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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260417T100000
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SUMMARY:James Waugh of Lucasfilm to Keynote Computing Day 2026 4/17
DESCRIPTION:The annual University of Miami Computing Day showcases the vast array of interdisciplinary research and scholarship in computing at The U. We are thrilled to announce the Keynote Speaker for Computing Day 2026 will be James Waugh of Lucasfilm Ltd. \nJoin us on Friday\, April 17\, 2026 at the Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science building as we convene audiences engaged in computing to design the future and foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. This event is free and open to the public. \nRegister Now (free)\nFriday\, April 17\, 2026 | 10:00 AM-5:00 PM \nAgenda\n10:00 AM Registration Opens\n11:00 AM-12:00 PM Keynote Speaker: James Waugh\n12:00-1:00 PM Lunch + Demos and Posters\n1:15-2:15 PM Panel Discussion\n2:15-5:00 PM Networking Reception \n\n\n\n\n\nKeynote Speaker • James Waugh\nSenior Vice President\, Franchise Story and Creative Strategy | Lucasfilm Ltd.\nAt Lucasfilm\, James Waugh has been a member of the Star Wars creative brain trust since 2016. Waugh currently leads narrative development and creative strategy across franchise lines of business including: \n\nFranchise Animation\nVideo Games\nTheme Parks\nPublishing\nImmersive Entertainment\nConsumer Products\, and\nDigital/Online Content initiatives.\n\nHis professional passion lies in building fictional worlds through compelling narrative and experiential content across platform. \nWaugh has led Lucasfilm’s transmedia efforts for Rogue One\, Solo\, The Last Jedi\, and The Rise of Skywalker\, as well as series including: The Mandalorian\, Obi-Wan Kenobi\, The Book of Bobafett\, Star Wars Rebels\, The Clone Wars\, and The Bad Batch—Lego Star Wars and Star Wars Visions. He has also led the story group’s development efforts for multiple video game titles\, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor\, Star Wars Outlaws\, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle\, and Vader: Immortal. Waugh spearheaded strategic initiatives such as StarWarsKids Youtube Channel\, and development and launch of The High Republic\, Star Wars’ first new fictional era since the Disney acquisition. \nIn Animation\, Waugh served as the Executive Producer on Star Wars: Visions vol. 1\, 2 and 3 (for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy\, and won a Lumiere for Best Animated Series)\, Star Wars Young Jedi Adventures (for which he was nominated for a Children’s and Family Emmy)\, LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special\, LEGO Star Wars Rebuild the Galaxy\, LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales\, LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation\, Star Wars: Galaxy of Adventures\, Star Wars: Roll Out\, Star Wars Galaxy of Creatures\, and others in various stages of development and production. \nPrior to joining Lucasfilm\, Waugh served as the Sr. Director of Story & Creative Development at Blizzard Entertainment\, leading the company’s Creative Development Department while overseeing narrative\, IP\, and transmedia for its blockbuster franchises. During this time he served as the Narrative Director for StarCraft 2 Legacy of the Void\, Nova\, and was the Story Director for the Overwatch franchise\, leading the development and writing of its short films. Waugh also was a key leader in Blizzard’s development on projects with ABStudios and Legendary Films for which he received a Story Consultant credit for his work on Warcraft: The Beginning\, the feature film directed by Duncan Jones. \nFor Star Wars\, Waugh strives to build evocative content across media and pioneer new forms of storytelling.\n\n\n\nPANEL • AI in Higher Education\n\n\n\n\n\nNick Tsinoremas • MODERATOR\nNicholas F. Tsinoremas\, PhD  is the Founding Director of the University of Miami Institute for Data Science and Computing which was established to catalyze data-intensive research in fields ranging from medicine to earth sciences\, urban planning\, digital humanities\, and business. He also holds faculty appointments in the Miller School of Medicine and the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Tsinoremas received his B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Athens\, Greece\, and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Leeds\, UK. \nDr. Tsinoremas’ research focus includes projects that combine data science and computational approaches; informatics\, digital health\, clinical genomics\, molecular biology\, computational biology\, and drug discovery.\n\n\n\n\nMarybeth Arcodia\nMarybeth Arcodia is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed between the Rosenstiel School of Marine\, Atmospheric\, and Earth Sciences Department of Atmospheric Sciences and the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing at the University of Miami. Her research bridges Earth system predictability and prediction\, integrating atmospheric science and AI-based techniques to explore variability and change across weather-to-climate scales. Her work focuses on localized impacts in future climates to further our understanding of the stressed climate system and aid in advancing preparedness for climate risk. She is a member of the US CLIVAR Predictability\, Predictions\, and Applications Interface Panel and the Working Group on Climate Data and Predictions for Coastal Solutions.