Research Statement

My research focuses on Ecosystem-Inspired Simulation of Complex Adaptive Systems. The goal of my research is to design, implement and evaluate innovative solutions to real world problems. My work integrates people, technology, information, policy, and culture to address socio-technical issues that arise at the boundaries between man-made and natural systems. This research is highly interdisciplinary and applied, but reaches back to fundamental areas of optimization, graph theory, and human factors. My areas of specialization within Complex Adaptive System research are Philosophy of Science, Knowledge/Novelty Generating Systems, Ecosystem Modeling, and Information Warfare, Epidemic Modeling, Human-Computer Interaction, and Cyber Defense Systems Analysis

Vitae ~ Dr. James R. Morris-King

Education & Training:

PhD: Computer Science, Auburn University, 2013
B.S.: Computer Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2007
Minor(s): Game Design

Experience:

  • 2016 – present:  Senior Computer Scientist, MITRE Corporation
  • 2015 – present:  Writer, Ayanna's Place (DCTV)
  • 2013 – 2016:      Postdoctoral Researcher, Army Research Lab (ALC)
  • 2008 – 2013:     Graduate Research Assistant, Auburn University
  • 2007 – 2008:     Software Systems Analyst, MITRE Corporation
  • 2007:                 Undergraduate Research Assistant, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • 2006:                 Intern, MITRE Corporation
  • 2005:                 Intern, Weblayers Inc.
  • 2004 – 2007:     Tutor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • 2003:                 Creator & Developer Angels Fall First (now Strangely Interactive)
  • 2001 – 2005:     Intern, MIT Media Lab

Academic Honors and Mentions:

  • 2016:               Hometown Media Awards, Best Children's Program (Ayanna's Place)
  • 2014 – 2016:    NSF ORAU Fellow, Army Research Lab (ALC)
  • 2013:               NSF S-STEM Fellow, Auburn University
  • 2011-2013:       NSF IASP SFS Fellow; Auburn University
  • 2009:               1st Place Poster, LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate Spring Conference
  • 2008 – 2010:    LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate Fellow; Auburn University
  • 2004 – 2005:   Dean’s List; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • 2003:               President’s Volunteer Service Award, Boston Latin Academy

Certifications:

  • CNSS & NSA Senior Systems Management, 2011

Research Interests

  • Modeling and Computer Simulation

    • Agent-Directed Simulation – Agent Simulation, Agent-Monitored Simulation, Agent-Initiated Simulation, Agent-Supported Simulation
    • Ecological Systems – Ecosystem Modeling & Design, Ecological Risk Assessment,

  • Complex Adaptive Systems

    • Dynamics of socio-technical systems, Cultural Systems Simulation, Philosophy of Science, Knowledge Systems

  • BIO-INSPIRED METAHEURISTICS

    • Ant Colony Optimization – Applications in socio-technical system modeling

  • Cybersecurity

    • Risk Assessment – Metric Development, Risk Flow Analysis, Cyber Maneuver Cost-Benefit Analysis
    • Modeling & Simulation – Tactical Mobile Ad-hoc Networks, Moving Target Defense Simulation, Epidemic Malware Propagation

Publications:

