My Curiosities and History

My name is Jonathan Koch and I am a fourth-year Computer Science Student at the University of South Florida. I do research in Robotics and Deep Learning focusing on reinforcement learning and its applications to different agent environments. I am passionate about the future of robotics and AI in terms of generative models devised to solve problems. Much of the work that has inspired me includes Multi-Agent Emergent Tool Use from OpenAI, Human Representation Learning from Dr. Angela Radulescu at Princeton, and Interactive Simulacra from Stanford Lab.

My passions outside of Computer Science include classical music, playing the guitar, and brazilian ju-jistu. I also find inspiration in the nostolagic game of Minecraft, and much of my work in this field has stemmed from my interest in this game. Below, you will find a brief timeline of my professional developments.

Timeline

• August 10th, 2023: Started as UGTA

  Selected to lead discussion sessions for Data Structures and Program Design in C.

  

• July 25th: Founded USF IEEE's AI Group

  The purpose of this group is to promote the discussion and development of AI on college campuses through the IEEE Student Chapters. Our mission is to enable students to learn and develop with AI technologies and provide an environment where AI project development can occur. Also, the group will participate in one main project a year where students can collaborate on different aspects of software, hardware and engineering. We extended this collaboration to other universities such as ... via open-source software and extension of GPU access.

  

• Summer, 2023: Taught CoderSchoolAI Summer Camp

  Educated younger audience in the core concepts involving artificial intelligence. Ran a curriculum based in Python and a custom software library developed by myself.
  
  Topics include: Python, Search, Agents, Game logic principles, supervised learning, reinforcement learning

  

• April 28th - April 31st, 2023: Competed in VEX Worlds Competition in Dallas, Texas.

  Travelled and represented USF at the largest VEXU competition in the world.
  
  Team: Terri-BULL Robotics

  

• Febuary 11th - Feburary 12, 2023: Hosted IEEE's Lab Tour at USF's Engineering Expo

  Planned and oversaw Lab Tour, set up Robot Soccer Competition for the lab visitors.

  

• May 2022: Started as Junior Software Developer at CAE USA in Tampa, FL

  

• November, 2021: Started as a Programming Instructor at theCoderSchool Tampa

  

• October 2021: Started as a Research Scientist at RPAL(Robot Perception and Action Lab)

  

• August 2021: Transferred to University of South Florida for Computer Science

  

• October, 2020: Joined UAlbany USF Student Chapter

  Participated in workshops, Coding Interview practice, and shared side project development. Introduced to sophisticated robotics systems.

  

• August, 2020: Started Degree at SUNY Albany, Bachelors of Science Computer Science

  

• Spring, 2015: Released alpha of Custom Minecraft Prison Server

  Server featured: Item shop, factions, custom skills, purchasable farms and resource mines, permissions system.