Christian J. Darken

Associate Professor
Department of Computer Science
Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, CA 93943
Office: WA 382
Lab: WA 210
Phone: 831-656-2095
Fax: 831-656-7599

Courses Taught

MV-3025 AI for Simulation
MV-4025 Cognitive and Behavioral Modeling

Selected Publications

Boron, J and Darken, C. "Developing Combat Behavior through Reinforcement Learning in Wargames and Simulations", IEEE Conference on Games (CoG) 2020.

Maroon, K and Darken, C. "Predicting Enemy Squad Positions Based on Environmental Data, Unit Objectives, Tactics, and Observed Entities", Proceedings of International Conference on Social Computing, Behavioral-Cultural Modeling, Prediction and Behavior Representation in Modeling and Simulation (SBP-BRiMS) 2019.

Harder, B., Balogh, I., and Darken, C. "Implementation of an Automated Fire Support Planner", Proceedings of Artificial Intelligence for Interactive Digital Entertainment (AIIDE) 2016.

Harder, B. and Darken, C. "Automated Fire Support Planning for Combat Simulations", Proceedings of International Conference on Social Computing, Behavioral-Cultural Modeling, & Prediction and Behavior Representation in Modeling and Simulation (SBP-BRiMS) 2016.

Baez, F. and Darken, C. "Threat Density Map Modeling for Combat Simulations", Proceedings of Behavior Representation in Modeling and Simulation (BRIMS) 2014.

Tan, T. and Darken, C. "Learning and Prediction of Relational Time Series", Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, Vol. 21, No. 2, June 2015.

Tan, T. and Darken, C. "Faster conceptual blending predictors on relational time series", Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Information Fusion 2012, IEEE.

Tan, T. and Darken, C. "Learning and Prediction in Relational Time Series", Proceedings of Behavior Representation in Modeling and Simulation (BRIMS) 2012. pdf

Jungkunz, P. and Darken, C. “A computational model for human eye-movements in military simulations”, Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, Vol. 17, No. 3, Dec. 2011. pdf (late draft)

Evangelista, P., Darken, C., and Jungkunz, P. “Modeling and integration of situational awareness and soldier target search”, Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation, Sep. 2011. pdf

Alt, J. K., Baez, F., & Darken, C. (2011, February). A practical situation based agent architecture for social simulations. In M. K. M. Jakobson Gabriel; Endsley (Ed.), 2011 IEEE First International Multi-Disciplinary Conference on Cognitive Methods in Situation Awareness and Decision Support (CogSIMA).

Ozcan, O., Alt, J., & Darken, C. “Balancing Exploration and Exploitation in Agent Learning”, In J. Salerno (Ed.), Social Computing, Behavioral-Cultural Modeling and Prediction, Vol. 6589, pp. 301-308. Berlin: Springer.

Pollock, S., Alt, J. and Darken, C. “Representing Trust in cognitive social simulations”, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Social Computing, Behavioral-Cultural Modeling and Prediction (SBP'11), 2011.

Darken, C., McCue, D., and Guerrero, M. "Realistic Fireteam Movement in Urban Environments", Proceedings of AIIDE 2010. Best Paper award. pdf

Jungkunz, P. and Darken, C. "Modeling Human Eye Movements for Military Simulations", Proceedings of Behavior Representation in Modeling and Simulation (BRIMS) 2010. Recommended reading list award. pdf

Ong, A., Wong, A., Darken, C. and Buss, A. "Plans Validation using DES and Agent-Based Simulation", Proceedings of the 15th International Command and Control Research and Technology Symposium (ICCRTS) 2010. pdf

Alt, J. and Darken, C. “A Reference Model of Soldier Attention and Behavior”, Proceedings of Behavior Representation in Modeling and Simulation (BRIMS) 2008.pdf

Stoykov, S. and Darken, C. “Using a Competitive Approach to Improve Military Simulation Artificial Intelligence Design”, NATO Modeling and Simulation Group (NMSG) Conference, Vancouver, Canada, 7-8 October 2008. pdf

Guerrero, M. and Darken, C. “Blended Inverse Kinematics: Delta3D System Utilization”, Proceedings of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2008.pdf

Darken, C. and Anderegg, B. "Particle Filters and Simulacra for More Realistic Opponent Tracking", Game AI Programming Wisdom 4, Charles River, S. Rabin editor, 2008. abstract