\n\n\n\n\nClay Ewing\nClay Ewing is creative technologist with a focus on serious games\, implementing game mechanics into real world applications\, and social justice. As an award winning game designer and developer\, Professor Ewing’s games have tackled issues such as vector borne diseases\, the cost of health care\, social safety nets and labor practices. His most recent game\, Unsavory\, is the winner of a special emphasis award at the Serious Games Showcase and Challenge for its use of social media crowdsourcing for peer learning. Clay has worked with numerous non-profits including Red Cross Red Crescent\, Open Society Foundations\, ROC United\, Oxfam\, and the AIDS & Rights Alliance for Southern Africa. His projects have been covered by The Huffington Post\, NPR\, Forbes\, and The Consumerist. He also is the creator of Queso\, an open source learning management for gamifying the classroom.\n\n\n\n\nBen Lauren\nBen Lauren is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Writing Studies at the University of Miami\, where he also directs the Innovation and Society co-major. An artist-scholar whose work sits at the intersection of rhetoric\, creativity\, and design\, he published a peer-reviewed album-book called Hold Me Down: Toward a Rhetoric of Feel with the University of Michigan Press in 2024\, positioning music as a form of scholarly argument. His current research examines whether AI can function as a creative collaborator during design sprints.\n\n\n\n\nWanli Xing\nDr. Wanli Xing is a full Professor in School of Education and Human Development and Core Faculty member in Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing at the University of Miami. His research themes are: \n\nExplore and leverage educational big data in various forms and modalities to advance the understanding of learning processes;\nDesign and develop responsible and transparent AI\, large language models\, and learning analytics powered learning environments;\nCreate innovative strategies\, frameworks\, and technologies for AI\, Data Science\, and Computing Workforce development.\n\nWith these interrelated themes\, he aims to push the fundamental limits of AIED and learning analytics to revolutionize STEM and online education. His research has been supported by National Science Foundation\, Institute of Education Sciences\, Office of Naval Research\, National Institute of Standards and Technology\, National Security Agency\, Schmidt Family Foundation\, Gates Foundation\, Helios Education Foundation\, Florida Department of Education and the University of Florida. Dr. Xing directs the ACE lab\, standing for Advanced Computing for Education.\n\n\n\nFront side of Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science building\nLocation\n \nFrost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science Building\n1201 Memorial Drive\, Coral Gables\, FL 33146\nMap + Directions \nComplimentary Parking available behind Dooly  Memorial Classroom building in Lot 1-109A. Valid from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Park head in only.\nRegistration Link: https://www.offstreet.io/events/61DBL3QC \nYou will need to enter your license plate number and this Code: 12057. \n  \n \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nFor more information\, contact idsc@miami.edu or call 305.243.4962.
URL:https://idsc.miami.edu/idsc-event/james-waugh-of-lucasfilm-to-keynote-computing-day-2026-4-17/
LOCATION:Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science\, 1201 Memorial Drive\, Great Room 1st Floor\, Coral Gables\, FL\, 33146\, United States
CATEGORIES:Conference
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260430T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260430T180000
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SUMMARY:IDSC Welcomes Professor Wanli Xing with Lecture + Social Hour 4/30
DESCRIPTION:Join us in person to meet new IDSC Core Faculty joint hire with the School of Education and Human Development\, Dr. Wanli Xing\, on Thursday\, April 30\, 2026 at the Newman Alumni Center. Dr. Xing will give a talk from 4:00-5:00 p.m.\, followed by a social hour from 5:00-6:00. \nTALK TITLE:  Teaching and Learning at the Human-Technology Frontier: The Power of AI and Data Science \nAbstract  Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven technologies are transforming education\, making personalized learning\, intelligent tutoring\, and scalable educational interventions more essential than ever. In this talk\, Dr. Xing will present his research at the intersection of learning sciences\, AI\, and data science\, demonstrating how AI-powered tools and large-scale data analytics can enhance STEM and computing education while equipping students for the future workforce. \nDr. Xing will begin by showcasing how his research addresses real-world educational challenges by integrating learning theories with advanced AI technologies. He will also highlight his contributions to AI cyberinfrastructure\, including the development of education-specific generative AI models that have seen widespread adoption. \nBeyond technological advancements\, his work tackles the critical need for a well-prepared computing workforce\, driving innovation in AI\, data science\, cybersecurity\, and computer science education. Finally\, Dr. Xing will outline his future research vision and funding agenda\, focusing on strategies to advance AI-driven learning environments\, fair and transparent data science in education\, and workforce development initiatives in AI and data science. \nThis event is free and open to the public. \nRegister Now\nThursday\, April 30 • 4:00-6:00 PM | Newman Alumni Center\, Toll Library\, 6200 San Amaro Drive\, Coral Gables FL 33146 \nAbout Dr. Wanli Xing\nProfessor Wanli Xing\, a nationally recognized researcher working at the intersection of artificial intelligence\, data science and education\, joins the University of Miami this year with a joint appointment with IDSC and the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD). \nThe appeal of a joint appointment is both intellectual and practical\, a place where advanced computing meets real-world classrooms and communities. “It’s an excellent fit because it lets me leverage expertise across both areas\,” Dr. Xing said. \nA major draw was IDSC’s supercomputing resources and research infrastructure. “I’m looking forward to having my research group access resources here for AI development and related work\,” he said. \nLocation mattered\, too. “Miami is a major metropolitan area so there are more opportunities\, not only for collaboration within the University but also for entrepreneurship\, business partnerships\, and school district collaborations\,” he said. \n“The medical school here is very strong\,\nand I’m excited about opportunities\nto collaborate across disciplines.”