In 1991, Tom Ray, OU professor of computer science and zoology, experienced a breakthrough with a computer program he created.

Ray's work has led to his election in early October as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, specifically for his work with artificial life and computer programs. He has also been listed as one of the 1,000 most creative individuals in America.

Ray has worked to apply Darwin's theory of human evolution to a "life form" created on computers. The descendants of the program Ray designed while working at the University of Delaware have now evolved on their own, exhibiting complex evolutionary behavior.

He hoped it would show some of the features associated with living organisms, not realizing it would take on a life of its own.

"I hope it always brings this kind of surprise," Ray said of his research.

James Thompson Jr., David Ross Boyd Professor and zoology chairman, said Ray's research makes it possible to "look at fundamental aspects of a process without the physical limitations that existed during the evolutionary process on earth."

Ray will be acknowledged with a certificate and rosette in February during the AAAS Fellows Forum in Denver. The council annually elects members whose "efforts on behalf of the advancement of science or its applications are scientifically or socially distinguished," according to the letter Ray received.

"His work shows the evolvability of computer systems and provides a new and interesting approach to evolutionary biology" said Mary Johnston, a zoology graduate student.

Tierra, Ray's computer program, is one of the first steps in developing "parallel" computers, which could be made to evolve their own programs.

Ray is currently collaborating with OU chemistry and biochemistry professor Bruce Roe and others on a study of the origin and evolution of gene families through the comparison of the human genome and the mouse genome.

Ray is also developing a new bioenformatic degree program that will be offered beginning 2004.

"He brings expertise in a very creative area that combines complete and living problems that not only lets people look at research questions in novel ways, but develop new areas" Thompson said of Ray's work with the bioenformatic degree program.

"This program will broaden the framework to study natural systems and models of those systems," Johnston said.

Despite this award, Ray emphasizes the continuity of his work. Before his current research of computers and artificial life, Ray worked with rainforest ecology. The decoding of the human genome last year reinforces Ray's next research interest.

"Exploring the human mind is the last great frontier," Ray said.

Ray also said he enjoys the educational aspect of his work. He is able to teach while remaining a permanent student of his research.

This constant change of focus keeps Ray's work interesting. "If we're bored, we won't be excellent." Ray has proven this ideology by teaching four courses in five years.

"When I get excited, I want to share it," Ray said.
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