Logo: University of Southern California

Events Calendar



Select a calendar:



Filter April Events by Event Type:



Events for April 25, 2025

  • Repeating EventEiS Communications Hub - Tutoring for Engineering Ph.D. Students

    Fri, Apr 25, 2025 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Viterbi School of Engineering Student Affairs

    Workshops & Infosessions


    Viterbi Ph.D. students are invited to drop by the Hub for instruction on their writing and speaking tasks!  All tutoring is one-on-one and conducted by Viterbi faculty.

    Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 222A

    Audiences: Viterbi Ph.D. Students

    View All Dates

    Contact: Helen Choi

    Event Link: https://sites.google.com/usc.edu/eishub/home


    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.

  • AI Seminar- Texera: An Open-Source System for Cloud-Based Collaborative Data Science and AI/ML Using Workflows

    Fri, Apr 25, 2025 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Information Sciences Institute

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Chen Li,, UC Irvine

    Talk Title: Texera: An Open-Source System for Cloud-Based Collaborative Data Science and AI/ML Using Workflows

    Series: AI Seminar

    Abstract: Since 2016 our team at UC Irvine has been developing the Texera open-source system (texera.io), with the goal of enabling a cloud-based platform to support collaborative data science, AI, and ML.  It allows users with various backgrounds, including those with limited coding skills, domain scientists, and ML experts, to conduct AI-centric data science with a collaboration experience similar to Google Docs.  After eight years of development, the system has a rich set of features, such as shared editing, shared execution, version control, commenting, debugging, user-defined functions in multiple languages (e.g., Python, R, Java), and support of state-of-the-art AI/ML techniques.  Its backend parallel engine enables scalable computation on large data sets using computing clusters.  It allows bioinformaticians to elastictally request resources from AWS to form a cluster to run computationally intensive jobs. It also supports community-based sharing of resources including datasets and workflows.  In this talk, we will give an overview of the system, and focus on research challenges encountered in the development and our solutions.  We will show use cases in both education and scientific communities.

    Biography: Prof. Chen Li is a professor in the Department of Computer Science at UC Irvine. He received his Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from Stanford University, and his M.S. and B.S. in Computer Science from Tsinghua University, China.  His research interests are in the fields of data management, data science, AI/ML, databases, data-intensive computing, search, and visualization.  He was a co-founder and CTO of a startup to commercialize his research. He was a recipient of an NSF CAREER award, an ACM Distinguished Member, and an IEEE fellow.   If speaker approves to be recorded for this seminar it will be posted on the USC/ISI YouTube page within 1-2 business days: https://www.youtube.com/user/USCISI.   Subscribe here to learn more about upcoming seminars: https://www.isi.edu/events/ .

    Host: Zhuoyu Shi and Pete Zamar + Maura Covaci

    More Info: https://www.isi.edu/events/5507/texera-an-open-source-system-for-cloud-based-collaborative-data-science-and-ai-ml-using-workflows/

    Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/95166882238?pwd=id334Bxxz7ZULMFpYWuHEppmFKlfUd.1

    Location: Information Science Institute (ISI) - Virtual Only

    WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/95166882238?pwd=id334Bxxz7ZULMFpYWuHEppmFKlfUd.1

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Pete Zamar

    Event Link: https://www.isi.edu/events/5507/texera-an-open-source-system-for-cloud-based-collaborative-data-science-and-ai-ml-using-workflows/


    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.

  • Alfred E.Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering - Seminar series

    Fri, Apr 25, 2025 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Gen-Sheng Feng, PHD., Professor Department of Pathology, School of Medicine Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences University of California, San Diego

    Talk Title: Mechanistic dissection and immunotherapy of liver cancer

    Abstract: I will describe our research program that aims at elucidating the paradoxical anti-oncogenic effects of classical oncoproteins in hepatocellular cancer, which was initiated by the discovery of an SH2-containing tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 (originally called Syp) while a postdoc with the late Tony Pawson. In particular, I will discuss most recent data that unveil how Shp2 promotes signaling through the RTK-Ras-Erk pathway. This work has led to the most recent discovery of a new type of vesicle, intercellsome, in cell-cell communication to offset intracellular proliferative signal deficit. I will also discuss mechanisms of liver cancer initiation and progression driven by the dynamic interactions between tumor cells and the microenvironment. By deciphering multi-faceted roles of the immune ecosystem, we aim to develop new strategies for combinatorial liver cancer immunotherapy through coordinated activation of innate and adaptive immune cells.

