past students

• Tian Gan • in materio computing
  Oct 2019 - Sept 2023 • co-supervised with Martin Trefzer
  • PhD thesis: Breaking Implicit Assumptions of Physical Delay-Feedback Reservoir Computing
  • 2023: Combining Multiple Inputs to a Delay-line Reservoir Computer: Control of a Forced Van der Pol Oscillator System.
  • 2022: Tradeoffs with physical delay feedback reservoir computing

• Zongyu (Alex) Yin
  Oct 2019 - May 2022 • (final year co-supervisor), co-supervised with Tom Collins and Federico Reuben
  • PhD thesis: New evaluation methods for automatic music generation
  • 2023: Deep learning's shallow gains: a comparative evaluation of algorithms for automatic music generation
  • 2022: Measuring When a Music Generation Algorithm Copies Too Much: The Originality Report, Cardinality Score, and Symbolic Fingerprinting by Geometric Hashing
  • 2021: “A Good Algorithm Does Not Steal – It Imitates”: The Originality Report as a Means of Measuring when a Music Generation Algorithm Copies Too Much

• Tim Atkinson
  Oct 2016 - Sept 2019 • EPSRC DTA award • co-supervised with Detlef Plump
  • PhD thesis: Evolving Graphs by Graph Programming
  • 2020: Horizontal Gene Transfer for Recombining Graphs
  • 2019: Evolving graphs with semantic neutral drift
  • 2019: Evolving graphs with horizontal gene transfer
  • 2018: Probabilistic Graph Programs for Randomised and Evolutionary Algorithms
  • 2018: Evolving Graphs by Graph Programming
  • 2017: Probabilistic Graph Programming

• Penny Faulkner Rainford
  Oct 2015 - Dec 2018 • Chemistry Department Teaching studentship • co-supervised with Angelika Sebald
  • PhD thesis: Algebraic approaches to artificial chemistries
  • 2019: An Object Oriented Implementation of the MetaChem framework
  • 2018: Sub-Symbolic Artificial Chemistries
  • 2017: Tuning Jordan Algebra Artificial Chemistries with Probability Spawning Functions
  • 2016: Jordan Algebra AChems: Exploiting Mathematical Richness for Open Ended Design

• Mike Krastev
  Oct 2014 - Sept 2018 • EPSRC DTA award • co-supervised with Angelika Sebald
  • PhD thesis: Spiky RBN: a Sub-symbolic Artificial Chemistry
  • 2018: Sub-Symbolic Artificial Chemistries
  • 2017: Functional grouping analysis of varying reactor types in the Spiky-RBN AChem
  • 2016: Emergent Bonding Properties in the Spiky RBN AChem

• Matt Dale
  Oct 2014 - Sept 2018 • DSTL research PhD award • co-supervised with Julian Miller, Martin Trefzer
  • PhD thesis: Reservoir computing in materio
  • 2019: A Substrate-Independent Framework to Characterise Reservoir Computers
  • 2018: Characterising Unconventional Computers using Novelty Search (abstract)
  • 2018: Reservoir computing with computational matter
  • 2018: Neuroevolution of hierarchical reservoir computers (GECCO)
  • 2017: Reservoir Computing in materio with LEDs (abstract)
  • 2017: Extendible Hardware Platform for Reservoir Computing in materio (abstract)
  • 2017: Reservoir Computing in materio: A Computational Framework for in materio Computing.
  • 2017: Reservoir Computing as a Model for In Materio Computing
  • 2016: Reservoir Computing in materio: An Evaluation of Configuration through Evolution
  • 2016: Evolving Carbon Nanotube Reservoir Computers
  • 2016: Modelling and Training Unconventional in-Materio Computers using Bio-Inspired Techniques (abstract)

• Chengliang Hu
  Nov 2017 - Aug 2018 • (final year supervisor)
  • PhD thesis: Inferring Cerebral White Matter Fibres from Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Images

• Chris Timperley
  Oct 2013 - Jun 2017 • EPSRC DTA award
  • PhD thesis: Advanced Techniques for Search-Based Program Repair
  • 2018: BugZoo – A Platform for Studying Software Bugs
  • 2017: An Investigation into the Use of Mutation Analysis for Automated Program Repair
  • 2015: Wallace: An efficient generic evolutionary framework

