معرفی
Malcolm MacIver is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University, with courtesy appointments in Neurobiology, Computer Science, and Biomedical Engineering. His research bridges neuroscience, robotics, and evolutionary biology, focusing on sensory systems, animal behavior, and the evolution of cognition. He holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Illinois and has pioneered work on bio-inspired robotics, particularly using weakly electric fish as models for sensing and locomotion.
Educational Background: B.Sc. in Philosophy & Computer Science (University of Toronto, 1991); M.A. Philosophy (University of Toronto, 1992); Ph.D. Neuroscience (University of Illinois, 2001).
Research Interests: The algorithmic and neural basis of decision-making, bio-inspired robotics, the evolutionary origins of planning and consciousness, and the intersection of sensory ecology with cognition. His work explores how vertebrate vision evolution during the water-to-land transition enabled strategic planning and imagination.
Recent Publications Highlight: Studies on climate prediction markets' impact on climate policy support, the neuroecological basis of vertebrate brain evolution, and robotic systems mimicking electric fish sensing. His work emphasizes the link between sensory range and cognitive complexity.
Scientific Awards: Presidential Early Career Award for Science and Engineering (2009).
Grants & Labs: Leads the MacIver Lab, focusing on computational neuromechanics and neuroethology. Collaborations include projects on autonomous robotics, climate policy engagement via serious games, and art-science installations like scale.
Labs/Teams: MacIver Lab at Northwestern, interdisciplinary collaborations with artists, roboticists, and ecologists.
