2-Day Free Software Carpentry “Python” Workshop at Medical Campus 11/2-3
2023-11-02 09:00 - 2023-11-03 16:30 (America/New_York)
Software Carpentry helps researchers get their work done in less time and with less pain by teaching them basic research computing skills. This hands-on Python workshop will cover basic concepts and tools, including program design, version control, data management, and task automation. The course is aimed at graduate students and other researchers. You don’t need to have any previous knowledge of the tools that will be presented at the workshop. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems.
Thursday + Friday 11/2-3/2023 | 9:00-4:30 Course Hours Both Days
This Session is FULL | Syllabus
LOCATION
Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Don Soffer Clinical Research Center (formerly Clinical Research Building or “CRB”)
1120 NW 14th Street, Rooms 710 R&Q
Miami, FL 33136
PARKING
You may park in the building’s parking garage. Parking spaces are available throughout the garage at a rate of $1.00 per hour, with a max charge of $8.00/per day. Get directions with OpenStreetMap or Google Maps.
REQUIREMENTS
Participants must bring a laptop with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) that they have administrative privileges on. They should have a few specific software packages installed (listed on the syllabus).
INSTRUCTORS

Timothy Norris
Data Scientist
University of Miami Libraries and
Frost Institute for Data Science and
Computing (IDSC)
Erica Newcome
STEM and Interdisciplinary Research Librarian
University of Miami Libraries
Cecilia Lopez-Gamundi
Research Assistant
University of Miami Rosenstiel School
for Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science

HELPERS

Thilani Samarakoon
Biomedical Data Librarian
University of Miami Libraries
Sreeharsha Venkatapuram
Senior Software Engineer
Frost Institute for Data Science and
Computing (IDSC)
Charles Brown-Roberts
Applications Software Developer
University of Miami Libraries

ACCESSIBILITY
We are committed to making this workshop accessible to everybody. For workshops at a physical location, the workshop organizers have checked that:

The room is wheelchair / scooter accessible.
Accessible restrooms are available.

Materials will be provided in advance of the workshop and large-print handouts are available if needed by notifying the organizers in advance. If we can help making learning easier for you (e.g. sign-language interpreters, lactation facilities) please get in touch (using contact details below) and we will attempt to provide them.

DATA ETHICS

As a part of this 2-day workshop, Dr. Ken Goodman will join us to present “Special Program in Ethics for Scientific Writing and Coding” on 11/16 at 12:30 PM.
Kenneth W. Goodman, PhD, FACMI, FACE
Director, IDSC Data Ethics + Society
Director, Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy
Director, UM Ethics Programs

2-Day Free Software Carpentry "R" Workshop at Medical Campus 11/15-16
2023-11-15 09:00 - 2023-11-16 16:30 | Don Soffer Clinical Research Center, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, United States
Software Carpentry helps researchers get their work done in less time and with less pain by teaching them basic research computing skills. This hands-on “R” workshop will cover basic concepts and tools, including program design, version control, data management, and task automation. The course is aimed at graduate students and other researchers. You don’t need to have any previous knowledge of the tools that will be presented at the workshop. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems.
Wednesday + Thursday 11/15-16/2023 | 9:00-4:30 Course Hours Both Days
Register Now (free) | Syllabus
LOCATION
Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Don Soffer Clinical Research Center (formerly Clinical Research Building or “CRB”)
1120 NW 14th Street, Rooms 710 R&Q
Miami, FL 33136
PARKING
You may park in the building’s parking garage. Parking spaces are available throughout the garage at a rate of $1.00 per hour, with a max charge of $8.00/per day. Get directions with OpenStreetMap or Google Maps.
REQUIREMENTS
Participants must bring a laptop with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) that they have administrative privileges on. They should have a few specific software packages installed (listed on the syllabus).
INSTRUCTORS

Cameron Riopelle
Director of Research Data
& Open Scholarship
University of Miami Libraries
Timothy Norris
Data Scientist
University of Miami Libraries and
Frost Institute for Data Science and
Computing (IDSC)
Thilani Samarakoon
Biomedical Data Librarian
University of Miami Libraries

HELPERS

Sreeharsha Venkatapuram
Senior Software Engineer
Frost Institute for Data Science and
Computing (IDSC)

Michele Mayne
2nd Year PhD Sociology Major
Medical Sociology and
Community Health & Well-Being

ACCESSIBILITY
We are committed to making this workshop accessible to everybody. For workshops at a physical location, the workshop organizers have checked that:

The room is wheelchair / scooter accessible.
Accessible restrooms are available.

Materials will be provided in advance of the workshop and large-print handouts are available if needed by notifying the organizers in advance. If we can help making learning easier for you (e.g. sign-language interpreters, lactation facilities) please get in touch (using contact details below) and we will attempt to provide them.

DATA ETHICS

As a part of this 2-day workshop, Dr. Ken Goodman will join us to present “Special Program in Ethics for Scientific Writing and Coding” on 11/16 at 12:30 PM.
Kenneth W. Goodman, PhD, FACMI, FACE
Director, IDSC Data Ethics + Society
Director, Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy
Director, UM Ethics Programs

IDSC Fellows Launch Symposium 11/28
2023-11-28 15:00 - 17:00 | Richter Library, 1300 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida, 33146, United States
The Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) is pleased to announce the IDSC Fellows for the 2023-2024 academic year: Madeleine Dawson, Anna Golikova, Tianhao Liu, and Christian Ramsoomair. This is a prestigious designation awarded each year to four graduate or undergraduate students (sophomore level or above) students.
The vision of the IDSC Fellows Program is to inspire a new generation of leaders in data science to cross the traditional boundaries between disciplines. IDSC joins with University faculty to mentor the Fellows on how to best utilize the University’s cutting-edge advanced computing resources in their proposed research projects. Read more about the IDSC Fellows program.
Join us and meet the 2023-2024 IDSC Fellows and hear about their research project proposals. This event is free and open to UM Faculty/Staff/Students.
Tuesday, 11/28/2023, 3:00 – 5:00 PM | Richter Library 343
Otto G. Richter Library, 1300 Memorial Drive, 3rd Floor Conference Room #343, Coral Gables, FL 33146 (Map + Directions)
Register Now

Madeleine Dawson
3rd year PhD in Ocean Sciences

Anna Golikova
Senior, majoring in Biology

Tianhao Liu
3rd year PhD in Biostatistics

Christian Ramsoomair
3rd year MD/PhD in MSTP

IDSC Fellows Steering Committee
Mohamed Iskandarani Chairman
Alberto Cairo
Kim Grinfeder

Daniel S. Messinger
Mitsunori Ogihara
Kamal Premaratne

Azizi Seixas
Ravi Vadapalli

Collaborate, Grow, Stand Out

FilmGate Interactive Media Festival + UM XR Day 11/29-12/3
2023-11-29 00:00 - 2023-12-03 23:59 | Lakeside Village, 1280 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, 33146, United States
At the crossroads of visual storytelling, entertainment, and the latest immersive technology, this one-of-a-kind international event invites all curious and tech-savvy audiences to explore the best mind-bending stories in interactive and immersive storytelling. Join us at the University of Miami Lakeside Village on the Coral Gables campus 11/30-12/2, the full Festival runs 11/29-12/3 at multiple locations.

FilmGate Interactive Media Festival 10 explores how emerging technology empowers the content of the future. The Festival redefines the way we conceive and share stories, together, democratically and inclusively, representing the diverse voices of our extended region. The Festival will celebrate visual storytellers and supporting industries through screenings, exhibits, creative labs, master classes, immersive art installations, music, and live events.
The 2023 Festival partners with the University of Miami’s “UM XR Day.” Audiences and creators will be invited to attend virtually and in person. The programming is focused on outdoor, accessible installations, as well as the most impactful interactive and immersive projects from around the world. As we approach a united virtual space at increasing rate, aka “the metaverse,” FilmGate will explore the multiverses and 3D spaces that are paving the roads to the future.
Agenda + Tickets
(non-VIP admission is free)
Festival Theme | Regenerate X
For its 10th anniversary, FilmGate Interactive reinvents itself as FILMGATE INTERACTIVE X. The festival seeks to not only mirror the world’s recuperative capabilities but to posit art and technology as vital agents of this renewal. Drawing inspiration from the regenerative capacities of our environment and society, the festival delves into narratives that explore the possibility of a brighter, more inclusive future. Furthermore, with the evolution of generative AI, we’re reminded that regeneration isn’t always a return to a former state: regeneration can radically redefine.
In an era where the echoes of past upheavals reverberate loudly, “REGENERATE X” emerges as a call for collective reinvention—whether through ecological rejuvenation, an audacious reimagining of aesthetic paradigms in arts and culture, or resilience and resurgence post-COVID. Learn more about our speakers, jurors, and projects, and panels at filmgate.miami.
About FilmGate
Since their launch, Filmgate Miami has hosted over 200 fire and pool chats, labs, showcased the works of 400+ creatives, and co-produced 20 creative projects. Their programming is focused but not exclusive to the issues of our region that resonate globally: climate change, social justice, immigration, accessibility, and equality. FilmGate searches for originality, innovation, and boldness, as they shape new roads for humanity.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS in Generative AI—Attend our Info Session 12/12 or Apply Now!
2023-12-12 16:30 - 17:00 | Zoom (online)
Apply Now!
Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity in generative AI for UM Faculty. We envision up to four awards, each with $35K in funding and 2M SUs.
Generative AI can be thought of as a machine-learning model that is trained to create new data, rather than making a prediction about a specific dataset. A generative AI system is one that learns to generate more objects that look like the data it was trained on.
Proposals that examine the use of generative AI across the University enterprise are encouraged including but not limited to ethical use, educational issues, new techniques, and application to advance science, business, medicine, engineering, law, and the humanities.
The research team will prepare a three-page proposal that outlines the research and the specific use of generative AI. The proposal should also include a short discussion of potential external funding mechanisms that the proposed work can use to enhance the competitive position of the research team. The application should include an abbreviated 1-page biosketch and a budget with justification using the templates included in this announcement.
Proposal submission deadline is January 12, 2024. Please see below for program important dates and deadlines. Register for our Zoom Information Session on 12/12 at 4:30 PM.
The research team is required to submit an interim report midway through the performance period. The one-page report should include a brief description of the project’s progress and an overview of the financial situation. Upon project completion, the research team will submit a one-page final report detailing any accomplishments attributed to the work of this project [publications, proposal submission(s) for extramural funding, data sets generated, etc.] and give an oral presentation describing the research and results as part of IDSC’s seminar series. Scheduling of the oral presentation will be coordinated by IDSC’s Engagement Office.
Applications will be reviewed by an evaluation committee to determine feasibility, relevance to IDSC programs, and in terms of how the proposed research will put the team in a more competitive position for external funding.
Important Information and Deadlines

