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SUNMONTUEWEDTHUFRISAT
Events for the 4th week of September
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Seminars in Biomedical Engineering
Mon, Sep 19, 2016 @ 12:30 PM - 01:50 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Brent Liu, PhD, USC BME Faculty, Dir Image Processing and Informatics Lab
Talk Title: TBA
Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - 122
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
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EE 598 Cyber-Physical Systems Seminar Series
Mon, Sep 19, 2016 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Yanzhi Wang, Syracuse University
Talk Title: Deep Neural Network and Deep Reinforcement Learning: Ultra-Low Energy Implementation and Broad Applications
Abstract: Recently, deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) have made unprecedented progress, achieving the accuracy close to, or even better than human-level perception in a variety of tasks. There is a timely need to map the latest software-based DCNNs to application-specific hardware, in order to achieve orders of magnitude improvement in performance, energy efficiency and compactness. Stochastic computing (SC), as a low-cost alternative to the conventional binary computing paradigm, has the potential to enable massive parallel and highly scalable hardware implementation of DCNNs. The first part of my presentation is a holistic design and optimization framework of SC-based DCNN systems from key arithmetic operations, function blocks, feature extraction blocks, to the overall LeNet5 structure, achieving ultra-low hardware footprint and energy consumption.
Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has been recently invented and has been successfully utilized in AlphaGo, game playing, etc. Deep reinforcement learning has the potential of control of complicated systems with high state and action spaces (which cannot be achieved by traditional reinforcement learning techniques), thereby resulting in very wide application domains. The second part of my presentation first provides a formal statement of the DRL framework. Effective hardware implementation of the DRL framework, which is critical in the embedded control systems and IoTs, will be investigated. The more broad applications of the emerging technique will be discussed with sample examples on cloud computing and smart grid applications. Open questions and future directions will be finally presented.
Finally I will briefly present the recent work on Luminescent Solar Concentrator-based PV cells and application on electric vehicles, which is transparent and flexible and fits the streamlined surface and aesthetic requirement of modern vehicles. The proposed system can help propel the vehicle or charge the vehicle whenever solar energy is available.
Biography: Yanzhi Wang is currently an Assistant Professor at Syracuse University, starting from August 2015. He received B.S. degree from Tsinghua University in 2009 and Ph.D. degree from University of Southern California in 2014, under supervision of Prof. Massoud Pedram. His research interests include low-power circuit and systems design, neuromorphic computing, embedded systems and wearable devices, etc. He has received best paper awards from International Symposium on Low Power Electronics Design 2014, International Symposium on VLSI Designs 2014, top paper award from IEEE Cloud Computing Conference 2014. He has two popular papers in IEEE Trans. on CAD. He has received multiple best paper nominations from ACM Great Lakes Symposium on VLSI, IEEE Trans. on CAD, and Asia and South Pacific Design Automation Conference.
Host: Paul Bogdan
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Estela Lopez
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NL Seminar-DUOLINGO: IMPROVING LANGUAGE LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT WITH DATA
Mon, Sep 19, 2016 @ 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Information Sciences Institute
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Burr Settles, Duolingo
Talk Title: DUOLINGO: IMPROVING LANGUAGE LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT WITH DATA
Series: Natural Language Seminar
Abstract: Duolingo is a language education platform with more than 150 million students worldwide. Our flagship learning app is the #1 way to learn a language online, and is the most-downloaded education app for both Android and iOS devices. It is also completely free. In this talk, I will describe the Duolingo system and several empirical projects, which mix machine learning with computational linguistics and psychometrics to improve learning, engagement, and even language proficiency assessment through our products.
