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Events for the 1st week of February
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Sun, Jan 30, 2011 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
University Calendar
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Viterbi School of Engineering Alumni
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Services
Viterbi School of Engineering Graduate Admission
Viterbi School of Engineering Pre-College Programs
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Affairs
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Click here http://viterbi.usc.edu to visit monkeys. OR you can Viterbi website visit.Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Sam Stevens
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Safety Management for Aviation Maintenance (MAINT)
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 @ 08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Aviation Safety and Security Program
University Calendar
This course provides supervisors with aviation safety principles and practices needed to manage the problems associated with aircraft maintenance operations.
Location: Aviation Safety & Security Campus
Audiences: Aviation Professionals
Contact: Harrison Wolf
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Viterbi Ball Ticket Sales
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 @ 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Come buy your tickets for Viterbi Ball! $25 each, checks made out to USC or cash accepted.
Visit the Facebook event for more info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170374009672457
Location: E-Quad
Audiences: Undergrad
Contact: VSC
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Software Defined Radio, Cognitive Radio, Cognitive Networks: Current Research Efforts and Future Trends
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Lizdabel Morales-Tirado, Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez
Talk Title: Software Defined Radio, Cognitive Radio, Cognitive Networks: Current Research Efforts and Future Trends
Abstract: Wireless networks have been well studied and optimized with traditional radio resource management techniques, but still there is room for improvement. Cognitive radio technology can bring significant network improvements by providing awareness to the surrounding radio environment, exploiting previous network knowledge and optimizing the use of resources using machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques. Cognitive radio can also co-exist with legacy equipment thus acting as a bridge among heterogeneous communication systems. In this seminar, an introduction to the concepts of software defined radio, cognitive radio and cognitive networks is presented. An approach for applying cognition in wireless networks is described. Current research efforts in the area and future trends in the area are discussed.
Biography: Dr. Lizdabel Morales‐Tirado received her Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Campus in 1996. She received a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern University in 1998 and her Doctor in Philosophy in Electrical Engineering in the January 2010 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).
She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez (UPRM) in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She teaches courses in communications, and is conducting research in the areas of wireless communications, cognitive radio and cognitive networks. Her newly formed research group, the Intelligent Wireless and Networked Communications Laboratory (iWiNC), currently is composed of one graduate student and eleven undergraduate students.
Dr. Morales is a GEM Fellow, a Virginia Space Grant Consortium Fellow and a John Lee Pratt Fellow. She is also co‐founder of Divergent Engineering Inc., an engineering consulting company in Puerto Rico. Prior to attending Virginia Tech, Dr. Morales was an instructor at the Interamerican University in San Germán, Puerto Rico. She also worked as a Systems Engineer for Lucent Technologies from 1999 to 2001; and at Motorola's iDEN group from 1995 until 1999.
Host: Professor Timothy M. Pinkston
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Janice Thompson
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BME 533 - Seminar in Biomedical Engineering
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 @ 12:30 PM - 01:50 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. George Truskey, Duke University
Talk Title: Engineering Endothelial Progenitor Cells for Vascular Repair
Series: Invited Chair Series
Abstract: Endothelial progenitor cells can be obtained from cord blood, adult blood or bone marrow and serve as a potential source of vascular endothelium for a variety of therapeutic applications. Our own work has focused upon using late outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells for a variety of applications including seeding vascular devices, preparing, tissue engineered blood vessels and repair of endothelial injury. The focus of this talk is upon the use of human endothelial cells derived from late outgrowth cord bold (hCB-ECs) to accelerate vein graft re-endothelialization, and reduce vein graft atherosclerosis.
As a principal cause of vein graft failure, endothelial injury complicates ~500,000 vein graft procedures performed annually in the US to treat atherosclerosis. Over-distension of the vein graft by arterial pressure leads to endothelial injury, which exposes the extracellular matrix to circulating blood and promotes vein graft thrombosis. Neointimal hyperplasia subsequently predisposes vein grafts to accelerated atherosclerosis, and late vein graft failure. The hCB-ECs function similarly to vascular endothelium. The hCB-ECs demonstrate smaller size, superior adhesive properties and higher 51 integrin expression levels compared with EC adhesion to SMC/extracellular matrix is significantly greater under flow conditions with hCB-ECs than with ECs derived from adult human peripheral blood EPCs. When administered intravenously, hCB-ECs enhanced vein graft re-endothelialization, and prevented thrombosis in carotid interposition vein grafts implanted in SCID mice. To better understand the adhesion process, we examined adhesion of hCB-ECs as a function of shear stress in vitro. The number of adherent cells varied with shear stress, with the maximum number of adherent cells and the shear stress at maximum adhesion depending upon fluid viscosity. A dimensional analysis indicated that adhesion was a function of the net force on the cells, the ratio of cell diffusion to sliding speed and molecular diffusivity. This work suggests that delivery conditions can be developed to maximize adhesion of EPCs for repair of damaged arteries.
