July 2022 - Gradstudents - mailman.cs.vt.edu

[Virginia Tech] Fall 2022 CSA New Graduate Student Orientation
by Mayo, Trey 03 Aug '22

03 Aug '22

Hello, We hope that you are having a good summer. Fall term will be here soon, so we want to provide you with information on the New Student Orientation for CS graduate programs. During orientation, you will be introduced to members of the CS graduate team, will learn more about your degree requirements, and will hear from student representatives. For Blacksburg students (MENG, MS, and PhD) and anyone wishing to attend online * Wednesday, August 17th * 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. * Torgersen Hall Room 3100 * Map: https://goo.gl/maps/H9U84BG4HHgHgdgR6 * Streaming option available. Zoom link provided via email closer to the orientation date. For Northern Virginia students (MENG, MS, and PhD) * Friday, August 19th * 11a.m. - 1 p.m. * Northern Virginia Center Room 214 * Map: https://goo.gl/maps/X2Nv9KqqEh72TKop7 * This is an in-person only program. No streaming option available. * Representatives from the student services office and graduate school will also be present at this event. Please be sure to RSVP at: https://forms.gle/9nEvW4gXmaPcRNyHA Refreshments will be provided after the formal program at both locations. If you need to defer your admission to another term, please note that the deadline to do so is Friday, August 12th. Please reply to this email if you plan to defer. Indicate the term you want to defer to. Finally, please check out VT Ready (http://ready.vt.edu) for the latest information on COVID-19 protocols and other important information. We look forward to seeing you at orientation!

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CS Department policy on co-ops and internships
by Cliff Shaffer 01 Aug '22

01 Aug '22

The CS Department has always been supportive of graduate students seeking to do internships and the like during the summer, and we have always been willing to sign off on the necessary paperwork. Historically, we understood the requirements set by the US Government related to co-ops or internships prohibited us in most cases from approving these during the academic year for those who are on a student visa. After discussions with Cranwell Center, and assurances from them limiting what we must certify when we support an I-20 extension, we will no longer object on departmental policy grounds if a graduate student seeks to do an internship or co-op during the academic year. Before a student takes a position during an academic term, they certainly should discuss this with their academic or research advisor. Taking time off from the degree in this way certainly can affect your graduation schedule. You should discuss any potential visa implications with Cranwell, if that applies to you. Note that the CS Department still retains the option in special cases to refuse to sign paperwork related to an internship or I-20 extension in a specific case if the situation makes that appropriate in our opinion. -- Dr. Cliff Shaffer Professor and Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies Department of Computer Science Phone: (540) 231-4354 Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 WWW: www.cs.vt.edu/~shaffer

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CS|SOURCE - EMPLOYER JOB POSTINGS AND EVENTS
by Julia Costello 29 Jul '22

29 Jul '22

CS|SOURCE - EMPLOYER JOB POSTINGS AND EVENTS Current opportunities with employers are listed below. View other positions in <https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html> Handshake. View <https://cs.vt.edu/cs-source/cs-source-events.html> CS|Source for upcoming fall events. OPPORTUNITY 1 Participants are needed for a Virginia Tech - Department of Computer Science research study based on immersive learning. (IRB #22-443). This research aims to understand better whether data transformation can be used in virtual reality using a VR headset (Oculus) and a controller. Contact Sungwon In at <mailto:sungwoni@vt.edu> sungwoni(a)vt.edu. Flyer attached. OPPORTUNITY 2 The Grant Street Group is seeking Entry Level Software Developer. See full job description at: <https://www.grantstreet.com/careers/career_opportunities/software-developer -entry-level-remote-06-22-2022/> https://www.grantstreet.com/careers/career_opportunities/software-developer- entry-level-remote-06-22-2022/; website: <http://www.grantstreet.com> http://www.grantstreet.com. CORPORATE STAKEHOLDERS Julia Costello Strategic Partnership Coordinator Virginia Tech | College of Engineering | Department of Computer Science 2202 Kraft Drive | Blacksburg, VA 24060 540.250.6121 | <mailto:juliapc7@cs.vt.edu> juliapc7(a)cs.vt.edu CS|Source Website: <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcs.vt.edu %2Fcs-source.html&data=04%7C01%7Cgcaufman%40peraton.com%7C274bbb94bdea4a9c7b 0408d8e8aaee69%7C1c6258462b0a448383dde024820875b3%7C0%7C0%7C6375151681480464 16%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1ha WwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=VBHHIabAuZqQzfNpOVOGp0RpKf9LGzMs7qY3UNy3pm0%3 D&reserved=0> https://cs.vt.edu/cs-source.html Stay up to date on CS|Source job and event opportunities <https://cs.vt.edu/cs-source.html> CS|Source Website | <https://www.cs-source.cs.vt.edu/> CS|Source Portal | <https://twitter.com/vt_CS_Source> CS|Source on Twitter

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Participants needed for Virtual Reality Research User Study
by Sungwon In 28 Jul '22

