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Events for April
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PhD Thesis Proposal - Grace Zhang
Tue, Apr 01, 2025 @ 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
University Calendar
Title: Knowledge Transfer for Data Efficient Reinforcement Learning
Committee : Gaurav Sukatme (Chair), Stefanos Nikolaidis, Erdem Biyik, Daniel Seita, Stephen Tu
Abstract: Reinforcement learning and the closely related inverse reinforcement learning problems are general and powerful frameworks to learn sequential decision making tasks with only a reward function or demonstrations and minimal assumptions on the environment. However, the trade-off is that these algorithms can be very data inefficient, in the number of trials required in the training environment or the number of demonstrations required. In my work I explore how to achieve more data efficient learning through knowledge transfer between environments or between tasks. Specifically, on how to transfer behaviors between environments, how to share behaviors between tasks in multi-task RL, and how to utilize multi-task information to do inverse RL from limited demonstrations.
Location: Ginsburg Hall (GCS) - 402C - 4th Floor
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Ellecia Williams
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 Dissertation Defense - Hanchen Xie
Wed, Apr 02, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
University Calendar
Dissertation Title: Mitigating Environment Misalignment And Discovering Intrinsic Relations Via Symbolic Alignment
Date and Time: April 2, 12 pm to 2 pm.
Location: RTH 217
Committee: Yue Wang (Chair), Wael Abd-Almageed, Aram Galstyan, Emilio Ferrara, Peter Beerel
Abstract: Deep learning models have achieved remarkable success on various computer vision tasks. Modern state-of-the-art methods can not only recognize the visual appearance of objects but also discover intrinsic relations of objects (e.g., dynamics or causal relations). However, collecting sufficient training data for the intrinsic relations can be expensive or infeasible in many scenarios, such as car incident videos in the real world. As an alternative, one can generate data in a different environment, such as synthetic data, that depicts the same intrinsic relations. Yet, end-to-end models may suffer from environment misalignment challenges, such as visual domain or environment context shift, so the model generality is limited. To mitigate such misalignment challenges, we propose symbolic alignment, a novel learning strategy that utilizes a common symbolic space to align various environments. We first conduct a case study on dynamics prediction to reveal the environment misalignment challenges on our proposed datasets. Next, to obtain insight into the challenge, we provide an investigation of the implicit position encoding in the dynamics prediction model. Then, we present a learning framework that separates the learning of appearance recognition and dynamics relations discovery to improve the generality of the dynamics prediction model. Then, we generalize the symbolic alignment strategy and introduce a novel framework, Look, Learn, and Leverage L3. L3 decomposes the learning process into three distinct phases and achieves promising results on three intrinsic relations discovery tasks. Finally, we extend the environment misalignment discussion to video classification and demonstrate the potential of symbolic alignment to mitigate the video content inconsistency between training and inference.Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 217
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Hanchen Xie
Event Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/95803531086?pwd=LwnaIMsMv44jIIkvvlUEXD3gAbqb2N.1
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 - Soumyaroop Nandi
Fri, Apr 04, 2025 @ 02:45 PM - 04:45 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
University Calendar
Title: Context-Aware Semantic Forgery Detection in Biomedical and Natural Images
Committee: Dr. Premkumar Natarajan (Chair), Dr. Emilio Ferrara, Dr. Daniel O’Leary, Dr. Erdem Biyik, and Dr. Gale Lucas
Abstract:Copy-move forgery is one of the most common and challenging forms of image manipulation, where regions within an image are duplicated and repositioned to conceal or falsify visual evidence. Detecting these manipulations becomes especially difficult in the case of semantic or context-aware forgeries, where duplicated content is strategically placed to mislead interpretation or alter meaning. This challenge is further compounded in specialized domains such as biomedical imaging, where image tampering can undermine scientific integrity by distorting experimental results. In the proposed thesis, we explore and develop state space model-based attention networks to advance the detection of copy-move and semantic image forgeries in both natural and biomedical images. We begin by introducing a visual state space modeling approach that uses normalized attention maps to locate and compare similar regions within an image. A region-based block-attention mechanism, integrated with this model, enables precise identification of manipulated and authentic areas, producing detailed localization maps of both the source and duplicated regions. To address the limitations of existing datasets, we propose a comprehensive copy-move forgery detection dataset designed to capture a wider range of sophisticated tampering techniques. Furthermore, we extend our methods to biomedical images, leveraging state space models as similarity detectors that focus on duplicated regions, enabling effective detection of manipulations that traditional models often fail to identify. This thesis aims to advance the field of semantic forgery detection by providing efficient and robust techniques for identifying both low-level pixel alterations and high-level, context-driven forgeries across diverse imaging applications.
