January 2023 - Gradstudents - mailman.cs.vt.edu

Room Available in Torgersen Hall for CS Graduate Students
by Mayo, Trey 29 Aug '23

29 Aug '23

A reminder for all that in spring 2022 we opened a room in Torgersen Hall available exclusively for CS Graduate Students. Torgersen Hall 3200 (TORG 3200) is located directly across from the CS Office of Graduate Programs (TORG 3210). Photos are attached. It provides space for students to meet as a group to work on projects or individuals who just need to a quiet place to study or hang out between classes. The room should not be used for personal/group meetings/parties or classes/tutoring sessions. It is not a reservable space. Access is available to any currently enrolled CS graduate student regardless of degree program or campus. Access to the room is controlled with your Hokie Passport (Student ID card). The room is available 24/7 as long as Torgersen Hall is open. If you have trouble accessing the room with your Hokie Passport, please visit the CS Office of Graduate Programs in TORG 3210 and we'll research the matter. (We believe we've resolved all previous access issues reported). Please note that this room is only for CS Graduate Students. If we find an abuse of the facilities, we will investigate and remove access. Please do your part as a responsible Hokie and help us keep the room clean and in good shape. We hope you enjoy. ============================================================== Trey Mayo, Ed.D. Director of Graduate Programs Virginia Tech | Department of Computer Science Torgersen Hall Suite 3210 620 Drillfield Drive (MC 0106) | Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-0780 | treymayo(a)vt.edu<mailto:treymayo@vt.edu> | http://cs.vt.edu<http://cs.vt.edu/>

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FW: OR-Optimization Faculty Candidate Seminar: Tianyi Lin, UCB | 02/03
by Sharon Kinder-Potter 31 Jan '23

31 Jan '23

See details of Seminar. Thanks, 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 **BE COMMITTED. BE WELL** Zoom Link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/88072658893 Abstract: Reliable and multi-agent machine learning has seen tremendous achievements in recent years; yet, the translation from minimization models to min-max optimization models and/or variational inequality models --- two of the basic formulations for reliable and multi-agent machine learning --- is not straightforward. In fact, finding an optimal solution of either nonconvex-nonconcave min-max optimization models or nonmonotone variational inequality models is computationally intractable in general. Fortunately, there exist special structures in many application problems, allowing us to define reasonable optimality criterion and develop simple and provably efficient algorithmic schemes. In this talk, I will present the results on structure-driven algorithm design in reliable and multi-agent machine learning. More specifically, I explain why the nonconvex-concave min-max formulations make sense for reliable machine learning and show how to analyze the simple and widely used two-timescale gradient descent ascent by exploiting such special structure. I also show how a simple and intuitive adaptive scheme leads to a class of optimal second-order variational inequality methods. Finally, I discuss two future research directions for reliable and multi-agent machine learning with potential for significant practical impacts: reliable multi-agent learning and reliable topic modeling. Bio: Tianyi Lin is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the EECS department at UC Berkeley, advised by Michael I. Jordan. He received his B.S. in mathematics from Nanjing University, his M.S. in pure mathematics and statistics from University of Cambridge in 2012 and his second M.S. in operations research from UC Berkeley in 2017. His research interests include machine learning, optimization, game theory and optimal transport.

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CS|SOURCE - CAREER FAIR EVENTS SCHEDULE AND RESOURCE LINKS
by Julia Costello 31 Jan '23

31 Jan '23

CS|SOURCE - CAREER FAIR EVENTS SCHEDULE AND RESOURCE LINKS <https://www.cs-source.cs.vt.edu/assnfe/CompanySearch.asp?CITYNAME=&STATEID= &POSTALCODE=&DISTANCE=10&FORM=Search&MODE=FINDMEMBERRESULTS&SEARCHIDENTIFIER =128.173.55.36_1%2F12%2F2023+8%3A47%3A55+AM&TID=0&CTRYID=181> CS|Source Companies View Spring <https://cs.vt.edu/cs-source/cs-source-events.html> CS|Source Events. Update your resume and post to <https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html> Handshake and <https://resume.discovery.cs.vt.edu/> CS Resumes. Company event flyers and participating employer list attached. CAREER FAIR EVENTS SCHEDULE * Friday, February 3, 6-7:30pm, 1060 Torgersen - Bloomberg Technical Interview Workshop with Antuan Byalik, VT CS alum. * Sunday, February 5, 1-6pm, Torgersen - Stakeholder company information sessions. Bring your resume. * 1pm - American Systems (Room 1020) * 2pm - CACI International (Room 1040) * 3pm - Peraton (Room 1020) * 5pm - Bloomberg (Room 1040) * Monday, February 6, 1-6pm, Squires, Commonwealth Ballroom - CS|Source Career Fair. * Tuesday, February 7, 8:30am-4:30pm, Smith Career Center - Interview Day (by invitation only). * Thursday, February 9, 2:00-4:30pm, 1070 Torgersen, Undergrad Learning Center - CoStar Group Company Hours. 2023 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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Narges Mahyar seminar Jan. 31, 11:00 am via Zoom
by Douglas Bowman 31 Jan '23

