I'm a researcher in artificial intelligence and cognitive science at the School of Computing and Information at the University of Pittsburgh, where I served as Founding Dean from 2017 to 2020. My work explores language, communication, and AI methods for modeling complicated systems — from cell signaling pathways to local belief systems to intellectual biographies.
From 2013 to 2017, I was a program manager at DARPA's Information Innovation Office, where I designed and managed the Big Mechanism, Communicating with Computers, and World Modelers programs. Before DARPA, I was at the University of Arizona, where I headed Computer Science and helped to create SISTA, which became the School of Information.
I also manage the Harold Cohen Trust, preserving the work and legacy of pioneering computer artist Harold Cohen and his AI art system AARON.