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Events for September 30, 2022

  • PhD Thesis Proposal - Basileal Imana

    Fri, Sep 30, 2022 @ 09:00 AM - 10:30 PM

    Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science

    University Calendar


    Candidate: Basileal Imana

    Title: Platform-supported and Privacy-preserving Auditing of Social Media Algorithms for Public Interest

    Committee: Aleksandra Korolova, John Heidemann, Bistra Dilkina, Kristina Lerman, Phebe Vayanos

    Abstract:
    Social media platforms are at an inflection point due to increasing pressure from society to scrutinize their algorithms and practices. Auditing these platforms for public interest has become a pressing area of academic research, policy-making and legislation. One area of concern is platform-induced bias in the delivery of ads that shape access to life opportunities such as employment, housing and education. The primary risk comes from platforms' use of relevance estimator algorithms to personalize delivery of ads. In response to the risks, policies are being proposed to mandate platforms to provide external researchers privileged access to perform audits while protecting the platforms' privacy-sensitive data. But, until now, no actionable proposal has been made on how to achieve this policy goal practically and at scale. In this work, we propose a new platform-supported auditing framework enables a privacy-preserving and generalizable method for evaluating the fairness of relevance estimators used in delivery of opportunity ads.

    We prove the above statement through three studies. In the first study, we perform a black-box audit to show that Facebook's relevance estimator can result in discriminatory job ad delivery by gender. In our second ongoing study, we show our method from the first study generalizes by transforming it into a template we can apply to audit for discrimination in other areas that have not been studied well. We will use the template to audit racial bias in delivery of housing and education ads. The black-box audits in the first two studies will demonstrate how relevance estimators can result in discriminatory outcomes for opportunity ads. Finally, in our third ongoing study, we propose a platform-supported auditing framework for auditing relevance estimators that addresses the limitations of black-box methods. Our proposal is fundamentally different from prior methods in that it suggests a way for auditors to have query access to the core and proprietary algorithms of social media while preserving privacy interests of users and platforms. Taken together, the three studies will show a platform-supported method to audit relevance estimators is the key to increasing social-media transparency.

    WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/94162038836?pwd=R1Z6QXVyZG54OHRvMUJFSENETklzZz09

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Lizsl De Leon

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  • 2022 Fall PwC China Sourcing Initiative (CSI) Information Session (Virtual)

    Fri, Sep 30, 2022 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections

    Workshops & Infosessions


    Program Introduction

    The China Sourcing Initiative (CSI) was launched in 2007 and is designed for overseas students in the United States and Canada who aspire to join us for full-time Associate positions in Mainland China or Hong Kong.

    For our 2022 - 2023 recruitment process, CSI recruiters will meet applicants in-person or virtually across North America to introduce our program as well as our China/Hong Kong career opportunities. The entire interview process will be hosted virtually so that students can be supported without the need to travel.

    Date: September 30
    Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
    Location: Zoom RSVP HERE


    Who are we looking for?

    We have many positions available across the line of services in assurance, tax, advisory and one firm services, at our various office locations throughout China and Hong Kong. Positions are for full time Associate roles with a start date in Fall of 2023.

    Both Bachelor and Master students who graduate from universities in the United States or Canada between August 2021 and August 2023 are encouraged to apply. Please kindly note that in order to be considered, you have to be eligible to work in Mainland China without a working visa. PwC will provide Hong Kong working visa sponsorship for selected associates.

    We welcome STEM major students who are interested in getting professional training and professional service experiences in China and Hong Kong to join our program.

    Kindly note we are seeking candidates who are proficient in Mandarin and/or Cantonese (speaking and writing)

    Location: Zoom, please see below for details on how to RSVP

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Connections

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  • Medtronic Trojan Talk (Viterbi, Virtual)

    Fri, Sep 30, 2022 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

    Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections

    Workshops & Infosessions


    Friday, September 30th 1-2 pm
    RSVP in Viterbi Career Gateway > Events > Info Sessions

    At Medtronic, you can begin a life-long career of exploration and innovation while helping champion healthcare access and equity for all. You will lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation in a more connected, compassionate world.
    We have been recognized for our commitment to individuals beginning their careers. Medtronic was named as one of the Best Employers for New Graduates by Forbes Magazine in 2020 and 2021. And in 2022, we won a Campus Forward Award for our early career candidate experience; investments in inclusion and diversity; and meaningful internships and entry-level programs.

    Medtronic leads global healthcare technology and boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission â” to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life â” unites a global team of 90,000+ passionate people. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world.
    In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary.
    What majors and class levels are you interested in connecting with?
    All Viterbi Majors,
    Are you recruiting for internships, full-time, or both?
    Both, with an internship focus
    Can you offer Visa sponsorship?
    Not at the moment.

    Location: Virtual

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Connections

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  • MHI ISSS Seminar - Dr. Wanghua Wu, Friday, September 30th at 2pm in EEB 132

    Fri, Sep 30, 2022 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Wanghua Wu, Samsung Semiconductor Inc.

    Talk Title: Recent Trends and Advances in High Performance Fractional-N PLL Design

    Series: Integrated Systems

    Abstract: any advanced
    electronic systems. In recent years, both analog and all-digital PLLs employing sampling or sub-sampling phase detector have gained popularity and demonstrated below 100-fs integrated jitter and superior figure-of-merit. This talk focuses on this PLL architecture and elaborates the advanced design techniques
    to achieve low jitter, low fractional spurs, fast locking, and low power operation. Both circuit design and digital calibration techniques will be presented in detail. In addition, recent advances in reference clock generation will also be discussed as it is crucial for high performance PLLs.

    Biography: Dr. Wanghua Wu received the B.Sc. degree from Fudan University, Shanghai, China, in 2004, M.Sc. degree and Ph.D. degree from Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands in 2007 and 2013, respectively, all in electrical engineering. From 2013 to 2016, she was an RFIC Design Engineer in Marvell, developing high performance frequency synthesizers for WLAN transceivers. Since 2016, she has been with Samsung Semiconductor Inc. USA. She is currently a Principal Engineer and Senior Manager, leading advanced cellular RFIC design. Her research interest is on CMOS frequency synthesis for wireless applications. She currently serves as the Technical Program Committee member of IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), Custom Integrated Circuits Conference (CICC), and Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits Symposium (RFIC).

    Host: MHI - ISSS, Hashemi, Chen and Sideris

    More Info: Meeting ID: 926 7347 1681, Passcode: 960345

    More Information: Abstract and Bio-Sept 30-Wu.pdf

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

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Marilyn Poplawski

    Event Link: Meeting ID: 926 7347 1681, Passcode: 960345

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  • Viterbi Fall Concert

    Fri, Sep 30, 2022 @ 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

    Viterbi School of Engineering Masters Programs

    University Calendar


    All PhD, MS as well as Undergraduate students are invited to be a part of this Fall Concert.

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Juli Legat

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