July 2024 - 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/

2 6

FW: Request to announce open PhD, MS and Internship Positions
by Kinder-Potter, Sharon 31 Jul '24

31 Jul '24

From: Pereira da Silva, Aloizio <aloiziops(a)vt.edu> Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2024 2:28 PM To: Pereira da Silva, Aloizio <aloiziops(a)vt.edu> Subject: Request to announce open PhD, MS and Internship Positions Dear Colleagues, Currently I have a couple of GRA and Internship open to work under my advisory. Attached are the job descriptions. I would appreciate if you could advertise them in your department. Thanks ---------------------------------------- Dr. Aloizio P. da Silva (PhD, MBA, PMP, MSc) CCI xG Testbed Director Virginia Tech ECE Research Faculty

1 0

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A STUDY INVESTIGATING ESSAY WRITING AND CHATGPT
by Jelson, Jelson 31 Jul '24

31 Jul '24

We are looking for participants who will be asked to write a paper with the assistance of ChatGPT. Participants will also answer a pre- and post-study survey. The findings from these surveys will be used to better understand the query process behind using ChatGPT in the context of essay writing. The study was reviewed and accepted by the IRB (# 24-325) and is being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Sang Won Lee (sangwonlee(a)vt.edu<mailto:sangwonlee@vt.edu>). Participants must be 1) 18 years or older. If you are interested in participating, please start the study at the following link: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/GPTWritingPreSurvey. If you have any questions, please contact Andrew Jelson at jelson9854(a)vt.edu. The research team will enter the essays into a random drawing and compensation will be given to approximately twenty percent of participants as a $10 gift card. Odds of being selected will be maintained as 1 in 5. The participants will be contacted separately. Andrew Jelson jelson9854(a)vt.edu

1 0

Leonardo Pavanatto's PhD defense
by Bowman, Douglas 31 Jul '24

31 Jul '24

CS colleagues, You are invited to join us for the final PhD defense of Leonardo Pavanatto, tomorrow at 11 AM. All the details are below. Best, Doug Design and Evaluation of Virtual Displays to Enable the Future of Work from Anywhere Ph.D. defense of Leonardo Pavanatto August 1, 2024 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Gilbert Place 3211 https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/6308162212 The future of work is rapidly evolving, particularly in knowledge-based professions such as programming, engineering, and scientific research. These fields traditionally rely on physical monitors in office settings. However, with the rise of hybrid work models fueled by technological advances and the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a growing need for flexible and portable display solutions. Workers can now operate from remote settings, their homes, or mobile scenarios while still requiring substantial screen space to complete their tasks. This dissertation investigates the design and evaluation of virtual displays rendered through head-worn displays (HWDs) as a promising alternative, aiming to optimize them for productive work. These displays offer flexibility, allowing users to achieve large monitor spaces in virtual or augmented reality environments, adaptable to any location. We aim to answer three research questions: (1) ``How does replacing or extending physical monitors with virtual displays using current technology impact the user experience of productivity tasks?'', (2) ``How can we take advantage of the spatial flexibility property of virtual displays to eliminate screen boundaries and increase the amount of space available to users?'', and (3) ``How can we leverage properties of virtual displays to design techniques that minimize overhead in window management tasks without reducing user freedom?'' Through careful interface design and empirical user studies, we seek to understand how to leverage the unique capabilities of HWDs to enhance productivity, preparing the groundwork for future virtual display systems as technology advances. -- 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

1 0

REACH Lab is recruiting MS (thesis option) students
by Williams, Ihudiya 30 Jul '24

30 Jul '24

Hi Everyone, As we prepare for the start of the school year, I am recruiting two to four MS (thesis option) students for a series of projects. These projects would make great thesis projects. The work will begin in the fall, initially part-time or for credit. Below are the descriptions of the projects: Designing visualizations to support older adults and other marginalized communities Description: We seek to design for and with marginalized populations to develop meaningful visualizations to support behavior change. Skills requested: * Experience developing visualizations using Tableau and/or D3.js * Able to develop mock-ups and a prototype Requesting: Two students Understanding HCI researchers and CS doctoral students Description: We seek to understand the experience of HCI researchers and doctoral students to develop industry best practices. Skills requested: * Able to conduct a literature review, interviews, and textual analysis * Able to develop mock-ups and a prototype Requesting: One to two students If you are interested, please apply here: http://bit.ly/applytoreachlab Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. The deadline for the first round of reviews will be August 26. Best regards, Dr. Williams IHUDIYA FINDA WILLIAMS | Assistant Professor Virginia Tech | Department of Computer Science 220 Gilbert Street, Office 3901 Blacksburg, VA 24060 Lab Website<http://reach.cs.vt.edu> | LinkedIn<http://linkedin.com/in/ihudiyawilliams/> | Schedule a Meeting<https://outlook-sdf.office.com/bookwithme/user/c5efbccff6f543b9b9401e7adf09…> she/her/hers [cid:5f099f17-3440-41c2-a30a-87d8236cec62]