Biography: Burr Settles is a scientist, engineer, and head of research at Duolingo: the most widely used education application in the world, teaching 20 languages to more than 150 million users worldwide. He is also the principal developer of the Duolingo English Test: a computer-adaptive proficiency exam that aims to disrupt and democratize the global certification marketplace through highly accessible mobile technology. Before joining Duolingo, he earned a PhD in computer sciences at University of Wisconsin-Madison, and then worked as a postdoctoral research scientist at Carnegie Mellon University, where his work has spanned machine learning, natural language processing, and computational social science. His 2012 book Active Learning is now the standard text on learning algorithms that are adaptive, curious, or exploratory (if you will). Burr gets around by bike and (among other things) plays guitar in the pop band delicious pastries.
Host: Xing Shi and Kevin Knight
More Info: http://nlg.isi.edu/nl-seminar/
Location: Information Science Institute (ISI) - 11th Flr Conf Rm # 1135, Marina Del Rey
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Peter Zamar
Event Link: http://nlg.isi.edu/nl-seminar/
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USC Stem Cell Seminar: Kim Cooper, University of California, San Diego
Tue, Sep 20, 2016 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Kim Cooper, University of California, San Diego
Talk Title: Shaping the limb during development and evolution
Series: Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC Distinguished Speakers Series
Abstract: Our work leverages the unique hindlimb structure of the lesser Egyptian jerboa to understand how genotype shapes phenotype and modulates developmental malleability. The jerboa is a desert-adapted bipedal rodent with disproportionately elongated hindlimbs, particularly the feet, fused metatarsals, five fingers and three toes, and an absence of intrinsic hindfoot muscles. We take an interdisciplinary approach to understand the cell behaviors and gene expression changes associated with each derived phenotype. We are moving toward approaches that will allow us to pinpoint gene regulatory control mechanisms that causally explain the remarkable diversity of limb shapes that arose from natural selection.
Host: Andy McMahon
More Info: http://stemcell.usc.edu/events
Webcast: http://keckmedia.usc.edu/stem-cell-seminarWebCast Link: http://keckmedia.usc.edu/stem-cell-seminar
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Cristy Lytal/USC Stem Cell
Event Link: http://stemcell.usc.edu/events
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Epstein Institute Seminar - ISE 651
Tue, Sep 20, 2016 @ 03:30 PM - 04:50 PM
Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Hongbo Dong, Assistant Professor - Dept. of Mathematics & Statistics - Washington State University
Talk Title: Exploiting Quadratic and Separable Structures in Nonconvex Quadratic Programs via Lift-and-Project
Abstract: In optimization, mixed-integer nonlinear programs MINLP are notoriously difficult to solve to global optimality. It is therefore crucial to exploit problem structures to design effective convex relaxations and/or approximation methods. Same claims hold even when all nonlinear terms are quadratic. We consider a generic sub-structure that comprises a quadratic form and separable (non-convex) constraints. We show how to derive convex relaxations for related non-convex sets in a higher-dimensional space by using conic semidefinite optimization techniques. Essentially by projecting such lifted relaxations back onto the original variable space, we discuss in two concrete scenarios where such lift-and-project techniques improve upon current relaxations, connect with techniques from other areas, and provide new insights. The first scenario concerns generating convex quadratic cutting surfaces to iteratively strengthen classical convex relaxations for mixed-integer quadratic programs. A specialized separation routine (based on coordinate minimization) is developed to avoid (fully) solving semidefinite programs. Our proposed method achieves a more balanced trade-off between strength and computational complexity than existing relaxations, and can be easily incorporated into branch-and-bound algorithms for MINLP. The second scenario concerns the well-known problem of variable selection in statistics and machine learning. We show that lift-and-project methods tightly connect with (folded) concave regularization functions called the Minimax Concave Penalty (MCP) from the statistical community. Our lifting relaxation provides a very different convex relaxation from classical ones (LASSO or l-1 norm) while providing competitive practical performance in certain scenarios
Biography: Hongbo Dong received his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematical and Computational Sciences at the University of Iowa in 2011. After spending two years as a postdoc in a multi-disciplinary optimization group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he joined the math department of Washington State University as an Assistant Professor in 2013. His previous research focused on copositive programming, convex relaxations for non-convex problems. Recently he is interested in developing and analyzing novel convex and non-convex formulations for problems in statistics and machine learning. His research results have been published on several optimization and statistical journals including Mathematical Programming, SIAM Journal on Optimization and Biometrika.