Location: Ginsburg Hall (GCS) - 402C - 4th Floor
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Ellecia Williams
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. -
"Keys to Life" series at USC ORSLMon, Apr 07, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
University Calendar
"Keys to Life" with Prof. Weiss is a motivational discussion series designed to promote student success and well-being. This series is for students who want to develop their "keys" in a small group setting and a peaceful, reflective environment. Finding purpose is essential to living a meaningful life and key to personal fulfillment. This series will help students identify and articulate their purpose and provide group motivation to work towards it. A unique feature of the series will be its peripatetic "Purpose Walks" through campus.
More Information: Keys to Life with Prof. Weiss.jpg
Location: University Religious Center (URC) - courtyard
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Elisabeth Arnold Weiss
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. -
Thesis Proposal - Jiahao Wen
Thu, Apr 10, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
University Calendar
Title of Thesis Proposal: Optimal r-Adaptive In-Timestep Remeshing for Elastodynamics
Committee members: Prof. Jernej Barbic (Chair), Prof. Yong Chen, Prof. Oded Stein, Prof. Satyandra Gupta, and Prof. Stefanos Nikolaidis.
Abstract: This work is about finding optimal degrees of freedom for FEM simulation of nonlinear deformable objects with frictional contacts. This is done by moving the vertices in the undeformed (reference) mesh to improve the match to the true analytical solution of the underlying PDE. I.e., get closer to the true solution with a fewer number of mesh vertices by optimally repositioning those vertices in the undeformed mesh. More broadly, the work tries to improve how partial differential equations are solved by adapting the FEM solution space.
Location: Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL) - 213
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Ellecia Williams
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 - Jiahao Wen
Thu, Apr 10, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
University Calendar
Title of Thesis Proposal: Optimal r-Adaptive In-Timestep Remeshing for Elastodynamics
Date and Time: April 10th, 12 pm - 1pm
Location: SAL 213
Committee Members: Prof. Jernej Barbic, Prof. Yong Chen, Prof. Oded Stein, Prof. Satyandra Gupta, and Prof. Stefanos Nikolaidis.
Abstract: This work is about finding optimal degrees of freedom for FEM simulation of nonlinear deformable objects with frictional contacts. This is done by moving the vertices in the undeformed (reference) mesh to improve the match to the true analytical solution of the underlying PDE. I.e., get closer to the true solution with a fewer number of mesh vertices by optimally repositioning those vertices in the undeformed mesh. More broadly, the work tries to improve how partial differential equations are solved by adapting the FEM solution space.Location: Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL) - 213
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Jiahao Wen
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. -
"Keys to Life" series at USC ORSL
Mon, Apr 14, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
University Calendar
"Keys to Life" with Prof. Weiss is a motivational discussion series designed to promote student success and well-being. This series is for students who want to develop their "keys" in a small group setting and a peaceful, reflective environment. Finding purpose is essential to living a meaningful life and key to personal fulfillment. This series will help students identify and articulate their purpose and provide group motivation to work towards it. A unique feature of the series will be its peripatetic "Purpose Walks" through campus.