Darken, C. and Kelly, J. "Individualized NPC Attitudes with Social Networks", Game AI Programming Wisdom 4, Charles River, S. Rabin editor, 2008. abstract

Schaub, E. and Darken, C. “Utilizing Biological Models to Determine the Recruitment of the Irish Republican Army”, International Journal of Human and Social Sciences, Vol. 1, No. 3, Summer 2007. pdf

Darken, C. and Jones, B. "Computer Graphics-Based Target Detection for Synthetic Soldiers", Proceedings of BRIMS 2007. (Outstanding paper award) pdf

Darken, C., Anderegg, B. and McDowell, P. "Game AI in Delta3D", Proceedings of CIG 2007. pdf

Darken, C. "Level Annotation and Test by Autonomous Exploration", Proceedings of AIIDE 2007. As accepted pdf. As abbreviated for the proceedings pdf.

Kunde, D. and Darken, C. "A Mental Simulation-Based Decision-Making Architecture Applied to Ground Combat", Proceedings of BRIMS 2006. (Outstanding paper award) pdf

Darken, C. and Paull, G. "Finding Cover in Dynamic Environments", Game AI Programming Wisdom 3, Charles River, S. Rabin editor, 2006. abstract

Wells, D. and Darken, C. "Generating Enhanced Natural Environments and Terrain for Interactive Combat Simulations (GENETICS)", Proceedings of IMAGE 2005. pdf

Darken, C. "Heuristic Speed-Ups for Learning in Complex Stochastic Environments", Proceedings of IJCAI 2005 Workshop on Planning and Learning in A Priori Unknown or Uncertain Domains. pdf

Darken, C. "Towards Learned Anticipation in Complex Stochastic Environments", Proceedings of AIIDE 2005. pdf

Kunde, D., and Darken, C. "Event Prediction for Modeling Mental Simulation in Naturalistic Decision Making", Proceedings of BRIMS 2005. pdf

Paull, G., and Darken, C. "Integrated On- and Off-Line Cover Finding and Exploitation", Proceedings of GAME-ON 2004. pdf

Darken, C., Pursel, E., and Correia, J. "AI on the GPU", Extended abstract for poster presentation at the ACM Workshop on General Purpose Computing on Graphics Processors and SIGGRAPH, 2004. pdf

Darken, C., Morgan, D., and Paull, G. "Efficient and Dynamic Response to Fire", Proceedings of the AAAI Workshop on Challenges in Game AI, 2004. pdf

Darken, C. "Visibility and Concealment Algorithms for 3D Simulations", Proceedings of Behavior Representation in Modeling and Simulation (BRIMS) 2004. pdf

Burgess, R. and Darken, C. "Realistic Human Path Planning using Fluid Simulation", Proceedings of Behavior Representation in Modeling and Simulation (BRIMS) 2004. pdf

Loecher, M. and Darken, C. "Concurrent estimation of time-to-failure and effective wear", Proceedings of the Maintenance and Reliability Conference (MARCON) 2003. pdf

