Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Events for November
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Infectious Disease Forecasting: Methods, Lessons, and Opportunities
Tue, Nov 02, 2021 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Ajitesh Srivastava, Research Assistant Professor/Ming Hsieh Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering
Talk Title: Infectious Disease Forecasting: Methods, Lessons, and Opportunities
Abstract: After more than a year, COVID-19 continues to disrupt our lives. Efforts have been underway since the beginning to understand the epidemiological situation and generate short-term forecasts and long-term scenario projections to drive public health decisions. These efforts, called "hubs" are collaborations between government agencies and multiple universities. In this talk, I will discuss the lessons learned from my participation in several such efforts in modeling and projection of COVID-19, and the resulting research opportunities. I will also present my methodology which has evolved over time to now incorporate dynamics of multiple competing variants, vaccination behavior, age-specific contact matrices, and waning immunity. A key feature of the approach is that it avoids overfitting by splitting the model into independent linear regression problems. An additional advantage is that the runtime is low. As an example, learning the model and generating case, death, and hospitalization forecasts for 56 regions of the US, each with around 25 variants and 5 age groups, takes ~20s on a 2-core desktop. This also enables fast scenario projections, where even for each scenario multiple runs are needed to incorporate uncertainty in hyper-parameters and human behavior. This may not be the last pandemic we will face, and therefore the research does not end with COVID-19. In fact, the extensive data-collection, monitoring, and forecasting during this epidemic sets the stage for more impactful research in preparedness for future epidemics.
Biography: Dr. Ajitesh Srivastava is a Research Assistant Professor at the Ming Hsieh Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering. He obtained his PhD in Computer Science at the University of Southern California in 2018. His research interests include network science, modeling, and machine learning applied to epidemics, social good, social networks, and systems. He collaborates with teams around the world, the CDC, and the ECDC for infectious disease forecasting and scenario projections. He is a DARPA Grand Challenge Winner (2014) on predicting the spread of Chikungunya virus.
Host: Dr. Richard M. Leahy, Chair, Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (Systems)
Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91552972911?pwd=VG5DczVLdk9vQllBK2ZQT2l3dUJuQT09Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91552972911?pwd=VG5DczVLdk9vQllBK2ZQT2l3dUJuQT09
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mayumi Thrasher
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Center of Autonomy and AI, Center for Cyber-Physical Systems and the Internet of Things, and Ming Hsieh Institute Seminar Series
Wed, Nov 03, 2021 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Yan Gu, Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell
Talk Title: Dynamic Modeling, Hybrid Filtering, and Robust Control of Legged Robot Locomotion on Dynamic Rigid Surfaces
Series: Center for Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet of Things
Abstract: Legged robots have the potential to assist humans with a wide range of real-world tasks in dynamic, unstructured environments, such as search and rescue on disaster sites, monitoring of natural resources, home assistance, and delivery and courier services. They can navigate natural and built environments prohibitively challenging for wheeled or tracked robots and adapt to human environments without significant modifications of existing facilities (e.g., ladders, stairs, and narrow passageways). While legged locomotion on stationary (even or uneven) surfaces has been extensively studied, legged locomotion on a dynamic rigid surface (DRS), which is a rigid surface that moves in the inertial frame, remains a new robot functionality that has not been tackled. This new functionality will empower legged robots to perform high-risk tasks such as shipboard firefighting and fire suppression as well as disinfection on moving public transportation vehicles to help contain the spread of infectious diseases. Yet, enabling reliable DRS locomotion presents substantial challenges due to the high complexity of the hybrid, time-varying robot dynamics. In this talk, Dr. Yan Gu will present the latest research progress from her group in tackling the challenges associated with the modeling, state estimation, and control of DRS locomotion.
Biography: Dr. Yan Gu received her B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Zhejiang University (China) in June 2011 and her Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in August 2017. She joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) as an Assistant Professor in September 2017. Her research focuses on nonlinear control and hybrid systems with application to legged robots. Her long-term research goal is to realize provably safe and autonomous legged locomotion in dynamic, complex environments. She has received the NSF CAREER Award, the Frederick N. Andrews Fellowship at Purdue University, and the Chu Kochen Scholarship at Zhejiang University. Her research on legged locomotion has been funded by NSF, ONR, ARL, and Verizon's 5G Lab and reported by various media such as Boston Globe, CNET, Robotics Business Review, and NPR.