1 0

Participants Needed for Collaborative MR User Study
by Sajid, Maha 25 Jul '24

25 Jul '24

Hello everyone, I am a researcher at Private Eye-Lab conducting a user study supervised by Dr. Brendan David-John (Virginia Tech). We are inviting you to participate in a research study using augmented reality (AR) technology to complete remote collaborative tasks. We aim to understand user’s perception of security attacks in a mixed reality environment while in a remote collaborative environment. Participants will be required to complete a basic tower building task using an AR HWD (Microsoft HoloLens 2). Two participants will be collaborating for one task. You can bring a friend, or we will randomly pair you up with another participant for this task. The study will take around 2 hours to complete and you will be compensated in cash amount of $20 for your participation. The study will take place at Gilbert Place Room # 3214. Participants need to be proficient in reading and writing in English, at least 18 years old, have normal vision (contact lenses are fine, glasses are not supported). Participation will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participants’ involvement in the study will not impact their employment, grades, or academic performance in any way. If you would like to participate, please fill in this<https://forms.office.com/r/XkhZ4Ts197> form. If you have any questions feel free to email Maha Sajid (mahas(a)vt.edu<mailto:simsb@vt.edu>). Best regards, Maha Sajid (mahas(a)vt.edu<mailto:mahas@vt.edu>)

1 0

CS|Source Announcements and Opportunities | Wednesday, July 24, 2024
by Shirkey, Claire 24 Jul '24

24 Jul '24

[cid:image001.png@01DADCEE.9BF51BB0] Fall CS Career Fair: September 9, 2024 Mark your calendars for the fall Computer Science Career Fair scheduled for September 9, 2024, from 1-6 pm. Check-in will begin at 1 pm and end at 5:30 pm. Make sure to get your resumes ready and take a look at the student page<https://website.cs.vt.edu/content/website_cs_vt_edu/en/cs-source/cs-source-…> for more information. We hope to see you there! All Computer Science Students: Job Hub Remember to post your resume to the CS JobHub<https://jobhub.cs.vt.edu/> in addition to Handshake! All CS|Source Members have access to your resumes once they are available on our JobHub site! For assistance with tech support, please contact Ben Stein (bbradner(a)vt.edu<mailto:bbradner@vt.edu>). Join CurraPay as a Part-Time Consultant! [cid:image002.png@01DADCEE.9BF51BB0] CurraPay, an early-stage tech start-up based in Princeton, New Jersey, is hiring a computer science student for a paid, remote, part-time consultant role. Our mission is to create the Booking.com of the international money transfer market, aiming to reduce the cost of sending money abroad, aligning with a U.N. Sustainable Development subgoal. This temporary position is open to rising juniors, seniors, post-graduates, or recent graduates, but applications from any student in the department are welcome. We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so apply now! For more details, please refer to the attached flyer. If you have any questions, feel free to contact David McMillan, Founder and CEO, at david(a)currapay.com.<mailto:david@currapay.com> Discover LM Virtual Series: August 5-8, 2024 [cid:image003.png@01DADCEE.9BF51BB0] Exciting news! We're bringing back the Discover LM virtual series due to the great feedback from students like you. This series is your chance to understand the recruiting process and engage with technical panelists from our team. Important info: * Dates: August 5th - 8th * Sessions: Two each day * Time 1: 12:00 pm EST * Time 2: 8:00 pm EST All majors welcome! Whether you're studying engineering, computer science, finance, business, or any related field, this event is for you. Spread the word among your peers using the attached flyer. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore future career possibilities and gain valuable insights! GA Position in University Libraries Department: Research Impact & Intelligence August 2024-May 2025 Minimum Required Qualifications: * Advanced coding capability in modern language(s) such as Python and/or R * Experience conducting searches in academic databases * Knowledge of the scholarly publishing environment * Excellent oral and written communication skills Short Description of Duties: * Analyze bibliometric and publication data for collaborative projects between the Office of Research and Innovation and the University Libraries * Analyze bibliometric, publication, grant and patent data from a variety of sources including Scopus, SciVal, Web of Science, Dimensions * Develop scientific network visualization maps using tools such as VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and/or Gephi * Support workshops given by the Research Impact and Intelligence Department and the Patent & Trademark Resource Center * Author conference and/or journal articles related to the above work (expected one publication per academic year) [cid:image004.png@01DADCEE.9BF51BB0] NAVSEA is now seeking applicants for full-time Software Developers! Please see the attached flyer for more information. APPLY NOW for Summer 2025!! [cid:image005.png@01DADCEE.9BF51BB0] Discover the renowned D. E. Shaw Group, where innovation, risk management, and innovative technology converge. Join us for internships open to all academic backgrounds, fostering skill development, impactful projects, and insights into finance and technology. Embrace diversity, challenge complexity, and unleash your potential. Application Details: * Apply now for any Fundamental Research Analyst Intern<https://www.deshaw.com/recruit/internships/Oncampus/AY25GroupsJan24/FundRes…>, Propriety Trading Intern<https://www.deshaw.com/recruit/internships/Oncampus/AY25GroupsJan24/PropTra…>, D. E. Shaw Investment Management (DESIM) Intern<https://www.deshaw.com/recruit/internships/Oncampus/AY25GroupsJan24DESIMInt…>, and Strategy & Business Development (SBD) Intern<https://www.deshaw.com/recruit/internships/Oncampus/AY25GroupsJan24/SBDIntJ…> roles. * Applications for Business Operations, Systematic Investing, and Systems teams or our regional offices (London, Hong Kong, Singapore) open on May 29, 2024. Check out our Campus website<https://campus.deshaw.com/> for more info. * Second-year students: check out our fellowship programs<https://fellowships.deshaw.com/>. If interested, fill out this form<https://www.deshaw.com/forms/NEE1QzA3MDktNzdCNS00OEZBLUIzMDktNUYzQUVGNDg1Q0…>. For more info, watch this video<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swxn1o_1Hrk>. * Already interviewing elsewhere or already accepted an offer for summer 2025? Share your timeline here<https://www.deshaw.com/forms/NEE1QzA3MDktNzdCNS00OEZBLUIzMDktNUYzQUVGNDg1Q0…>. [cid:image006.png@01DADCEE.9BF51BB0] Prepare for an immersive experience with Deutsche Bank TDI internship. Set goals, network, ask questions, and develop new skills. Benefit from mentorship, networking events, and on-the-job training to grow personally and professionally. Consider a Career at Duetsche Bank * Check out their Tech Talent opportunities<https://careers.db.com/students-graduates/technology/index?language_id=1> (Internships and Employment Positions) * To learn more about Deutsche Bank, click HERE<https://careers.db.com/inside-deutsche-bank/>. * Learn more about our Internship Programme<https://careers.db.com/students-graduates/internship-programme/> that will open in August. * If you are seeking full-time employment, please visit careers.db.com<https://careers.db.com/> [cid:image007.png@01DADCEE.9BF51BB0] Unlock opportunities with Bank of America's internship and full-time programs. Discover why we're a Great Place to Work, with insights on programs, event recaps, and upcoming events in our quarterly newsletter. Apply Now (opportunities in newsletter): * Summer 2025 applications are open! * Check out our upcoming virtual events!