Info Session (via Zoom): 4:30 PM | Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Full Proposals due by: 5:00 PM on Friday, January 12, 2024
Notice of Award due on or before: Friday, January 31, 2024
Project Performance Period: March 1, 2024 – February 2025
Interim Report Due: Monday, September 30, 2024
Service Units (SU) Expire: Monday, March 31, 2025
Final Report Due on: Friday, April 30, 2025
Oral Presentation of Results Due in Fall 2025

Required Attachments

Abbreviated 1 page biosketch template
Budget and Budget Justification template

Guest Lecture: Dr. Gary Jones, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency 2/14
2024-02-14 15:00 - 16:00 | Richter Library, 1300 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida, 33146, United States
IDSC is pleased to present Dr. Garfield “Gary” Jones, DEng, Associate Chief of Strategic Technology at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). CISA is the operational lead for Federal cybersecurity and the national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience. At CISA, Dr. Jones strategizes and provides guidance on the use of innovative and leading-edge technology. A retired Army Reserve officer, he previously worked as a Systems Engineer developing complex weapons, geographic, and information systems for agencies like the ONI, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, and NCIS. Dr. Jones holds a Doctor of Engineering in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a concentration in Machine Learning and AI. He teaches courses in Computer Science and Systems Engineering.
The subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have been at the forefront of U.S. education over the past several years. Much of the focus on STEM education has centered on increasing student achievement in science and math, with the assumption that higher achievement will ensure that students are “ready” to compete. However, students need to have and maintain interest in STEM courses. Educators in the K-12 sector have adopted a variety of approaches based in problem- and project-based learning—often collectively referred to as “PBL”, this project-based approach will help to establish a more interactive environment encompassing theory and practical application.
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 | 3:00-4:00 PM EST
Richter Library, 3rd Floor Conference Room #343 • 1300 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146 | Map + Directions
Register Now
Talk Title
“Appropriately Motivating and Leveraging Academic Problem Solving and Student Interest in Careers that Advance National Cybersecurity Capacity”
Abstract
The subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have been at the forefront of U.S. education over the past several years. Much of the focus on STEM education has centered on increasing student achievement in science and math, with the assumption that higher achievement will ensure that students are “ready” to compete. However, students need to have and maintain interest in STEM courses. Educators in the K-12 sector have adopted a variety of approaches based in problem- and project-based learning—often collectively referred to as “PBL”, this project-based approach will help to establish a more interactive environment encompassing theory and practical application.

2-Day Free Software Carpentry “Python” Workshop at Medical Campus 2/21+22
2024-02-21 09:00 - 2024-02-22 16:30 | Don Soffer Clinical Research Center, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, United States
Software Carpentry helps researchers get their work done in less time and with less pain by teaching them fundamental research computing skills. This hands-on Python workshop will cover basic concepts and tools, including program design, version control, data management, and task automation. This course is aimed at graduate students and other researchers. You don’t need to have any previous knowledge of the tools that will be presented. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems.
Wednesday + Thursday 2/21+22/2024 | 9:00-4:30 Course Hours Both Days
Register Now | Syllabus
LOCATION
Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Don Soffer Clinical Research Center (formerly Clinical Research Building or “CRB”)
1120 NW 14th Street, Rooms 710 Q
Miami, FL 33136
PARKING
You may park in the building’s parking garage. Parking spaces are available throughout the garage at a rate of $1.00 per hour, with a max charge of $8.00/per day. Get directions with OpenStreetMap or Google Maps.
REQUIREMENTS
Participants must bring a laptop with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) that they have administrative privileges on. They should have a few specific software packages installed (listed on the syllabus).
INSTRUCTORS

Timothy Norris
Data Scientist
University of Miami Libraries and
Frost Institute for Data Science
and Computing (IDSC)
Erica Newcome
STEM and Interdisciplinary
Research Librarian
University of Miami Libraries
Francisco Cardozo Macias
Student
University of Miami

HELPERS

Thilani Samarakoon
Biomedical Data Librarian
University of Miami Libraries
Emory Neer
Research Support Analyst, Center on Aging Research
Miller School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
University of Miami

Catalina Canizares-Escobar
Research Coordinator
Florida International University

ACCESSIBILITY
We are committed to making this workshop accessible to everybody. For workshops at a physical location, the workshop organizers have checked that:

The room is wheelchair / scooter accessible.
Accessible restrooms are available.

Materials will be provided in advance of the workshop and large-print handouts are available if needed by notifying the organizers in advance. If we can help making learning easier for you (e.g. sign-language interpreters, lactation facilities) please get in touch (using contact details below) and we will attempt to provide them.

SPONSORED BY
Louis Calder Memorial Library | Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) | Department of Computer Science | Graduate School | IDSC | Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship

IDSC Advanced Computing User TRAINING SESSION 3/21
2024-03-21 13:30 - 15:00 | Richter Library, 1300 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida, 33146, United States
The University of Miami Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) is a training session for Advanced Computing Users, or those interested in learning how to use the University’s Advanced Computing capabilities, as well as how to utilize the services IDSC provides. The session is an hour long, followed by :30 min. for Q&A.
Join us in person (or via ZOOM) on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 1:30-3:00 PM in the Richter Library 3rd Floor Conference Room (#343). Zoom link will be emailed upon completion of registration.
Register Now (free)
The Session will cover:
Introduction to IDSC

Capabilities
Expertise
Services
Opportunities

Intro. to Advanced Computing Systems and Services

Connecting to the Cluster
Transferring Data
Navigating the Filesystem
Storage (Home vs Scratch)
Software (Environment/Modules)
Processing Jobs (LSF)
Computing (CPU, GPU)

Accessing/Using ACS Services

Requesting and Managing User/Group Accounts
Cost of using ACS Systems and Services

Need Help? Where to Start

User Documentation
Submitting a Ticket
idsc.miami.edu

Submitting an external grant?

How to budget computing and storage into your grant
I need collaborators—How do I go about it (or can IDSC recommend additional resources)?

2-Day Free Software Carpentry “R” Workshop at Medical Campus 3/28+29
2024-03-28 09:00 - 2024-03-29 16:30 | Don Soffer Clinical Research Center, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, United States
Software Carpentry helps researchers get their work done in less time and with less pain by teaching them fundamental research computing skills. This hands-on “R” workshop will cover basic concepts and tools, including program design, version control, data management, and task automation. The course is aimed at graduate students and other researchers. You don’t need to have any previous knowledge of the tools that will be presented. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems.
Thursday + Friday 3/28+29/2024 | 9:00-4:30 Course Hours Both Days
Register Now | Syllabus
LOCATION
Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Don Soffer Clinical Research Center (formerly Clinical Research Building or “CRB”)
1120 NW 14th Street, Rooms 710 R+Q
Miami, FL 33136
PARKING
You may park in the building’s parking garage. Parking spaces are available throughout the garage at a rate of $1.00 per hour, with a max charge of $8.00/per day. Get directions with OpenStreetMap or Google Maps.
REQUIREMENTS
Participants must bring a laptop with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) that they have administrative privileges on. They should have a few specific software packages installed (listed on the syllabus).
INSTRUCTORS

Cameron Riopelle
Director of Research Data
& Open Scholarship
University of Miami Libraries
Erica Newcome
STEM and Interdisciplinary
Research Librarian
University of Miami Libraries
Francisco Cardozo Macias
Student
University of Miami

HELPERS

Charles Brown-Roberts
Applications Software Developer
University of Miami Libraries
Catalina Canizares-Escobar
Research Coordinator
Florida International University
Michele Mayne
PhD Sociology Major
Medical Sociology and
Community Health & Well-Being

Timothy Norris
Data Scientist
University of Miami Libraries and
Frost Institute for Data Science
and Computing (IDSC)

ACCESSIBILITY
We are committed to making this workshop accessible to everybody. For workshops at a physical location, the workshop organizers have checked that:

The room is wheelchair / scooter accessible.
Accessible restrooms are available.

Materials will be provided in advance of the workshop and large-print handouts are available if needed by notifying the organizers in advance. If we can help making learning easier for you (e.g. sign-language interpreters, lactation facilities) please get in touch (using contact details below) and we will attempt to provide them.

DATA ETHICS

As a part of this 2-day workshop, Dr. Ken Goodman will join us to present “Special Program in Ethics for Scientific Writing and Coding” on 3/29.
Kenneth W. Goodman, PhD, FACMI, FACE
Director, IDSC Data Ethics + Society
Director, Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy
Director, UM Ethics Programs

SPONSORED BY
Louis Calder Memorial Library | Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) | Department of Computer Science | Graduate School | IDSC | Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship

Smart Cities MIAMI 2024 Conference 4/11+12
2024-04-11 00:00 - 2024-04-12 23:59 | Lakeside Village, 1280 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, 33146, United States
The University of Miami School of Architecture and Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing presented the 8th annual Smart Cities Miami Conference on Thursday and Friday, April 11+12, 2024, at the University of Miami Coral Gables campus Lakeside Village Expo Center.
The program is now online!

