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

Jie Bu's Ph.D. defense [Feb 9 at 4 pm]
by Anuj Karpatne 02 Dec '24

02 Dec '24

Hello everyone, You are cordially invited to the final defense of PhD student Jie Bu on Thursday, Feb 9 at 4 pm. Zoom Link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/5142223333 Title: Achieving More with Less: Learning Generalizable Neural Networks With Less Labeled Data and Computational Overheads Committee: Dr. Anuj Karpatne (advisor) Dr. Adrian Sandu Dr. Ismini Lourentzou Dr. Naren Ramakrishnan Dr. Anish Arora (from Ohio State University) Abstract: Recent advancements in deep learning have demonstrated its incredible ability to learn generalizable patterns and relationships automatically from data in a number of mainstream applications. However, the generalization power of deep learning methods largely comes at the costs of working with very large datasets and using highly compute-intensive models. Many applications cannot afford these costs needed to ensure generalizability of deep learning models. For instance, obtaining labeled data can be costly in scientific applications, and using large models may not be feasible in resource-constrained environments involving portable devices. This thesis aims to improve efficiency in machine learning by exploring different ways to learn generalizable neural networks that require less labeled data and computational resources. We demonstrate that using physics supervision in scientific problems can reduce the need for labeled data, thereby improving data efficiency without compromising model generalizability. Additionally, we investigate the potential of transfer learning powered by transformers in scientific applications as a promising direction for further improving data efficiency through domain adaptation. On the computational efficiency side, we present two efforts for increasing parameter efficiency of neural networks through novel architectures and structured network pruning. Thanks, -Anuj ------------------- Anuj Karpatne Assistant Professor Computer Science, Virginia Tech https://people.cs.vt.edu/karpatne/

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Muskan Gupta's Thesis exam
by Sang Won Lee 02 May '24

02 May '24

Hi, You are cordially invited to Muskan Gupta's thesis exam. I've included the details below. Sang Won Lee *When/Where* 8/31/2023 (Thursday) 1 PM-3 PM The Gilbert Place Room 3211 *Committee* Sang Won Lee (Chair) Eugenia Rho Scott McCrickard *Title*: Understanding Social Media Users' Perceptions of Trigger and Content Warnings *Abstract*: Exposure to distressing content on social media poses risks to users' mental well-being, leading to the use of trigger warnings (TW) and content warnings (CW). However, there is limited insight into user preferences and the factors affecting these warnings' effectiveness. This study addressed this gap through qualitative interviews with 15 participants. Findings revealed generally positive user perceptions of warnings, which provide protection from distressing content, create safe spaces for sharing sensitive experiences, and avoid such content in public spaces. However, understanding when, what, and how to use warnings varied among users, leading to complex decision-making. Factors influencing warning effectiveness included their separation from content, length, awareness, consistency, context, severity, reasoning, creator's intent, and audience knowledge. Participants stressed the need for enhanced education on warnings and triggers in social media. The study produced design recommendations, including personalized filtering, platform guidelines, specificity, nudging creators, interventions against excessive scrolling, accessibility improvements, and community feedback mechanisms. Participants also suggested post-trigger support measures. The study uncovers challenges in balancing warnings with user engagement, specificity, and personalization while avoiding the creation of filter bubbles. While the study spanned various platforms, future research should focus on specific platforms to address limitations like recruitment bias and broad scope. Future directions include incentivizing warning use, implementing nudges and interventions, and improving post-trigger support, as well as investigating audio triggers and quantitative studies for refined TW/CW design to promote a trauma-informed social media environment.

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Position Announcement: Web Developer
by Watson, Joan 31 Aug '23

31 Aug '23

Please contact Dr. Allison Tegge (ategge(a)vt.edu<mailto:ategge@vt.edu>) for more information about this position. The Addiction Recovery Research Center of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion is seeking a student (wage position) to fill a Web Developer/WordPress Administration role to support the International Quit & Recovery Registry (IQRR; quitandrecovery.org<http://quitandrecovery.org/>). The IQRR was established in 2011 with the goal to develop a unique scientific resource to study addiction recovery on an ongoing basis. The web developer role will maintain the current WordPress website, as well as edit and update custom code integrated into the Wordpress site. Together, this will support our ability to pull data critical for on-going and future research studies performed through the IQRR. Required skills include website development and coding tools including PHP, WordPress, and Python. Familiarity with MySQL/MariaDB, and javascript is preferred. Please contact Dr. Allison Tegge (ategge(a)vt.edu<mailto:ategge@vt.edu>) for more information about this position. *************** Joan Monahan Watson, Ph.D. Director of Administrative Operations Department of Computer Science Virginia Tech 1180C Torgersen Hall 620 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 Phone: 540.231.8874 Email: jmwatson(a)vt.edu<mailto:jmwatson@vt.edu>