    Biography: Gen-Sheng Feng is Professor of Pathology and Molecular Biology at the University of California, San Diego. He has been approved for promotion to Distinguished Professor at UCSD (effective on July 1, 2025). Dr. Feng got BSc degree in Biology from Hangzhou University, and PhD degree from Indiana University Bloomington. He received postdoctoral training at the University of Toronto, Canada. Dr. Feng has published 193 peer-reviewed research papers, reviews and book chapters. Dr. Feng has served on the editorial boards of MCB, JBC, Hepatology, and J Hepatology. He is a Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Dr. Feng was the President for the Association of Chinese Americans in Cancer Research (ACACR, 2022-2024) and the President-elect for the Society of Chinese Bio scientists in America (SCBA).

    Host: Peter Yingxiao Wang- Chair of Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering

    Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 109

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Carla Stanard


    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.

  • CA DREAMS - Technical Seminar Series

    CA DREAMS - Technical Seminar Series

    Fri, Apr 25, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM

    Information Sciences Institute

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Brian Thibeault and Steve Zamek, UCSB and PDF Solutions

    Talk Title: Analytics for Semiconductors: From Megafabs to Nanofabs

    Series: CA DREAMS - Technical Seminar Series

    Abstract: This joint talk will provide an overview of advanced data analytics for semiconductor manufacturing and application thereof in R&D environment. The first part of the talk, by Steve Zamek from PDF Solutions, will provide an overview of end-to-end data analytics used by 100+ semiconductor companies. Big Data analytics enables faster yield ramp, improved efficiency, lower manufacturing cost and facilitates root cause analysis in a timely manner. The second part of the talk, by Brian Thibeault, the UCSB Nanofab Director, will discuss the small-business enabling R&D Nanofab environment. The UCSB Nanofab, a leading and accessible university nanofabrication facility, has been at the center of a semiconductor startup ecosystem for over 20 years. Brian will introduce Nanofab’s operation in the context of this vibrant ecosystem that bridges university research and commercialization. Several examples of successful lab-to-fab transition stories will be provided. Brian will also cover the recent collaboration between UCSB and PDF Solutions to improve process reproducibility, leveraging the Exensio® software within a technology-diverse, multi-user fabrication environment.

    Biography: Brian Thibeault, UCSB Brian Thibeault has been UCSB Nanofab Technical/Operational Director for 6 years, where he is responsible for all aspects of facility advancements and operations, and the senior Nanofab staff scientist for 24 years.  From 1996 to 2000, Brian worked on GaN-based LED and RF HEMT development for WiTech, LLC, founded by Steve DenBaars and Umesh Mishra and purchased by CREE Inc. in June of 2000.  Brian holds a PhD from UCSB in Electrical and Computer Engineering (1997), where his research focused on Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser design, growth, and fabrication.  Steve Zamek, PDF Solutions Steve Zamek is a Director of Product Management at PDF Solutions Inc. Steve is responsible for the Big Data Analytics platform deployed in 100+ leading customers – foundries, IDM’s, OSAT’s and fabless companies. Prior to his current role, Steve held a variety of roles at KLA, a leading provider of inspection and metrology equipment for the semiconductor industry. Steve holds a PhD from UCSD, MSc from BGU, BSc from the Technion – all in Electrical Engineering. He had Internships with Cymer (now ASML) and Sun (now Oracle).

    Host: Dr. Steve Crago

    More Info: https://www.isi.edu/events/5740/analytics-for-semiconductors-from-megafabs-to-nanofabs/

    Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/97017422125?pwd=Dbrt8MNMrmBV3xalKQJcAiNsggFJjJ.1&from=addon

    WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/97017422125?pwd=Dbrt8MNMrmBV3xalKQJcAiNsggFJjJ.1&from=addon

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Amy Kasmir

    Event Link: https://www.isi.edu/events/5740/analytics-for-semiconductors-from-megafabs-to-nanofabs/


    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.

  • CS Bekey Lecture feat. Dr. Huan Liu

    CS Bekey Lecture feat. Dr. Huan Liu

    Fri, Apr 25, 2025 @ 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Dr. Huan Liu , Regents Professor and Ira A. Fulton Professor of Computer Science and Engineering - Arizona State University

    Talk Title: Ceaseless Inquiries: From AI to AI - What I Learned During My Years at USC under Dr. Bekey and What Came After

    Abstract: My time at USC as a graduate student, with Dr. George Bekey as my advisor, had an indelible impact on my career. In this talk, I will illustrate how my research career was shaped by Dr. Bekey’s supervision and the ambience at USC at the time.  My research journey in AI began in Robotics, and evolved into Knowledge-based Systems, Machine Learning, Data Mining, Social Computing, and Social Media Mining with posts in Australia, Singapore, and finally in the US, where I now teach at ASU. On the shoulders of giants, I learned valuable lessons on how to be an effective advisor and what the essence of research is. With the swift development of AI, we will have many more research opportunities to make novel contributions at accelerating speeds.  
     