Host: Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC
Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - 122
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
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Progressive Degree Program Info Session
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 @ 05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Affairs
Workshops & Infosessions
The Progressive Degree Program (PDP) gives continuing USC undergraduates another path to earning a Masterâs degree from USC. The main advantages to a Progressive Degree are: 1) the option to start graduate-level classes during the senior year, and 2) a reduction in units required for the Masterâs Degree.
Juniors and transfer students are encouraged to attend this information session if they are interested in applying for the Progressive Degree.
More information about PDP can be accessed at: http://viterbi.usc.edu/pdpLocation: Grace Ford Salvatori Hall Of Letters, Arts & Sciences (GFS) - 106
Audiences: Undergrad
Contact: Joseph King
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Dancing the Poem
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 @ 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Receptions & Special Events
Admission is free.
Join us for a choreographed collaboration between poetry and danceâtwo languages of aesthetic revelation. The Get Lit Playersâteen poets from Los Angelesâand USC dancers led by USC dance director Margo Apostolos will enact and dance both traditional and spoken-word poems. Poems by contemporary poets, including Joy Harjo, Robert Pinsky and others, will be read aloud by California poet laureate Carol Muske-Dukes, then interpreted by the Get Lit Players and danced in a variety of styles, including jazz, tap, modern and hip hop. The event will demonstrate the creative relationship between dance and language. A great poem may dance on the page; this event will translate that choreography of our imaginations into reality. The performance will be followed by a discussion.
Margo Apostolos is the director of dance and an associate professor in the USC School of Theatre. She has authored and presented numerous articles on her research and design in robot choreography. A recipient of the prestigious NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty fellowship, Apostolos worked for NASA at Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech as a research scientist in the area of space telerobotics.
Carol Muske-Dukes is a USC professor of English and creative writing, founding director of USCâs PhD program in creative writing and literature and creator of the Magic Poetry Busâher project as California poet laureate. She is the author of seven books of poems (including Sparrow, a National Book Award finalist), four novels and two collections of essays. She has received numerous awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Endowment of the Arts Fellowship in Poetry and the Library of Congress Award.
The Get Lit Players is an award-winning teen poetry troupe composed of high-school students from throughout Los Angeles. The troupe travels the nation inspiring thousands of their peers to read through their explosive live performances. Their work has been featured on HBO and in the Los Angeles Times and has been embraced by two poet laureates, Russell Simmons, the California Arts Council, and educators and students throughout the nation.
Organized by Margo Apostolos (Dance) and Carol Muske-Dukes (English).
For further information on this event:
visionsandvoices@usc.edu
Location: Ronald Tutor Campus Center (TCC) - Grand Ballroom, Section A
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Daria Yudacufski
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AIChE Resume Workshop w/Leland Char
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 @ 08:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Location: Elaine & Kenneth Leventhal School Of Accounting (ACC) - 303
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: USC American Institute of Chemical Engineers
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Viterbi Ball Ticket Sales
Tue, Feb 01, 2011 @ 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Come buy your tickets for Viterbi Ball! $25 each, checks made out to USC or cash accepted.
Visit the Facebook event for more info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170374009672457
Location: RTH Lobby
Audiences: Undergrad
Contact: VSC
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Epstein Institute Seminar
Tue, Feb 01, 2011 @ 03:30 PM - 04:50 PM
Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Franklin Dexter, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Operations Research & Professor, Dept of Anesthesia, University of Iowa
Talk Title: "Value of Small Changes in Operating Room Workflow"
Abstract: Industrial engineers working in hospitals are often asked to help reduce non-operative times in surgical suites. Lean methods are appropriate. However, studies show that this common request by clinicians and managers reflects psychological biases. For example, there are multiple stages of decision-making starting months ahead of the day of surgery. Small reductions in time today can cause large increase in predictive error of future staffing decisions. The talk will explain the unique features of OR management, specifically the sites with largest overall variability have small numbers (2-3) of non-preemptive tasks per day per location.