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iMentor research mentoring workshop calling for students and mentors
by Daphne Yao 31 Aug '23

31 Aug '23

Good afternoon! I'm organizing the iMentor workshop, a cybersecurity research mentoring workshop. We are calling for participants. Details are as follows. Call for mentors: https://sites.google.com/vt.edu/imentor/call-for/mentors Call for student mentees: https://sites.google.com/vt.edu/imentor/call-for/student-mentees 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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Mentorship Program Fall 2023 - CS Grad Council
by Apoorva Srivastava 30 Aug '23

30 Aug '23

Fellow community members, As many of you know, the CS graduate council runs a mentorship program to help new and existing students connect with more senior ones for guidance regarding their research field, academic progress, or even long-term careers. As many of you know, this is a volunteer-based program. So, we would greatly appreciate all the help we can get from those who are willing and passionate about helping out their more junior fellow community members. Whether you are looking for a mentor, signing up to be a mentor, or had your circumstances changed and are no longer able to be/interested in a mentor, kindly fill out this signup form <https://forms.gle/G3xgvMBB9HDiRZ3j8> so we can update our records and do another round of matching for this semester. Finally, here is a link to our mentorship program training <https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zpLaFZzt1dM8mr_JUjEh_SN5unFCNdAt?us…> from last semester. It might help you manage your mentorship relationship and answer any questions. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me ( apoorva22(a)vt.edu), or fill out the mentorship program feedback form <https://forms.gle/9nxZysjm8So8WpuL9>. Thank you! *Apoorva Srivastava* Computer Science M-Eng Student M-Eng Representative - CS Graduate Council E // apoorva22(a)vt.edu P // (540) 998-0654 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Gradstudents mailing list Gradstudents(a)cs.vt.edu https://mailman.cs.vt.edu/mailman/listinfo/gradstudents

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interested in law school or other opportunities in the legal profession?
by Calvin Ribbens 30 Aug '23

30 Aug '23

CS Students, If you are curious how a CS degree can prepare you for law school, or prepare you to work as a technical specialist at a legal firm, you are invited to an informal information session this *Friday, September 1, 3:00-4:00PM, in Torgersen 1100C*. Scott Kelly is a graduate of our department who is now a Partner at Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., specializing in a wide range of intellectual property issues relating to computing. He is visiting the Blacksburg campus Friday and would love to chat with anyone who is curious about career opportunities in the legal profession. Dr. Ribbens

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CS Grad Seminar Friday, 2:30PM, Xuan Wang
by Calvin Ribbens 29 Aug '23

29 Aug '23

Our first seminar of the semester is this Friday, 2:30PM, Torgersen 3100. Xuan Wang,"AI for Science in the Era of Large Language Models <https://website.cs.vt.edu/News/Seminars/Xuan-Wang.html>". Cal

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slack channel for job opportunities that require a PhD
by Cal Ribbens 29 Aug '23

29 Aug '23

Hi students, I hope your semester is off to a good start. And a special welcome to our new students. We are glad you are here! This is my annual email to alert you to a place where job announcements for academic and research-oriented jobs are posted. We get quite a few of these requests-to-share, and this is where we share them. These include various faculty jobs as well as postdocs and research positions in government or industry labs. #phd-jobs channel at https://cs-vt.slack.com/ For a other employment opportunities, just pay attention to the emails from CS|Source, including the upcoming (September 11) CS career fair. Dr. Ribbens -- Department of Computer Science (540) 231-6262 Virginia Tech http://people.cs.vt.edu/ribbens Blacksburg, VA 24061-0106 https://twitter.com/CalRibbens_VTCS

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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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Volunteers are Needed!
by Sharon Kinder-Potter 28 Aug '23

28 Aug '23

See below this would be very much appreciated! 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** -------------------------- Good Morning! I hope you are having a great start to the new semester! Our Fall 2023 CS Career Fair is fast approaching and student volunteer help is needed. If you are interested in helping at any time during the day, please visit the link below to sign-up! Volunteer shifts are 2 - 2.5 hours long, if you have any questions, please email Debbie Zier, debzi5(a)vt.edu <mailto:debzi5@vt.edu> . Please do not alter the spreadsheet in any way other than to add your name. Fall 2023 CS Career Fair Volunteer Sign-Up <https://virginiatech-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/r/personal/jmwatson_vt_edu/Docum ents/EXTERNAL%20ENGAGEMENT/CS-SOURCE/FALL%202023%20CAREER%20FAIR/Volunteers/ Volunteer%20Schedule%20-%20Full%20-%20Copy.xlsx?d=wcb87e9578b244ee492e28059c f406c1a&csf=1&web=1&e=1LoRvu> . Thank you, Debbie _________________ Debbie Zier Administrative Assistant Department of Computer Science (0106) 1180 Torgersen Hall 620 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231-9195 _________________

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