To aid in the design and development of more sustainable, livable, and resilient cities, the University of Miami brings cutting-edge research in urban planning, architecture, and engineering in alignment with computational resources and analytical methods. The Annual Smart Cities Miami Conference is an extension of these efforts, providing a forum for leaders in academia, industry, and government to closely examine evolving theories and practices in the Smart City field. The topics considered vary in scope and nature within a general theme that is particularly relevant for each year.
Smart Cities Miami Day 1 considered the role of artificial intelligence in the design and management of smart cities, providing an opportunity to explore the impact of AI in smart city practices and how individuals, societies, and cultures adopt and adapt to emerging AI-driven technology in smart cities. Day 2, led by the Miami Think Tank (a new platform for discussions on current challenges in contemporary cities and global urbanization processes), focused on the city of the future and unleashing the power of AI in urban development.

University of Miami Coral Gables campus
LAKESIDE VILLAGE
Day 1 Expo Center | Day 2 Pavilion 1000
1280 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146

PRESENTING SPONSORS
Double C (by Conconcreto) and Broadway Malyan

►Day 1 | April 11 • Expo Center
Day 1 included exhibits in the Lakeside Village Expo Center. The Day 1 theme provided opportunities to explore questions such as:
• How do staggering recent developments in AI impact smart city practices?
• How do individuals, societies, and cultures adopt and adapt to emerging AI-driven technology in smart cities?
• How do we transition from sustaining to disruptive practices fueled by AI?
• Do cities become more resilient when they deploy AI?
Register Now ($50 pp) | Apply to Exhibit
General Admission $50.00 per person—Both Days included. This event was free to University of Miami Faculty, Staff, and Students (with PROMO CODE available from idsc@miami.edu).
Day 1 Agenda
12:00-1:00 Registration + Light Lunch
1:00 Conference Opens + Welcome Address | Dean Rodolphe el-Khoury
1:10 Opening Keynote | Ali Malkawi, Harvard University
1:40 Panel I | “Smarter Cities?”
2:25 Break + Exhibits (20 min)
2:45 Panel 2 | “Rethinking Infrastructure”
3:30 Break + Exhibits (20 min)
3:50 Panel 3 | “Transforming the Profession”
4:35 Closing Keynote | Neil Leach, Florida International University
5:00 Closing Remarks | Dean Rodolphe el-Khoury
followed by Networking Reception + Exhibits
7:00 Day 1 Ends

COMPLIMENTARY PARKING Day 1
Complimentary parking for attendees was available in the Pavia and/or Levante Garages on 4/11/2024, during the hours of 11:00am – 9:00pm.

DAY ONE

Artificial Intelligence and its Role in the Design and Management of Smart Cities
12:00-1:00 PM • Registration + Exhibits Open | Light Lunch
1:00 PM • Conference Opens
Welcome Remarks | Dr. Guillermo Prado, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

1:10-1:40 PM • OPENING KEYNOTE

Ali Malkawi, PhD
Director of the Doctor of Design Studies Program and Professor of Architectural Technology | Harvard Graduate School of Design
Founding Director | Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities (CGBC)
TALK TITLE: “Connecting buildings to nature: The role of big data, AI and automation”
Ali Malkawi is Professor of Architectural Technology, Director of the Doctor of Design Studies Program, and Founding Director of the Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He has served as a consultant on several projects, including airport designs, super towers, industrial factories, and cities. His research focuses in the areas of computational simulation, building performance evaluation, and design decision support. Previously, he taught at the Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Professor of Architecture and Chairman of the Graduate Group in Architecture.
Malkawi is lead author or co-author of more than 130 scientific papers and co-editor of three books. In 2017, he was honored with the Jordan Star of Science by His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan. In 2013, Malkawi received an honorary Master of Arts degree from Harvard University. He earned his Ph.D. from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

1:40-2:25 PM • PANEL 1 “Smarter Cities?”

This panel explores how AI is reframing the discussion and transforming smart cities practices. From harnessing AI’s potential in data analytics to deliver on the promises of enhanced efficiency and sustainability, to navigating the complex legal and ethical implications inherent in AI-driven solutions, the conversation will illuminate the opportunities and challenges at the intersection of technology and urban planning.

MODERATOR

Nicholas Tsinoremas, PhD
Nick is Vice Provost for Research Computing and Data, and the founding director of the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) at the University of Miami. Before joining UM, he served as Head of Informatics and Cheminformatics at The Scripps Research Institute, Florida. In his previous role as Director of Computational Genomics and Genomic Discovery at Rosetta/Merck, he directed the project that combined data science and computational approaches with gene expression profiling, high-throughput screening, and genetics to discover, prioritize, and define new drug targets and novel therapeutics. Prior to Merck, as Vice President of Genomics at DoubleTwist Inc., he led a team that developed the first annotation of the Human Genome.

PANELISTS

Kenneth W. Goodman, PhD , FACMI, FACE
Ken is founder and director of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, and UM’s Ethics Programs. The Institute has been designated a W.H.O. Collaborating Center in Ethics and Global Health Policy, one of 14 in the world and the only one in the U.S. He is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics (FACMI), the American College of Epidemiology (FACE), and The Hastings Center. Ken also directs the Florida Bioethics Network and chairs the UHealth/UM Hospital Ethics Committee and the Adult Ethics Committee for Jackson Memorial Health System.

Kim Grinfeder, MPS
Kim is a multidisciplinary media producer and an accomplished artist, designer, and creator who uses emergent technologies to practice new ways to communicate social and environmental issues. At the UM School of Communication, he is Chair of the Department of Interactive Media and Director of the UMverse, where he is developing a coordinated strategy to expand leadership in spatial computing.

Sarbeswar Praharaj, PhD
Sarbeswar has over 10 years of progressive experience in academia in various capacities within universities in the USA, India, and Australia. His passion and experience is in building university-to-university and university-to-community partnerships for research collaborations and student engagement. He has a Master of Urban Planning (CEPT University), Master of Science in Geography (University of Calcutta), and a PhD with an emphasis on Smart Cities from the University of New South Wales.

Shermeen Yousif, PhD
Shermeen Yousif is an assistant professor and the founder of the Environmental Design and Natural Materials lab at the School of Architecture at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Recently, her lab’s focus has been on using environmental design methods, AI strategies and tools, and robotic fabrication to investigate the design and extrusion of biomaterial-based design prototypes.

2:25-2:45 PM • BREAK + EXHIBITS
2:45-3:30 PM • PANEL 2 “Rethinking Infrastructure”

The panel discussion bridges between industry leaders in large infrastructure projects and key stakeholders in city governance and public initiative to address emerging issues and relevant questions. How is AI transforming the planning and execution of large-scale infrastructural projects? Are there new modalities and opportunities for collaboration between public and private sectors. How is social equity addressed within this evolving technological landscape? Will AI driven tools enable us to reimagine sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change and other pressing challenges.

MODERATOR

Ana Peralta Chammas
As the Director of Innovation for Miami-Dade County, Ana’s eye for innovation, strategic vision, and multidisciplinary experience has helped advance IT strategy and the organizational transformation that drives the customer experience. She has the vision for what a future-ready government needs to create community impact. Her experience includes directing the functions and programs related to the County’s information channels (miamidade.gov, 311 Answer Center, and Miami-Dade Television) as well as the development of civic and digital engagement strategies. Ana is working to create intersections across verticals in the industry partnering with academic institutions to build the foundational learning and experiential opportunities to expand our local talent pipelines.

PANELISTS

Minghui Cheng, PhD
Minghui is an assistant professor jointly appointed by the Department of Civil & Architectural Engineering and School of Architecture at the University of Miami, with an affiliation with Climate Resilience Academy. His research focuses on the digital twin-enabled smart city and sustainability-informed life-cycle management of structures and infrastructure systems with an emphasis on surrogate modeling, optimization, and machine learning.

Justin Gammage, PhD, PEng
Justin serves as the Director of Partnerships at the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing, University of Miami. Formerly, he was the Strategic Industry Advisor at Ontario Tech University, leading technology deployments for the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network. His distinguished career includes roles as Chief Scientist at General Motors of Canada and Co-Founder of Illuminex AI, focusing on operational AI in complex environments.

Oumayma Moufid, Fulbright PhD Scholar
Oumayma is currently a Fulbright research scholar at the University of Miami conducting research in sustainable urban planning and resilience. Originally from Morocco, she obtained an Engineering Diploma from the School of Geomatic Sciences and Surveying Engineering – IAV Hassan II Institute. She is also pursuing her Doctoral studies in Hassania School of Public Works focusing on Digital Twin for smart and sustainable urban planning and infrastructure management. She also has a professional experience in the National Agency for Urban Regeneration and Rehabilitation of run-down buildings in Morocco working on the development of digital tools and frameworks to help decision-making.

Raimundo Rodulfo
As Director of Innovation and Technology and Chief Innovation Office for the City of Coral Gables Innovation & Technology Dept., Raimundo leads strategic planning, co-innovation, oversight and management of citywide IT operations, infrastructure, and smart city initiatives. He joined the City in 2004. Prior to that, he spent 10 years working for various Fortune 500 companies such as Bellsouth (AT&T), Siemens, and NCR in varying technical and managerial capacities. During this time, he also worked on engineering and technology projects with Motorola and Lucent Technologies (Alcatel) in Chicago and Agilent Technologies in Silicon Valley.

3:30-3:50 PM • BREAK + EXHIBITS
3:50-4:35 PM • PANEL 3 “Transforming the Profession”

The panel discussion gathers leaders from architecture, engineering, and construction firms to explore the profound impact of AI on their respective fields. From reshaping workflows to introducing innovative tools and methodologies, our panelists will delve into how AI is revolutionizing their operations. The panel will address pressing questions such as the possibilities of transforming the profession and the potential for empowering practitioners to work more efficiently and deliver impactful solutions.

MODERATOR

Rodolphe el-Khoury, PhD
Rodolphe el-Khoury is Dean of the University of Miami School of Architecture. Trained as both an historian and a designer, he divides his time between scholarship, research, and practice. He is the author of numerous books on architecture and urbanism, including See Through Ledoux; Architecture Theatre, and the Pursuit of Transparency; Monolithic Architecture; and Figures: Essays on Contemporary Architecture. el-Khoury leads RAD Lab, a research unit dedicated to embedded technology and robotics aiming at enhancing responsiveness and resilience in buildings and smart cities.
The work of his firm, Khoury Levit Fong (KLF), has won international awards. el-Khoury’s work has been featured in national and international media outlets that cut across disciplines ranging from WIRED Magazine to the Wall Street Journal to the Space Channel to BBC World. He has shared his work through teaching, visiting professorships and lectures at dozens of institutions in the U.S. and abroad.