Biography: Franklin Dexter completed his MD and MS/PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. He did his anesthesiology residency at the University of Iowa and remained on faculty. He is Professor in the Department of Anesthesia at the University of Iowa and Statistical Editor of the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia. He has published more than 300 papers in the fields of operating room management and anesthesia. He has performed more than 275 consultations for more than 125 corporations applying the engineering/statistical methods. Details of his background, expertise, etc., are at www.FranklinDexter.net
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - Room 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Georgia Lum
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CS Colloquium
Tue, Feb 01, 2011 @ 03:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Rebecca Schulman, Miller Research Fellow, UC Berkeley
Talk Title: What makes a bunch of molecules a cell: The power of chemical reaction networks
Abstract: While we can write programs that emulate our capacity for chess playing or predict our tastes, many tasks that both humans and lower organisms are capable of such as image recognition or directed motion have been surprisingly difficult to reverse engineer. What these processes share is the entwinement of a complex organism with a complex physical environment.
While higher organisms are complex, single cells are much less so.
And even single cells can chase targets, change shape on cue, and self-replicate. How can a cell, a simple group of molecules, orchestrate these behaviors? We can investigate the power of molecular interactions by trying to recreate the computations they perform and the implementation of the computations using synthetic DNA. DNA's chemistry and structure are well-understood, and we can engineer specific interactions between DNA molecules by designing their sequences. We can therefore focus on the power of systems of reactions rather than on the process of individual ones. I'll show how we can use DNA to replicate sequences written in an alphabet of DNA blocks, or tiles, and program molecules to execute a "search and capture" process that forms a tether between two points of unknown location. From these examples we learn that molecular reaction networks are surprisingly powerful: a small set of molecules can both compute and learn arbitrarily complex patterns, and even though molecular interactions are stochastic and unreliable, systems of molecules can robustly perform complex behaviors.
Biography: Rebecca Schulman received undergraduate degrees in mathematics and computer science at MIT. She then spent several years working on search and natural language technology in Silicon Valley before receiving a PhD in the "Computation and Neural Systems" option at the California Institute of Technology, where she worked with Erik Winfree. Dr. Schulman is currently a Miller Research Fellow at UC Berkeley in Jan Liphardt's group.
Host: Profs. Len Adleman, Shang-Hua Teng
Location: Seaver Science Library (SSL) - 150
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Kanak Agrawal
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Career Fest: Top Tips to Finding a Job
Tue, Feb 01, 2011 @ 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections
Workshops & Infosessions
Come learn best practices in navigating the job search and the top tips that will help land you a job
Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 211
Audiences: All Viterbi Students
Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Services
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Career Fest: Get in the Know…. Learn More About Opportunities in Intelligence
Tue, Feb 01, 2011 @ 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections
Workshops & Infosessions
Sign-ups for the Co-op opportunity event with USC Information Sciences Institute are now open. Sign up before all spots are taken!
USC/ISI would like to invite the first 50 eligible USC students majoring in Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, Aerospace and Astronautical Engineering as well as Computer Science to a special Co-Op opportunity event Tuesday, February 1, 2011 from 5:30-6:30PM, RTH 211. Pizza will be served!
Please RSVP with Viterbi Career Services (RTH 218).
Areas of interest include but are not limited to computing technology, various computing and communication platforms, video and imaging systems, web-based interfaces, as well as orbital mechanics, spacecraft design, RF link and interference analysis, signal processing, data analysis and presentation problems.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
* Must be a US citizen.
* Must be able to pass a polygraph examination and security background check
* Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
* Must be willing to relocate for up to 6 months for an internship or Co-Op
* Must be pursuing an Engineering degree from USC
Benefits Include:
* Funded internship while pursuing degree
* Relocation and housing allowance
* Detailed training from IC experts that will put you ahead of the competition
* Potential for higher starting salary out of school (typically between 15,000 and 25,000 more than peers)
* Multiple job offers potential upon graduation
Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 211
Audiences: Viterbi EE, ME, ASTE, AE, CS, CECS, and ISE Majors
Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Services
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EE-Systems Seminar
Wed, Feb 02, 2011 @ 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Valentino Crespi,
Talk Title: Trackability and Machine Learning of Processes
Abstract: The effective monitoring of complex environments is related to the ability of machine learning and tracking its constituent processes.
