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Events for October 29, 2019

  • CS Colloquium: Aditya Grover (Stanford University) - Mitigating Bias in Generative Modeling

    Tue, Oct 29, 2019 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Aditya Grover, Stanford University

    Talk Title: Mitigating Bias in Generative Modeling

    Series: Computer Science Colloquium

    Abstract: In the last few years, there has been remarkable progress in deep generative modeling. However, the learned models are noticeably inaccurate w.r.t. to the underlying data distribution, as evident from downstream metrics that compare statistics of interest across the true and generated data samples. This bias in downstream evaluation can be attributed to imperfections in learning ("model bias") or be propagated due to the bias in the training dataset itself ("dataset bias"). In this talk, I will present an importance weighting approach for mitigating both these kinds of biases of generative models. Our approach assumes only 'black-box' sample access to a generative model and is broadly applicable to both likelihood-based and likelihood-free generative models. Empirically, we find that our technique consistently improves standard goodness-of-fit metrics for evaluating the sample quality of state-of-the-art deep generative models, suggesting reduced bias. We demonstrate its utility on representative applications in a) data augmentation and b) model-based policy evaluation using off-policy data. Finally, I will present some recent work extending these ideas to fair data generation in the presence of biased training datasets.

    This lecture satisfies requirements for CSCI 591: Research Colloquium.


    Biography: Aditya Grover is a 5th-year Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at Stanford University advised by Stefano Ermon. His research focuses on probabilistic machine learning, including topics in generative modeling, approximate inference, and deep learning as well as applications in sustainability. His research has been cited widely in academia, deployed into production at major technology companies, and recognized with a best paper award (StarAI), a Lieberman Fellowship, a Data Science Institute Scholarship, and a Microsoft Research Ph.D. Fellowship. He is also a Teaching Fellow at Stanford since 2018, where he co-designed and teaches a new class on Deep Generative Models. Previously, Aditya obtained his bachelors in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Delhi in 2015, where he received a best undergraduate thesis award.


    Host: If you would like to meet the speaker, please email the host Bistra Dilkina at dilkina@usc.edu

    Location: Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL) - 101

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Computer Science Department

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  • ISE 651 - Epstein Seminar

    ISE 651 - Epstein Seminar

    Tue, Oct 29, 2019 @ 03:30 PM - 04:50 PM

    Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Dr. Kristian Martinsen, Professor, Norwegian Univ. of Science & Tech

    Talk Title: Closed Loop Tolerance Engineering Modelling and Maturity Assessment in a Circular Economy Perspective

    Host: Dr. Qiang Huang

    More Information: October 29, 2019.pdf

    Location: Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center (GER) - 206

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Grace Owh

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  • Mrok Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Distinguished Lecture Series

    Tue, Oct 29, 2019 @ 04:00 PM - 05:20 PM

    Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Professor Mikhail A. Kats , Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin -“ Madison

    Talk Title: Thermal-emission engineering: challenges and opportunities

    Abstract: Thermal emission (thermal radiation) is the phenomenon responsible for most of the light in the universe. Though understanding of thermal emission dates back over a century, recent advances have encouraged the re-examination of this phenomenon and its applications. This talk will describe our groups advances and outline future work in the measurement and manipulation of thermal emission. First, I will discuss our efforts to improve thermal-emission metrology, especially for low-temperature thermal emitters, emitters with temperature-dependent emissivity, and emitters out of equilibrium. Then, I will describe our use of phase-transition materials including vanadium dioxide and rare-earth nickelates to demonstrate new phenomena, including negative- and zero-differential thermal emittance, radiative thermal runaway, and thermo-dichroism. I will also discuss our recent demonstration of nanosecond-scale modulation of emissivity and thermal-emission pulses down to picosecond scales. The talk will include discussion of exciting opportunities of thermal-emission engineering for infrared camouflage and thermoregulation.

    Host: Dr. Armani

    Location: John Stauffer Science Lecture Hall (SLH) - 102

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Karen Woo/Mork Family

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  • CS Tech Talk: WiSE Presents: Walmart Tech Talk with Senior VP of Customer Technology, Fiona Tan

    Tue, Oct 29, 2019 @ 04:00 PM - 05:20 PM

    Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Fiona Tan, Walmart

    Talk Title: WiSE Presents: Walmart Tech Talk with Senior VP of Customer Technology, Fiona Tan

    Series: Computer Science Colloquium

    Abstract: Come hear more about the exciting opportunities available in tech at Walmart.