28 Jul '22

Hello, I'm Sungwon In, a graduate student in the information visualization group at Virginia Tech. We are recruiting participants for a study to understand whether data transformation can be used in virtual reality using a VR headset (Oculus) and a controller. The research is aimed at the people working in the data science field. So, participants will be asked to analyze and wrangle the given data. Wrangling data required participants to have experience in data science. Thus, a *simple and easy *quiz will be asked to pass. 5 quizzes will be asked, and 3 quizzes need to be correct. Also, participants must be at least 18 years old, Virginia Tech students or graduate students, and have perfect or corrected vision (i.e., with contacts or glasses). Participants would require a total duration of about 120 minutes at max for the entire study (expect to finish earlier). Participants will be compensated with a $20 Amazon gift card for their time. For more information, see the attached flyer or contact me at sungwoni(a)vt.edu, and I'll answer any questions you may have. Sincerely, Sungwon In

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CS|SOURCE - EMPLOYER JOB POSTINGS AND EVENTS
by juliapc7＠cs.vt.edu 27 Jul '22

27 Jul '22

CS|SOURCE - EMPLOYER JOB POSTINGS AND EVENTS Current opportunities with employers are listed below. View other positions in <https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html> Handshake. View <https://cs.vt.edu/cs-source/cs-source-events.html> CS|Source for upcoming fall events. OPPORTUNITY 1 Grad Students - ARiA is seeking a Senior Software Engineer, www.ariacoustics.com. To apply submit cover letter and resume/CV to <mailto:hr@ariacoustics.com> hr(a)ariacoustics.com. Flyer attached. OPPORTUNITY 2 The VT School of Construction is seeking a CS undergrad/grad student for Fall 2022 to work in collaboration with a faculty member to develop educational tools that manipulate sensor data (e.g., GPS data) from a building construction site. The tools could take the form of a specialized block programming environment or an end-user programming environment. The users of the tool are students in CM 3154: Smart Construction. The CS student should be proficient in Python, JavaScript and web development. Support is available for up to 20 hours/week. Contact: Dr. Abiola Abosede Akanmu, Associate Professor, Myers-Lawson School of Construction, <mailto:abiola@vt.edu> abiola(a)vt.edu, 540-231-6000. OPPORTUNITY 3 Madison Wood is seeking an IT specialist. Flyer attached to apply or with questions. OPPORTUNITY 4 Grad Students - East Carolina University is seeking an adjunct instructor for SENG 6265: Foundations of Software Testing in the fall. Contact Dr. Nic Herndon at <mailto:herndonn19@ecu.edu> herndonn19(a)ecu.edu. Flyer attached. CORPORATE STAKEHOLDERS Julia Costello Strategic Partnership Coordinator Virginia Tech | College of Engineering | Department of Computer Science 2202 Kraft Drive | Blacksburg, VA 24060 540.250.6121 | <mailto:juliapc7@cs.vt.edu> juliapc7(a)cs.vt.edu CS|Source Website: <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcs.vt.edu %2Fcs-source.html&data=04%7C01%7Cgcaufman%40peraton.com%7C274bbb94bdea4a9c7b 0408d8e8aaee69%7C1c6258462b0a448383dde024820875b3%7C0%7C0%7C6375151681480464 16%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1ha WwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=VBHHIabAuZqQzfNpOVOGp0RpKf9LGzMs7qY3UNy3pm0%3 D&reserved=0> https://cs.vt.edu/cs-source.html Stay up to date on CS|Source job and event opportunities <https://cs.vt.edu/cs-source.html> CS|Source Website | <https://www.cs-source.cs.vt.edu/> CS|Source Portal | <https://twitter.com/vt_CS_Source> CS|Source on Twitter

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URGENT! Assistantships
by skpotter＠vt.edu 25 Jul '22

25 Jul '22

Hello All, If you have received a GTA or a GRA contract and you plan on accepting the contract please do so soon. If you do not plan on accepting the contract please decline the contract and notify the faculty member whom has offered you the contract. The Finance Department needs to know who is and is not planning to accepting their contract so they can process the contracts into payroll and so your tuition can be processed in a timely manner. Thank you for your cooperation, Sharon Sharon Kinder-Potter Graduate Program Coordinator Virginia Tech Department of Computer Science 3210 Torgersen Hall; (MC 0106) 620 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 540.231.6932/ <mailto:skpotter@vt.edu> skpotter(a)vt.edu <https://cs.vt.edu/> https://cs.vt.edu https://virginiatech.zoom.us/my/sharon01 **BE COMMITTED. BE WELL**

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Ya Xiao's Ph.D. defense
by Daphne Yao 25 Jul '22