Examples of environments in this domain include networked computer systems, autonomic computing systems and distributed and dynamic information systems. In our approach an environment consists, in its most abstract form, of multiple processes or behaviors that we typically model as Finite State Machines such as Probabilistic and nonprobabilistic Finite State Automata (DFAs/PFAs), Probabilistic Deterministic Finite State Automata (PDFAs), Probabilistic Suffix Automata (PSAs), Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), etc.
In this talk we first introduce an original and rigorous concept of "trackability" of processes in a distributed sensing system. The purpose of this notion is to determine the "complexity" of estimating state trajectories of a target process based on a discrete-time sequence of noisy "observations". We then present our new algorithms to machine learn Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) from typical realizations of the associated stochastic process. The methods are based on the non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) of higher order Markovian statistics and are structurally different from the classical Baum-Welch and associated approaches.
Host: Bhaskar Krishnamachari
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Shane Goodoff
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Viterbi Ball Ticket Sales
Wed, Feb 02, 2011 @ 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Come buy your tickets for Viterbi Ball! $25 each, checks made out to USC or cash accepted.
Visit the Facebook event for more info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170374009672457
Location: RTH Lobby
Audiences: Undergrad
Contact: VSC
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AIChE Spring Grill Out
Wed, Feb 02, 2011 @ 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Stop by for some free food before, between, and after classes!
Location: in front of HEDCO
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: USC American Institute of Chemical Engineers
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Asymptotic Design for Cascade Robustness in Large Coupled Systems
Wed, Feb 02, 2011 @ 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Franz Hover, MIT Mechanical Engineering
Talk Title: Asymptotic Design for Cascade Robustness in Large Coupled Systems
Abstract: Power networks and collaborating mobile robots are examples of large-scale interdependent systems that are subject to cascading failures. A recent asymptotic model of failure across two signal domains offers a random graph framework for studying such systems, and I use it to pose and solve a new robust design problem. A low-order nonlinear analysis uncovers the mechanisms by which optimized graphs can form star-like clusters, as encoded into a simple but specialized degree distribution; several other design rules can be found as well. Through examples on coupled systems of finite size, I show that degree independence in the asymptotic model can be somewhat relaxed, which is significant for the practical case of geometric connectivity. A heuristic rule that matches degrees across the domain boundary can offer further benefits in many cases.
Biography: Franz Hover received the BSME from Ohio Northern University and the MS and ScD degrees from the WHOI/MIT Joint Program in Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering. He was a consultant to industry and then a member of the research staff at MIT, where he worked in fluid mechanics, biomimetics, and ocean engineering. He is currently Finmeccanica Assistant Professor at the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering; his research focuses on design methods and robustness for marine systems.
Host: Urbashi Mitra, ubli@usc.edu and Gaurav Sukhatme, gaurav@usc.edu
Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 406
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Gerrielyn Ramos
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Microwave Transmissions Systems: Progress, Challenges and Future Direction
Wed, Feb 02, 2011 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Edward Au, Corporate Research, Huawei Technologies
Talk Title: Microwave Transmissions Systems: Progress, Challenges and Future Direction
Abstract: Users want seamlessly connected advanced services delivered on-demand wherever they may be, on any platform, over any available network. But as the user experience becomes richer, the underlying technologies and networks become more complex. Further, the rapid development of mobile broadband services has brought explosive growth of bandwidth requirements, which forces operators to continuously expand their networks.
As one of the key physical media for mobile backhaul networks, point-to-point microwave is rapidly evolving to support the increasing demand on bandwidth while allowing operators to reduce network operational costs. In this seminar, we overview some recent developments, challenges, and future direction in the microwave industry.
Biography: As a Principal Engineer of Huawei Technologies, Edward has worked on research and product development on 100 Gb/s-and-beyond optical long-haul communications. He is now leading a project on fixed wireless transmission system that has enabled a number of cutting-edge products. Edward has actively participated in standardization organizations and industry forums. He is the primary technical representative of Huawei for Wi-Fi Alliance and an active contributor of Optical Interconnecting Forum (OIF), where he is a co-editor of the channel coding project for 100Gb/s DWDM optical transmission systems, and a member of Speakers Bureau in representing OIF at industry and academic events. He was also a working group secretary of IEEE 802.22 â the first international standards on cognitive radio networks.
