Optimizing Resources in Undergraduate Research

The Gonzaga University Center for Evolutionary Algorithms (GUCEA) is an interdisciplinary and collaborative research group which brings together faculty and undergraduate students from Civil Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics. GUCEA students develop genetic algorithm (GA) software which is applied to difficult problems in structural engineering and mathematics. Gonzaga University is primarily an undergraduate institution, so developing a research program involves challenges unique to smaller schools. This paper presents ways to overcome these challenges, discusses the benefits of creating a research program involving undergraduate students, and highlights GUCEA findings in optimal truss design and book embeddings of graphs. GONZAGA UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR EVOLUTIONARY ALGORITHMS (GUCEA) The Gonzaga University Center for Evolutionary Algorithms (GUCEA) aims at advancing the knowledge of genetic algorithms (GA) in optimization problems. Optimization deals with seeking the best possible solution to a design problem. GA reach this goal, mimicking the natural selection process [Haupt and Haupt, 1998]. The center was founded in the fall of 2005 as a result of a collaborative effort between Professor Paul De Palma in the Department of Computer Science, Dr. Sara Ganzerli in the Department of Civil Engineering, and Dr. Shannon Overbay in the Department of Mathematics. The development of GUCEA as a research center followed six years of collaboration between Professor Paul De Palma and Dr. Sara Ganzerli. Dr. Ganzerli came to Gonzaga in 1999 looking to expand her graduate research, which focused on structural optimization considering uncertainty by using GA. Professor De Palma identified an undergraduate student who could develop the software needed to perform the structural optimization. During the next year, Professor De Palma took an active role in this research effort, training new students in the area of GA. The newly-founded research team designed GA software to optimize structures. The resulting research activities generated peer-reviewed publications and invited presentations, and © 2008 ASCE 18th Analysis and Computation Specialty Conference Copyright ASCE 2008 18th Analysis and Computation Specialty Conference established a training program for the students that would assure continuity to the research effort [Ganzerli, De Palma, Stackle, and Brown, 2005; Ganzerli, De Palma, Smith, and Burkhart, 2003; Ganzerli, Burkhart, 2002; Overbay, Ganzerli, De Palma, Stackle, Brown, 2006]. In 2005, it was clear that the program was successful enough to be recognized as a research center. The creation of GUCEA presented growth opportunities for the research program. Dr. Shannon Overbay joined the center in 2006, extending the focus of GUCEA’s research from structural design to graph theory. Both structural design and graph theory include difficult optimization problems for which GA provide workable solutions. Now the center is structured so that Professor De Palma supervises software development, Dr. Ganzerli oversees GA applications to optimal structural design, and Dr. Overbay works with GA applications to graph theory. The center also has four to eight undergraduate participants each year. Ideally, a student will join the group as a freshman or sophomore and stay with the group until he or she graduates. GUCEA has identified long and short term research and teaching goals, as summarized in the following points: • Long term o The center strives to maintain its excellence in interdisciplinary undergraduate research through publications and presentations. o The center seeks to develop new research, building upon the results already obtained, and advance the study of genetic algorithms. o The center strives to provide educational opportunities for students outside of the classroom. • Short term o The center aims to stay viable through hiring and training new students and securing funding. o The center strives to break down long term research projects into tasks achievable within a semester. o For the success of the center, a collaborative environment is essential. GUCEA makes an effort to ensure good communication among its members. The remainder of this paper addresses how GUCEA works to meet these goals.