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Events for February 05, 2018

  • Biomedical Engineering Seminars

    Mon, Feb 05, 2018 @ 12:30 PM - 01:50 PM

    Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Fikret Kirkbir, Ph.D, Director for Intellectual and Patents, AMI

    Talk Title: TBA

    Host: Professor Qifa Zhou

    Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - 122

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta

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  • Biomedical Engineering Department Guest Speaker

    Mon, Feb 05, 2018 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

    Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Ben Dongsong Huh, Postdoctoral Fellow, Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies

    Talk Title: Investigating the spike-based computations of the brain

    Abstract: Our brain uses temporal dynamics of neural activities to perform real-time computations: it processes time-varying streams of information and produces action sequences. How the brain coordinates the complex biophysical dynamics to form the basis for computation is a central problem in neuroscience. I apply optimal control theory to investigate how functionality of dynamical systems arises from first principles and, more specifically, to establish a unifying framework for understanding the dynamics and computations of the brain. The most prominent characteristics of biological neural networks is spikes: The brief impulse signals link individual neural dynamics and provide a unified currency for the asynchronous information processing in the brain. However, neuroscience lacks the theoretical framework for modeling how spikes represent information and perform computations in distributed network architectures. To solve this problem, I derived the first general learning algorithm for spiking neural networks from an optimal control principle, representing the first step in harnessing the computational potential of spikes. The spike-based computational principles can be extracted by analyzing how a trained network solves the computational tasks. More generally, this method allows combining the top-down deep learning approaches with the biophysical network properties to yield detailed models of neural systems that are both structurally and functionally accurate.
    This research has a wide range of engineering applications, including spike-based deep learning for neuromorphic devices, and next generation Brain-Machine-Interface and neuro-prosthetics that directly use spike signals for fine control. Most importantly, I aim to promote close collaborations between neuroscience and artificial intelligence research by providing a common theoretical framework.

    Host: Ellis Meng, PhD

    Location: Corwin D. Denney Research Center (DRB) - 145/145A

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta

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  • Center for Systems and Control (CSC@USC) and Ming Hsieh Institute for Electrical Engineering

    Mon, Feb 05, 2018 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Douglas Smith, Air Force Office of Scientific Research

    Talk Title: AFOSR -“ Unsteady Aerodynamics and Turbulent Flows: An Introduction

    Abstract: This presentation will give a brief introduction to the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and the Unsteady Aerodynamics and Turbulent Flows portfolio at AFOSR. The Unsteady Aerodynamics and Turbulent Flows portfolio is interested in basic research problems associated with the motion and control of laminar, transitional and turbulent flows, including the interactions of these flows with rigid and flexible surfaces. The portfolio seeks to advance fundamental understanding of complex, time-dependent flow interactions by integrating theoretical/analytical, numerical, and experimental approaches. The focus on the understanding of the fundamental flow physics is motivated by an interest in developing physically-based predictive models and innovative control concepts for these flows. Research in this portfolio is motivated by, but not limited to, applications including unique fluid-structure interactions, vortex and shear layer flows, and the enduring challenges of turbulence.

    Biography: Dr. Douglas Smith is the Program Officer for the Unsteady Aerodynamics and Turbulent Flows portfolio at AFOSR. Dr. Smith received his ScB in Engineering from Brown University in 1987 and his MA and PhD from Princeton University in 1990 and 1993, respectively. After completing his doctorate, Dr. Smith spent two and a half years as a post-doctoral researcher in Europe, first at Institut de Mecanique Statistique de la Turbulence (IMST) in Marseille, France, and then at Imperial College of Science and Technology in London. Following these two positions, Dr. Smith was a Georgia Tech post-doctoral fellow working on active flow control concepts with the Boeing Phantom Works group in St. Louis. Prior to his arrival at AFOSR, Dr. Smith was an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wyoming.

    Host: Mihailo Jovanovic, mihailo@usc.edu

    Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 132

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Gerrielyn Ramos

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  • MASCLE Machine Learning Seminar: Dr. Harry Shum (Microsoft)

    Mon, Feb 05, 2018 @ 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM

    Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Dr. Harry Shum, Microsoft

    Talk Title: TBA

    Series: MASCLE NVIDIA Distinguished Lecture Series

    Abstract: TBA

    This lecture satisfies requirements for CSCI 591: Research Colloquium. Please note, due to limited capacity in MCB 101, seats will be first come first serve.



    Biography: Harry Shum is executive vice president of Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Research group. He is responsible for driving the company's overall AI strategy and forward-looking research and development efforts spanning infrastructure, services, apps and agents. He oversees AI-focused product
    groups -” the Information Platform Group, Bing and Cortana product groups -” and the Ambient Computing and Robotics teams. He also leads Microsoft Research, one of the world's premier computer science research organizations, and its integration with the engineering teams across the company.

    Previously, Dr. Shum served as the corporate vice president responsible for Bing search product development from 2007 to 2013. He received his Ph.D. in robotics from the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. In 2017, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering of the United States.


    Host: Yan Liu

    Location: Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience (MCB) - Michelson Center 101

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Computer Science Department

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