School of Engineering and Computer Science

Rohitash Chandra, PhD

Rohitash Chandra is a Research Fellow in Computer Science. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Victoria University of Wellington, MSc in Computer Science from the University of Fiji and BSc from the University of the South Pacific. His research interests in general encircle the methodologies and applications of Artificial Intelligence. More specifically, he is interested in Neural and Evolutionary Computation methods such as Feedforward and Recurrent Networks, Genetic Algorithms, Cooperative Coevolution and Neuro-evolution with applications in Pattern Classification, Time Series Prediction, Control , Robot Kinematics and Environmental Informatics. He is currently working on problems in Computational Biology focusing in Metabolic Flux Analysis.

Apart from his interest in science, he is actively involved in literature and has been the editor of the Blue Fog Journal. He is also a poet and his third poetry collection is named ‘‘Being at Home’’ which is due to be launched in 2012. He is also the founder and coordinator of the Software Foundation of Fiji.

Reviewer in Journals

IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation

IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks

Pattern Recognition Letters

Journal of Environmental Informatics

Memetic Computing

Publications (Science)

Journals

1. R. Chandra, M. Frean, M. Zhang, “Crossover-based Local Search in Cooperative Co-evolutionary Feedforward Networks”, Applied Soft Computing, Elsevir, In Press. View at Publisher

2. R. Chandra, M. Frean, M. Zhang, ``On the Issue of Separability for Cooperative Coevolution of Feedforward Networks'', Neurocomputing, Elsevier, In Press, View at Publisher

3. R. Chandra, M. Zhang, “Cooperative Coevolution of Elman Recurrent Neural Networks for Chaotic Time Series Prediction”, Neurocomputing, Elsevier, In Press, View at Publisher

4. R. Chandra, M. Frean, M. Zhang, “Adapting Modularity During Learning in Cooperative Co-evolutionary Recurrent Neural Networks”, Soft Computing, Springer, In Press, (DOI: 10.1007/s00500-011-0798-9) View at Publisher

5. R. Chandra, M. Frean, M. Zhang and C. W. Omlin, "Encoding Subcomponents in Cooperative Coevolutionary Recurrent Neural Networks", Neurocomputing, Elsevier, Vol. 74, 2011, pp. 3223-3234, (doi:10.1016/j.neucom.2011.05.003). View at Publisher

6. R. Chandra, L. Rolland, "On Solving the Forward Kinematics of 3RPR Planar Parallel Manipulator using Hybrid Metaheuristics", Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, Vol 217, No. 22, 2011 pp. 8997-9008 , (doi: 10.1016/j.amc.2011.03.106) View at Publisher

7. R. Chandra, R. Knight and C. W. Omlin, "Renosterveld Conservation in South Africa: A Case Study for Handling Uncertainty in Knowledge Based Neural Networks for Environmental Management", Journal of Environmental Informatics, Vol 13, No. 1, 2009, pp. 56-65. (doi: 10.3808/jei.200900140) View at Publisher

8. R. Chandra, and C. W. Omlin, "Evolutionary Training of Hybrid Systems of Recurrent Neural Networks and Hidden Markov Models", International Journal of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Vol 3, No. 3 2007, pp. 127-132

Refereed Conference Proceedings/Book Chapters

9. R. Chandra, M. Frean, M. Zhang, "Modularity Adaptation in Cooperative Coevolutionary Feedforward Neural Networks" , Proceedings of the International Joint Conference on Neural Networks, 2011, San Jose, USA, pp. 681-688. ( View at Publisher)

10. R. Chandra, M. Frean, M. Zhang, "A Memetic Framework for Cooperative Coevolution of Recurrent Neural Networks", Proceedings of the International Joint Conference on Neural Networks, 2011, San Jose, USA, pp. 673-680. ( View at Publisher)

11. R. Chandra, M. Frean, M. Zhang, "An Encoding Scheme for Cooperative Coevolutionary Neural Networks", Proceedings of the 23rd Australasian Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence. AI 2010: Advances in Artificial Intelligence. Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence, Vol. 6464. Springer. Adelaide, Australia, 2010. pp. 253-262. ( View at Publisher)

12. L. Rolland and R. Chandra, " On Solving the Forward Kinematics of the 6-6 General Parallel Manipulator with an Efficient Evolutionary Algorithm", I n ROMANSY 18 - Robot Design, Dynamics and Control, Series: CISM International Centre for Mechanical Sciences, Vol. 524 Springer, Berlin, 2010, pp. 117-124. ( View at Publisher)

13. R. Chandra, M. Frean, L. Rolland, "A Hybrid Meta-Heuristic Paradigm for Solving the Forward Kinematics of 6-6 General Parallel Manipulator", Proceedings of 8th IEEE International Symposium on Computational Intelligence in Robotics and Automation (CIRA 2009), Daejeon, Korea, December 2009, pp. 171-176. ( View at Publisher)

14. R. Chandra, M. Zhang, L. Rolland, "Solving the Forward Kinematics of the 3RPR Planar Parallel Manipulator using a Hybrid Meta-Heuristic Paradigm", P roceedings of 8th IEEE International Symposium on Computational Intelligence in Robotics and Automation (CIRA 2009), Daejeon, Korea, December 2009, pp. 177-182. ( View at Publisher)