PANELISTS

Jamie Chow, RA, LEED AP BD+C
Jamie is currently a Project Designer at Perkins&Will Miami, a LEED Accredited Professional and registered architect in the state of Florida. Originally from Singapore, she obtained a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University and has professional experience in New York city and Miami working in the commercial, institutional, and residential sectors. At Perkins&Will, Jamie has integrated AI tools into the design process and is an advocate for the advancement of human-centric design.

Lorena Knezevic, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Lorena is currently an Architect and LEED AP at Gensler Miami. She is also pursuing her Doctor of Design at Florida International University with a focus on AI in the architecture profession. Her thesis builds upon her Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Science degrees from the University of Miami, which focused on AR and VR. These studies led to multiple industry-based research grants, hackathons at Milan Design Week, and speaking engagements.

Johnny Maghzal, MBA
Johnny is Head of Growth at Togal.AI, helping customers get the most of their innovative takeoff software. An estimating expert, he has been working in the construction industry for nearly a decade. Before moving to the U.S., Johnny worked for the largest specialized engineer solutions firm in the Middle East. He received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the American University of Beirut, in addition to an MBA from the Miami Herbert Business School.

Nicolás Pinzón Rodriguez
Nicolás is senior partner at L35 Architect and Managing Director for USA & Latam. Since joining the firm, he has led projects in Spain, France, Belgium, Turkey, Mexico, Colombia and, more recently, the American Region. He graduated in architecture from the School of Architecture of Barcelona with a specialization in building. He combines his professional career as an architect with that of a photographer. Since 2019, Nicolás has been based in Miami.

4:35-5:00 PM • CLOSING KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Neil Leach, PhD
Director, Doctor of Design Program| Florida International University (FIU)
Professor| European Graduate School
Gao Feng Professor| Tongji University
Adjunct Professor| University of Southern California
Visiting Professor| Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Neil Leach is an architect and professor from the UK. He currently directs the Doctor of Design program at Florida International University (FIU), and has also taught at the Architectural Association (School of Architecture, London), Harvard Graduate School of Design, Columbia GSAPP (Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation), Cornell University, IaaC (Institute for advanced architecture of Catalonia, Barcelona), and SCI-Arc (Southern California Institute of Architecture, Los Angeles).
He is the co-founder of DigitalFUTURES (digitialfutures.international), an online educational platform that operates in 10 languages; a former researcher for NASA, where he developed 3D printing technologies for the Moon and Mars; and a member of the Academia Europaea, Europe’s leading academy with over 50 Nobel laureates.
Neil has published over 40 books on architectural theory and digital design, translated into 8 different languages. He is currently working on AI, and is the author of the first book on architecture and AI, Architecture in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: An Introduction to AI for Architects (Bloomsbury, 2022).
neilleach.wordpress.com

5:00 PM • Closing Remarks | Dean Rodolphe el-Khoury
5:00-7:00 PM • Networking Reception + Exhibits
7:00 PM • Day 1 Ends

COMPLIMENTARY PARKING Day 2
Complimentary parking for attendees ws available in the Pavia and/or Levante Garages on 4/12/2024, during the hours of 7:00am – 3:00pm.
Location
University of Miami Coral Gables campus
LAKESIDE VILLAGE
Day 1 Expo Center | Day 2 Pavilion 1000
1280 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146

DAY TWO

9:00 AM • Registration Open + Light Breakfast
10:00 AM • Day Two Began
10:00 AM-12:00 PM • “Miami Think Tank” PANEL: City of the Future: Unleashing the Power of AI in Urban Development

MODERATOR

The Honorable Vince C. Lago
Mayor, City of Coral Gables
The Honorable Vince Lago was elected Mayor of Coral Gables in April 2021 in a decisive victory—the youngest elected Mayor in the City’s history. Prior to his election, he served as City Commissioner for eight years, and held the post of Vice Mayor (2019-21). Throughout his career, Mayor Lago has dedicated his time to South Florida civic and philanthropic causes. A former member of the Coral Gables Planning and Zoning Board, he brings a reasonable and creative approach to land use remaining committed to preserving Coral Gables’ unique character and history while placing the interests of residents first.
During his tenures, Mayor Lago spearheaded numerous legislative initiatives and led the City’s sustainability efforts. Previously, he served on the Board of Directors of the Coral Gables Community Foundation where he worked to promote and enhance the quality of life for residents, and assisted in raising funds to help the elderly, youth, and disabled population in the community. A strong proponent of arts and culture, he served for more than 10 years on the board of Locust Projects, a nonprofit contemporary art organization that supports emerging and mid-career artists. He also served on the City of Miami’s Arts and Entertainment Council. Additionally, he served on the Board of Directors of the Coral Gables Museum.
Mayor Lago holds a Master of Science in Construction Management from Florida International University School of Engineering, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. As an advocate of advancing the region’s planning and transportation needs and enhancing energy conservation, in 2017 he was appointed to represent Coral Gables on the board of the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization. Since 2019, he has served on the Junior League of Miami Community Advisory Board where he provides insight and expertise on important community advocacy projects. In 2021, Mayor Lago was elected Vice Chair of the Biscayne Bay Watershed Management Advisory Board, and was appointed by the City Commission as liaison to the Business Improvement District (BID).
Mayor Lago resides in Coral Gables with his wife Olga Mari Saizarbitoria, and their daughters Mirentxu and Catalin.

PANELISTS

Jorge Ponce Dawson
Practice Principal and Design Director + Head of Studio Madrid, Broadway Malyan, Spain
Jorge has been Director of the Broadway Malyan Madrid studio since 2002, from where he leads projects in Spain, Europe, North Africa and South America. With 35 years of professional experience, Jorge is the author of landmark projects in the retail industry, such as FAN Mallorca and Torre Sevilla in Spain, Terrazas de Mayo in Argentina or Mall of Sfax in Tunisia. He has lead the roll-out in Spain of large retail chains as Costco and Primark. Under his leadership, Broadway Malyan has continuous work with global European players such as Carrefour Property, Unibail Rodamco Westfield, Ikea, Eurofund, Merlin Properties, Frey, ECE or Klepierre, as well as Latin American leaders like Cencosud, Mall Plaza, Parque Arauco, Real Plaza or Mall Aventura.
Driven by his intellectual curiosity and his interest in contributing to the global debate on major social challenges such as the climate change or digital revolution, in 2018, Jorge launched the Broadway Malyan Think Tank as a space for reflection to identify new market trends and to explore ways to move towards more humane and sustainable cities, assuming proximity as the new transformational paradigm.

Olivia Ramos
CEO, Deepblocks (AI for development and acquisition)
Olivia Ramos, founder, and CEO of Deepblocks, has leveraged her expertise in real estate development, software design, and Big Data to lead a team in developing an innovative technology that offers a comprehensive and scalable view of cities, evaluates their development potential, and streamlines the process of identifying viable sites for new construction. This technology expedites the efficiency of site selection and feasibility analysis in real estate from months to minutes.
Ramos holds master’s degrees in Architecture from Columbia University and Real Estate Development from the University of Miami. Her significant achievements include designing groundbreaking Big Data navigation software for the Department of Defense’s DARPA Innovation House. This work and her recognition by Singularity University’s GSP and accelerator program were instrumental in founding Deepblocks.

﻿

Terry Shaw, PE
Senior Practice Builder + Associate | Kimley Horn
Terry boasts 30+ years of experience in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and smart communities, including managing FDOT’s $700M10-year ITS program, overseeing the nation’s first operational public transit autonomous vehicle fleet deployment, and leading Smart Region Master Plans for various councils. His work on the Smart St. Augustine project secured a RAISE Grant from the US DOT, aiming to transform the city into the nation’s smartest. With a track record of delivering over 100 successful projects, six of which received national or regional awards, Shaw’s expertise extends to international, national, and regional conferences, as well as publications for esteemed organizations such as the National Academies of Sciences/Transportation Research Board, AASHTO, AMPO, and more.

12:00 PM • Transition to new location for launch event
12:30 PM • UM-COBOD Collaboration Launch Event
The University of Miami School of Architecture and COBOD International held the official launch of a new collaboration to research and explore construction scale 3D printing. The collaboration has seen the creation of a concrete 3D printing hub which includes a large format COBOD BOD 2 construction printer, capable of printing a small single-family home.
Conference attendees were invited to an opening ceremony immediately following Smart Cities MIAMI Day 2 that discussed the collaboration and potential opportunities related to concrete 3D printing in Miami and internationally, as well as showcased some recent 3D printed structures by UM students and faculty. (Light Refreshments)

Location of UM-COBOD Collaboration Launch Event
University of Miami Coral Gables campus
Behind the STUDIO ARTS BUILDING
1535 Levante Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33146

CALL FOR POSTERS + DEMOS: Computing Day 4/23
2024-04-23 10:00 - 17:00 | Lakeside Village, 1280 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, 33146, United States
UM faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff are invited to submit posters and /or demos for presentation at the second annual Computing Day to be held at the Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science building on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Register Now (free)
Computing Day convenes faculty and student scholars, corporate and government professionals, and other audiences engaged in computing to design the future and foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. This event is free and open to the public.
Tuesday April 23, 2024 | 10:00 AM-5:00 PM ET
Poster/Demo Submission
Please click here to submit a presentation. The submission deadline is April 12, 2024. If you have any questions and/or require additional information concerning posters or demos, please email idsc@miami.edu. The cost of posters printed through the Richter Library Creative Studio will be covered by the event. See submission form for more details.
Before you submit your application, please make sure that you have the following ready:

Presentation title
350-word (maximum) abstract (12-point Times New Roman font, single-spaced)
Author and coauthor names and affiliations

We look forward to your participation, and to recognizing the vast array of research and scholarship in computing at the University of Miami.
LOCATION
University of Miami Coral Gables campus
Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science building
1201 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146
AGENDA
10:00 AM Registration Opens
11:00 AM-12:00 PM Keynote Speaker
12:00-2:00 PM Lunch + Networking
2:00-3:00 PM Panel Discussion
3:00-5:00 PM Poster + Demo Review and Networking Happy Hour

Computing Day 4/23
2024-04-23 10:00 - 17:00 | Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science, 1201 Memorial Drive, Great Room 1st Floor, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
UM faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff will showcase their research posters and /or demos at the second annual Computing Day to be held at the Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science building on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Computing Day convenes faculty and student scholars, corporate and government professionals, and other audiences engaged in computing to design the future and foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. This event is free and open to the public. We look forward to recognizing the vast array of research and scholarship in computing at the University of Miami.
Register Now (free)
Tuesday April 23, 2024 | 10:00 AM-5:00 PM ET
LOCATION
Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science Building, 1201 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146 | Great Hall and Seminar Room (Map and Directions)
PARKING
Complimentary parking is available in the red zone lot 109A (see orange arrow) on April 23, during the hours of 6:00am – 6:00pm, enter your license plate number, then the registration code 9560 using this link: https://www.offstreet.io/location/9X0XY0VC. (For navigation purposes, enter 1305 Campo Sano Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33146, to find the entrance at Wilder Drive.)