Host: Dr. Jong-Shi Pang
Location: 206
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Angela Reneau
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Job Search Strategies & Tactics for Career Success
Tue, Sep 20, 2016 @ 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Workshops & Infosessions
WHAT: USC National Organization for Business & Engineerg x Consilium Partners Career Workshop
WHEN: Tuesday, September 20th, 6:00 PM
WHERE: GFS 118
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Join celebrated career counselor Horatiu Stefan from Consilium Partners as he partners with USC NOBE to provide a free career workshop! For both underclassmen and upperclassmen, come and learn about personal branding, networking, and job search strategies, as well as informational interviews and career planning. He charges a lot for these sessions normally, so be sure to come out for a FREE workshop!
There are many ways to achieve career success but only one secret: understanding the process.
In "Jumpstart", Horatiu will introduce a career planning framework designed to help you build marketable skills and gain professional experience throughout your college years. You'll walk away with a set of concrete and actionable job search strategies and tactics proven to generate results.
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The National Organization for Business and Engineering (NOBE), is a national society uniting business, management and engineering organizations from universities coast to coast. NOBE strives to produce and refine leadership internally and develop professional skills in our members that can be translated into success in the business world. Visit our website for more info, https://www.nobenational.org/usc/home.php .
If your friends want to sign up, please direct them to this link so they can be added to the mailing list:
https://goo.gl/forms/QDksA3jK4coNzd7s1More Information: Consilium Partners.pdf
Location: Grace Ford Salvatori Hall Of Letters, Arts & Sciences (GFS) - 118
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: USC NOBE
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Viterbi Major Spotlight-Chemical Engineering
Tue, Sep 20, 2016 @ 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections, Viterbi School of Engineering Student Affairs
Workshops & Infosessions
Students will hear from panelists regarding various career options with a chemical engineering degree.
To register, click here https://myviterbi.usc.edu/vasa/?PostingID=1234567996.Location: 211
Audiences: Undergrad
Contact: Diane Yoon
Event Link: https://myviterbi.usc.edu/vasa/?PostingID=1234567996
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CommNetS seminar
Wed, Sep 21, 2016 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Prof. Insoon Yang, USC
Talk Title: Learning, Incentives and Optimization for Human-Energy System Interaction
Series: CommNetS
Abstract: With the advances in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, sensor and communication networks and computing elements are pervasive in many modern infrastructures that affect our daily lives. However, sustainable interactions between human users and CPS or IoT are not guaranteed unless there is an appropriate coordination mechanism for them. Specifically, on one hand we can customize the operation of these systems by learning user behaviors and preferences. On the other hand, we can incentivize human users to cooperate for the system operation. Such feedback loops between human users and CPS can improve large-scale critical infrastructure systems with suitable optimization techniques.
In this talk, I will present learning, incentive, and optimization tools that support interactions between human users and modern energy systems, which is an important class of CPS- and IoT-enabled infrastructure systems. The first tool, called the utility learning model predictive control, provides a way to learn quasi-periodic user behaviors and preferences using Gaussian processes to optimize the operation of personal electric loads such as HVAC systems and Electric Vehicles. Second, I will talk about contracts that can incentivize customers to provide useful services to the power grids with the aid of automated demand response technology that automatically controls the customers' loads. In the last part of this talk, we will discuss resource allocation problems in power networks associated with these CPS- and IoT-based technologies as well as customer targeting to maximize the social welfare and identify the submodularity structure that justifies the use of greedy algorithms providing (1-1/e)-optimal solutions.
