Select a calendar:
Filter March Events by Event Type:
Events for March 12, 2025
-
EiS Communications Hub - Tutoring for Engineering Ph.D. StudentsWed, Mar 12, 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
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. -
CS Colloquium: Stephen Tu (USC / ECE) - On the Effectiveness of Generative Modeling for Planning and Control
Wed, Mar 12, 2025 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Stephen Tu, USC / ECE
Talk Title: On the Effectiveness of Generative Modeling for Planning and Control
Abstract: Recent work has demonstrated that modern generative models—including diffusion models and flow matching methods—are a powerful tool for both representing control policies and also designing planning and control algorithms. However, despite strong empirical results, there is a lack of rigorous understanding for why these models work so well in very high-dimensional, autoregressive settings, and surprisingly do not seem to suffer from classic “curse of dimensionality” sample complexity barriers. In this talk, we will shed some light on this phenomenon. First, we will show that shallow diffusion networks can be sample-efficiently learned in the presence of simple latent low-dimensional structures: the intrinsic dimension of the underlying distribution governs the sample complexity, rather than the ambient dimensionality of the problem. Second, we will show that diffusion/flow-matching models and losses are not necessary for learning performant policies in control tasks, and we can actually achieve similar performance using classic energy-based models trained with ranking noise-contrastive estimation—the latter which we prove is nearly asymptotically optimal. We will conclude with some exciting future directions for further investigation into the interplay between generative modeling, controls, and learning.
This lecture satisfies requirements for CSCI 591: Research Colloquium
Biography: Stephen Tu is an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Southern California, where he leads the Statistical Learning for Dynamics and Control group. His research interests span statistical learning theory, safe and optimal control, and robot learning. More specifically, his work has focused on non-asymptotic guarantees for learning dynamical systems, rigorous analysis of distribution shift in feedback settings, safe control synthesis, and more recently foundations of generative modeling. Stephen Tu earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) from the University of California, Berkeley. Previous to joining USC, Stephen Tu was a research scientist at Google DeepMind Robotics where he focused on combining learning and control-theoretic approaches for robotics.
Host: CS Department
Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - 132
Audiences: Everyone (USC) is invited
Contact: CS Faculty Affairs
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. -
Semiconductors and Microelectronics Technology Seminar - Omer Yaffe, Wednesday, March 12th at 10am in EEB 132
Wed, Mar 12, 2025 @ 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Omer Yaffe, Department of Chemical and Biological Physics Weizmann Institute of Science
Talk Title: Anharmonic Vibrational Dynamics in Crystals: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How Raman Spectroscopy Uncovers It
Series: Semiconductors & Microelectronics Technology
Abstract: Anharmonic vibrational dynamics play a crucial role in determining the physical properties of crystalline materials, impacting thermal conductivity, phase transitions, ion transport, and optoelectronic behavior.In this talk, I will present an intuitive framework for understanding anharmonicity and demonstrate how Raman spectroscopy, combined with coupled mode models, provides a powerful tool for probing these dynamics. I will illustrate this approach through three case studies: (1) the temperature evolution of hydrogen-bond vibrations in glycine crystals, (2) soft modes and phase transitions in bismuth vanadate, and (3) electron-phonon coupling in heavily doped silicon.A key takeaway from this analysis is that modeling with coupled mode pairs, rather than a single damped oscillator, effectively captures material behavior, bridging equilibrium and non-equilibrium dynamics and providing deeper insight into complex vibrational interactions in crystals.
Biography: Omer Yaffe is an Associate Professor at the Weizmann Institute of Science, where he leads a research group focused on anharmonic lattice dynamics. His work combines experimental techniques, particularly advanced Raman spectroscopy, with theoretical modeling to explore how lattice vibrations influence charge transport, phase transitions, and ion conduction.