More Information: Keys to Life with Prof. Weiss.jpg
Location: University Religious Center (URC) - courtyard
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Elisabeth Arnold Weiss
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. -
DREAM Industry Mentorship speaker series- with Binti Yost
Wed, Apr 16, 2025 @ 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
University Calendar
DREAM connects students with experienced industry professionals from a variety of tech and destination companies who help them create a vision for their futures, align their careers around purpose, and build character in the context of growth, reinvention, and constant change. Industry mentors discuss how professional challenges present opportunities for character and leadership development. This event features Binti Yost, Principal at KPMG- Economic and Valuation Services, sharing insights from her career in consulting for Fortune 500 companies. https://eis.usc.edu/dream/
More Information: DREAM Flyer 4-16 Binti Yost.png
Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 217
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Elisabeth Arnold Weiss
Event Link: https://cglink.me/2nB/r403700
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. -
DREAM Industry Mentorship speaker series- with Mehrad Noori
Wed, Apr 16, 2025 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
University Calendar
DREAM connects students with experienced industry professionals from a variety of tech and destination companies who help them create a vision for their futures, align their careers around purpose, and build character in the context of growth, reinvention, and constant change. Industry mentors discuss how professional challenges present opportunities for character and leadership development. This event features Mehrad Noori, Executive Producer at Reality Labs at Meta, sharing insights from his journey from undergraduate at USC School of Cinematic Arts and M.A. at Iovine and Young Academy to leading immersive content development as Executive Producer at NBC Universal, AnythingEverything, and Meta. https://eis.usc.edu/dream/
More Information: DREAM Flyer 4-16 Mehrad Noori.png
Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 217
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Elisabeth Arnold Weiss
Event Link: https://cglink.me/2nB/r403861
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 - Mi-Ying Miryam Huang
Thu, Apr 17, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
University Calendar
Presentation Title: Towards Publicly Verifiable Cryptography: Obfuscation, Fully Homomorphic Encryption, and Proof Carrying State.
Date and Time: April 17th 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Location: Ginsburg 503C
Committee members: David Kempe, Greta Panova (math department), Vatsal Sharan, Shanghua Teng, Jiapeng Zhang
Abstract: We explore public verifiability in cryptography. This proposal highlights two main results and one ongoing research direction:
Through a quantum lens, we introduce Quantum Obfuscation for approximate Unitary Quantum Functionality. By using advanced quantum techniques, our construction supports approximate unitary quantum functionalities with quantum inputs and outputs, significantly extending beyond existing limitations by Bartusek et al (STOC 2023, STOC 2024). Utilizing Quantum Teleportation combined with Projective Linear Measurement (PLM) quantum programs, we overcome critical obstacles from previous works and open potential applications in quantum copy-protection, quantum functional encryption, and secure quantum software distribution.
From a classical cryptographic perspective, we develop a Publicly Verifiable Fully Homomorphic Encryption (pvFHE) scheme, building upon the FHEW framework by Ducas and Micciancio (Eurocrypt 15). Integrating the GINX homomorphic accumulator, our scheme improves efficiency during bootstrapping and verification. Moreover, we introduce a generalized Rank-1 Constraint System (Ring R1CS) and construct a succinct non-interactive argument (SNARG). This approach provides efficient verifiability and strong security guarantees, including enhanced client data privacy, adhering to the recently introduced privacy framework by Cini et al. (Crypto 24).
Finally, our ongoing project, Proof-Carrying Quantum States, further extends these concepts to achieve verifiable quantum computations, bridging classical and quantum cryptographic techniques to ensure computation integrity and privacy. Together, these contributions advance both theoretical foundations and practical applications of publicly verifiable cryptographic protocols.Location: Ginsburg Hall (GCS) - 503C
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mi-Ying Miryam Huang
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. -
"Keys to Life" series at USC ORSL
Mon, Apr 21, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
University Calendar
"Keys to Life" with Prof. Weiss is a motivational discussion series designed to promote student success and well-being. This series is for students who want to develop their "keys" in a small group setting and a peaceful, reflective environment. Finding purpose is essential to living a meaningful life and key to personal fulfillment. This series will help students identify and articulate their purpose and provide group motivation to work towards it. A unique feature of the series will be its peripatetic "Purpose Walks" through campus.
More Information: Keys to Life with Prof. Weiss.jpg
Location: University Religious Center (URC) - courtyard
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Elisabeth Arnold Weiss
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.