AGENDA
10:00 AM Registration Opens
11:00 AM-12:00 PM Keynote Speaker
12:00-2:00 PM Lunch + Networking
2:00-3:00 PM Panel Discussion
3:00-5:00 PM Poster + Demo Review and Networking Happy Hour

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Fernando Vasconez
Senior Director Business Development – Games + Strategy | SAMSUNG Electronics
Fernando has over 15 years of experience in the gaming industry, working with leading platforms, publishers, developers, and technology providers. His core competencies are new business development, product marketing, and strategy. He leads a team of business development managers and analysts who are responsible for identifying, negotiating, and executing strategic partnerships and initiatives with gaming partners.
Fernando leverages Samsung’s technology leadership and global reach to create value for their customers, partners, and stakeholders. He is passionate about exploring and advancing emerging trends and opportunities in the gaming industry, such as cloud gaming, blockchain, AI and 5G. His goal is to position partners as global leaders and game-changers in the gaming industry, and to contribute to their vision of inspiring the world through games and entertainment.

MODERATOR

Kim Grinfeder, MPS
Professor + Chair | University of Miami School of Communication, Department of Interactive Media
Director | University of Miami Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing, Creative Technologies
Director, XR Initiative | UMverse
Kim is a multidisciplinary media producer and an accomplished artist, designer, and creator who uses emergent technologies to practice new ways to communicate social and environmental issues. At the UM School of Communication, he is Chair of the Department of Interactive Media and Director of the UMverse, where he is developing a coordinated strategy to expand leadership in spatial computing. their customers, partners, and stakeholders. He is passionate about exploring and advancing emerging trends and opportunities in the gaming industry, such as cloud gaming, blockchain, AI and 5G. His goal is to position partners as global leaders and game-changers in the gaming industry, and to contribute to their vision of inspiring the world through games and entertainment.

PANELISTS

Soyeon Ahn, PhD
Professor and Vice Dean | University of Miami School of Education and Human Development
Soyeon received her Ph.D. in Measurement and Quantitative Methods in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education at Michigan State University in 2008. She joined the EPS faculty in August, 2008. Soyeon’s current research focuses on the application of the existing data analytic techniques in resolving the complicated data issues in meta-analysis (research synthesis). Her other areas of interest include hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), structural equation modeling (SEM), and longitudinal data analysis for educational and psychological research

Fabrice Manns, PhD
Professor and Chair | University of Miami College of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Fabrice serves as chair and professor of the University of Miami College of Engineering Department of Biomedical Engineering. He holds a secondary appointment in the Department of Ophthalmology where his research laboratory is located. As Co-Director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s Ophthalmic Biophysics Center, his research activities include the development of optical and laser instrumentation for treating and diagnosing eye diseases, and studies on the optics of the eye and vision correction, including accommodation and presbyopia, myopia, and intraocular lenses for cataract surgery.

Ramin Moghaddass, PhD
Associate Professor | University of Miami College of Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering
Director | Data Analytics Lab & DOE Industrial Assessment Center

Ramin is an associate professor in the College of Engineering’s Department of Industrial Engineering where he studies complex, sensor-driven engineered systems, and is developing a new generation of flexible and large-scale models for real-time system health monitoring inspired by dynamic structures and networks. His research is applicable in a number of engineering systems, including wind turbines, power systems and other sensor- intensive engineering systems.

Rebecca Bulotsky Shearer, PhD
Professor | University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology
Principal Investigator and Faculty Advisor | Early Childhood Social Emotional Readiness Lab (SERL)
Rebecca is a child clinical and school psychologist who has worked both as a practitioner and researcher with very young children and families living in impoverished urban areas for the past 15 years. Her research is guided by a “whole child” developmental-ecological systems perspective that is child-centered, and which considers both proximal and broader system-level influences on children’s development over time.

Poster/Demo Submission NOW CLOSED
Poster Dimensions: 36″ height x 48″ width
Poster Printing: The event will cover the cost of posters printed in house through the Richter Library Creative Studio. Posters should be submitted one week in advance to: creativestudio@miami.edu. Download and complete a Print Request Form. Under Department & Course, please enter “Computing Day 2024”.
How to design an academic poster: Click here.
The submission deadline was April 12, 2024. If you have any questions and/or require additional information concerning posters or demos, please email idsc@miami.edu. The cost of posters printed through the Richter Library Creative Studio will be covered by the event.
Before you submit your application, please make sure that you have the following ready:

Presentation title
350-word (maximum) abstract (12-point Times New Roman font, single-spaced)
Author and coauthor names and affiliations

“AI Applications for Obstetrics” UHealth Lecture by Dr. Yelena Yesha 4/25
2024-04-25 07:00 - 08:00 | Zoom (online)
IDSC Innovation Director, Director of IDSC AI and Machine Learning, and Knight Foundation Endowed Chair of Data Science and AI, Dr. Yelena Yesha will speak at an “Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences” (AMA PRA Category 1 credit) lecture series hosted by UHealth on Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 7:00-7:00 AM EST via ZOOM.
Talk Title
“Empowering the Next Wave of Discovery: Generative AI’s Transformative Impact on Science + Innovation | AI Applications for Obstetrics”

Lecture Objectives

Provide a solid foundation on what Generative AI is, how it operates, and specifically, what ChatGPT brings to the table.
Trace the development journey of ChatGPT, emphasizing the technological advancements and extended capabilities.
Offer a deeper look into the mechanics behind ChatGPT, including the transformer architecture, reinforcement learning, and how it is trained and fine-tuned.
Highlight how Generative AI, particularly ChatGPT, is being utilized across different sectors, with a special focus on higher education, medicine, and specifically, obstetrics and gynecology.

ZOOM Link: https://miami.zoom.us/j/92710226622?pwd=[REDACTED] Frdz09
Meeting ID: 927 1022 6622 | Passcode: [REDACTED]
About the Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences Ground Rounds
The Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science Grand Rounds is a live virtual conference series that provides clinicians with the most recent developments in all specialized areas, including: Maternal Fetal Medicine, Gynecologic Oncology, Morbidity & Mortality, Family Planning, and Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive science physicians.
ACCREDITATION: The University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CREDIT DESIGNATION:
The University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit . Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosures
FACULTY | Dr. Yesha has indicated that she has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests.
PLANNING COMMITTEE | Drs. Attia, Carugno, Bishop, Sinno, Jeudin, Paidas, Moscoso, Simms-Cendan, and Sfakianaki have indicated that they have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests. All the relevant financial relationships for these individuals have been mitigated.

For additional information please contact Tameka Collins at tcollins@med.miami.edu or visit www.cme.med.miami.edu.
Powered by the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine’s ground-breaking research and medical education.

2023-2024 IDSC Fellows Capstone Event 4/30
2024-04-30 15:00 - 17:00 | Richter Library, 1300 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, Florida, 33146, United States
The four outstanding students selected as the 2023-2024 IDSC Fellows presented their proposed projects at a launch symposium held at the Richter Library on November 28. This was followed by presentations from the inaugural cohort of the Provost’s Fellowship in Interdisciplinary Computing awardees.If you missed it, watch on our YouTube Channel, and join us to hear the IDSC Fellows’ progress at the capstone event.
Tuesday 4/30/2024 | 3:00-5:00 PM, Richter Library 3rd Floor Conference Room #343
Register Now
Introducing the 2023-2024 IDSC Fellows:

Madeleine Dawson
3rd year PhD in Ocean Sciences
PROJECT TITLE: Island Wake Segmentation and Characterization from Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery: A Deep Learning Approach
MENTORS:
David R. Chapman, PhD | Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences | Knight Foundation Junior Chair of Data Science and AI | IDSC Core Faculty Member
Hans Graber, ScD | Professor, Department of Ocean Sciences, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science
Executive Director, Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CSTARS)
Madeleine is currently working with Dr. Hans Graber at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia before beginning her Ph.D. at the University of Miami. Her current research is focused on the characterization of island wakes through spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar datasets. As an IDSC Fellow, the utilization of deep learning techniques will aid in classifying highly dynamic and turbulent features of the island wakes to create accurate parameterizations for future predictions.

Anna Golikova
Senior, majoring in Biology
PROJECT TITLE: Identification of bacterial viruses in two reef-building corals, Pseudodiploria strigosa and Montastraea cavernosa
MENTORS:
Ravi Vadapalli, PhD | Director, Advanced Computing, IDSC
Cynthia Silveira, PhD | Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences | silveiralab.com
Anna is majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry, Computer Science, and Psychology.
After learning about viral diversity in the “Biology of Viruses” course offered at the University of Miami, Anna joined the Silveira Lab to delve deeper into marine viral ecology. She started working on the project that aimed to isolate and identify seawater viruses that infect coral-associated bacteria and that may be involved in coral diseases. As an IDSC Fellow, she hopes to conduct bioinformatics analysis, including genome annotations and comparative genomics study, of her isolated bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) and their hosts in order to explore how bacterial viruses could contribute to the emergence of pathogens in coral reefs.