• Ben Russell
  Oct 2011 - Feb 2015 • EPSRC DTA award
  • PhD thesis: Geometric Control for Analysing the Quantum Speed Limit and the Physical Limitations of Computers
  • 2017: The Geometry of Speed Limiting Resources in Physical Models of Computation
  • 2015: Zermelo Navigation in the Quantum Brachistochrone
  • 2014: Zermelo Navigation and a Speed Limit to Quantum Information Processing
  • 2014: Applications of Finsler Geometry to Speed Limits to Quantum Information Processing
  • 2013: Numerical Analysis of Quantum Speed Limits
  • 2013: Geometric Methods for Analysing Quantum Speed Limits

• Ali Afshar Dodson
  Jan 2010 - Apr 2014 • co-supervised with Leo Caves and Emma Uprichard
• PhD thesis: Schelling's Bounded Neighbourhood Model: A systematic investigation
• 2014: Using the CoSMoS approach to study Schelling’s Bounded Neighbourhood Model

• Jennifer Owen
  Feb 2009 - Jan 2013 • CoSMoS project EPSRC award • co-supervised with Jon Timmis and Alan Winfield
  • PhD thesis: An Investigation of Loose Coupling in Evolutionary Swarm Robotics
  • 2010: Exploiting Loose Horizontal Coupling in Evolutionary Swarm Robotics
  • 2010: A Reflection on Complex Systems: Interesting and Challenging, CoSMoS 2010
  • 2009: How to use Player/Stage

• Adam Nellis
  Oct 2008 - Sept 2012 • Plazzmid project EPSRC award
  • PhD thesis: Towards meta-evolution via embodiment in artificial chemistries
  • 2014: Computational novelty: Phenomena, mechanisms, worlds
  • 2011: Embodied copying for richer evolution
  • 2011: Degeneracy enriches Artificial Chemistry binding systems
  • 2011: Embodied genomes and metaprogramming
  • 2010: Diversity from a monoculture
  • 2010: The BlindWatchmaker’s Workshop: three Artificial Chemistries in the context of Eigen’s Paradox, ALife XII
  • 2010: Automatically moving between levels in Artificial Chemistries
  • 2009: Molecular microprograms

• Tim Hoverd
  Oct 2007 - Sept 2011 • CoSMoS project Microsoft Research award
  • PhD thesis: Environment Oriented Simulation
  • 2015: Environment orientation: a structured simulation approach for agent-based complex systems
  • 2011: Energy as a driver of diversity in open-ended evolution
  • 2011: Reflecting on Open-Ended Evolution
  • 2011: CoSMoS process, models, and metamodels
  • 2010: Formalising Harmony Seeking Rules of Morphogenesis
  • 2010: A Reflection on Complex Systems: Interesting and Challenging, CoSMoS 2010
  • 2010: A Transactional Architecture for Simulation, ICECCS
  • 2009: Environment orientation: An approach to the simulation of complex systems
  • 2009: Environment orientation
  • 2008: Complex Systems Models: Engineering Simulations

• Adam Faulconbridge
  Oct 2007 - Sept 2011 • BBSRC award • co-supervised with Leo Caves and Julian Miller
  • PhD thesis: RBN-World: Sub-symbolic Artificial Chemistry for Artificial Life
  • 2010: The BlindWatchmaker’s Workshop: three Artificial Chemistries in the context of Eigen’s Paradox, ALife XII
  • 2010: RBN-World: The hunt for a rich AChem
  • 2009: RBN-World: A Sub-Symbolic Artificial Chemistry

• Andrew Weeks
  Oct 2005 - Mar 2010 • Microsoft Research European PhD Scholarship • co-supervised with Fiona Polack
  • PhD thesis: Neutral Emergence and Coarse Graining Cellular Automata
  • 2008: Investigating emergence by coarse graining ECAs
  • 2007: Neutral Emergence and Coarse Graining
  • 2007: Neutral Emergence: a proposal

• Philip Garnett
  Oct 2006 - Sept 2010 • BBSRC/Microsoft Research 4yr CASE award • co-supervised with Ottoline Leyser
  
  • PhD thesis: Agent Based Modelling of Auxin Transport Canalisation
  • 2010: Computer Simulation: the imaginary friend of auxin transport biology
  • 2010: Using the CoSMoS Process to Enhance an Executable Model of Auxin Transport Canalisation
  • 2008: Towards an Executable Model of Auxin Transport Canalisation
  • 2007: Integrative Hybrid Modelling of Plant Shoot Branching

