creel & ST Kalinowski. 2006. Estimating relatedness and relationships at microsatellite loci
having null alleles. Heredity 97:336-345.
Additional Contributions
o Author, Annex I: Striped hyaena biology and conservation needs. 2010. In National Conservation and
Management Plan for Lion and Spotted Hyena in Kenya.
o Scientific adviser to Janell Cannon for Pinduli (children’s book) on the ecology of wild striped hyenas.
o Vogel M, H Goldsby, AP Wagner, C Ofria. 2011. Camera Trap Placement by a Genetic Algorithm. Poster
presentation, Michigan Celebration of Women in Computing (MICWIC)
Research Grant Awards
BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action
Oregon Zoo Foundation, Future for Wildlife Conservation Fund
People’s Trust for Endangered Species
The Living Desert Museum & Gardens
Conservation & Research Foundation
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo & the Cleveland Zoological Society
Brookfield Zoo & the Chicago Zoological Society
Sigma Xi, Grant-in-Aid of Research
2013
2008 & 2006
2008, 04, 02
2007, 06, 04, 03, 01, 00
2006
2004
2001
1995
Programming Languages & Skills
Operating Systems: Mac OS X, Unix, Windows
o IDE: XCode (historically, also Visual Studio)
Sample Platforms: Avida, ArcGIS, Access, MySQL o VCS: Git, Subversion
Languages: Python, C++, R (historically, also SAS, Fortran)
Common Applications: Ecology & Artificial Life, Sensory Systems, Navigation, GIS & Spatial
Analyses, Artificial Intelligence, Research Design & Tool Development, Behavioral Analyses
o Development Methodologies:
o Opportunity and requirements project management
o Iterative and incremental programming
o Requirements, architecture, technical, and user (thematic and list) documentation
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o
o
o
Fellowships, Memberships & Honors
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) & Species
2006-present
Survival Commission Hyaena Specialist Group, member
13th & 14th International Conference on the Synthesis and Simulation of Living Systems (ALife),
program committee member
2012 & 2014
Wilmington Power Squadron, member, course level: piloting
1990-present
Michigan State University Institute for Cyber Enabled Research Postdoctoral Fellow
2010-2012
Michigan State University Office of the Provost Postdoctoral Fellow
2007-2009
Kenya Safari Guide Association
2000-2010
3 Dr Aaron P Wagner
340 Orchard St
TEL ( 5 1 7 ) 5 7 5 - 9 4 4 3
East Lansing, MI 48823
EMAIL a p w a g n e r @ m s u . e d u
WEB r o b o t h y e n a . c o m
Outstanding Senior - Environmental Science – University of Delaware
Degree with Distinction – University of Delaware
Charles Peter White Fellowship – University of Delaware
1996
1996
1995
Teaching Experience
Introductory Biology: Organisms to Populations (Biol 215), Montana State University, lab instructor, 2005
Introductory Biology: Molecules to Cells (Biol 214), Montana State University, lab instructor, 2004
Biology of Organisms (Biol 101), Montana State University, lab instructor, 2001 & 2005
Molecular and Cellular Biology (Biol 102), Montana State University, lab instructor, 2000 & 2001
Animal Physiology (Biol 411), Montana State University, lab instructor, 1999
Strengths
Creativity: I think creatively and am able to apply unique perspectives toward solving complex challenges. I
have a broad and solid educational background in science and engineering and have strong skills in
translating and integrating concepts from diverse fields to produce valuable results. I excel at adapting quickly
to different situations, diagnosing project needs, and integrating and applying the range of experiences and
perspectives of team members.
Collaboration: I appreciate working in collaborative environments and provide exceptional contributions to
both small-scale team and large-scale organization-level projects and goals. I communicate well and am
comfortable and effective liaising professionally with individuals at all levels.
Leadership: I have a background in creating, planning, and managing a diverse range of research and
development projects. I am accustomed to being in positions of responsibility and accountability and am able
to motivate and manage project teams. I have developed a wide range of interpersonal and management
skills, and a large workable network of connections in conservation and wildlife research. I also excel at
bringing ambitious plans to fruition, even in the face of considerable technical challenges.
Drive: I am passionate about the progression of my work and achieving my organization’s goals. I am selfmotivated, goal-oriented, and consider efficiency, planning, and accountability as very important.
Additional Appointments
Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, GIS & Ecological Data Analyst, Gainesville, Florida
Laikipia Predator Project, Mpala Research Center, SH Project Lead, Nanyuki, Kenya
Cheetah Conservation Fund, Data Analyst & Field Researcher, Windhoek, Namibia
Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge & Minnesota Department of Natural Resources,
General Biology Field Researcher, Roosevelt, Minnesota
Selected Collaborators (current & past)
Richard Potts, Director, Human Origins Program, Smithsonian Institution
Charles Ofria, BEACON & Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, Michigan State University
David Bryson, BEACON Center, Michigan State University
Ian Dworkin, BEACON Center & Dept. of Zoology, Michigan State University
Scott Creel, Department of Ecology, Montana State University
Steven T Kalinowski, Department of Ecology, Montana State University
Laurence G Frank, Director, Laikipia Predator Project & Living with Lions
Laurie Marker, Executive Director, Cheetah Conservation Fund
Amanda Hardy, Assistant Director, North American Program, Wildlife Conservation Society
References available upon request. 4 2004
2000-2004
1997-1998
1997