Tianhao Liu
3rd year PhD in Biostatistics
PROJECT TITLE: Spectral Graph Theory Methods Using Eigenpairs With Small Eigenvalues
MENTORS:
Kamal Premartne, PhD | Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
Daniel Andrés Díaz-Pachón, PhD | Research Assistant Professor, Biostatistics Division, Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine
Tianhao is working under the supervision of Dr. Daniel Díaz at the Division of Biostatistics, University of Miami. Tianhao received his M.Sc. in Biostatistics in 2020 from UM. His research centers around pattern recognition and clustering using advanced statistical and machine learning methods. As an IDSC Fellow, he hopes to explore how to make use of the eigenvectors with the smallest eigenvalues in random graph models.

Christian Ramsoomair
3rd year MD/PhD in Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)
PROJECT TITLE: Locus-Specific Characterization of Transposable Elements in Glioblastoma
MENTORS:
Ravi Vadapalli, PhD | Director, Advanced Computing, IDSC
Ashish H. Shah, MD | Department of Neurological Surgery, Miller School of Medicine
Christian is in his first year of graduate studies working under the mentorship of Drs. Danny Reinberg and Ashish Shah in the Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology. He received his Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Chemistry (concentration in Biochemistry) from College of the Holy Cross. During the IDSC Fellows program, he is seeking to characterize the role of retroelements in Glioblastoma.

IDSC Grants Program Call for Proposals INFO SESSION 9/9, 4PM
2024-09-09 16:00 - 16:30 | Zoom (online)
An INFO SESSION for your questions on the IDSC “Expanding the Use of Collaborative Data Science at UM” Grants Program CALL FOR PROPOSALS will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 4:00 PM (:30 minutes) via Zoom. The submission deadline is Friday, September 27, 2024 by 5:00 PM.
Register Now
This program is designed to increase the use of data science to foster breakthroughs in disciplinary pursuits making the research team more competitive for external funding.Applications are required to include at least one data scientist from the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) and one researcher from a specific discipline. Typically, the disciplinary researcher initiates and leads the project. The IDSC data scientist acts as a high-level consultant to ensure the proposal has enough data science.
The awards include $20K in discretionary funds[1] and 1M Service Units (SUs) to be used for high performance computing (HPC). It is anticipated that five awards will be made. Any topic and issue involving data science are welcome. Pre-submission inquiries are encouraged.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, IDSC seeks proposals that address issues in:

Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Humanities

Other topics and issues are also welcome. Pre-submissions are encouraged.
In terms of this grant opportunity, data science is defined as utilizing state-of-the-art approaches such as Machine Learning (ML) or Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enable scientific discovery that is data driven. Simply, proposing to analyze large data sets with traditional techniques (e.g., linear regression) is not responsive to this opportunity. Proposals that use ML/AI to develop new understanding are strongly encouraged.
The application process includes two steps:
Step 1: The disciplinary researcher provides a one-page letter of intent to IDSC outlining the discipline-specific research and where data science fits in. Based on the letter of intent, the IDSC review team will identify an IDSC data scientist for collaboration, if the research team has not already identified a IDSC partner. Apply Now!
Step 2: Upon invitation to advance to Step 2, the research team (with assistance from the IDSC data scientist) will need to prepare 3 documents:
1) A two-page proposal that outlines the research and the data science plan. The proposal should also include a short discussion of potential external funding mechanisms that the proposed work can use to enhance the competitive position of the research team. The application should include:
2) an abbreviated one-page biosketch, and
3) a budget with justification using the linked templates included with this announcement.
Eligibility
This funding opportunity is open to UM Faculty with an active IDSC membership. For more information on IDSC memberships and to apply, visit https://idsc.miami.edu/membership/.
Reporting
The research team is required to submit an interim report midway through the performance period. The one-page report should include a brief description of the project’s progress and an overview of the financial situation. Upon project completion, the research team will submit a one-page final report detailing any accomplishments attributed to the work of this project [publications, proposal submission(s) for extramural funding, data sets generated, etc.] and give an oral presentation describing the research and results as part of IDSC’s seminar series. Scheduling of the oral presentation will be coordinated by IDSC’s Engagement Office.
Review Process
Applications will be reviewed by an evaluation committee to determine feasibility, relevance to IDSC programs, and in terms of how the proposed research will put the team in a more competitive position for external funding.

Important Information and Deadlines

Have questions? Attend an INFO session led by Ben Kirtman: Monday, September 9, 2024, at 4:00 PM (:30 minutes) via Zoom. Please REGISTER.
Step 1 – Letters of Intent: Due by 5:00 PM Friday, September 27, 2024 | Step 1 Form
Invitation to submit full proposal in Step. 2 with identification of an IDSC data scientist partner (if applicable): October 14, 2024
Step 2 – Two-page proposal: Due by 5:00 PM on: Friday, November 22,2024
Notice of Award: On or before: December 18, 2024
Project performance period: January 1 – December 31, 2025
Interim Report Due: June 30, 2025
Service Units (SU) expire: January 31, 2026
Final Report Due: February 28, 2026
Oral Presentation of Results Due in Spring or Fall 2026

[1] Discretionary funds can be used for salary, travel, and other research-related expenditures as outlined in the proposal budget. Equipment purchases are not allowed.

IDSC Grants Program Call for Proposals INFO SESSION Thursday 9/19 4PM via ZOOM
2024-09-19 16:00 - 16:30 | Zoom (online)
An INFO SESSION for your questions on the IDSC “Expanding the Use of Collaborative Data Science at UM” Grants Program CALL FOR PROPOSALS will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 4:00 PM (:30 minutes) via ZOOM.
Please Register to receive the ZOOM link
This program is designed to increase the use of data science to foster breakthroughs in disciplinary pursuits making the research team more competitive for external funding. Applications are required to include at least one data scientist from the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) and one researcher from a specific discipline. Typically, the disciplinary researcher initiates and leads the project. The IDSC data scientist acts as a high-level consultant to ensure the proposal has enough data science.
The awards include $20K in discretionary funds[1] and 1M Service Units (SUs) to be used for high performance computing (HPC). It is anticipated that five awards will be made. Any topic and issue involving data science are welcome. Pre-submission inquiries are encouraged.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, IDSC seeks proposals that address issues in:

Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Humanities

Other topics and issues are also welcome. Pre-submissions are encouraged.
In terms of this grant opportunity, data science is defined as utilizing state-of-the-art approaches such as Machine Learning (ML) or Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enable scientific discovery that is data driven. Simply, proposing to analyze large data sets with traditional techniques (e.g., linear regression) is not responsive to this opportunity. Proposals that use ML/AI to develop new understanding are strongly encouraged.
The application process includes two steps:
Step 1: The disciplinary researcher provides a one-page letter of intent to IDSC outlining the discipline-specific research and where data science fits in. Based on the letter of intent, the IDSC review team will identify an IDSC data scientist for collaboration, if the research team has not already identified a IDSC partner. Apply Now!
Step 2: Upon invitation to advance to Step 2, the research team (with assistance from the IDSC data scientist) will need to prepare 3 documents:
1) A two-page proposal that outlines the research and the data science plan. The proposal should also include a short discussion of potential external funding mechanisms that the proposed work can use to enhance the competitive position of the research team. The application should include:
2) an abbreviated one-page biosketch, and
3) a budget with justification using the linked templates included with this announcement.
Eligibility
This funding opportunity is open to UM Faculty with an active IDSC membership. For more information on IDSC memberships and to apply, visit https://idsc.miami.edu/membership/.
Reporting
The research team is required to submit an interim report midway through the performance period. The one-page report should include a brief description of the project’s progress and an overview of the financial situation. Upon project completion, the research team will submit a one-page final report detailing any accomplishments attributed to the work of this project [publications, proposal submission(s) for extramural funding, data sets generated, etc.] and give an oral presentation describing the research and results as part of IDSC’s seminar series. Scheduling of the oral presentation will be coordinated by IDSC’s Engagement Office.
Review Process
Applications will be reviewed by an evaluation committee to determine feasibility, relevance to IDSC programs, and in terms of how the proposed research will put the team in a more competitive position for external funding.

Important Information and Deadlines

Have questions? Attend an INFO session led by Azizi Seixas: Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 4:00 PM (:30 minutes) via Zoom. Please REGISTER.
Step 1 – Letters of Intent: Due by 5:00 PM Friday, September 27, 2024 | Step 1 Form
Invitation to submit full proposal in Step. 2 with identification of an IDSC data scientist partner (if applicable): October 14, 2024
Step 2 – Two-page proposal: Due by 5:00 PM on: Friday, November 22,2024
Notice of Award: On or before: December 18, 2024
Project performance period: January 1 – December 31, 2025
Interim Report Due: June 30, 2025
Service Units (SU) expire: January 31, 2026
Final Report Due: February 28, 2026
Oral Presentation of Results Due in Spring or Fall 2026

[1] Discretionary funds can be used for salary, travel, and other research-related expenditures as outlined in the proposal budget. Equipment purchases are not allowed.

2-Day Software Carpentry "R" Workshop at Medical Campus 10/10+11
2024-10-10 09:00 - 2024-10-11 16:30 | Don Soffer Clinical Research Center, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, United States
Join us for a free-2-day, in-person only Software Carpentry “R” Workshop at Medical Campus on Thursday and Friday, October 10+11, 2024, at the CTSI Research Training Center (Rooms 710 Q-R). Course Hours both days: 9:00AM – 4:30PM. (Course lasts two days—content is not repeated).
Software Carpentry aims to help researchers get their work done in less time and with less pain by teaching them basic research computing skills. This hands-on 2-day workshop will cover basic concepts and tools, including program design, version control, data management, and task automation. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems.
Register Now
Click here for the Syllabus, which includes: The Code of Conduct, Pre- and Post-Workshop Surveys, a detailed schedule, and the required (free) software with installation instructions.
Who
The course is aimed at graduate students and other researchers. You don’t need to have any previous knowledge of the tools that will be presented at the workshop.
Where
Rooms 710 R&Q, Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Don Soffer Clinical Research Center, 1120 NW 14th St., Miami, FL 33136. Get directions with OpenStreetMap or Google Maps.
When
Oct 10-11, 2024; 9:00 am – 4:30 pm EST Add to your Google Calendar.
Requirements
Participants must bring a laptop with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) that they have administrative privileges on. They should have a few specific software packages installed (listed below).
Accessibility
We are committed to making this workshop accessible to everybody. The workshop organizers have checked that:

The room is wheelchair / scooter accessible.
Accessible restrooms are available.