Biography: Insoon Yang is an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at USC. He received B.S. degrees in Mathematics and in Mechanical Engineering (summa cum laude) from Seoul National University in 2009; and an M.S. in EECS, an M.A. in Mathematics and a Ph.D. in EECS from UC Berkeley in 2012, 2013 and 2015, respectively. Before joining USC, he was a Postdoctoral Associate at the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems at MIT. Insoon's research interests are in stochastic control, optimization in systems and control, and energy and power systems. He currently focuses on control methods, risk management solutions and incentive mechanisms that support interactions between human users and CPS- or IoT-enabled systems with limited information. He is a recipient of the 2015 Eli Jury Award.
Host: Prof. Ashutosh Nayyar
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Annie Yu
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ASBME GM1: Student Summer Panel
Wed, Sep 21, 2016 @ 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Even though summer break 2016 is already over, it is never too early to begin thinking about plans for next year! Join ASBME as we host a panel of BME students and hear about all awesome things these USC students did this summer. Get an insider's perspective about summer internships, research, and USC's VIterbi Abroad program! Free panda express at the meeting!
Location: Ronald Tutor Campus Center (TCC) - 227
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Associated Students of Biomedical Engineering
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Engineering Challenges in Next Generation Neurosurgery
Thu, Sep 22, 2016 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Aaron E Bond, M.D., Ph.D., University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA
Talk Title: Engineering Challenges in Next Generation Neurosurgery
Host: P. Daniel Dapkus
More Information: Aaron Bond Flyer.pdf
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Jenny Lin
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Biotechnology Lecture SeriesThu, Sep 22, 2016 @ 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Various, Amgen
Talk Title: R&D Insights from Lab Bench to Patient Bedside
Abstract: USC researchers have the opportunity to gain research and development insights with a new biotechnology lecture series sponsored by Amgen and the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC.
The weekly lecture series, "R&D Insights from Lab Bench to Patient Bedside" takes place Thursdays at 10:30AM-12:00PM at USC's Health Sciences Campus from September 1, 2016 through November 10, 2016.
The talks will feature Amgen scientists speaking about:
Identifying a possible therapeutic target and its role in disease
Increasing therapeutic efficacy and safety
Process development, devices and manufacturing
Case studies from bench to clinic
Lectures will take place at the BCC First Floor Seminar Room or ZNI Herklotz Seminar Room.
RSVP at http://www.usc.edu/esvp (use code: amgenlecture). Space is limited. Preference will be given to SCRM master's students, PhDs, and postdocs, and attending all lectures is mandatory.
Please contact qliumich@usc.edu or karenw03@amgen.com for further details.
Host: USC Stem Cell/Amgen
More Info: https://calendar.usc.edu/event/biotechnology_lecture_series_rd_insights_from_lab_bench_to_patient_bedside?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=USC+Event+Calendar#.V8dKNLX8vW4
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Cristy Lytal/USC Stem Cell
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California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Roadshow
Thu, Sep 22, 2016 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Various, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)
Talk Title: Various
Abstract: In December of 2015, the CIRM Board unanimously adopted a bold new strategic plan that seeks to make the most out of the Institute's remaining time and resources. CIRM 2.0, as we call it, is intended to more effectively drive our mission of accelerating stem cell treatments to patients with unmet medical needs. But to be successful, we need you.
We have a little over four years left to make new awards under our current funding paradigm, and if we work diligently, we can accomplish a lot. Imagine 50 new therapeutics candidates discovered under our early stage programs. Or reducing by half the time it takes to move the next great idea through translation into the clinic. And of course, conducting these new clinical trials - all 50 of them! CIRM 2.0 has programs that cover all of it - from the earliest stage seed funding through advanced clinical research. And we want to make sure that you know how to get the most out of it.
As part of our CIRM Roadshow, we are holding a series of meetings throughout the state, in order to re-introduce you to CIRM and what this radical new stemcelerating machine can do. Please join us for a more in-depth look at CIRM 2.0 this fall.
Over these next four years, we will make approximately $700 million in new awards to advance stem cell research and development. It is both a tremendous opportunity and responsibility. Come join us, and be part of the team that is making stem cell history.
