About
Lars Kotthoff is the Templeton Associate Professor and Derecho Professor at the University of Wyoming's School of Computing, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He leads the MALLET lab, focusing on meta-algorithmics, learning, and large-scale empirical testing. His research integrates AI and machine learning to develop robust systems, particularly in algorithm selection, configuration, and automated machine learning (AutoML). He has held sabbaticals and collaborations globally, including at the University of Warsaw and NASA Ames. Awards include the Templeton Endowed Chair and Open Source Machine Learning Award. His work bridges computational mechanics, materials science, and optimization heuristics.
Research interests include Bayesian optimization for materials science, automated parameter tuning, and interpretable machine learning models. Key projects include optimizing laser-induced graphene production and developing the mlr3 framework. Grants include NASA EPSCoR funding for in-space manufacturing and a Microsoft grant for biomedical imaging. He advises graduate and undergraduate students, mentors Google Summer of Code projects, and organizes workshops/conferences like COSEAL and Dagstuhl seminars.
Publications span automated algorithm design, performance benchmarking, and interdisciplinary applications. His work emphasizes making machine learning accessible to non-experts through tools like Auto-WEKA and the mlr3 ecosystem. Current projects include NASA-funded advanced electronics manufacturing and collaborations with institutions worldwide.
