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Events for March 03, 2020
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MFD Student Symposium
Tue, Mar 03, 2020 @ 08:45 AM - 03:00 PM
Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Receptions & Special Events
Location: Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library (DML) - 240
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Karen Woo/Mork Family
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PhD Thesis Proposal - Emily Sheng
Tue, Mar 03, 2020 @ 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
University Calendar
Title: Towards Fairness in Natural Language Processing
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 3rd, 10-11:30am
Location: SAL 213
Candidate: Emily Sheng
Committee: Prof. Prem Natarajan (advisor), Prof. Nanyun Peng, Prof. Aram Galstyan, Prof. Shri Narayanan, Prof. Yan Liu
Abstract: With the advent of more effective, large-scale natural language processing (NLP) techniques, issues of fairness and bias in NLP techniques have become increasingly important. Biased models have the potential to perpetuate and amplify societal biases, which has implications for ethics, model robustness, and model interpretability. First, we describe our work to define biases in a language generation setting. We subsequently describe how different definitions of bias can be used to analyze biases in existing NLP systems, e.g., language generation and named entity recognition. Finally, we propose techniques that allow us to move towards the mitigation and control of biases. This talk will examine the importance of defining tasks and metrics for biases in NLP, how our bias analyses can inform our approach to bias mitigation, and related directions in how we can move towards fairness in NLP.
Location: Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL) - 213
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Lizsl De Leon
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ECE Seminar: A Cross-Stack, Network-Centric Architectural Design for Next Generation Datacenter
Tue, Mar 03, 2020 @ 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Mohammad Alian, PhD Candidate, ECE Dept, UIUC
Talk Title: A Cross-Stack, Network-Centric Architectural Design for Next Generation Datacenter
Abstract: In the light of technology scaling and data explosion trends, the long latency and limited bandwidth of transferring data within a computer and across computers have become a key bottleneck to the improvement of performance and energy efficiency. Tacking this critical challenge, researchers have proposed various near-data processing architectures in the form of in-network and near-memory computing to move computation closer to data. In this talk, first, I introduce a technique that leverages the potentials of in-network processing for efficient power-management of network-connected computers. Then I present Memory Channel Network (MCN), a memory module based, near-memory processing architecture that seamlessly unifies near-memory processing with distributed computing for the acceleration of data-intensive applications.
Biography: Mohammad Alian is a Ph.D. candidate at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. His research is at the intersection of computer architecture and networking where he proposed several cross-stack, near-memory, and in-network computing architectures. His work has been published in top computer architecture and systems venues and recognized by several best paper candidacies and one honorable mention in IEEE MICRO Top Picks 2017. Mohammad holds an M.Sc. degree in computer engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Host: Professor Murali Annavaram
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mayumi Thrasher
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CS Colloquium: Kaiyu Hang (Yale University) - Robotic Manipulation – From Representations to Actions
Tue, Mar 03, 2020 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Kaiyu Hang, Yale University
Talk Title: Robotic Manipulation -“ From Representations to Actions
Series: CS Colloquium
Abstract: Dexterous manipulation is a challenging and integral task involving a number of subproblems to be addressed, such as perception, planning, and control. Problem representation, which is an essential element in a system that defines what is actually the problem to be considered, determines both the capability of a system and the feasibility of applying such a system in real tasks.
In this talk, I will introduce how good representations can convert difficult problems into easier ones. In particular, I first discuss the development of representations for grasp optimization, as well as how a good representation can simplify and unify the whole grasping system, including globally optimal grasp planning, sensing, adaptation, and control. By expanding or varying this representation in terms of problem scenarios, I further show how it can greatly facilitate solving other problems, such as grasp-aware motion planning, optimal placement planning, and even dual-arm manipulation. Second, I will introduce our work on underactuated manipulation using soft robotic hands. For underactuated hands without any joint encoders or tactile sensors, I present our representations that can enable a robot to interact with tabletop objects using nonprehensile manipulation to finally grasp it, and show how to register the object into its own hand-object system once grasped, so as to eventually provide precise and dexterous in-hand manipulation. Finally, I discuss how to develop representations for optimizing robot fingertip designs, especially for simple grippers with limited grasping skills. By installing those optimized fingertip designs onto drones, I further show that those optimized designs can enable the drones to perch or rest at various structures, achieving significant improvement in energy consumption.
This lecture satisfies requirements for CSCI 591: Research Colloquium
Biography: Kaiyu Hang is a postdoctoral associate working with Prof. Aaron M. Dollar at the GRAB lab, Yale University. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science, specialized in Robotics and Computer Vision, under the supervision of Prof. Danica Kragic from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. Before joining the GRAB lab, he was a research assistant professor at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and a Junior Fellow of the Institute for Advanced Study, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. His research interests include representations and optimization for robotic manipulation, motion planning, adaptive grasping and in-hand manipulation, underactuated robotic hands, dual arm manipulation, and mobile manipulation.
