Ronald Vance Bjarnason is a PhD candidate at Oregon State University seeking summer work from June to September 2003. He has a background in programming and research interests in relational learning, Bayesian learning, reinforcement learning, game theory, and multi-agent systems. His current anticipated dissertation topic is on relational reinforcement learning on the semantic web.

1. RONALD VANCE BJARNASON
1030 NW Fillmore Ave, Corvallis, OR 97330 tel.541.753.4107 ronny@cs.orst.edu
A Ph.D. student at Oregon State University with a strong programming base and a commitment to
research. Past research topics have included reinforcement learning, game theory, and multi-agent
systems. Current interests include relational learning and Bayesian learning.
I am seeking summer work for June 2003 – September 2003.
EDUCATION OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY, Corvallis, OR September 2002
Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of Computer Science present
Anticipated research topic: Relational Reinforcement Learning on the
Semantic Web with Prasad Tadepalli, Ph.D.
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, Provo, UT December 2002
Master of Computer Science
Thesis title: Learning True Best Response: An Algorithm for Discovering
Hidden State in Markov Games, defended August 2002.
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, Provo, UT June 2000
Bachelor of Computer Science
University Scholarship Recipient - 1993
PUBLICATIONS R. Bjarnason and T. Peterson, “Multi-agent Learning via Implicit Opponent
Modeling.” in: The 2002 International Joint Conference on Evolutionary Computation, IEEE
Press. Piscataway, NJ.
PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ASSISTANT September 2002
EXPERIENCE Oregon State University present
CS 430/530 Artificial Intelligence – Fall 2002
CS 325 Introduction to Algorithms – Winter 2003
RESEARCH ASSISTANT June 2001
Brigham Young University September 2002
In conjunction with Todd Peterson, Ph.D., experimented with Machine
Learning algorithms for multi-agent environments. Research focused on
semi-competitive Markov games, with particular interest in the Prisoner’s
Dilemma.
SOFTWARE ENGINEER February 1999
I.B.M January 2002
Prepared voice recognition research prototype for mass distribution.
Improved recognition algorithms for speed. Improved graphics for
usability. Work performed in C++. Developed web-based K-12
educational software with Macromedia Director. Maintained legacy C
educational software to address customer needs.
TECHNICAL MACHINE LEARNING
SKILLS Conducted experiments using and/or written code to implement the
following machine learning algorithms: Q-learning, Bayesian (belief)
networks, Neural Networks, K-Nearest Neighbor Algorithm, ID3 Decision
Trees, Beam Search, Genetic Algorithms, Radial Basis Functions and
others.
OTHER SKILLS

2. Operating Systems: Experience with Windows, Linux, and some HP Unix.
Programming Languages: C++, C, Java, with limited Scheme and Lingo.
SERVICE Student Advisory Council representative from the College of August 1997
Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Brigham Young University June 1998
Ecclesiastical Mission to Paraguay for the Church of Jesus Christ June 1994
of Latter Day Saints July 1996
AWARDS St. George Marathon participant 3:41:06 1998
3:18:14 1999
Eagle Scout 1988