• Ed Powley
  Oct 2006 - Sep 2009 • EPSRC DTA award
  • PhD thesis: Global Properties of Cellular Automata
  • 2010: Counting preimages of homogeneous configurations in 1-dimensional cellular automata
  • 2009: Automorphisms of transition graphs for linear cellular automata
  • 2008: Automorphisms of transition graphs for a linear cellular automaton
  • 2008: Automorphisms of transition graphs for elementary cellular automata

• Gemma Danks
  Oct 2005 - Oct 2008 • BBSRC award • co-supervised with Leo Caves
  • PhD thesis: Protein Folding with L-systems
  • 2009: Co-translational protein folding with L-Systems
  • 2008: Protein folding with stochastic L-Systems
  • 2007: Folding Protein-Like Structures with Open L-systems

• Joss Wright
  Oct 2003 - Nov 2007
  • PhD thesis: Characterising Anonymity systems
  • 2008: Enforcing Behaviour with Anonymity
  • 2005: Formalizing Anonymity: a review

• Kester Clegg
  Oct 2003 (part time) / Apr 2005 (full time) - Mar 2008 • EPSRC/Microsoft Research CASE award
  • PhD thesis: Evolving gene expression to reconfigure analogue devices
  • 2008: Adaptive Circuit Control through Gene Expression
  • 2007: Evolutionary search applied to reconfigurable analogue control
  • 2007: Using Feedback to Regulate Gene Expression in a Developmental Control Architecture
  • 2006: Binding Analogue Feedback to Digital Genomes

• Heather Turner
  Oct 2003 - Nov 2007 • EPSRC/BAE Systems CASE award
  • PhD thesis: A framework for designing multi-level emergence
  • 2007: Rule Migration: Exploring a design framework for emergence
  • 2006: Engineering Emergence
  • 2005: Rule Migration: Exploring a design framework for modelling emergence in CA-like systems
  • 2005: An architecture for modelling emergence in CA-like systems

• Nuno Amálio
  Oct 2002 - Aug 2006 • Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology • co-supervised with Fiona Polack
  • PhD thesis: Generative frameworks for rigorous model-driven development
  • 2007: Frameworks based on templates for rigorous model-driven development
  • 2006: A Formal Template Language enabling Metaproof
  • 2006: UML + Z: Augmenting UML with Z
  • 2005: An OO structuring for Z based on Views
  • 2004: Formal Proof from UML Models
  • 2003: Modular UML Semantics: Interpretations in Z based on Templates and Generics

• Paul Massey
  Oct 2000 - Mar 2006 (part time) • co-supervised with John Clark
  • PhD thesis: Searching for Quantum Software
  • 2006: Human-Competitive Evolution of Quantum Computing Artefacts by Genetic Programming
  • 2005: Evolution of a human-competitive Quantum Fourier Transform algorithm
  • 2004: Evolving quantum circuits and programs through genetic programming

• Howard Chivers
  Apr 2003 - Feb 2006 • Royal Academy of Engineering • co-supervised with John Clark
  • PhD thesis: Security Design Analysis
  • 2005: Breaking the model
  • 2003: Smart Devices and Software Agents

• Stewart Aitken
  Feb 2011 - May 2022 (part time) • co-supervised with Gianluca Tempesti
  • 2022: MSc thesis: An exploration of local rules to map spawning processes to regular hardware architectures

• Daniel West
  Oct 2019 - Feb 2021 • co-supervised with Yvette Hancock
  • 2021: MSc thesis: Using Self-Organising Maps to Cluster Complex Biological Data

• Hong (Alex) Lin
  Oct 2003 - Dec 2004
  • 2005: MSc thesis: A Real-Time Dynamic Danger Theory Model for Anomaly Detection in File Systems

• Yang Liu
  Apr 2003 - Apr 2004 • co-supervised with John Clark
  • 2005: MSc thesis: Security in Ubiquitous Healthcare Systems
  • 2005: "Devices are People Too": using process patterns to elicit security requirements in novel domains

• Online Project Library (local access only)

• Ali Tariq • Novelty Search for Unseen Fitness Functions [BEng]
• Dhillan Lad • Test Driven Development for Biologically Inspired Algorithms [BEng]
• John Wright • Evolving a co-evolutionary system [MEng]

• Yuxuan Zhang • Integrating fuzzing into Test-Driven Development [Cyber MSc]

• Jack Copland • The dynamics of RBN molecules in an Artificial Chemistry [BEng]
• Arthur Penty • Evolving an evolutionary mutation language [MMath]

• George Gabriel • Musical Boolean Networks [Laidlaw]
• 2018: Dynamical Music with Musical Boolean Networks
• Ben Mills Perkins • Evolving a Reservoir Computer PRNG [Cyber MSc]