15. L. Rolland, R. Chandra, "Forward Kinematics of the 3RPR planar Parallel Manipulators Using Real Coded Genetic Algorithms", Proceedings of 24th International Symposium on Computer and Information Sciences (ISCIS 2009), North Cyprus, September 2009, pp. 381-386. ( View at Publisher)

16. L. Rolland, R. Chandra, "Forward Kinematics of the 6-6 general Parallel Manipulator Using Real Coded Genetic Algorithms", Proceedings of 2009 IEEE/ASME Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics (AIM 2009), Singapore,2009, pp. 1637-1642. ( View at Publisher)

17. R. Chandra, C. W. Omlin,"Evolutionary One-Step Gradient Descent for Training Recurrent Neural Networks", Proceedings of International Conference on Genetic and Evolutionary Methods, Los Vegas, 2008, pp. 305-311.

18. R. Chandra, G. Onwubolu, T he Application of Neural Networks in Prediction Problems", Proceedings of the International Workshop on Inductive Modelling, Prague, September 2007, pp. 46-54.

19. R. Chandra, K. Chaudhary, A. Kumar, "The Combination and Comparison of Neural Networks and Decision Trees for Wine Classification", Proceedings of the International Workshop on Inductive Modelling, Prague, September 2007, pp. 10-17.

20. R. Chandra and C. W. Omlin, "Combining Genetic and Gradient Descent Learning in Recurrent Neural Networks: An Application to Speech Phoneme Classification", Proceedings of the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Pattern Recognition, Orlando FL, USA, July 2007, pp. 278-285.

21. R. Chandra and C. W. Omlin, "Hybrid Recurrent Neural Networks Architecture Inspired by Hidden Markov Models: Training and Extraction of Deterministic Finite Automaton", Proceedings of the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Pattern Recognition]], Orlando FL, USA, July 2007, pp. 286-293.

22. R. Chandra and C. W. Omlin, "Hybrid Recurrent Neural Networks: An Application to Phoneme Classification", International Conference on Genetic and Evolutionary Methods, Las Vegas, USA, June 2007, pp. 57-62.

23. R. Chandra and C. W. Omlin, "Knowledge Discovery using Artificial Neural Networks for a Conservation Biology Domain", International Conference on Data Mining, Las Vegas, USA, June 2007, pp. 221-227.

24. R. Chandra and C. W. Omlin, "Training and Extraction of Fuzzy Finite Automata in Recurrent Neural Networks", Proceedings of the International Conference of Computational Intelligence, San Francisco, U.S.A, Acta Press, November 2006, pp. 274-279. (View at Publisher)

25. R. Chandra, R. Knight and C. W. Omlin, "Knowledgebased Neurocomputing Decision Support System for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology", Proceedings of the International Conference on Environmental Management, Environmental Geoinformatics and Modelling, vol. 4, Hyderabad India, 2005.

Thesis

R. Chandra, Modelling of Deterministic, Fuzzy and Probabilistic Dynamical Systems, M.S. Thesis, University of Fiji, 2008.

Technical Report

1. R. Chandra, M. Frean, and M. Zhang, Building Subcomponents in the Cooperative Coevolution Framework for Training Recurrent Neural Networks, School of Engineering and Computing, Victoria University of Wellington, November 2009. ( Download PDF)

2. R. Chandra, M. Frean, and M. Zhang,A Memetic Framework for Cooperative Co-evolutionary Feedforward Neural Networks, School of Engineering and Computing, Victoria University of Wellington,October 2010. ( Download)

Publications (Literature)

Books

1. R. Chandra, A Hot Pot of Roasted Poems, Lulu Press, 2007, ISBN: 9781847288912.

2. R. Chandra, Barefoot on Soft River Sand, Lulu Press,2006, ISBN: 1411674626.

Editorial

3. R. Chandra (Editor), The Blue Fog Journal, December 2006 Issue, Lulu Press, bluefogjournal.com

4. R. Chandra (Editor), Namaste Fiji, The International Anthology of Poetry, The Blue Fog Journal, bluefogjournal.com

Journals

5. R. Chandra, "Final Thoughts by the Sea," South Asian Review, Volume 27, No. 3, pp. 109.

6. R. Chandra, "Cycles", South Asian Review, Volume 27, No. 3, pp. 110.

7. R. Chandra, "Transformation of Energy", The Toe Tree Journal, Spring 2006 Issue.

8. R. Chandra, "Assume Being Free From Wars", Poetia , October 2006 Issue, www.indianbaypress.com

9. R. Chandra, " Recipe for Unity and Fredom" , Poem of the Week, Poets Against War, October 2006, poetsagainstwar.com

10. R. Chandra, "After the War Ends", Dreadlocks, Vol. 5, 2008, pp. 111.

11. R. Chandra, "Dusk", Writing the Pacific: An Anthology, University of Canberra, 2007, pp. 21.

12. R. Chandra, "Summer in Fiji", Writing the Pacific: An Anthology, University of Canberra, 2007, pp. 22.

13. R. Chandra, "Beware", Writing the Pacific: An Anthology, University of Canberra, 2007, pp. 23.