Roman Garnett

Roman Garnett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis. He joined WashU in January 2015 and holds affiliations with the Division of Computational & Data Sciences and the Synthetic Biology Manufacturing of Advanced Materials Research Center (SMARC). His work focuses on Bayesian experimental design and active learning to automate scientific discovery across domains like materials science, drug discovery, and personalized medicine. Garnett earned his PhD from the University of Oxford (2010), and dual degrees (AB and MS) from Washington University in St. Louis (2004).

Research Interests: Garnett’s research emphasizes Bayesian active learning methodologies, with applications in natural sciences and engineering. He develops frameworks for large-scale geospatial exploration, reinforcement learning systems, and AI-driven solutions for environmental and social challenges. His long-term goal is to democratize machine learning through fully automated, robust active learning systems.

Grants & Collaborations: He leads or contributes to initiatives like a $3M NSF Research Traineeship program (2023) and collaborates with experts in astronomy, surface science, and synthetic biology. His lab actively explores interdisciplinary applications of AI, reflected in recent projects such as nature-inspired materials research and AI for geospatial search.

Affiliations & Recognition: Garnett’s work is showcased through his lab website and Google Scholar profile. He has been featured in university news for contributions to advanced materials research and AI-driven problem-solving.