Host: Joseph Lim
Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - 132
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Assistant to CS chair
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***CANCELLED*** ISE 651 - Epstein Seminar
Tue, Mar 03, 2020 @ 03:30 PM - 04:50 PM
Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Siqian Shen, Associate Professor, Dept. of Industrial and Operations Engineering - University of Michigan
Talk Title: Stochastic and Distributionally Robust Optimization Approaches for Improving Shared-Mobility System Design and Operations
Host: Prof. Suvrajeet Sen
More Information: March 3, 2020.pdf
Location: Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center (GER) - 206
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Grace Owh
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Medical Imaging Seminar
Tue, Mar 03, 2020 @ 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Christian Pichot, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, LEAT, SophiaTech Campus
Talk Title: Microwave Tomographic Imaging of Brain Strokes
Series: Medical Imaging Seminar Series
Abstract: Brain strokes are one of the leading causes of disability and mortality in adults in developed countries. Ischemic stroke (85% of total cases) and hemorrhagic stroke (15%) must be treated with opposing therapies, and thus, the nature of the stroke must be determined quickly in order to apply the appropriate treatment. Recent studies in biomedical imaging have shown that strokes produce variations in the complex electric permittivity of brain tissues, which can be detected by means of microwave tomography. Here, we present some synthetic results obtained with an experimental microwave tomography-based portable system for demonstrating the feasibility of such a new imaging modality for the early detection and monitoring of brain strokes. The determination of electric permittivity requires the solution of a coupled forward-inverse problem. Iterative microwave tomographic imaging requires the solution of an inverse problem based on a minimization algorithm (e.g. gradient based) with successive solutions of a direct problem such as the accurate modeling of a whole-microwave measurement system. Synthetic data are obtained with electromagnetic simulations, which have been derived from measurements of an experimental microwave imaging system developed by EMTensor GmbH (Vienna, Austria). Results demonstrate the possibility to detect brain strokes, as well as for monitoring during the treatment, with a microwave system with reasonable running times for image reconstructions when applying the proposed reconstruction algorithm using state-of-the-art numerical modeling and massively parallel computing.
Biography: Christian Pichot is currently a Researcher Emeritus at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), at the Electronics, Antennas & Telecommunications Laboratory (LEAT), a joint Université Côte d'Azur and CNRS laboratory, 06900 Sophia Antipolis, France.He received the Ph.D. and the Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degrees from the University of Paris-Sud 11 in 1977 and 1982, respectively.
From 2000 to 2011, he was the Director of the LEAT. From 2008 to 2013, he was the co-founder and co-director of CREMANT, a joint Antenna Research Center, supported by the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, CNRS and France Telecom Orange Labs. He received in 1983 the European Microwave Prize. He is an IEEE Fellow for "Contributions to Microwave Imaging and Antenna Design". He received the Medal of Honor of CNRS in 2018, and the Academy of Sciences URSI-France Medal in 2019.
His research activities are concerned with scattering and propagation of Electromagnetic Waves,radiation of antennas, inverse scattering (Microwave Imaging and Tomography, AntennaSynthesis, Complex Permittivity Reconstruction, Object Detection and Recognition) for applications in Radar, Civil engineering, non-destructive evaluation (NDE), non-destructive testing (NDT), geophysics engineering, security and military applications, antennas, telecommunications, and medical domain (biomedical engineering), VLF/LF frequencies, microwaves and millimetre waves.
Host: Krishna Nayak, knayak@usc.edu
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 132
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Talyia White
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CS Distinguished Lecture: Oren Etzioni (Allen Institute for AI) - Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity
Tue, Mar 03, 2020 @ 04:00 PM - 05:20 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Oren Etzioni, Allen Institute for AI
Talk Title: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity
Series: Computer Science Distinguished Lecture Series
Abstract: Could we wake up one morning to find that AI is poised to take over the world? Is AI the technology of unfairness and bias?
My talk will assess these concerns, and sketch a more optimistic view.
We will have ample warning before the emergence of superintelligence, and in the meantime we have the opportunity to create
Beneficial AI:
• AI that mitigates bias rather than amplifying it
• AI that saves lives rather than taking them
• AI that helps us to solve humanity's thorniest problems
My talk builds on work at the Allen Institute for AI, a non-profit research institute based in Seattle.
This lecture satisfies requirements for CSCI 591: Research Colloquium.
Biography: Oren Etzioni launched the Allen Institute for AI, and has served as its CEO since 2014.
He has been a Professor at the University of Washington's Computer Science department since 1991, publishing papers that have garnered over 2,300 highly influential citations on Semantic Scholar.
He is also the founder of several startups including Farecast (acquired by Microsoft in 2008).
Host: Craig Knoblock and Xiang Ren
Location: Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL) - 101
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Computer Science Department
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Spotlight Panel- Civil & Environmental Engineering
Tue, Mar 03, 2020 @ 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections
Workshops & Infosessions
The Viterbi Alumni & Industry Spotlight Series is your opportunity to hear directly from USC alumni and industry professionals from all engineering disciplines. Learn more about a potential career, meet alumni in your field, and come have free dinner on us!
Civil & Environmental Engineering Alumni & Industry PanelLocation: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 211
Audiences: All Viterbi Undergraduate Students
Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Connections