\nDr. Xing\, who previously served in leadership roles supporting engineering education programs at the University of Florida\, looks forward to expanding interdisciplinary work at the University of Miami. “I haven’t broken into the medical world yet\, but the medical school here is very strong\, and I’m excited about opportunities to collaborate across disciplines\,” he said. “IDSC is a great platform for that.” \nBuilding Large Language Models for Education \nDr. Xing’s long-term goal is to build education-specific large language models designed with schools and students in mind. \nHe notes that general-purpose tools like ChatGPT can be powerful but have limitations in educational settings. They can function as “black boxes\,” become costly at scale (especially when supporting large numbers of students)\, and raise privacy concerns depending on how data is handled and how systems behave in different learning contexts. \n“For certain educational scenarios\, especially with kids\, you can’t just rely on generic prompting and hope the models behave exactly as needed\,” he said. “You want to build models that are more controlled\, more transparent\, and potentially cheaper. Not everything needs a very large model. Some tasks can use smaller\, lower-cost models.” \nThree Pillars of a Research Program \nDr. Xing describes his work as three interconnected areas. First\, he designs\, develops\, and tests AI tools that directly support learning. One of his flagship projects is ALTER-Math\, which stands for AI-augmented Learning by Teaching to Enhance and Renovate Math Learning. Grounded in the well-established idea that one of the best ways to learn is to teach\, the program essentially turns middle schoolers into math teachers. Instead of positioning an AI agent as an all-knowing tutor\, ALTER-Math introduces an AI agent more like a peer\, one who needs help from the students. “This process helps reinforce and deepen their mathematical understanding\,” Dr. Xing said. ALTER-Math has reached students across Florida\, and Dr. Xing is in talks to bring the program to Broward County students. \nSecond\, Dr. Xing uses large-scale educational data to analyze learning behaviors and learning processes. Education is increasingly data-rich\, he said\, as learning platforms capture information such as posts\, videos watched\, interactions\, and discussion participation. By applying learning analytics and data mining methods in both online and in-person classes\, Dr. Xing aims to generate insights that strengthen theory-driven learning science and contribute to the next wave of generative education. \nThird\, his work in STEM and computing workforce development connects the first two. Dr. Xing builds tools for teaching advanced topics and helps design innovative programs that introduce students to AI\, data science\, microelectronics\, and other emerging technologies. He approaches this work as a learning scientist\, developing strategies and experiences that make complex technical subjects more accessible. “We’ve explored approaches like reverse engineering to come up with new ways students can learn about advanced technological areas\,” he said. \nHis research has been supported by multiple funders\, including the NSF\, Department of Education\, Department of Defense\, NIST\, the Florida Department of Education\, and various private foundations. \nTeaching\, Mentoring\, and Building a Team \nDr. Xing will teach courses on AI in education and leads an active research team that includes postdoctoral scholars\, Ph.D. students\, and an AI engineer. He brought some team members with him from the University of Florida and plans to hire additional researchers. “Postdocs and Ph.D. graduates from my lab have gone on to tenure-track faculty roles at many different universities\,” he said. \nLife in South Florida—and a Streak of Championship Luck \nOutside the lab\, Dr. Xing is settling into South Florida and building a new routine. He lives in Pembroke Pines with his wife and two sons\, 5 and 7. While he’s still adjusting to the traffic\, he said he’s enjoying the perks of city life. “Miami has culture\, sports\, museums\, and lots of activities\,” he said. “Outside of work\, my life mostly revolves around the kids.” \nWhen he has time to unwind\, he heads to the beach. He also loves swimming and playing basketball. Dr. Xing\, who also enjoys watching sports\, jokingly notes a pattern. While he was at Texas Tech and the University of Florida\, both basketball teams advanced to the national championship game. After arriving in Miami\, he was thrilled to watch his new hometown team play in the championship football game. \n“They all made history while I was there!” he said. \n___________________ \nStory by \nLauren Comander \nRead More | NEWS@TheU Story: “Scientist Studies AI as a ‘Learning Buddy‘”
URL:https://idsc.miami.edu/idsc-event/idsc-welcomes-professor-wanli-xing-with-lecture-social-hour-4-30/
LOCATION:Newman Alumni Center\, 6200 San Amaro Drive\, Coral Gables\, FL\, 33146\, United States
CATEGORIES:Artificial Intelligence,Lecture
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