# Marie desJardins

> American computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q55956070](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55956070)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_desJardins)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/marie-desjardins

## Summary
Marie desJardins is a prominent American computer scientist and academic leader known for her extensive research in artificial intelligence. She is recognized for her significant contributions to machine learning, planning, and multiagent systems, and has held major roles at Simmons University, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and SRI International.

## Biography
- **Born:** Washington, D.C.
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** Harvard University; University of California, Berkeley (PhD)
- **Known for:** Contributions to machine learning, planning, and multiagent systems
- **Employer(s):** Simmons University (2018–present); University of Maryland, Baltimore County (2001–2018); SRI International (1991–2001)
- **Field(s):** Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence

## Contributions
Marie desJardins has made substantial contributions to the field of artificial intelligence through research, industrial application, and academic leadership. Between 1991 and 2001, she worked at SRI International, focusing on the industrial and service sectors of computer science. Following her tenure at SRI, she transitioned to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she served as a professor and researcher for 17 years. During this period, she mentored several doctoral students, including Eric Eaton, Matthew E. Gaston, Qianjun Xu, and Robert H. Holder, contributing to the growth of the next generation of AI researchers.

Her research output is extensively documented across major academic databases, including the ACM Digital Library, DBLP, and Google Scholar. In 2018, she was elected as an AAAI Fellow, a prestigious honor recognizing her "significant contributions to machine learning, planning, and multiagent systems." This award also highlighted her exceptional service, mentoring, and teaching. Her work often intersects with complex computation and multiagent coordination, and she has been a consistent advocate for computer science education. In 2018, she joined Simmons University to continue her career in academic leadership.

## FAQs
### Q: What are Marie desJardins' primary areas of expertise?
A: Her primary expertise lies in computer science, specifically within the subfields of machine learning, automated planning, and multiagent systems.

### Q: Where did Marie desJardins receive her education?
A: She attended Harvard University for her undergraduate studies and earned her doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, where she was advised by Stuart J. Russell.

### Q: What major awards has Marie desJardins received?
A: She was named an ACM Distinguished Member in 2011 and was elected as an AAAI Fellow in 2018 for her contributions to AI research and mentorship.

## Why They Matter
Marie desJardins is a central figure in the artificial intelligence community, particularly for her ability to bridge the gap between theoretical research and academic mentorship. Her work in machine learning and multiagent systems has helped define how autonomous agents interact and learn in complex environments. By serving as an AAAI Fellow and an ACM Distinguished Member, she has influenced the professional standards and service directions of the world's leading computer science organizations.

Her impact is also felt through her extensive work in education. Beyond her own research, she has been a dedicated mentor, as evidenced by the successful doctoral students she has advised at UMBC. Her transition to Simmons University in 2018 further underscores her commitment to academic leadership. Without her contributions, the fields of multiagent systems and machine learning would lack a significant portion of the service-oriented leadership and pedagogical frameworks she helped establish. Her career serves as a model for integrating high-level industrial research with a deep commitment to university teaching and student development.

## Notable For
*   **AAAI Fellow (2018):** Elected for significant contributions to machine learning, planning, and multiagent systems.
*   **ACM Distinguished Member (2011):** Recognized for professional contributions to the field of computing.
*   **Academic Leadership:** Served as a long-term faculty member at UMBC and currently at Simmons University.
*   **Doctoral Mentorship:** Supervised multiple researchers through the Mathematics Genealogy Project, including Eric Eaton and Matthew E. Gaston.

## Body
### Education and Early Career
Marie Ellen desJardins was born in Washington, D.C. She pursued her higher education at Harvard University before moving to the University of California, Berkeley for her doctoral studies. At Berkeley, she was advised by the renowned British computer scientist Stuart J. Russell.

### Industrial Research at SRI International
From 1991 to 2001, desJardins was employed at SRI International. During this decade, her work focused on the practical applications of computer science within the industrial and service sectors. This period established her foundation in artificial intelligence research before she transitioned into full-time academia.

### Academic Tenure and Mentorship
In 2001, desJardins joined the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). During her 17-year tenure at UMBC, she became a central figure in the computer science department. She is credited with advising several doctoral students:
*   **Matthew E. Gaston**
*   **Qianjun Xu**
*   **Eric Eaton**
*   **Robert H. Holder**

In 2018, she moved to Simmons University, where she continues her work as a computer scientist and university teacher.

### Professional Recognition and Service
DesJardins has been recognized by the most prominent organizations in her field:
*   **ACM (Association for Computing Machinery):** Named a Distinguished Member in 2011.
*   **AAAI (Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence):** Elected as a Fellow in 2018. Her citation specifically notes her "exceptional service, mentoring, and teaching" alongside her technical research.
*   **Digital Footprint:** Her work is maintained and indexed by WikiProject Mathematics and various author databases such as zbMATH (desjardins.marie) and DBLP (97/1893).

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## References

1. [Source](https://www.csee.umbc.edu/~mariedj/misc/marie-cv.pdf)
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. [Source](https://aaai.org/about-aaai/aaai-awards/the-aaai-fellows-program/elected-aaai-fellows/)
4. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/distinguished-members/award-winners)