She earned her M.S. (2009) and Ph.D. (2011) in computer science from University of Massachusetts Amherst, and her B.S. in computer science from Virginia Tech (2005). Dr. Olsen’s research currently focuses on improving simulation approaches and validation. Recent work includes quantifying the level of validation achieved on a simulation model, guidelines for using metamorphic testing for simulation validation, and utilizing reinforcement learning within agent-based predator-prey models. Recent work has been published in Summer Sim, Winter Sim, Spring Sim, and the International Conference on Computational Science.