Graduated Students

Coble, Joseph, Master's 2023: Optimal Naval Movement Simulation with Reinforcement Learning AI Agents
Finley, Matthew, Master's 2023: Applied Reinforcement Learning Wargaming with Parallelism, Cloud Integration and AI Uncertainty
Allen, John, Master's 2022: Enlisting AI in Course of Action Analysis as Applied to Naval Freedom of Navigation Operations
Rood, Patrick, Master's 2022: Scaling Reinforcement Learning through Feudal Multi-Agent Hierarchy
Christopher Cannon and Stefan Goericke, Master's 2021: Using Convolution Neural Networks to Develop Robust Combat Behaviors Through Reinforcement Learning
Kenneth Maroon, PhD 2020: Predicting Opponent Position and Modeling Uncertainty
Jonathan Boron, Master's 2020: Developing Combat Behavior with Reinforcement Learning
Weiwen Mervyn Lian, Master's 2019: Using Neural Networks to Determine Course of Action for a Land-Based Constructive Simulation
Byron Harder, PhD 2017: Automated Battle Planning for Combat Models with Maneuver and Fire Support
Yusuf Temiz, Master's 2016: Artillery Survivability Model
Ricardo Bastos, Master's 2014: Development of a Web-Based Periscope Simulator for Submarine Officer Training
Chen-Fu Hsiao, Master's 2014: Development of a Web-Based Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Environment Using JavaScript
Michael Pavek and Austin Starken, Master's 2014: Web-Based Army Repeatable Lesson in Operational Combat (WARLOC)
Kian Moh Terence Tan, PhD 2013: Learning and Prediction of Relational Time Series
Justin Ross, Master's 2012: Automation of P-3 Simulations to Improve Operator Workload
Chin Chuan Ong, Master's 2012: Analysis of Cognitive Architecture in the Cultural Geography Model
Farn Wei Jason Khong, Master's 2012: Performance Assessment of Network Intrusion-Alert Prediction
Jon Alt, Ph.D. 2012: Learning from Noisy and Delayed Rewards: The Value of Reinforcement Learning To Defense Modeling and Simulation
Claudio Coreixas de Moraes, Master's 2011: Design and Task Analysis for a Game-Based Shiphandling Simulator Using an Open Source Game Engine (Delta3D)
Daniel McKaughan, Master's 2011: Comparison of Data Development Tools for Populating Cognitive Models in Social Simulations
Shawnoah Pollock, Master's 2011: Representing Trust in Cognitive Social Simulations
Ozkan Ozcan, Master's 2011: Balancing Exploration and Exploitation in Agent Learning
Patrick Jungkunz, Ph.D. 2009: Modeling Human Visual Perception for Target Detection in Military Simulations
Dietmar Teufel, Master's 2008: Detection and Tracking Based on a Dynamical Hierarchical Occupancy Map in Agent-Based Simulations
Brian Kibel, Master's 2008: Requirements and Specifications for the Behavior Analysis and Synthesis for Intelligent Training (BASE-IT) User Interface and Alternative-Branch Exercise Analysis
Jonathan Beris and Eric Whittington, Master's 2008: Defining Stability, Security, Transition, and Reconstruction (SSTR) Operations Requirements for Future Department of the Navy Training and Analytical Models and Simulations
Sevdalin Stoykov, Master's 2008: Using a Competitive Approach to Improve Military Simulation Artificial Intelligence Design
Kristopher Poor, Master's 2007: An Analysis of Learning Algorithms in Complex Stochastic Environments
Drew Borovies, Master's 2007: Particle Filter Based Tracking in a Detection Sparse Discrete Event Simulation Environment
John Kelly, Master's 2007: Automated Run-Time Mission and Dialog Generation
Brian Jones, Master's 2006: A Computer Graphics-Based Target Detection Model
Hyatt Moore, Master's 2006: Networked Humanoid Avatar Driven by Wireless Sensors for the MARG Project
Jon Ellis and Michael Martin, Master's 2006: Human Behavior Representation of Military Teamwork
Dietmar Kunde, Ph.D. 2006: Event Prediction for Modeling Mental Simulation in Naturalistic Decision Making
Patricia Sweat, Master's 2006: The Importance of Artificial Intelligence for Naval Intelligence Training Simulations
Erika Schaub, Master's 2005: Utilizing Biological Models to Determine the Popularity of the IRA by Modeling the Voting Behavior of Sinn Féin
Aaron Mueller, Master's 2005: Adding Artificial Intelligence to Delta3D: A Roadmap
Joaquin Steve Correia, Master's 2005: Agent-Based Target Detection in 3-Dimensional Environments
Louis Michael Gutierrez, Master's 2005: Agent-Based Simulation of Disease Spread Aboard Ship
Eugene Ray Pursel, Master's 2004: Synthetic Vision: Visual Perception for Computer Generated Forces Using the Programmable Graphics Pipeline
Fahrettin Akbori, Master's 2004: Autonomous-Agent Based Simulation of Anti-Submarine Warfare Operations with the Goal of Protecting a High Value Unit
Rene' Burgess, Master's 2003: Realistic Evaluation of Terrain by Intelligent Natural Agents (RETINA)
David J. Morgan, Master's 2003: Algorithmic Approaches to Finding Cover in Three Dimensional Virtual Environments

Curriculum Vitae (from 2007)

Material contained herein is made available for the purpose of peer review and discussion and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.