    Please RSVP by: Monday, April 21, 2025 (5:00 p.m., PST)
     
    This lecture satisfies requirements for CSCI 591: Research Colloquium.
     
    This will be a hybrid lecture, Zoom details coming soon. 

    Biography: Dr. Huan Liu is a Regents Professor and Ira A. Fulton Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Arizona State University. He is the recipient of the ACM SIGKDD 2022 Innovation Award for his outstanding contributions to the foundation, principles, and applications of social media mining and feature selection for data Mining. He co-authored the textbook, Social Media Mining: An Introduction, by Cambridge University Press. He is a Fellow of AAAI, AAAS, ACM, and IEEE.

    Host: Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science

    More Info: https://forms.gle/phi3Gh2yogf9ABtX9

    Webcast: TBD

    Location: Ginsburg Hall (GCS) - Auditorium (LL1)

    WebCast Link: TBD

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science

    Event Link: https://forms.gle/phi3Gh2yogf9ABtX9


    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.

  • PhD Thesis Proposal - Zhuojin Li

    Fri, Apr 25, 2025 @ 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM

    Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science

    University Calendar


    Title: Performance Modeling and Optimization for Machine Learning Systems: from Cloud Training to Edge Inference
     
    Date and Time: Fri, April 25, 2-4pm   
     
    Location: EEB 403
     
    Committee Members: Leana Golubchik (Chair), Murali Annavaram, Peter Beerel, Jyotirmoy V. Deshmukh, William G. J. Halfond
     
    Abstract: Deep neural networks (DNNs) have achieved remarkable success in a wide range of tasks, from computer vision to natural language processing. However, as these networks substantially grow in scale, ensuring efficient performance across the entire lifecycle - from cloud-based training to edge-device inference - remains a crucial problem. Our work addresses this need by developing performance modeling and optimization techniques for both cloud-based distributed training and edge-based inference.  
     
    First, we develop training throughput prediction models (coarse-grained and fine-grained) for distributed stochastic gradient descent (SGD), characterizing the impact of communication bottlenecks and node stragglers in synchronous/asynchronous and centralized/decentralized settings. Second, we propose an operation-wise framework that accurately predicts the inference latency of various neural architectures - such as CNNs and Vision Transformers (ViTs) - across diverse mobile platforms and ML frameworks. Finally, we propose a heterogeneous co-execution approach that combines low-overhead synchronization with ML-based workload partitioning on mobile CPUs and GPUs, substantially speeding up inference tasks. Together, these three contributions form a comprehensive methodology for end-to-end DNN performance evaluation and optimization, providing practical insights for large-scale training in the cloud and efficient deployment at the edge.

    Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 403

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Zhuojin Li


    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.

  • PhD Thesis Proposal - James Hale

    Fri, Apr 25, 2025 @ 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM

    Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science

    University Calendar


    Title of Thesis Proposal:

    AI-Mediated Dispute Resolution

     
    Date and Time:

    Friday 25 April 2025 3-5PM

     
    Location: 

    SAL 213

     
    Committee Members: 

    Dr. Jonathan Gratch, Dr. Gale Lucas, Dr. Jesse Thomason, Dr. Laurent Itti, and Dr. Peter Kim

     
    Abstract: 

    When conflict arises so does the possibility of potentially irreparable harm interpersonally, policitally, or professionally. Simultaneously, finding effective mediators, especially for those without the means to hire an expert, remains a challenge and may preclude resolution. In this proposal, I examine whether one can leverage recent advances in artificial intelligence to create automated mediators -- democratizing conflict mediation. First, I present a laboratory setting wherein we induce conflict in dyads of human crowd workers as they roleplay a buyer-seller dispute -- yielding the KODIS corpus. Second, we examine whether LLMs can understand emotion dynamics in KODIS to forecast dispute outcomes -- showing they can predict subjective outcomes, and uncovering escalatory spirals as the literature predicts. Lastly, I outline my plan to create automated mediators over the remainder of my PhD.

    Location: Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL) - 213

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: James Hale


    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.