Host: Pierluigi Nuzzo and Feifei Qian
Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p5OEJlPxQlakO4hqovuGEQLocation: Online
WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p5OEJlPxQlakO4hqovuGEQ
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Talyia White
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Photonics Seminar Series
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Tue, Nov 09, 2021 @ 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Alireza Marandi, Caltech
Talk Title: Integrated Nonlinear Photonics: New Opportunities in the Nanometer and Femtosecond Scales
Series: Photonics Seminar
Host: Electrical and Computer Engineering: Wade Hsu, Mercedeh Khajavikhan, Michelle Povinelli, Constantine Sideris, and Wei Wu
More Info: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91808071892?pwd=VUwyK3NSNW5rSzVLQzFKSGdPc05yUT09
Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91808071892?pwd=VUwyK3NSNW5rSzVLQzFKSGdPc05yUT09More Information: Photonics Seminar _Alireza Marandi 11-9-21.pdf
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 132
WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91808071892?pwd=VUwyK3NSNW5rSzVLQzFKSGdPc05yUT09
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Jennifer Ramos/Electrophysics
Event Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91808071892?pwd=VUwyK3NSNW5rSzVLQzFKSGdPc05yUT09
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Center of Autonomy and AI, Center for Cyber-Physical Systems and the Internet of Things, and Ming Hsieh Institute Seminar Series
Wed, Nov 10, 2021 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Bardh Hoxha, Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA) in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Talk Title: Verification and Control for Autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems
Series: Center for Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet of Things
Abstract: As Cyber-Physical Systems are becoming more autonomous, there is an increasing need for methods that ensure safety and reliability. In this talk, we present requirements-based approaches that can be used for automated testing, monitoring, and control synthesis of CPS. The methods utilize ideas from three important areas in CPS research: formal methods, machine learning, and control theory. We illustrate our methods on problems from the automotive industry.
Biography: Bardh Hoxha is Senior Principal Scientist at Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His research interests include the development of practical testing and verification methods for autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). His research draws from areas such as formal methods, logics, control theory and machine learning. Bardh has published over three dozen papers on these methods to top level journals and conferences. Previously, Bardh was an assistant professor in the Computer Science Department at Southern Illinois University. Prior to that, he completed his PhD in Computer Science at Arizona State University, where he received the Outstanding CS PhD student award. His thesis focused on simulation-based methods for testing CPS using formal requirements.
Host: Pierluigi Nuzzo
Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p5OEJlPxQlakO4hqovuGEQLocation: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 132
WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p5OEJlPxQlakO4hqovuGEQ
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Talyia White
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Center of Autonomy and AI, Center for Cyber-Physical Systems and the Internet of Things, and Ming Hsieh Institute Seminar Series
Thu, Nov 11, 2021 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Inigo Incer, University of California, Berkeley
Talk Title: The Algebra of Contracts
Series: Center for Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet of Things
Abstract: Contract-based design has been proposed as a formal design methodology to support compositional design in industry. Assume-guarantee (AG) contracts are formal specifications consisting of two trace properties: (i) assumptions made on the environment and (ii) responsibilities imposed on the object under specification when the environment behaves according to the contract's assumptions. In this talk, we will first discuss all algebraic operations known on AG contracts, and the applications of these operations in engineering design. As there are many formal design attributes, such as secure information flow, that cannot be expressed with trace properties or AG contracts, we will then discuss the theory of hypercontracts, which enables us to carry out assume-guarantee reasoning in complex systems using arbitrary hyperproperties.
Biography: Inigo Incer is a doctoral candidate at UC Berkeley advised by Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli. He is interested in all aspects of cyber-physical systems, emphasizing AI and formal methods that support their compositional design and analysis. Before pursuing a PhD, Inigo was an IC designer in Austin. His work has been supported by a UC Berkeley Chancellor's Fellowship and by NSF and DARPA grants.
