Melanie Mitchell

via wikipedia

Melanie Mitchell is a computer scientist and professor of computer science at the Santa Fe Institute, a nonprofit research institute focused on the study of complex systems. She is known for her work on artificial intelligence, complexity theory, and cognitive science. Mitchell's key achievements include pioneering the field of genetic algorithms, a type of optimization algorithm inspired by the process of natural selection. She has also made significant contributions to the understanding of analogical reasoning, the cognitive ability to perceive and use analogies, and its importance in artificial intelligence. Additionally, Mitchell is the author of several influential books, including "Complexity: A Guided Tour" and "Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach," which have been widely used in academia. Mitchell received her Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Michigan in 1990. Prior to her current position at the Santa Fe Institute, she held faculty positions at the Portland State University and the OGI School of Science & Engineering (now part of Oregon Health & Science University). Mitchell has been recognized for her work with numerous awards and honors, including being named a MacArthur Fellow in 2004.