Paul Wiegand

R. Paul Wiegand is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computing & Information Sciences at Winthrop University's College of Business Administration. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from George Mason University (2004), an M.S. from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte (1999), and a B.S. from Winthrop University (1996). His research focuses on machine learning, optimization, natural computation, multiagent systems, and probabilistic reasoning, with recent work exploring novelty search algorithms and coevolutionary methods. He has held roles at the University of Central Florida and the Navy Center for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence.

Dr. Wiegand's pedagogical approach emphasizes contextual learning and student engagement. He actively organizes academic events like the Winthrop SMACS Programming Competition and co-leads the interdisciplinary Mathematics & Computer Science student seminar. His research projects include NSF-funded work on coevolutionary peer-instruction systems and DoD-funded smart network routing algorithms. He also explores foundational theory for swarm-based task allocation and decentralized systems.

Key research contributions include studies on robust path tracking, evolutionary programming for Parsons puzzles, and multiagent learning dynamics. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications in education, robotics, and network optimization. Beyond academia, he plays in the bands Read-Only Time Travel and PhyNight, contributing to local music scenes in South Carolina.