    Fiona will also talk about her tech journey, as well as why she loves working for Walmart.

    This lecture satisfies requirements for CSCI 591: Research Colloquium.


    Biography: Fiona Tan joined Walmart in 2014 and is currently the Senior Vice President of Customer Technology. She is responsible for innovation and engineering execution on all customer-facing technology across Walmart's physical and digital footprint. Her team leverages data and machine learning to drive marketing and advertising campaigns, oversees all personalization capabilities, and delivers the desktop and mobile customer experience for Walmart's eCommerce as well as the technology across point-of-sale systems, pharmacy, specialty departments, and associate productivity apps in Walmart stores. Their goal is to deliver a seamless shopping experience for our customers -“ while empowering our millions of associates with technology.

    Previously, Fiona was Walmart's Vice President of Engineering, responsible for product roadmap and engineering capabilities for Walmart's international eCommerce businesses as well as the Sam's Club business in the U.S. In addition, her team drove technology strategy and operational excellence across Walmart Labs.
    Prior to Walmart, Fiona served in a number of leadership roles at Ariba and TIBCO Software. At Ariba, she led a global engineering organization responsible for the strategy, lifecycle, and delivery of the Ariba Commerce Network. At TIBCO Software, she was responsible for a major product line as well as the management of their offshore development centers.

    Fiona has a master's degree in Computer Science from Stanford and a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).


    Host: WiSE

    Location: Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL) - 101

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Computer Science Department

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  • Zillow Trojan Talk

    Tue, Oct 29, 2019 @ 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM

    Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections

    Workshops & Infosessions


    About the talk: Undergraduate Only, Computer Science

    Frontend development at Zillow Offers tech stack and CI/CD (continuous integration, continuous deployment) pipeline

    Zillow Offers questionnaire feature design and a/b testing

    What types of internships and full time opportunities will be presented? We are looking for Software development engineering interns for 2020
    What majors are you targeting? Computer Science
    Are you interested in both undergraduates and graduates? Undergraduates only
    Can you offer Visa sponsorship? Yes
    Are you willing to accept a student on CTP or OPT? Yes

    Zillow Group houses the largest portfolio of real estate brands on mobile and the web. We are on a mission to rewire the real estate transaction and are building transformational tools and services that make it easier for everyone to find and get into a home they love. We are working to create an on-demand real estate transaction experience for every stage of the home lifecycle -- for buyers, sellers, renters and borrowers - and we're well on our way. No matter what job you're in, you will play a critical role in making this vision a reality for millions of people.
    At Zillow Group, we're powered by our inclusive work culture, where everyone has the support and resources to do the best work of their careers. Our efforts to streamline the real estate transaction is supported by our passion to empower people and enrich lives around everything home, a deep-rooted culture of innovation, a fundamental commitment to Equity and Belonging, and world-class benefits. But, don't just take our word for it. Read our reviews on Glassdoor and recent recognition from multiple organizations, including: Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For (69), Fortune Best Workplaces for Diversity (38), Fortune Best Workplaces for Parents (31), Fortune Best Workplaces for Women (20), Fatherly's Best Workplaces for New Dads (37), JUST Capital 100 Company (69), Bloomberg Gender Equality Index constituent.

    Location: Seeley G. Mudd Building (SGM) - 101

    Audiences: Undergrad

    Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Connections

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  • USC Graduate Engineering Info Session: Wuhan

    Tue, Oct 29, 2019 @ 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

    Viterbi School of Engineering Graduate Admission

    Workshops & Infosessions


    Candidates with a strong academic background and a Bachelor's degree (or those in the process of earning a Bachelor's degree) in engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, or physical science (such as physics, biology, or chemistry) are welcome to attend this session to learn more about applying to graduate engineering programs at the University of Southern California.

    Topics covered:

    -Master's & Ph.D. Programs in engineering and computer science
    -How to Apply
    -Scholarships and Funding
    -Student Life at USC and in Los Angeles
    -Application Tips

    There will also be sufficient time for questions during the information session.

    Register Here

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: USC Viterbi Graduate Programs

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