Jason Yoder

Jason Yoder serves as Associate Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's College of Engineering. His dual appointment bridges computational and cognitive sciences through interdisciplinary research.

His educational background includes:

• Dual Ph.D. in Computer Science and Cognitive Science, Indiana University (2018)
• M.S. in Computer Science, Indiana University (2011)
• B.A. in Computer Science and Mathematics, Goshen College (2008, 2009)

Yoder's research spans two interconnected domains. In evolutionary systems, he investigates developmental exaptations, neuromodulation in neural networks, and evolvable hardware through computational modeling. His cognitive science work examines metacognition, emotion theory, and consciousness frameworks. This dual focus manifests in bio-inspired AI approaches that integrate biological principles with computational efficiency.

His publication portfolio reveals consistent contributions to artificial life conferences and computational neuroscience journals since 2014, with recent emphasis on developmental strategies in NK fitness landscapes and meta-learning architectures. Key trends include the convergence of evolutionary computation with neuromodulatory principles for adaptive systems.

Notable recognitions include:

• National Science Foundation Research Opportunity Award (2021)
• Indiana University Male Big of the Year Award (2019)
• Sarah D. Barder Fellowship (2017)
• Associate Instructor of the Year Award (2016)

Yoder has pioneered educational innovations in software engineering pedagogy, notably implementing exam wrappers to improve student performance. His teaching portfolio covers bio-inspired AI, evolutionary computation, and object-oriented development. Beyond academia, he maintains an active role coaching college ultimate frisbee teams and competing in multiple sports.