ASU researchers are learning more about how organic systems evolve and function by studying ant colonies. Biologists, physicists and engineers, including Fulton Schools Assistant Professor Ted Pavlic. By exploring the collective behavior of ants — how they communicate, organize labor and make decisions without central control — they are revealing an intriguing network in which all the parts work effectively by following their natural individual instincts. Pavlic, the associate director of The Biomimicry Center at ASU, is contributing his expertise in understanding adaptive decision-making strategies in autonomous systems.