Christopher Sims

Christopher Sims is an Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Director in the Department of Cognitive Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). His research bridges computational modeling, cognitive science, and machine learning to explore fundamental aspects of human cognition. He received his PhD and MS in Cognitive Science from RPI (2009/2007) and a BS in Computer Science from Cornell University (2003).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: PhD (2009), MS (2007) in Cognitive Science
• Cornell University: BS (2003) in Computer Science

Sims's research focuses on applying information theory to understand cognitive processes, particularly in generalization, visual working memory, and decision-making under uncertainty. His 2018 Science paper demonstrated that the universal law of generalization emerges from efficient coding principles, suggesting evolutionary optimization in perceptual systems.

Recent publications (2019-2025) reveal consistent exploration of efficient coding, memory constraints, and reinforcement learning. His interdisciplinary work connects cognitive science with AI, examining multi-agent systems, neural network analogies, and computational psychiatry applications.

At RPI, Sims teaches advanced courses in cognitive psychology, human-machine learning, and mathematical methods in psychological science. His contributions span theoretical foundations and practical applications, including models for visual memory allocation and decision-making frameworks for artificial systems.