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Events for October 10, 2019
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Astani Civil and Environmental Engineering RA/TA Awards
Thu, Oct 10, 2019 @ 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Receptions & Special Events
Award luncheon celebrating outstanding research and teaching assistants in the CEE Department.
Audience: CEE Faculty & PHD Students only
Location: Parkside Residential Building (PRB) -
Audiences: Department Only
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Theory Lunch
Thu, Oct 10, 2019 @ 12:15 PM - 02:00 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Grigory Yaroslavtsev, Assistant Professor of Statistics at Indiana University
Talk Title: Advances in Hierarchical Clustering of Vector Data
Abstract: Compared to the highly successful flat clustering (e.g. k-means), despite its important role and applications in data analysis, hierarchical clustering has been lacking in rigorous algorithmic studies until late due to absence of rigorous objectives. Since 2016, a sequence of works has emerged and gave novel algorithms for this problem in the general metric setting. This was enabled by a breakthrough by Dasgupta, who introduced a formal objective into the study of hierarchical clustering.
In this talk I will give an overview of our recent progress on models and scalable algorithms for hierarchical clustering applicable specifically to high-dimensional vector data, including embedding vectors arising from deep learning. I will first discuss various linkage-based algorithms (single-linkage, average-linkage) and their formal properties with respect to various objectives. I will then introduce a new projection-based approximation algorithm for vector data. The talk will be self-contained and does not assume prior knowledge of clustering methods.
Host: Shaddin Dughmi
Location: Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL) - 213
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Cherie Carter
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USC Graduate Engineering Info Session: Hyderabad
Thu, Oct 10, 2019 @ 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Graduate Admission
Workshops & Infosessions
TechNext India: A Talk on MS and PhD Programs Rising in Popularity in US
Who should attend:
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 graduate and doctoral engineering program trends and about applying to the University of Southern California.
Topics covered:
Master's & PhD Programs Trends in the US
Popular Programs at USC (CS, Mech, Data Science, BioMed, Civil, EM etc.)
How to Apply
Scholarships and Funding
Student Life at USC and in Los Angeles
Application Tips
Q & A
Register HereAudiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: USC Viterbi Graduate Programs
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Sonny Astani Civil and Environmental Engineering Seminar
Thu, Oct 10, 2019 @ 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dennis Lettenmaier, Ph.D., Department of Geography, University of California, Los Angeles
Talk Title: If extreme precipitation is increasing, why are not floods?
Abstract: Despite evidence of increasing precipitation extremes, corresponding evidence for increases in flooding remains elusive. If anything, flood magnitudes are decreasing despite widespread claims by the climate community that if precipitation extremes increase, floods must also. Based on a recent 2018 WRR paper Sharma, Wasko, and Lettenmaier I suggest reasons why increases in extreme rainfall are not resulting in corresponding increases in flooding. Among them are decreases in antecedent soil moisture, decreasing storm extent, and decreases in snowmelt. I further discuss a recent analysis that investigates linkages between antecedent soil moisture and flooding along the U.S. west coast both historically 1950-present and projected into the future using downscaled global climate model output. Our analysis shows some evidence of mitigation of extreme floods in a warmer climate due to changes in antecedent soil moisture and shifts in the seasonal timing of extreme precipitation. I also discuss an ongoing analysis of flood records from 110 stream gauges for unregulated streams across the western U.S. for the period 1950-2015, where each event was classified into one of six flood-generating mechanisms. This analysis shows few trends in the mix of flood generating mechanisms over the last 50 years, of flood magnitudes, or of the seasonal timing of floods. I argue that understanding the link between changes in precipitation and changes in flooding past and future is a grand challenge for the hydrologic community and is deserving of increased attention.
Host: Dr. George Ban-Weiss
Location: Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience (MCB) - 102
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
