About
From simulation to inference
My research has consistently centered on computational models of interacting systems. I began with computer graphics, simulation, and agent-based models of group behavior, then moved toward information diffusion and influence in online social systems. During my doctoral work at the University of Central Florida, I studied how local behavioral rules and network structure shape the spread of information, while contributing to large-scale DARPA research on social simulation and influence pathways.
My current work asks the inverse question: when we observe the behavior of a complex system, what can we actually infer about the mechanisms that generated it? I approach this problem using agent-based modeling, machine learning, conformal prediction, network science, and statistical methods. Across these areas, I am particularly interested in methods that are both scientifically interpretable and computationally usable.
Current positions
June 2024 – Present
Postdoctoral Researcher, Complex Adaptive Systems Lab (CASL), Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, University of Central Florida
Designed and built the complete software architecture of CASL's high-performance computing research cluster ('Pasteur', 8× NVIDIA H200 GPUs); administer its scheduling and allocation policy and operations. Documentation: https://deamonpog.github.io/pasteur-docs/(opens in a new tab)
2022 – Present
Visiting Scholar, Complexity, Analytics, and Data Science (CADS) Lab, Poole College of Management, North Carolina State University
Earlier positions
At the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC): Instructor, then Assistant Lecturer, then Lecturer.
December 2016 – August 2018
Lecturer, Department of Communication and Media Technologies, University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC), University of Colombo
Appointed while holding a bachelor's degree as highest qualification, as one of a small number of people so appointed in the Department of Communication and Media Technologies.
June 2014 – December 2016
Assistant Lecturer, University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC)
February 2014 – June 2014
Instructor, University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC)
April 2012 – September 2012
Software Engineer, SimCentric Technologies
VBS2Fusion development team; C++, DirectX; game-object physics, shadow mapping, and a drag-and-drop system for DirectX UI.
Journey
Research journey
- 01Software, graphics, and simulation
- 02Crowd simulation and agent-based modeling
- 03Information diffusion
- 04SocialSim and influence
- 05AI and statistical methodology
- 06Inverse generative science and equifinality
Education
Education
2018 – 2024
Ph.D., Industrial Engineering, University of Central Florida (GPA 3.9/4)
Dissertation: Models of Information Diffusion and the Role of Influence(opens in a new tab)
Advisor: Dr. Ivan Garibay (UCF) · Co-Advisor: Dr. William Rand (North Carolina State University)
2009 – 2014
B.Sc., Computer Science with Honors, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (GPA 3.5/4)
Thesis: Modelling of Group Behaviours within Crowd Simulations: An Agent Based Approach(opens in a new tab)
Advisor: Dr. Prasad Wimalaratne · Co-Advisor: Dr. Asoka Karunananda
2017