We are dedicated to providing a positive and accessible learning environment for all. We do not require participants to provide documentation of disabilities or disclose any unnecessary personal information. However, we do want to help create an inclusive, accessible experience for all participants. We encourage you to share any information that would be helpful to make your Carpentries experience accessible. To request an accommodation for this workshop, please fill out the accommodation request form. If you have questions or need assistance with the accommodation form please email us.
Glosario is a multilingual glossary for computing and data science terms. The glossary helps learners attend workshops and use our lessons to make sense of computational and programming jargon written in English by offering it in their native language. Translating data science terms also provides a teaching tool for Carpentries Instructors to reduce barriers for their learners.

Instructors

Emory Neer
Research Support Specialist
University of Miami
Miller School of Medicine
Cameron Riopelle, PhD
Director of Research Data & Open Scholarship
University of Miami Libraries
Thilani Samarakoon
Biomedical Data Librarian
University of Miami Libraries

Helpers

Charles Brown-Roberts
Applications Software Developer
University of Miami Libraries
Michele Mayne
PhD Sociology Major
Medical Sociology and
Community Health & Well-Being
Erica Newcome
STEM and Interdisciplinary Research Librarian
University of Miami Libraries

Timothy Norris, PhD
Data Scientist
University of Miami Libraries and
Frost Institute for Data Science
and Computing (IDSC)

Contact
Please email tnorris@miami.edu for more information.

2-Day Software Carpentry “Python” Workshop at Medical Campus 10/31+11/1
2024-10-31 09:00 - 2024-11-01 16:30 | Don Soffer Clinical Research Center, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, United States
Join us for a free-2-day, in-person only Software Carpentry “Python” Workshop at Medical Campus on Thursday and Friday, October 31 and November 1, 2024, at the CTSI Research Training Center (Rooms 710 Q-R). Course Hours both days: 9:00AM – 4:30PM. (Course lasts two days—content is not repeated).
Software Carpentry aims to help researchers get their work done in less time and with less pain by teaching them basic research computing skills. This hands-on 2-day workshop will cover basic concepts and tools, including program design, version control, data management, and task automation. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems.
This Session is full! Please email tnorris@miami.edu to be put on a Waiting List.

Click here for the Syllabus, which includes: The Code of Conduct, Pre- and Post-Workshop Surveys, a detailed schedule, and the required (free) software with installation instructions.
Who
The course is aimed at graduate students and other researchers. You don’t need to have any previous knowledge of the tools that will be presented at the workshop.
Where
Rooms 710 R&Q, Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Don Soffer Clinical Research Center, 1120 NW 14th St., Miami, FL 33136. Get directions with OpenStreetMap or Google Maps.
When
Oct 31+Nov 1, 2024; 9:00 am – 4:30 pm EST Add to your Google Calendar.
Requirements
Participants must bring a laptop with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) that they have administrative privileges on. They should have a few specific software packages installed (listed below).
Accessibility
We are committed to making this workshop accessible to everybody. The workshop organizers have checked that:

The room is wheelchair / scooter accessible.
Accessible restrooms are available.

We are dedicated to providing a positive and accessible learning environment for all. We do not require participants to provide documentation of disabilities or disclose any unnecessary personal information. However, we do want to help create an inclusive, accessible experience for all participants. We encourage you to share any information that would be helpful to make your Carpentries experience accessible. To request an accommodation for this workshop, please fill out the accommodation request form. If you have questions or need assistance with the accommodation form please email us.
Glosario is a multilingual glossary for computing and data science terms. The glossary helps learners attend workshops and use our lessons to make sense of computational and programming jargon written in English by offering it in their native language. Translating data science terms also provides a teaching tool for Carpentries Instructors to reduce barriers for their learners.
Sponsored by
Department of Computer Science • Calder Memorial Library • CIMAS
OVPRS • The Graduate School • IDSC • UM Libraries

Instructors

Erica Newcome
STEM and Interdisciplinary Research Librarian
University of Miami Libraries
Timothy Norris, PhD
Data Scientist
University of Miami Libraries and
Frost Institute for Data Science
and Computing (IDSC)

Helper

Thilani Samarakoon
Biomedical Data Librarian
University of Miami Libraries

Contact
Please email tnorris@miami.edu for more information.

VizUM Symposium Monday 11/11 goes Beyond Data Visualization
2024-11-11 16:00 - 20:00 | Newman Alumni Center, 6200 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
REGISTRATION OPENS AT 3:30. Join us on Monday afternoon, November 11, 2024 (4:00-7:00 PM), at the Newman Alumni Center as we welcome Santiago Ortiz, Rahul Bhargava, and Lauren F. Klein for with ViZUM 2024: Beyond Data Visualization lectures on new or more inclusive ways of looking at or understanding visualization. This event is free and open to the public.

Register Now (free)
Launched in 2014, VizUM is a free annual data visualization symposium held featuring speakers who are pioneers in the field, whose vision drive products and styles we see around us daily, and who forge new ground in this domain. VizUM is sponsored by IDSC, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the UM College of Arts & Sciences, and the UM School of Communication Center for Communication, Culture and Change.
AGENDA
3:30 Registration Opens
4:00 Introduction by Alberto Cairo
4:15 Santiago Ortiz
5:00 Rahul Bhargava
5:45 Lauren Klein
6:30 Closing Remarks
7:00 Event ends
LOCATION
University of Miami Newman Alumni Center
6200 San Amaro Drive (Room: Multi-Purpose ABC)
Coral Gables, FL 33146
FREE PARKING is valid in Gray Zones only (see map below). Park head-in only.
Click Here to enter your license plate number, click NEXT, then enter the registration code: 111124

Speakers

Santiago Ortiz | Moebio Labs
Santiago creates digital experiences that help people solve complex problems with data. He explores synergies between human and algorithmic intelligences. He develops interfaces that allow for exploration, combination, deep understanding, and decision making based on large, diverse and dynamic datasets. He has experience as a teacher, digital media artist, interactive data visualization researcher, data scientist, product leader and entrepreneur.

TALK
Intelligence Everywhere
The future of humanity depends on finding harmony within an ecology that includes matter and energy but also information, computation, and multiple types of intelligences. While we learn, very slowly, to accept that other biological species are also highly intelligent, a new variety of algorithmic (or artificial) intelligences are becoming more ubiquitous and more integrated into human affairs.
In this talk I’ll introduce a variety of perspectives on intelligence. Seen as the emergence of information computation, intelligence exists everywhere in the universe, and here on Earth we see it at many scales: fundamental particles, chemistry, cellular, and organism interactions. All forms of life, each species, each individual indeed, expresses intelligence in its own unique way. But we also see intelligence in algorithms, and mechanical and digital machines. It’s also present in cities, information networks, and culture. At each scale, for each system, intelligence mediates internal and external information, allowing systems to thrive, replicate, evolve, or disappear.
Through interactive data visualization projects and ideas, this presentation aims to widen the concept of intelligence, and to point to ways we can create and collaborate with the new emergent ecology of algorithmic intelligences.

Rahul Bhargava | Northeastern University
Rahul Bhargava is an educator, researcher, and designer who builds collaborative projects to interrogate our datafied society with a focus on rethinking participation and power in data processes. His innovative approaches to data in community settings include award-winning data murals, data sculptures, interactive data exhibits, and data theatre.
Rahul has created big data research tools to investigate media attention, built AI-based tools that support activists monitoring news for human rights violations, designed hands-on interactive museum exhibits that delight learners of all ages, and has run over 100 workshops to build data culture in newsrooms, non-profits, and libraries.

He has collaborated with groups ranging from the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil to the World Food Program. Rahul’s publishes regularly in academic journals on data literacy, technology, and civic technology; his work has been shown at the Boston Museum of Science, Eyebeam in New York City, and the Fuller Craft Museum. Rahul is currently an Assistant Professor in Journalism and Art + Design at Northeastern University, where he directs the Data Culture Group. His first book, “Community Data: Creative Approaches to Empowering People with Information”, is coming this fall from Oxford University Press.
TALK
Fight the Bar Chart
Our standard toolkit of chart and graphs is poorly suited for the new community-oriented settings where data is now commonly used. Inspired by the arts, we can break free from outdated data practices and embrace creative, community-centered approaches that empower and engage people in public settings. Data sculptures, data murals, data theatre, and multi-sensory data experiences offer a broader and more appropriate set of approaches. Using this larger toolbox of data viz techniques can bring people together around data in ways that more fully reflect, embrace, and uplift their communities.

Lauren F. Klein | Emory University
Lauren is the Winship Distinguished Research Professor and Associate Professor in the Departments of Quantitative Theory and Methods and English at Emory University, where she also directs the Digital Humanities Lab and serves as PI of the Atlanta Interdisciplinary AI Network. Before arriving at Emory, Lauren taught in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication at Georgia Tech. She received her PhD in English and American Studies from the CUNY Graduate Center, and her AB in Literature (English and French) from Harvard University.
Lauren works at the intersection of data science, AI, and the humanities, with an emphasis on questions of gender and race. She is the author of several books, including Data Feminism (MIT Press 2020, coauthor Catherine D’Ignazio), which was named a “Must-Read Book for Spring 2020” by WIRED Magazine; and An Archive of Taste: Race and Eating in the Early United States (University of Minnesota Press, 2020), which shows how thinking about eating can help to tell new stories about the range of people, from the nation’s first presidents to their enslaved chefs, who worked to establish a cultural foundation for the United States.