Edward is also staying active in research community. He is currently an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology and a leading guest editor for the IEEE Communications Magazine Feature Topic on Advances in IEEE Standards and Testbeds for Cognitive Radio Networks. He is a founding member of Shenzhen Chapter, IEEE Communications Society.
Edward holds a Ph.D. degree in Electronic and Computer Engineering in Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
Host: Andreas Molisch, 04670, EEB 530, molisch@usc.edu
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 539
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Gerrielyn Ramos
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Recent Results on Discrete Memoryless Broadcast Channels
Wed, Feb 02, 2011 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Chandra Nair, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Talk Title: Recent Results on Discrete Memoryless Broadcast Channels
Abstract: Broadcast channel refers to a commonly occurring communication scenario where a single sender wishes to send (possibly different) messages to multiple receivers. This is one of the fundamental problems in network information theory, a generalization of Shannon's point-to-point information theory.
In this talk, I will talk about a collection of recent results that have been obtained over the last couple of years that made significant progress, both from an intuitive perspective as well as a theoretical perspective, on long standing open problems in this area. The talk will be self-contained, and the emphasis will be on the bigger picture of the results than the specific details of establishing them.
Biography: Chandra Nair is an assistant professor with the information engineering department of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. His research interests include "random" problems in combinatorial optimization, networks, and information theory. Over the last couple of years his research has primarily focused on multiuser information theory, and in particular the broadcast channel.
Chandra Nair was a Stanford graduate fellow (00-04) and Microsoft graduate fellow (04-05) during his graduate studies at Stanford University. Subsequently, he became a post-doc (05-07) with the theory group at Microsoft research, Redmond. He joined the faculty of the information engineering department in the Chinese University of Hong Kong during Fall 2007.
Website: http://chandra.ie.cuhk.edu.hk
Host: Giuseppe Caire, caire@usc.edu, EEB 528, x04683
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Gerrielyn Ramos
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AME Department Seminar
Wed, Feb 02, 2011 @ 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: B. Villac , Professor, University of California at Irvine
Talk Title: Humans Beyond Low Earth Orbits: Challenges and Opportunities in Astrodynamics
Abstract: The NASA plan for sending humans beyond low-Earth orbits in a sustainable manner poses many challenges (at all levels: technical, political,...), as well as a plethora of opportunities. This talk explores a few of the technical challenges and opportunities in the realm of spaceflight dynamics.
Firstly, sustained exploration implies a need for space-based infrastructure, notably for navigation and communication systems. This leads us to a discussion on constellation optimization in multi-body environments, and the associated variational problems. We show that the use of dynamical system theory and the analysis of periodic orbit families allows us to reduce this problem to a one-dimensional optimization over a graph. These results are applied to the concept of autonomous navigation constellation. The notion of family --i.e., continuous set of orbit-- is then extended to transfer problems, demonstrating some limitations of classic design methodologies and possible techniques to go around these.
Secondly, humans in space also implies safety issues. This is notably amplified with the current vision of sending humans to asteroids, where the dynamics present short time scales and is generally poorly characterized before encounter. Here the questions addressed are the techniques to ensure mission recovery --or at least avoiding critical events such as impacts or uncontrolled escape when orbiting a small body-- in the face of potential engine failure. The analysis of the resulting optimal control problems and orbital stability issues leads to new transfer and mission concepts and the challenging problem of orbital motion characterization under large parameter uncertainties.
Finally, a few astronauts in space means a large team of qualified engineers on the ground, planning, designing, preparing, operating, supporting the missions ans the astronauts. All this, starts with education and the formation of good engineers. The last part of the talk will briefly discuss the cubesat project pursued at UCI in order to answer this need.
Biography: Prof. Villac is currently assistant professor at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Prior to joining UCI in 2006, Prof. Villac worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology, developing novel low-thrust trajectory analysis and design methods for the Jupiter Icy Moon Orbiter mission. He received his Ph.D in aerospace engineering in 2003 from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His research is focused on astrodynamics, exploring the applications of modern dynamical system theory to the analysis and development of new space mission concepts. He is also advising the UCISAT project which is currently preparing to launch its first cubesat.
Host: Prof. F. Udwadia
More Info: http://ame-www.usc.edu/seminars/2-2-11-villac.shtmlLocation: Seaver Science Library (SSL) - 150
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: April Mundy
Event Link: http://ame-www.usc.edu/seminars/2-2-11-villac.shtml
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Application of Shape Memory Alloys in Natural Hazards Mitigation
Wed, Feb 02, 2011 @ 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Reginald DesRoches, Georgia Institute of Technology
Talk Title: Application of Shape Memory Alloys in Natural Hazards Mitigation
Abstract: The recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile underscore the importance of developing new
approaches and technologies to increase the performance of structures duringearthquakes.