Host: Jayakanth Ravichandran, Joshua Yang, Chongwu Zhou, Steve Cronin and Wei Wu
More Information: Omer Yaffe_2025-03-12.pdf
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 132
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Marilyn Poplawski
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. -
Technology for Business Leaders
Wed, Mar 12, 2025 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Executive Education
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Bhaskar Krishnamachari, Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Talk Title: Technology for Business Leaders
Abstract: Technology for Business Leaders provides a comprehensive exploration of digital transformation and its impact on contemporary business landscapes. Through a series of structured modules, participants will delve into the core concepts of Digital Technologies, Industry 4.0, Innovation, and Organizational Change management. By analyzing case studies and leveraging practical frameworks, learners will develop the necessary insights and skills to drive successful digital transitions within their organizations.
Host: USC Viterbi Corporate and Professional Programs
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: VASE Executive Education
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. -
Computer Science General Faculty Meeting
Wed, Mar 12, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
Receptions & Special Events
Bi-Weekly regular faculty meeting for invited full-time Computer Science faculty and staff only. Event details and Zoom link emailed directly to attendees.
Location: Zoom Only
Audiences: Invited Faculty Only
Contact: Julia Mittenberg-Beirao
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. -
AME Seminar
Wed, Mar 12, 2025 @ 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Mohand Saed, University of Cambridge, UK
Talk Title: Liquid Crystalline Elastomers for Reversible Actuation and Energy Dissipation
Abstract: Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are a versatile class of functional materials exhibiting exceptional properties, including large-stroke reversible actuation, anomalous mechanical energy damping, and reversible pressure-sensitive adhesion. A defining feature of LCEs is their soft elasticity, characterized by a plateau of low, nearly constant stress during stretching, slow stress relaxation, and enhanced surface adhesion. This presentation explores the potential of LCEs in actuator applications and highlights their intrinsic energy dissipation mechanisms, particularly in reversible adhesion and vibration damping.
Biography: Dr. Saed is a University Royal Society Fellow and a group leader at the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, specializing in smart, sustainable, and stimuli-responsive polymers. His research spans new material design, additive manufacturing, vitrimers, adhesives, and liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs).
Over a decade-long academic career, Dr. Saed has made pioneering contributions to polymer science. During his PhD at the University of Colorado, he played a crucial role in overcoming synthesis challenges in LCEs, introducing click chemistry for scalable production. His dissertation led to seven publications and a US patent, revolutionizing the field.
As a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Texas, he expanded into 3D printing and microfabrication, developing a 4D printing technique for LCEs, now widely adopted. This work resulted in three papers and another US patent.
At Cambridge, Dr. Saed has published over 30 original papers, filed four patents, and secured over £2 million in research funding. He co-founded Cambridge Smart Plastics Ltd, serving as Chief Technical Officer, to commercialize vitrimer technologies developed during his tenure.
As of March 2025, he has 43 original papers, 6 patents (3 granted, 3 filed), 2,900 citations, and an H-index of 26. His research is featured in leading journals such as Chemical Reviews, Nature Communications, and Advanced Materials.
Host: AME Department
More Info: https://ame.usc.edu/seminars/
Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/96060458816?pwd=8LmoG2q6vBCQubqqWpcizd2F1bxqsH.1Location: James H. Zumberge Hall Of Science (ZHS) - 252
WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/96060458816?pwd=8LmoG2q6vBCQubqqWpcizd2F1bxqsH.1
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Tessa Yao
Event Link: https://ame.usc.edu/seminars/
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. -
AME Seminar
Wed, Mar 12, 2025 @ 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Mohand Saed, University of Cambridge
Talk Title: TBD
Abstract: The talk will focus on Liquid Crystalline Elastomers, emphasizing their potential as energy-dissipative materials with promising applications in smart adhesion and vibration damping.
Biography: TBD
Host: AME Department
More Info: https://ame.usc.edu/seminars/
Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/96060458816?pwd=8LmoG2q6vBCQubqqWpcizd2F1bxqsH.1Location: James H. Zumberge Hall Of Science (ZHS) - 252
WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/96060458816?pwd=8LmoG2q6vBCQubqqWpcizd2F1bxqsH.1
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Tessa Yao
Event Link: https://ame.usc.edu/seminars/
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.