• Zoe Walker • Growing a sub-symbolic artificial chemistry [CS/M]

• Penny Faulkner • Eigenstate artificial chemistry [MMath]

• Adam Barke • Global optimisation through local misperception [BEng]
• Mihail Krastev • Kinetic artificial chemistry [MEng]

• Kalpana Jalawadi • Robots in fractal-patterned mazes [NC MSc]

• Thomas Rosling • Entropy of developmental boids [MMath]
• Chris Timperley • Reflective method matching for evolving OO programs [MEng(AI)]
  • 2014: Reflective Grammatical Evolution

• Matthew Thompson • Growing a Bridge [NC MSc]
• Bartosz Stolarczyk • Evolving fractal proteins [NC MSc]

• Michael Krotosky • Eigenvalue Artificial Chemistry [Computational Biology MRes]

• Benjamin Russell • Turing Machines and discrete dynamical systems [MMath]

• Joe Lee-Moyet • Sexual Selection for evolving diverse tradeoff strategies [NC MSc]
• Matthew Squire • Computing with Coupled Dynamical Systems [NC MSc]

• Richard Williams • UML modelling of a biological system [Computational Biology MRes]

• Raymond Birch • Visualising Quantum Algorithms using Hilbert Curves [MEng]
• George Dando • Entropy of flocks v. swarms [MEng]
• Chris Riley • LSystems in pyCSP [MEng]

• Ali Afshar Dodson • Breaking the Law in Sugarscape [NC MSc]

• Elizabeth Palit • Petri net versus UML activity diagram models of biological networks [Computational Biology MRes]

• Fiz Beltran Borja • Evolving Iterated Function Systems [BEng]

• Andrew Payne • Natural limitations of Genetic Programming [NC MSc]
  • 2009: Representation and Structural biases in CGP
• Jennifer Owen • Evolving complex Game of Life patterns [NC MSc]
• Neil Reilly • UML Ants [NC MSc]

• Robert Weatheritt • UML modelling of neurons [Computational Biology MRes]

• Adam Nellis • Self-Organising Critical Systems with similar timescales [MMath]
• Darren Beaumont • Optimising L-system interpretations [MMath]
  • 2009: Grammatical Evolution of L-systems
• Matt Ledger • Optimal Snakes and Ladders [MEng]

• Matt Hill • Complexity of Swarms [Natural Computation MSc]

• Adam Faulconbridge • Evolving L-Peach [BioInformatics MRes]
• Tanya Pawson • UML modelling of cancer cells [BioInformatics MRes]

• Lily Dey • Mandelbroids and Julioids [MMath]
• Gareth Haigh • Memoisation of Life [BEng]
• Georgina Porter • A Method for Porting parallel algorithms for the DAP to Handel-C [MEng]

• Satpal Chagar • L-System biomorphs [BioInformatics MRes]

• Michael Houston • Instrumenting and Visualising Handel-C programs [MEng]
• Nick Owens • Beyond Life on a Penrose Grid [MEng]
  • 2010: The Game of Life rules on Penrose Tilings: lifetime, still life and oscillators
  • 2010: Investigations of Game of Life cellular automata rules on Penrose Tilings: lifetime, ash and oscillator statistics
  • 2008: Investigations of Game of Life cellular automata rules on Penrose Tilings: lifetime and ash statistics
• Ed Jackson • An agent simulation of Blood clotting [MEng]
• Jim Whitson • Evolving flocking behaviours to perform specified tasks [BEng]

• Michelle Almeida • IFS implementation [SWE MSc]

• Byron Thomas • Differential attacks on partially evaluated crypto algorithms
• John Newborough • FPGA implementation of population-based search
  • 2005: A generic framework for population-based algorithms
• Ed Powley • Parallel lexing with Handel-C/FPGAs
• James Hayes • Characterising Flocking
• Andrew Weeks • Searching with Chemistry
  • 2005: Artificial catalysed reaction networks for search

• QuiDD-optimised quantum algorithms
• Iain Brown • Quantum entangled basis states
  • 2005: Searching for multi-qubit entanglement
• Margaret Hill • The Game of Life in a Small World
  • 2005: Penrose Life: ash and oscillators
• Pete Worth • Growing music
  • 2005: Growing Music: musical interpretations of L-Systems
• Jemima Rossmorris • On-screen navigation
  • 2005: Requirements as Conjectures: intuitive DVD menu navigation
• Will Davis • Nanotech Simulator