The presentation will highlight the application on a new class of materials, namely shape
memory alloys (SMAs), in mitigating the effects of earthquakes in buildings and bridges. Shape
memory alloys are a unique metallic alloy which can undergo large deformations while
reverting back to their original, undeformed shape. This unique property has led to the
development of applications in the biomedical field (arterial stents), aerospace field (adaptive
wings), and commercial industry (eyeglass frames). A multi scale and multi-disciplinary
approach is taken to explore the use of SMAs for applications in earthquake engineering.
Several large scale applications are tested including a âsmartâ steel beam column connection
that uses shape memory alloys, innovative bracing systems, and recentering restraining devices
for bridges. The large scale experimental tests and complementary analysis show great
potential for the use of SMAs in seismic applications.
Biography: Reginald DesRoches is a Professor and Associate Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the
Georgia Institute of Technology. His primary research interests are design of buildings and critical
infrastructure under extreme loads, and application of smart materials in rehabilitation of structures,
where has published over 180 articles in archival journals and conference proceedings. Dr. DesRoches
is Past Chair of the executive committee of the Technical Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering
(TCLEE), a member of the executive committee of the National Academy of Sciences Disasters
Roundtable, and is on the Board for the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI). Dr.
DesRoches has served as the key technical leader in the US in response to the Haiti earthquake. He has
traveled to Haiti eight times since the earthquake, including a trip where he led a team of 28 engineers,
architects, city planners, and social scientists to study the impact of the earthquake, and provide
recommendations on the recovery and rebuilding Dr. DesRoches has received numerous awards,
including the NSF CAREER award and Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers
(PECASE) in 2002. Most recently, he was a recipient of the 2007 ASCE Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering
Research Prize, the Georgia Tech ANAK Award for Outstanding Service, Teaching, and Research (2008),
and the Institute Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Advisor Award (2010).
Host: Sonny Astani Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 209
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Erin Sigman
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Career Fest: Navigating the U.S. Job Search
Wed, Feb 02, 2011 @ 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections
Workshops & Infosessions
In hopes of explaining what the workforce is like to international students, the Navigating the U.S. Job Search workshop will go through expectations of US companies for their employees. Topics will include dress, communication styles and the hiring process.
Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 211
Audiences: All Viterbi Students
Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Services
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ASBME Corporate Dinner Preparation Workshop
Wed, Feb 02, 2011 @ 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Our major corporate event of the year is coming soon! So get prepared with a resume and etiquette workshop with Medtronic representatives and Viterbi Career Services. We will also discuss the upcoming Corporate Dinner itself. If you would like to attend, please fill out this form: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dENtTHJDdWMyMjdERllqV21zcTllV1E6MQ
If you are attending the Corporate Dinner, we highly recommend that you come to this general meeting!
Don't forget to sign up for our 15th Annual Corporate Dinner here:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDZ4dEgxVDNqNGtCVWYyS3dxS1FDSnc6MQ
The deadline is THIS week!
We look forward to seeing you at both events!Location: Ronald Tutor Campus Center (TCC) - 450
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Associated Students of Biomedical Engineering
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Clark Construction Group Information Session
Wed, Feb 02, 2011 @ 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections
Workshops & Infosessions
Join representatives of this company as they share general company information and available opportunities.
Location: Grace Ford Salvatori Hall Of Letters, Arts & Sciences (GFS) - 106
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Services
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Viterbi Ball Ticket Sales
Thu, Feb 03, 2011 @ 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Come buy your tickets for Viterbi Ball! $25 each, checks made out to USC or cash accepted.