25 Jul '22

You're welcome to join Ms. Ya Xiao's Ph.D. defense. Title: Neural Network-based Methodologies for Securing Cryptographic Code Who: Ya Xiao Date: Tuesday, July 26, 2022 Time: 11:00am Zoom: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/84599431217?pwd=bmxPQlM3NFRjNWl5ZDViVmlmS0dB… Abstract: Despite the great success of neural networks, the vision of comprehending and generating programming languages through machine learning has not been fully realized. There are many fundamental questions that need to be answered. My dissertation work aims to introduce automatic or semi-automatic secure code generation solutions to help developers write secure code, as well as answer foundational questions with systematic measurement studies and specialized neural network designs. The questions I focus on include 1) what are the accuracy impacts of the various choices in code embedding? 2) How to address the accuracy challenges caused by the programming language-specific properties? My experiments show that program analysis is a necessary preprocessing step to guide the code embedding -- resulting in a 36.1% accuracy improvement. Furthermore, I identify two previously unreported deficiencies in the cryptographic API suggestion task. To close the gap, I invent a highly accurate API method suggestion solution, referred to as Multi-HyLSTM, with specialized neural network designs to recognize unique programming language characteristics. My work points out the important differences between natural languages and programming languages, which pure data-driven learning approaches may not recognize. D Best, Daphne Yao Professor Elizabeth and James E. Turner Jr. '56 Faculty Fellow CACI Faculty Fellow Department of computer science Virginia Tech http://yaogroup.cs.vt.edu/ https://twitter.com/yaogroup1

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M. Maruf's Ph.D. preliminary proposal [April 28 at 10 am]
by Anuj Karpatne 22 Jul '22

22 Jul '22

Hello everyone, You are cordially invited to the PhD preliminary proposal presentation of M. Maruf on Thursday, April 28 at 10 am. Zoom Link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/81021409068 Title: Knowledge-guided Machine Learning for Prediction and Segmentation Problems Involving Images Committee: Dr. Anuj Karpatne (advisor) Dr. Ismini Lourentzou Dr. Lifu Huang Dr. T.M. Murali Dr. Wei-Lun Chao (from Ohio State University) Abstract: Deep neural networks have made significant advancements in a number of recognition tasks involving image data, such as image classification, object detection, and segmentation. However, conventional neural network models learn solely from the annotations in the training data, which are challenging to prepare in many real-world applications. Additionally, neural network models demonstrate poor generalization performance in some domain-specific applications due to the scarcity of labeled data. To address these challenges, Knowledge-Guided Machine Learning (KGML) aims to inform machine learning models with the scientific knowledge available in diverse forms in different domains. Knowledge graphs are the most common forms of structured knowledge in applications such as biolog. In this thesis, my objective is to develop new KGML approaches that use knowledge graphs to guide the learning of machine learning methods involving images. In particular, I am interested in predicting and localizing semantic features (i.e., objects of interest) from an image by incorporating domain-specific knowledge supervision. The focus of this thesis is two-fold: (i) predicting semantic features in images using knowledge-guided supervision, and (ii) localizing (or segmenting) semantic features/objects in images using knowledge-guided supervision. Achieving both of these objectives would alleviate the current limitations of deep neural networks in many scientific applications. Thanks, -Anuj ------------------- Anuj Karpatne Assistant Professor Computer Science, Virginia Tech https://people.cs.vt.edu/karpatne/

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CCI – Virginia Tech – Internship Position at Arlington Location
by Boone, Suzanne 21 Jul '22

21 Jul '22

CCI – Virginia Tech – Internship Position at Arlington Location Commonnwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) located at Arlington – Ballston North of Virginia is looking for high-motivated and focused R&D students to help to realize CCI xG Testbed Vision on advanced wireless communication network and autonomous systems. The work will be conducted in the research group Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI), which is internationally renowned for its leading role in the area of cybersecurity, intelligente and autonomous systems for time- and mission-critical industrial applications. The candidate will actively collaborate with other researchers within the research group at Virginia Tech, as well as with our external collaborators in academia, government and industry. This is an unique opportunity for students interested in develop and leverage their hands-on experience. Key Job Responsibilities: The candidate will join a CCI’s proficient and motivated xG Testbed research team led by Dr. Aloizio DaSilva in order to carry out cutting edge and impactful work in the following topics: traditional computer network stack, wireless network infrastructure, Software Defined Radio for cellular communication networks. The duties include support the proof-of-concept development, administer daily basis laboratory inventory, configure and deploy software and hardware, maintain and develop new functionalities on the CCI xG Testbed webpage. Key Job Activities: 1. Provide support to the testbed network infrastructure 2. Deployment, implementation, analysis and integration of hardware and software at CCI xG Testbed architecture 3. Development and maintenance of CCI XG Testbed webpage 4. Support use case demonstration and researchers 5. Deliver technical presentation and reports Information Further information is available from Dr. Aloizio DaSilva (CCI xG Testbed Director and Virginia Tech Researcher Faculty) aloiziops(a)vt.edu<mailto:aloiziops@vt.edu> Suzanne Boone|Administrative & Program Specialist Virginia Tech | Department of Computer Science and Industrial & Systems Engineering Northern Virginia Center 7054 Haycock Road, Room 312A Falls Church, VA 22043 703-538-8370 suzannejb(a)vt.edu<mailto:suzannejb@vt.edu>|https://cs.vt.edu<https://cs.vt.edu/> [cid:image001.png@01D89D23.286DF2A0]

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Recall: Internshipt Post
by Boone, Suzanne 21 Jul '22

21 Jul '22

Boone, Suzanne would like to recall the message, "Internshipt Post".

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