1 0

Fw: Student Research Presentation Opportunity
by Ribbens, Calvin 16 Jul '24

16 Jul '24

Forwarding as requested. This is regarding a cybersecurity conference. ________________________________ From: James Warne <jwarne(a)malachite.llc> Sent: Monday, July 15, 2024 9:37 AM To: Ribbens, Calvin <ribbens(a)vt.edu> Subject: Student Research Presentation Opportunity Cal, My name is James Warne. I am the Research Director at Malachite and co-founder of RSTCON<https://rstcon.org/>, a research-focused conference in its inaugural year in Savannah, GA, from September 13-15. The conference aims to highlight the intersection of Computer Science and Industrial Technologies, focusing on security and cyber-physical systems. My goals are to 1) facilitate discussion between research and industry and 2) connect researchers with funding sources. Virginia tech has a great program that likely has students and faculty working on relevant topics. I want Virginia tech's students to have the opportunity to submit to and present at our conference. Please share our CFP<https://rstcon.org/cfp> and conference with your department and its students. We support open access; all selected presentations and supporting artifacts will be posted and available on our website and Arxiv<https://arxiv.org/>. We have a 50% discount reserved for students and faculty that wish to attend but aren't speaking. For additional information on the conference and our marquee speakers, I have attached some extra materials for your convenience. Please feel free to contact me if I can answer any questions you may have or do anything to enable student and faculty participation or attendance. Best Regards, James James Warne Research Director c: (202) 439-7890 e: jwarne(a)malachite.llc Malachite LLC

1 0

FW: Petroleum Engineering at Penn State
by Kinder-Potter, Sharon 12 Jul '24

12 Jul '24

Attention: To All Graduate Students. This email is to inform you about our Petroleum Engineering program at Penn State, which is ranked 3rd by U.S. News and World Report in graduate research and #5th by QS World Ranking among U.S. universities in 2024. We are seeking excellent engineering students from your university who may be interested. Please forward this email and the attached pamphlet with our program video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iuL_EU844k) to the appropriate associate deans who can circulate this among your faculty and students. Best regards, Hamid Emami-Meybodi Program Chair, Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering Director, Subsurface Energy Recovery and Storage (SERS) JIP The Pennsylvania State University 151 Hosler Building, University Park, PA 16802 USA +1 (814) 863-3987 | emami(a)psu.edu<mailto:emami@psu.edu> | SERS JIP<https://sites.psu.edu/sersjip/>

1 0

Recall: Re: Looking for GRA (2 publication + 3 research + (2-3) YR work exp as data scientist).
by Gurunathan, Sreenidhi 12 Jul '24

12 Jul '24

sreenidhig(a)vt.edu would like to recall the message, "Re: Looking for GRA (2 publication + 3 research + (2-3) YR work exp as data scientist).".

1 0