Visit the Facebook event for more info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170374009672457
Location: RTH Lobby
Audiences: Undergrad
Contact: VSC
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Career Fest: Got a Brand? The Art of the Interview
Thu, Feb 03, 2011 @ 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections
Workshops & Infosessions
Discover tips on how to prepare for both technical and behavioral interviews, as well as the proper steps for follow-up
Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 211
Audiences: All Viterbi Students
Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Services
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Next-Generation Transportation Simulation and Modeling Tools
Thu, Feb 03, 2011 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Shan Huang, Ph.D. University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Talk Title: Next-Generation Transportation Simulation and Modeling Tools
Abstract: In the seminar, Shan will present his effort to advance the state of the art of the simulation and modeling of sustainable transportation infrastructure by addressing some of the limitations of state-of-the-practice models such as the inability to deal with large amounts of data in real-time, the aggregate nature of the majority of models, the lack of network realism in driving simulation and human behavior realism in traffic simulation, and finally the inability to evaluate new and emerging Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications. Within this broader research area, the presentation is divided into four tightly-connected research sub-topics. Subtopic 1 aims at developing and validating a novel forecasting paradigm named SPN to forecast traffic data, so as to provide an efficient and effective way for online traffic simulation and modeling. The SPN provides higher predictive accuracy and requires dramatically less processing time compared with existing approaches. Subtopic 2 proposes a semi-heuristic algorithm for estimating dynamic travel demand for large-scale simulation models. The algorithm manages to match the simulated traffic volumes to field counts while keeping the estimated Origin-Destination (OD) matrices close to the true ones. Subtopic 3 integrates a traffic simulator with a driving simulator to allow for human-in-the-loop simulation. The integrated simulator successfully shows differences in emissions levels among drivers with different years of driving experience. Finally, Subtopic 4 designs and implements an integrated IntelliDrive simulation testbed, and uses this testbed for the simulation and evaluation of an application named intelligent intersection. The research demonstrates the mobility enhancement and environmental benefits of the application, as well as the advantages of using the testbed to design and evaluate IntelliDrive applications. The aforementioned contributions advance the state of the art in the simulation and modeling of sustainable transportation infrastructure, broaden the range of transportation issues for which those models and tools can be used to address, and create a vision for a human-oriented, integrated, and intelligent next-generation simulation and modeling system.
Biography: Shan Huang is a Ph.D. who recently graduated from the Transportation Systems Engineering program at the University at Buffalo (UB). His research has long focused on sustainable transportation infrastructure. He developed a graduate course named âTraffic Simulationâ completely from scratch. He was also serving as the founder and first president of UBâs Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) student chapter. He was granted the only New York Upstate Young Transportation Professional of the Year Award by the ITE in 2010.
Host: Sonny Astani Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 209
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Erin Sigman
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Career Fest: Pursuing a PhD with Dr. Armani
Thu, Feb 03, 2011 @ 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections
Workshops & Infosessions
This workshop will discuss how one pursues a PhD and what a student can expect from a PhD program.
Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 211
Audiences: All Viterbi Students
Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Services
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Viterbi Ball Ticket Sales
Fri, Feb 04, 2011 @ 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Come buy your tickets for Viterbi Ball! $25 each, checks made out to USC or cash accepted.
Visit the Facebook event for more info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170374009672457
Location: RTH Lobby
Audiences: Undergrad
Contact: VSC
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W.V.T. Rusch Engineering Honors Colloquium; Recreating the Great Fort Tejon Earthquake of 1857
Fri, Feb 04, 2011 @ 01:00 PM - 01:50 PM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Prof. Swaminathan Krishnan, Assistant Professor of Structural Engineering & Geophysics, California Institute of Technology
Talk Title: W.V.T. Rusch Engineering Honors Colloquium; Recreating the Great Fort Tejon Earthquake of 1857
Abstract: Professor Swaminathan Krishnan, Assistant Professor of Structural Engineering & Geophysics at CalTech, will present "Recreating the Great Fort Tejon Earthquake of 1857" as part of the W.V.T. Rusch Engineering Honors Program.
Host: W.V.T. Rusch Engineering Honors Colloquium
More Info: http://viterbi.usc.edu/students/undergrad/honors/schedules/Location: Seeley G. Mudd Building (SGM) - 101
Audiences: Undergrad
Contact: Amanda Atkinson
Event Link: http://viterbi.usc.edu/students/undergrad/honors/schedules/
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Integrated Systems Seminar Series
Fri, Feb 04, 2011 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dr. Arjang Hassibi, University of Texas at Austin
Talk Title: CMOS ICs in Biotechnology
Abstract: The recent advances in biotechnology are largely due to the progress in bio-molecular detection and analysis platforms, especially in microarray, DNA sequencing, and qPCR technologies. However, the detection performance of these platforms (SNR, dynamic range, response time, throughput, and etc.) as well as their instrumentation complexity are far from the ideal. It is fair to say that there is no technology today that can satisfy the stringent requirements of applications such as personal medicine, point-of-care (PoC) molecular diagnostics, and real-time environmental monitoring.