Host: Pierluigi Nuzzo
Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p5OEJlPxQlakO4hqovuGEQLocation: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p5OEJlPxQlakO4hqovuGEQ
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Talyia White
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Photonics Seminar Series
Tue, Nov 16, 2021 @ 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Andrei Faraon, Caltech
Talk Title: From Metasurfaces to Volumetric meta-optics for novel device functionalities
Series: Photonics Seminar
Host: Electrical and Computer Engineering: Wade Hsu, Mercedeh Khajavikhan, Michelle Povinelli, Constantine Sideris, and Wei Wu
More Info: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91808071892?pwd=VUwyK3NSNW5rSzVLQzFKSGdPc05yUT09
Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91808071892?pwd=VUwyK3NSNW5rSzVLQzFKSGdPc05yUT09More Information: Photonics Seminar _Andrei Faraon 11-16-21.pdf
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 132
WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91808071892?pwd=VUwyK3NSNW5rSzVLQzFKSGdPc05yUT09
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Jennifer Ramos/Electrophysics
Event Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91808071892?pwd=VUwyK3NSNW5rSzVLQzFKSGdPc05yUT09
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Center of Autonomy and AI, Center for Cyber-Physical Systems and the Internet of Things, and Ming Hsieh Institute Seminar Series
Wed, Nov 17, 2021 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Erika Abraham, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
Talk Title: Analysing Hybrid Systems with HyPro
Series: Center for Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet of Things
Abstract: Hybrid systems are systems with mixed discrete-continuous behaviour, such as automotive systems or digitally controlled physical or chemical plants. For their analysis we are interested in solving the reachability problem, i.e. checking whether a hybrid system (model) can reach any "usafe" state during its execution. Though this problem is in general undecidable, there are different techniques that are either applicable to certain types of systems only or compute conservative approximations. In this talk we discuss available approaches with the focus on techniques implemented in our HyPro tool.
Biography: Erika Abraham graduated at the Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel (Germany), and received her PhD from the University of Leiden (The Netherlands) for her work on the development and application of deductive proof systems for concurrent programs. Then she moved to the Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg (Germany), where she started to work on the development and application of SAT and SMT solvers. Since 2008 she is professor at RWTH Aachen University (Germany), with main research focus on SMT solving for real and integer arithmetic, and formal methods for probabilistic and hybrid systems.
Host: Pierluigi Nuzzo
Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p5OEJlPxQlakO4hqovuGEQLocation: Online
WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p5OEJlPxQlakO4hqovuGEQ
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Talyia White
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
CILQ Internal Faculty Seminar
Fri, Nov 19, 2021 @ 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Urbashi Mitra, Professor/USC
Talk Title: Latent Privacy via a Secret Block Structure
Abstract: Physical layer security approaches have often used the hardness of blind deconvolution to achieve privacy when transmitting signals over unknown wireless channels. Herein, we exploit the communication channel in a new way to provide a layer of privacy. In particular, we take advantage of the fact that it has been shown that exact recovery of block-sparse signals via linear measurements is achievable under conditions where classical compressed sensing would probably fail. We exploit this result to propose a novel private communication framework where secrecy is achieved by transmitting instances of an unidentifiable compressed sensing problem over a public channel. The legitimate receiver can attempt to overcome this ill-posedness by leveraging secret knowledge of a block structure that was used to encode the transmitter's message. We study the privacy guarantees of this communication protocol in a variety of cases with the goal of understanding how often we need to refresh the shared secret between transmitter and intended receiver. Additionally, we propose an algorithm for an eavesdropper to learn the block structure via the method of moments and highlight the privacy benefits of this framework through numerical experiments.
Host: CILQ
Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/92417517950?pwd=WUkycy90cndVQko5R3RhQ1U3STBDdz09Location: via zoom
WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/92417517950?pwd=WUkycy90cndVQko5R3RhQ1U3STBDdz09
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Corine Wong
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Ming Hsieh Institute Seminar Series on Integrated Systems
Fri, Nov 19, 2021 @ 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Mayank Raj, Senior Design Manager, Xilinx Inc.
Talk Title: Design of a High-Speed Hybrid Integrated Si-Photonic Optical Link
Host: Mike Chen, Hossein Hashemi, Manuel Monge, Constantine Sideris
More Information: MHI IS Seminar - Mayank Raj_Flyer.pdf
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 132
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Jenny Lin
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Photonics Seminar Series
Tue, Nov 30, 2021 @ 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Juliet Gopinath, University of Colorado Boulder
Talk Title: Nonlinear Integrated Optics and Microscopy
Series: Photonics Seminar
Host: Electrical and Computer Engineering: Wade Hsu, Mercedeh Khajavikhan, Michelle Povinelli, Constantine Sideris, and Wei Wu
More Info: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91808071892?pwd=VUwyK3NSNW5rSzVLQzFKSGdPc05yUT09
Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91808071892?pwd=VUwyK3NSNW5rSzVLQzFKSGdPc05yUT09More Information: Photonics Seminar _Julie Gopinath 11-30-21.pdf
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 132
WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91808071892?pwd=VUwyK3NSNW5rSzVLQzFKSGdPc05yUT09
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Jennifer Ramos/Electrophysics
Event Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/91808071892?pwd=VUwyK3NSNW5rSzVLQzFKSGdPc05yUT09
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.
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