Applied Research & Technology Program
Powering Student-Centered Applied Research at WKU
The ARTP Centers and Institutes are staffed by undergraduate and graduate students under the supervision of Western Kentucky University faculty and staff.
ARTP provides a mechanism by which students can transition into the workforce or graduate education.
Young Faculty in Data Science and AI Seminar
Presenter: Dr. John Hostetter
Date/Time: Thursday, September 25 at 4PM
Location: Room 2057 in Chandler Hall
Title: Gradient-Based Neuroplastic Adaptation for the Concurrent Optimization of Neuro-Fuzzy Networks
Abstract: Neuro-fuzzy networks (NFNs) are transparent, symbolic, and universal function approximations that perform as well as conventional neural architectures, but their knowledge is expressed as linguistic IF-THEN rules. Despite these advantages, their systematic design process remains a challenge. Existing work will often sequentially build NFNs by inefficiently isolating parametric and structural identification, leading to a premature commitment to brittle and subpar architecture. I propose a novel application independent approach called gradient-based neuroplastic adaptation for the concurrent optimization of NFNs' parameters and structure. By recognizing that NFNs' parameters and structure should be optimized simultaneously as they are deeply conjoined, settings previously unapproachable for NFNs are now accessible, such as the online reinforcement learning of NFNs for vision-based tasks. The effectiveness of concurrently optimizing NFNs is empirically shown as it is trained by online reinforcement learning to proficiently play challenging scenarios from a vision-based video game called DOOM.
The Applied Research and Technology Program (ARTP) is a multidisciplinary program consisting of 13 scientific and service-oriented Centers and Institutes designed to prepare students for the knowledge-based 21st Century global economy.
These Centers meet the research and technical needs of the community, state and nation while providing unique opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to transition from academia to the workplace or graduate programs through participation in supervised, hands-on applied research and technological projects. Students grow intellectually and professionally through participation in these activities.
Each Center operates within a cooperative and interdisciplinary framework to apply state-of-the-art science toward finding cost effective solutions to environmental and health issues and to the technological problems of government and industry. The ARTP program serves as a catalyst for economic development in the region and beyond.
This program is supported by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, and through grants and contracts obtained by Centers and Institutes. The ARTP is aligned with the five focus areas identified in the Commonwealth’s Science and Innovation Strategy completed in 2012.
Welcoming Our Newest ARTP Center, SKYCAM!
Learn About the mission and goals of the newest ARTP center, the Southern Kentucky Center for Advanced Microscopy by visiting our center's new page.