31 Jan '23

CS and CHCI colleagues, Please join us for a CS faculty candidate seminar by Narges Mahyar <https://groups.cs.umass.edu/nmahyar/> on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 11:00-12:00 via Zoom <https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83887341639?pwd=UW0zV24yYy9LWVlITEhTWGFDMmpt…>. Narges is an Assistant Professor at UMass Amherst. Narges's research falls at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction, Information Visualization, Social Computing, and Design. Her talk is entitled, “Human-Centered Computing for Addressing Complex Sociotechnical Problems.” All the details are below. Please note that this talk is not being publicly advertised, so please do not forward or re-post in any public forum. Best, Doug Tuesday, January 31: Narges Mahyar, University of Massachusetts Amherst Seminar: Human-Centered Computing for Address Complex Sociotechnical Problems <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PjROtxnwvQMlLINHb9gvuXxj5rHPNcmY/view?usp=…> **Narges asked that her seminar not be published, so I have linked to and attached her flyer** Join Seminar via Zoom: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83887341639?pwd=UW0zV24yYy9LWVlITEhTWGFDMmpt… <https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83887341639?pwd=UW0zV24yYy9LWVlITEhTWGFDMmpt…> Meeting ID: 838 8734 1639 | Passcode: 314000 -- Doug A. Bowman Frank J. Maher Professor, Computer Science Director, Center for Human-Computer Interaction Senior Fellow, Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology Virginia Tech dbowman(a)vt.edu https://wordpress.cs.vt.edu/3digroup/author/dbowman/ Group: https://wordpress.cs.vt.edu/3digroup/ Center: http://hci.vt.edu/ Twitter: @CHCI_VT

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FW: FEB 6 - INFORMATION SESSION: Amazon-Virginia Tech Initiative for Efficient and Robust Machine Learning (ML)
by Sharon Kinder-Potter 31 Jan '23

31 Jan '23

FYI.. Please see below about the Information Session. Thanks, 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 **BE COMMITTED. BE WELL** From: Shalaby, Wanawsha <wanah92(a)vt.edu> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2023 8:37 PM To: Saville, Rachel <saville(a)vt.edu>; Covey, Amanda <amturne3(a)vt.edu>; Wall, Kelsey <kelseys1(a)vt.edu>; Spradlin, Liza <lizaas14(a)vt.edu>; dianec(a)vt.edu; Martin, Sarah <shmartin(a)vt.edu>; Kinder-Potter, Sharon <skpotter(a)vt.edu>; Pipkin, Samantha <samanthap(a)vt.edu>; Villada Esquivel, Laura <vlaura(a)vt.edu>; Burns, Lisa <lkburns(a)vt.edu>; Gallegos, Celina <celinag1(a)vt.edu>; Knott, Tamara <knott(a)vt.edu>; Parks, Hannah <hsswiger(a)vt.edu>; Hill, Cathy <hillcath(a)vt.edu>; Jones, Allison <arjones(a)vt.edu>; Grandstaff, Kim <grandska(a)vt.edu>; Crotto, Michelle <mcrotto(a)vt.edu>; Paul, Roxanne <roxpaul(a)vt.edu> Cc: naren <naren(a)cs.vt.edu>; Wallace, Megan <meganwallace(a)vt.edu>; Victoria, Juanita <juaniv6(a)vt.edu> Subject: FEB 6 - INFORMATION SESSION: Amazon-Virginia Tech Initiative for Efficient and Robust Machine Learning (ML) Hello, could you please forward the following event information below to faculty and graduate students in your department? Thank you! ____________________________________________________________________________ _________________ EVENT: Information Session on The Amazon-Virginia Tech Initiative for Efficient and Robust Machine Learning (ML) - VIA ZOOM DATE: Monday, February 2nd TIME: 1 - 2 PM EST REGISTRATION: Please register via Eventbrite <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/information-session-amazon-virginia-tech-initi ative-tickets-528636956367> to receive the Zoom link Last year, Virginia Tech and Amazon announced their partnership to advance research and innovation in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The Amazon - Virginia Tech Initiative for Efficient and Robust Machine Learning <https://sanghani.cs.vt.edu/amazon-virginia-tech-initiative/> includes machine learning-focused research projects, doctoral student fellowships, community outreach, and an establishment of a shared advisory board. The first set of awards for fellowships and research projects were made in Fall 2022 and you can learn more about the awardees (link to this page: <https://vtx.vt.edu/articles/2022/10/amazon-virginia-tech-initiative-announc es-amazon-fellows-and-fun.html> https://vtx.vt.edu/articles/2022/10/amazon-virginia-tech-initiative-announce s-amazon-fellows-and-fun.html). We will be hosting a virtual information session about this year's opportunities: Call for PhD student fellowships <https://sanghani.cs.vt.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-Amazon-VT-CPF_Fe llowships-1-1.pdf> , Call for Research Projects <https://sanghani.cs.vt.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-Amazon_VT-CFP_Pr ojects-2.pdf> . Funding for the research projects and fellowships would begin in Fall Semester 2023 (FY 2024). The information session will include an overview and objective of the initiative, funding experience from current VT faculty award recipient, and an overview of topic areas of interest from Amazon Science Teams. Faculty and PhD students interested in machine learning, data science, AI, and NLP are encouraged to attend and participate. Please register using the link below to receive the Zoom information. Eventbrite Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/information-session-amazon-virginia-tech-initia tive-tickets-528636956367 If you have any questions leading up to the event, contact Wanawsha Shalaby at wanah92(a)vt.edu <mailto:wanah92@vt.edu> . Thanks, Wanawsha Wanawsha Shalaby Manager of Operations UrbComp Program Coordinator Sanghani Center for AI and Data Analytics - Virginia Tech 900 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22203 Phone: (571) 858-3361 E-Mail: <mailto:wanah92@vt.edu> wanah92(a)vt.edu

