Professor, PhD

Jarl Giske

Research interests

My current research interest is how to evolve adaptations. The major tool for this is the Genetic Algorithm. Currently I use it to evolve feelings and decisions in fish and to evolve functional groups in a microbial ecosystem. My interest in decisions has been a long walk starting with life-history-based optimizations. Triggered by how organisms are able to perform decisions that seemingly simultaneous can incorporate state-, age-, density-, and environment-dependent trade-off, I started with Geir Huse to model adaptations through Artificial Neural Networks, Genetic Algorithms, and Individual-Based Modelling. Later, I have focused (with Per Jakobsen, Marc Mangel and the TE colleagues) even more on how the fish brain works, and how this can be utilised in modelling. Recently I have started cooperation with Frede Thingstad on utilising the GA and adaptation approach on the microbial community. PhD student Selina Våge is working on this problem.