Recently, a new technology trend has emerged in bio-electronics which promises not only detection sensitivity, but also integration and manufacturability. The general idea is to leverage the capabilities of conventional silicon VLSI fabrication technologies, i.e. CMOS processes, to build ICs that can act as the backbone for bio-molecular analysis platforms. Some examples are CMOS integrated microarrays and high-throughput DNA sequence-by-synthesis systems. The focus of this talk is to introduce this technology trend and discuss its advantages and limitations.
Biography: Arjang Hassibi is an Assistant Professor at the ECE Department and the Institute for Cellular Biology of the University of Texas at Austin. Arjang received the B.Sc. degree with the highest honors from the University of Tehran, Iran (1997), and the M.S. (2001) and Ph.D. degrees (2005) from Stanford University, all in electrical engineering. Prior to becoming a faculty he was a Postdoctoral Scholar at California Institute of Technology and also the co-founder and director of engineering of Xagros Genomics, where he co-invented the technology behind Ion Torrent electronic DNA sequencing platform. He has also held research positions at the Functional Genomics group of IBM T.J. Watson Research Center and Stanford Genome Technology Center. His main research interests are in the intersection of IC design and biotechnology.
Host: Prof. Hossein Hashemi and Firooz Aflatouni
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Hossein Hashemi
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SWE Charm School
Fri, Feb 04, 2011 @ 03:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
The Society of Women Engineers invites everyone to the 4th Annual Charm School!
Come for an afternoon of etiquette workshops led by industry representatives. Learn more about dinner etiquette, communication etiquette, navigating corporate politics and much more! Snacks will be provided and the event will end with the always entertaining Fashion Show of the Best and Worst of Professional Attire.
Schedule:
3:00-3:30 Reception
3:30-4:10 1st workshop session
4:15-4:55 2nd workshop session
5:00-6:00 PM Fashion show
Location: Grace Ford Salvatori Hall Of Letters, Arts & Sciences (GFS) - 106
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Society of Women Engineers
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Colombian Avant-Garde Animation
Fri, Feb 04, 2011 @ 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Receptions & Special Events
Join us for a stimulating screening of rarely seen expressive Colombian animation featuring powerful metaphors, surreal landscapes and haunting images. These groundbreaking experimental films utilize animation techniques ranging from rotoscoping to under-the-camera animation, capturing the imagination and challenging traditional concepts of cinema. A thought-provoking conversation will examine the role of art in the context of war and the role of the artist in politics. The discussion will feature Colombian filmmakers Cecilia Traslaviña and Carlos Santa; international media scholars Janeann Dill, Claudia Salamanca and Cristina Venegas; and USC student Juan Camilo González.
Admission is free.
For participant bios, visit the event page: http://web-app.usc.edu/ws/eo2/calendar/113/event/873347
Organized by Sheila Sofian (Animation and Digital Arts).
For further information on this event:
visionsandvoices@usc.eduLocation: Eileen L. Norris Cinema Theatre (NCT) -
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Daria Yudacufski
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Tau Beta Pi Hollywood Sign Hike
Sat, Feb 05, 2011 @ 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Tau Beta Pi goes hiking! Starting in Griffith Park, we will hike up to the Hollywood sign. Awesome views and your chance for a photo opportunity up close and personal with one of your favorite Los Angeles icons.
Meet in the UV parking lot by Denny's at 10 am. We will get lunch after the hike. Bring your friends!Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Tau Beta Pi
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Women of Cinematic Arts Film Festival
Sat, Feb 05, 2011 @ 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Receptions & Special Events
Founded in 2005, USC Women of Cinematic Arts provides networking and mentoring opportunities for USC students and alumni, and encourages and supports the presence of women in creative roles in the film, television and digital industries. This event will showcase the talents of USC students and alumni with films by and/or about women. The evening will include a program of short films and an awards ceremony and reception, and will culminate with a feature-film screening and discussion with a prominent female filmmaker.
Admission is free.
Reservations required. Please check the event page http://web-app.usc.edu/ws/eo2/calendar/113/event/873349 for a detailed schedule and reservation information.
Organized by the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
For further information on this event:
visionsandvoices@usc.eduLocation: Ray Stark Family Theatre, School of Cinematic Arts 108
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Daria Yudacufski