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FW: Blockchain Certificate Program Invite
by Mayo, Trey 30 Jan '23

30 Jan '23

Please see the opportunity below. Please direct any and all questions to Dr. James Harder at jharder(a)vt.edu<mailto:jharder@vt.edu> _______ Want to learn more about blockchain? Interested in learning what happened at exchanges like FTX and how the industry is evolving to address new challenges? It's been a hard year for crypto, but our Blockchain Certificate Program<https://www.cpe.vt.edu/blockchain/registration.html> focuses on how blockchain as a technology offers tremendous potential for businesses. In the certificate, our instructors<https://www.cpe.vt.edu/blockchain/speakers.html> help students understand NFTs, DAOs, crypto, and emerging technologies associated with blockchain. Additionally, our interactive lectures and coursework discuss current events, ethics, and the future of how blockchain will continue to be an innovative and disruptive technology. If you would like to learn more about the Certificate Program please check out our VTX article<https://vtx.vt.edu/articles/2022/12/cs-blockchaincertprogram.html> or contact James Harder at jharder(a)vt.edu<mailto:jharder@vt.edu>. The spring certificate cohort starts on February 10th and runs eight weeks meeting at noon each Friday. James D. Harder, PhD Director, CS/root Department of Computer Science Virginia Tech

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Grad Council Meeting
by Alex Hicks 30 Jan '23

30 Jan '23

Hi all, I just wanted to remind you that our first grad council meeting of the semester will be today (1/30) at 3:00 in Torg 1210 and on zoom (https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/86106357537). The meeting notes are here Hope to see you all there, feel free to email me with anything you want to add to the agenda! Alex Hicks Computer Science PhD Student Pratt Fellow - Virginia Tech New Horizons Graduate Scholar President - CS Graduate Council E // alexhicks(a)vt.edu P // (540) 336-1860

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FW: OR-Optimization Faculty Candidate Seminar: Ali Mohammad Nezhad, CMU | 02/01
by Sharon Kinder-Potter 30 Jan '23

30 Jan '23

To all Computer Science student, See below a Seminar for this week in the ISE Department. Best, 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 **BE COMMITTED. BE WELL** Zoom Link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83861560159 Abstract: Semidefinite and polynomial optimization (SDO and PO) are topics of great theoretical and practical interest, with numerous applications in theoretical computer science, control theory, and statistics. Due to advances in efficient interior point methods, there has been lots of interest in SDO, as an emerging computational tool, in PO and quantum information sciences. However, the existence of an exact algorithm with polynomial complexity for both SDO and PO is still an open problem. The focus of my talk is computational complexity in SDO and PO, through the lens of real algebraic geometry. While SDO can be solved "efficiently" using path-following interior point methods, PO can be approximately solved using a converging hierarchy of SDO relaxations. I show how recent developments in theoretical and algorithmic real algebraic geometry can be utilized to quantify complexity of the central path, and improve error bounds that are significant in proving convergence rate of numerical optimization schemes for PO. I end this talk by illuminating promising interactions between continuous optimization, real algebraic geometry, and data science, which form the backbone of my research program. Bio: Ali Mohammad Nezhad is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). He is also affiliated with the Hoskinson Center for Formal Mathematics at CMU. He was previously a Golomb Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Purdue University, a Visiting Scholar in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Lehigh University, and a postdoctoral research associate in the School of Industrial Engineering at Purdue University. Ali received his PhD degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Lehigh University, and his Master degree in Industrial Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Iran. Ali's research is supported by the collaborative NSF Grant CCF-2128702 and CCF-2128527 (Purdue and Lehigh universities). The main theme of his research is computational complexity in continuous optimization, computational optimization, and their algorithmic implications for data science and engineering. In recent years, the focus of his research has been centered on different facets of stability, complexity, and computation in semidefinite and polynomial optimization through the lens of (real/complex) algebraic geometry and algebraic topology. Ali recently developed interest in computational topology and its interplay with computational optimization, quantum computing, and machine learning. Ali has been an organizer of several special sessions and mini-symposiums for Informs, SIAM, JMM, and AMS sectional meetings. He is currently organizing "Optimization, Algebra, and Geometry" seminar series in the Math Department at CMU.