CIRM Speakers:
Randy Mills, CIRM President and CEO: CIRM 2.0 Overview and Goals
Pat Olson, VP Translation and Discovery: Funding Early Stage Work
Maria Millan, VP Therapeutics: Funding Clinical Trials
Gil Sambrano, Director of Portfolio Development and Review: Who is Eligible and How to Apply
James Harrison, CIRM General Counsel: California vs. Non-California Applicants, How Our Funding Works for You
Gabe Thompson, Director of Grants Management: What Happens After You Are Approved for Funding
Neil Littman, Director of Business Development and Strategic Infrastructure: How Our Translating and Accelerating Centers and the Alpha Stem Cell Clinic Network Can Help You Succeed
Host: California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)
More Info: http://www.cirm.ca.gov/about-cirm/cirm-roadshow
Location: First Floor Conference Room
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Cristy Lytal/USC Stem Cell
Event Link: http://www.cirm.ca.gov/about-cirm/cirm-roadshow
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Navigating the Internship & Job Search
Thu, Sep 22, 2016 @ 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections
Workshops & Infosessions
Are you looking for an industry position and want to know where to begin? This workshop will give you the tips needed to help you find an engineering internship and co-op opportunities!
Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 211
Audiences: All Viterbi
Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Connections
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EE 598 Computer Engineering Seminar
Thu, Sep 22, 2016 @ 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Rajeev Alur, Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Talk Title: Quantitative Policies over Streaming Data
Abstract: Decision making in cyber-physical systems often requires dynamic monitoring of a data stream to compute performance-related quantitative properties. We propose StreamQRE as a high-level declarative language for modular specifications of such quantitative policies. This language is rooted in the emerging theory of regular functions, and every policy described in this language can be compiled into a space-efficient streaming implementation. We describe a prototype system that is integrated within an SDN controller and show how it can be used to specify and enforce dynamic updates for traffic engineering as well as in response to security threats. We conclude by outlining the rich opportunities for both theoretical investigations and practical systems for real-time decision making in IoT applications.
This talk is based on recent and ongoing work with Penn researchers Dana Fisman, Sanjeev Khanna, Boon Thau Loo, Kostas Mamouras, Mukund Raghothaman, and Yifei Yuan.
Biography: Rajeev Alur is Zisman Family Professor of Computer and Information Science at University of Pennsylvania. He obtained his bachelor's degree in computer science from IIT Kanpur in 1987 and PhD in computer science from Stanford University in 1991. Before joining Penn in 1997, he was with Computing Science Research Center at Bell Labs. His research is focused on formal methods for system design, and spans theoretical computer science, software verification and synthesis, and cyber-physical systems. He is a Fellow of the ACM, a Fellow of the IEEE, an Alfred P. Sloan Faculty Fellow, and a Simons Investigator. He was awarded the inaugural CAV (Computer-Aided Verification) award in 2008, ACM/IEEE Logic in Computer Science (LICS) Test-of-Time award in 2010 and the inaugural Alonzo Church award by ACM SIGLOG / EATCS / EACSL in 2016 for his work on timed automata. Prof. Alur has served as the chair of ACM SIGBED (Special Interest Group on Embedded Systems), and as the general chair of LICS. He is the author of the textbook Principles of Cyber-Physical Systems (MIT Press, 2015), and is currently the lead PI of the NSF Expeditions in Computing center ExCAPE (Expeditions in Computer Augmented Program Engineering).
Host: Xuehai Qian
Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - OHE 100D
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Estela Lopez
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W.V.T. Rusch Engineering Honors Program Colloquium
Fri, Sep 23, 2016 @ 01:00 PM - 01:50 PM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
University Calendar
Join us for a presentation by Professor Ellen Rothenberg, Professor of Biology, Cal Tech, Kerckhoff Library, titled "Design, Execution and the Control of a Program to Generate T-Cell Identity".
Location: Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL) - 101
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Julie Phaneuf