  • Thompson, B., J. Morris-King (2016) "An Agent-based Modeling Framework for Cybersecurity in Mobile Tactical Networks" Accepted in Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation, 2016.
  • Morris-King, J. (2016) “Agent-Based Ecological Risk Simulation of Malware Epidemics in Tactical Mobile Ad Hoc Networks,” Summer Computer Simulation Conference, 2016.
  •  Thompson, B. and J. Morris-King (2016) “The Impact of Hierarchy on Bluetooth-Based Malware Spread in Mobile Tactical Networks,” Summer Computer Simulation Conference, 2016.
  • Thompson, B., J. Morris-King, and H. Cam (2016) “Effectiveness of Proactive Reset for Mitigating the Impact of Stealthy Attacks on Cyber Networks,” IEEE CNS, 2016.
  •  Morris-King, J. and H. Cam (2016) “Controlling Proximity-Malware Infection in Diverse Tactical Mobile Networks Using K-Distance Pruning,” MILCOM, 2016.
  •  Thompson, B., J. Morris-King, and Cam, H. (2016) “Controlling Risk of Data Exfiltration in Cyber Networks Due to Stealthy Propagating Malware,” MILCOM, 2016.
  • Thompson, B., J. Morris-King, and R. Harang (2016) “Slowing the Spread of Bluetooth-based Malware in Mobile Tactical Networks,” MILCOM, 2016.
  • Ben-Asher N., J. Morris-King, and B. Thompson (2016) “Attacker Skill, Defender Strategies, and the Effectiveness of Migration-based Moving Target Defense in Cyber Systems”, 11th International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security ICCWS-2016, March 17-18, 2015, Boston, MA
  • Morris-King J., H. Cam (2015) “Ecology-Inspired Cyber Risk Model for Propagation of Vulnerability Exploitation in Tactical Edge”, Military Communications Conference (MILCOM), October 26-28, 2015, Tampa Bay, Fl, USA
  • Morris-King J., H. Cam (2015) “Modeling Risk and Agility Interaction on Tactical Edge”, NATO Cyber Attack Detection, Forensics and Attribution for Assessment of Mission Impact Workshop IST-128, June 15-17, 2015, Istanbul, Turkey
  • Morris-King J. “Situated Socio-Cognitive and Ecological Simulation of the Triple-Helix Theory of Regional Innovation Dynamics” Diss. Auburn University, 2014
  • Morris-King J., L. Yilmaz (2013). “An ecological agent-based simulation of regional innovation ecosystems” 32nd Conference of the Southern Africa Mathematical Sciences Association - SAMSA2013 November 25-29, 2013, Cape Town, South Africa. C. Makasu, F. Benyah, G. Muchatibaya, F. Nyabadza and T. Chinyoka (Eds.)
  • Morris-King J., L. Yilmaz (2013). “Toward an Agent-Based Ecological Model of the Triple-Helix Theory of Innovation Dynamics," in Proceedings of the 2013 Summer Computer Simulation Conference. pp. 272-279. July 7-10, 2013, Toronto, ON, Canada.

 

Research Projects:

  • 2016 – 2017: Impact of Hierarchical Group Mobility on Malware in Tactical Networks, Army Research Lab
  • 2015 – present: Moving Target Defense Cyber Maneuvers, Army Research Lab
  • 2013 – 2016: Ecological Risk Model for Tactical Networks, Army Research Lab, Dr. Hasan Cam
  • 2010 – 2013: Innovation Economy Simulation, Auburn University, Dr. Levant Yilmaz
  • 2008 – 2010: Networked Ant-Colony Solver, Auburn University
  • 2008 – 2009: E-Voting Technologies: Prime III, Auburn University, Dr. Juan Gilbert
  • 2007 – 2008: Geographic Timeline Mapping, MITRE Corporation
  • 2007 – 2008: Browser-based Radar Throughput Testing (Data Pilot), MITRE Corporation
  • 2006 – 2007: Web-Enabled Cellular Annealing, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Dr. Lealon Martin

 

Skills:

Programming:

  •  C#, C++, C, Java, Python, Objective C, Ruby, LISP, Scheme, HTML, XML, CSS, PHP, SQL

Software:

  • Repast, Apache, Subversion, Eclipse, Microsoft Visual Studio .NET & XNA, Unity, Microsoft Office products, Adobe Studio Products, 3D Studio Max, Maya, Matlab, Minitab

General:

  • Systems Engineering, Digital Art, Teaching, Lesson Planning, Software Team Leadership, Software Design & Documentation, PC-Repair, A/V Editing & Compilation, Sketching (Dry Media), Japanese, Latin

 

Memberships & Volunteering:

  • (AU) Black Graduate Student Association
  • (AU) Future Scientists in Engineering & Mathematics
  • (AU) MANNRS
  •  RPI Alumni Organization
  • National Society of Black Engineers
  • Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers
  • (RPI) Black Student Association
  • (RPI) Korean Student Association
  • (RPI) Allianza Latina
  • Japan Society of Boston
  • Mattapan Leadership Council

 

Outside Interests:

  • Reading, Writing, Classical History, Ancient Mythology, Game Theory/Design, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Ecology, Ornithology