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seminars this coming week
by Calvin Ribbens 27 Jan '23

27 Jan '23

We have four visitors this coming week, every day but Friday. Talks at 11:00 AM each day. *Monday, January 30:* Zongchen Chen, MIT *Seminar: Sampling from Graphical Models via Spectral Independence <https://cs.vt.edu/News/Seminars/Zongchen-Chen.html>* *Join Seminar via Zoom:* https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83288819059?pwd=WVZGejkxVEdWcmNrVEw2K3I5TEJG… Meeting ID: 832 8881 9059 | Passcode: 094754 *Tuesday, January 31:* Narges Mahyar, University of Massachusetts Amherst *Seminar: Human-Centered Computing for Address Complex Sociotechnical Problems* **Narges asked that her seminar not be published, so I attached her flyer** *Join Seminar via Zoom:* https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83887341639?pwd=UW0zV24yYy9LWVlITEhTWGFDMmpt… Meeting ID: 838 8734 1639 | Passcode: 314000 *Wednesday, February 1: *Igor Kadota, Columbia University *Seminar: Wireless Networks for Future Applications: from Network Drones to Adaptive Control of Integrated Circuits <https://cs.vt.edu/News/Seminars/Igor-Kadota.html>* *Join Seminar via Zoom:* https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/86343311074?pwd=cFdGOFF5WHhwaGFhSUNTakJtTzlP… Meeting ID: 863 4331 1074 | Passcode: 276785 *Thursday, February 2:* Gokul Ravi, University of Chicago *Seminar: A Hybrid Computing Ecosystem for Practical Quantum Advantage <https://cs.vt.edu/News/Seminars/Gokul-Ravi.html>* *Join Seminar via Zoom:* https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/84662365391?pwd=bXcyNkd6a3NxTVEwWE5ERlM2Y0J1… Meeting ID: 846 6236 5391 | Passcode: 939266

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CS|SOURCE - EMPLOYER JOB POSTINGS AND EVENTS
by Julia Costello 26 Jan '23

26 Jan '23

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. OPPORTUNITY 1 SPECIAL FEATURE - Beatriz Diaz Acosta, a VT CS alumnus, presented a Resume Workshop last evening. If you weren't able to make it, you can view the recording at <https://cs.vt.edu/cs-source/cs-source-student-career-fair-resources.html> Resume Workshop. She's also provided <https://www.cmu.edu/career/documents/sample-resumes-cover-letters/sample-re sumes_scs.pdf> resume examples as you prepare for the career fair on Monday, February 6. Update your resume and post to <https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html> Handshake and <https://resume.discovery.cs.vt.edu/> CS Resumes. OPPORTUNITY 2 <https://www.manh.com/> Manhattan Associates, a CS_Source company, has two open positions. View job descriptions on Handshake at <https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/6862081> https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/6862081 and <https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/6876155> https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/6876155. Meet Manhattan at the CS|Source career fair. OPPORTUNITY 3 R3 Digital Sciences, Inc., Blacksburg, is looking to hire a Software Engineer/Programmer full time. Apply at <https://r3digitalsciences.applicantpro.com/jobs/> Job Listings - R3 Digital Sciences, Inc. Jobs (applicantpro.com). OPPORTUNITY 4 Capgemini Government Solutions is seeking applicants for the following positions. Both undergraduate and graduate students may apply. All jobs have been posted on Handshake. Consulting Internship: Consulting Internship | Capgemini Government Solutions (ultipro.com) Junior Technical Consultant (Full Time): Junior Technical Consultant | Capgemini Government Solutions (ultipro.com) Junior Business Consultant (Full Time): Junior Business Consultant | Capgemini Government Solutions (ultipro.com) Graduate Level Consultant (Full Time) : Graduate Level Consultant | Capgemini Government Solutions (ultipro.com) 2023 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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