Her next major project, Data by Design: An Interactive History of Data Visualization, coauthored with members of her research group, will be published in print and online by the MIT Press in 2024. With Matthew K. Gold, Lauren edits Debates in the Digital Humanities (University of Minnesota Press), a hybrid print/digital publication stream that explores debates in the field as they emerge. The most recent book in this series is Debates in the Digital Humanities 2019.
In previous incarnations, Lauren has worked as a web developer, educational technology consultant, music producer, and bike messenger. She says she has not, however, appeared on Law & Order, designed customized silver jewelry, or performed award-winning gymnastics routines. You can view her official bio here.
TALK
The Line Graph and the Slave Ship: Rethinking the Origins of Modern Data Visualization
“The Line Graph and the Slave Ship” takes us back over two hundred years in order to show how data visualization was—and remains—a tremendous form of power. Exploring two historical examples, the line graphs of British trade data included in William Playfair’s Commercial and Political Atlas (1786) and “Description of a Slave Ship” (1789), created and circulated by a group of British antislavery activists, I will demonstrate how the act of visualizing data always involves more than just turning numbers into visual form.
What forms of information are captured by the data? Whose knowledge or experience does the data represent? What knowledge or experience does the designer bring to the visualization process? For what purposes, and for whose goals? These are some of the questions that this talk will engage. Together, they show how questions of ethics and justice have always been present in the field of data visualization, and how they continue to offer lessons to those of us who design and view data visualizations today.

Photo Gallery
[gm album=185

Santiago Ortiz: Intelligences Workshop 11/12-15
2024-11-12 16:00 - 2024-11-15 20:00 | Newman Alumni Center, 6200 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Following VizUM 2024, a workshop led by Santiago Ortiz of Moebio Labs will be held Tuesday-Friday, November 12-15, 4:00-8:00 PM each day (content not repeated) at the Newman Alumni Center. Investigating how data is a part of our lives, the worksho will explore all forms intelligence through activities and experiments punctuated by videos and interactive projects.
“Intelligences Workshop: Intelligence is Information Having Fun”
The future of humanity depends on finding harmony within an ecology that includes matter and energy but also information, computation, and multiple types of intelligences. While we learn, very slowly, to accept that other biological species are also highly intelligent, new varieties of algorithmic (or artificial) intelligences are becoming more ubiquitous and more integrated into human affairs.
In this workshop, we’ll explore from multiple angles, and through different experiments and activities, what intelligence is (what intelligences are, really). Intelligence, seen as the emergence of information computation, exists everywhere in the universe, and here on Earth we see it at many scales: fundamental particles, chemistry, cellular, and organism interactions. All forms of life, each species, each individual indeed, expresses intelligence in its own unique way. But we also see intelligence in algorithms, and mechanical and digital machines. It’s also present in cities, information networks, and culture. At each scale, for each system, intelligence mediates internal and external information, allowing systems to thrive, replicate, evolve, or disappear.
The Intelligences Workshop is based on activities, exploration, and experiments, punctuated by some videos and interactive projects. We’ll use data science, data visualization, design, storytelling, and humor as tools to explore the infinite ecology of intelligences.
Workshop Lineup

Information | How can we extract information from the world and from ourselves? Entropy, data, information and meaning. Making information visual and tangible. Information is everywhere! The information session is about experiencing information that surrounds us, even if we cannot see it.
Intelligence | Let’s play with information, let’s help information play with itself. We’ll play with paper computers, experiment with semantic computation, become ribosomes to decode a hidden message, and play against a matchboxes learning machine.
Human Infosphere | Humans absorb and radiate data. We’ll investigate how data is part of our lives, what data we can capture, and what’s the value of that data.
Creativity | We’ll play with our own data and have fun with information. Based on data about ourselves, collected in the Information session, we’ll explore differences and similarities between us, and build a mini-collective intelligence.

PLEASE NOTE: This workshop is open by invitation. If you are interested in participating, please contact Prof. Alberto Cairo: a.cairo@miami.edu.
About Santiago Ortiz
Santiago creates digital experiences that help people solve complex problems with data, and explores synergies between human and algorithmic intelligences. He also develops interfaces that allow for exploration, combination, deep understanding, and decision making based on large, diverse, and dynamic datasets. Santiago has experience as a teacher, digital media artist, interactive data visualization researcher, data scientist, product leader, and entrepreneur. Read more about Santiago from his IDSC Data Citizens Distinguished Lecture Series lecture.

LOCATION
Newman Alumni Center
6200 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146
Parking information forthcoming . . .

Virtual Lecture: Cloud-Based Platforms and Architectures | Sharjeel Bin Khalid 11/21
2024-11-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom (online)
IDSC Director of Population Health Informatics, Dr. Azizi Sexias presents Sharjeel Bin Khalid, Director, Global Data Strategy and Architecture for Slalom. Mr. Bin Khalid will speak on “Cloud-Based Platforms and Architectures for Data Sharing and Analysis” via ZOOM on Thursday, November 21, 2024, 11AM-12PM.
This free lecture is part of Dr. Seixas’s Future of Data Health Innovation virtual lecture series.
REGISTER NOW

Announcing the 2024-2025 IDSC Fellows—Attend the Launch Symposium 12/3
2024-12-03 15:30 - 16:30 | Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing, 1552 Brescia Avenue, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
The Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) is pleased to announce the IDSC Fellows chosen for the 2024-2025 academic year. This is a prestigious designation historically awarded to four graduate or undergraduate students (sophomore level or above) students, but this year we had so many great applicants, we chose six!

Congratulations to Deema Abayawardena, Nimay Mahajan, Cait Martinez, Katarina Micin, Jessica Okutsu, and Alejandra Planells Devesa.

The vision of the IDSC Fellows Program is to inspire a new generation of leaders in data science to cross the traditional boundaries between disciplines. IDSC joins with University faculty to mentor the Fellows on how to best utilize the University’s cutting-edge advanced computing resources in their proposed research projects. Join us in person or online for the Launch Symposium 12/3 to hear the IDSC Fellows present their research project proposals. Registration confirmation will include a ZOOM link.
Tuesday, 12/3/2024, 3:30 – 4:30 PM
Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) Offices
1552 Brescia Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33146 (Map + Directions)

Register Now
2024-2025 IDSC Fellows

Deema Abayawardena
4th year PhD in Biology
PROJECT: An “omics” approach to unravel the molecular basis for a fundamental polarity in animal eggs
MENTOR:
Zheng Wang, PhD | Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science and Department of Biology
Deema is a fourth-year PhD student in Dr. Athula Wikramanayake’s lab in the Biology Department at the University of Miami. Her research focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanisms that establish polarity in animal oocytes, a process critical for proper embryonic development. By bisecting Patiria miniata (sea star) oocytes, she uses RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry to identify and analyze molecules involved in the localized activation of the evolutionarily conserved Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. As an IDSC fellow, Deema plans to apply deep learning techniques to analyze RNA-seq and mass spectrometry data to identify differentially enriched factors within the oocytes.

Nimay Mahajan
Junior, BA/BSc in Meteorology + Mathematics
PROJECT: Exploring the Dynamics of a Changing Climate: A Machine Learning Analysis on Indian Monsoon and Atlantic Ocean Interactions under Elevated CO₂ Conditions
Nimay is currently a junior at the University of Miami, double majoring in Meteorology and Mathematics. Under the guidance of Dr. Ben Kirtman, he has been analyzing two datasets from a climate model, one of which simulates doubled atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Using these datasets, his research has focused on examining variability within the Indian Monsoon and its potential impact on vorticity patterns and overall hurricane activity in the East Atlantic through variables such as precipitation. Using the resources at the IDSC, Nimay hopes to apply machine learning techniques to analyze a wide collection of variables and gain insights into their roles and interactions within the Atlantic Ocean.

Cait Martinez
3rd year PhD in Atmospheric Sciences
PROJECT: ENSO Preconditioning versus Noise as the Forecast Evolves: A Machine Learning Diagnosis
MENTOR:
Samuel Goldberg, PhD | Assistant Professor, Department of Marine Geosciences, Rosenstiel School | IDSC Core Faculty Member
Cait is a third-year PhD student in Atmospheric Sciences, advised by Dr. Ben Kirtman at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. Cait’s research aims to disentangle the dual influences of deterministic dynamics and stochastic processes on the predictability of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Prior to joining the Kirtman Group, Cait worked as watershed modeler for Daniel B. Stephens & Associates. She has a M.S. in Hydrologic Science and Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and a B.A. in Geology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. As an IDSC Fellow, Cait’s objective is to develop a machine learning-based diagnostic tool to assess whether subsurface precursors or atmospheric noise play a more dominant role in determining ENSO event outcomes, with the goal of enhancing our understanding of the dynamic drivers of ENSO variability.

Katarina Micin
2nd year PhD in Human Genetics + Genomics
PROJECT: Development of Single-cell RNA Sequencing-Guided Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) Classification Model
MENTOR:
Vanessa Aguiar-Pulido, PhD | Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, College of Arts & Sciences | P.I., Data Science and Computational Biology Lab
Katarina is a second-year PhD student in the Human Genetics and Genomics program and is a member of Dr. Justin Taylor’s leukemia-focused research laboratory. They graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, and later graduated from the George Washington University with a M.S. in Anatomical and Translational Sciences. As an IDSC fellow, they hope to explore the integration of machine learning algorithms with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA) technologies in the context of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML). More specifically, they are interested in the development of a scRNA-guided multinomial CMML classification model with drug response prediction capabilities.

Jessica Okutsu
2nd year PhD in Biology
PROJECT: Therapeutic Potential of Selenium Against Cadmium Toxicity in Zebrafish
ADVISOR: Delia S. Shelton, PhD | Department of Biology
Jessica Okutsu’s research examines how selenium pre-exposure may protect against cadmium-induced toxicity in zebrafish larvae, with a focus on photomotor behavior, mechanosensory behavior, developmental morphology, and cardiovascular function, the latter of which has resulted in a publication in Cardiovascular Toxicology. As an IDSC Fellow, she aims to leverage machine learning techniques to analyze her complex dataset of over 1 million behavioral data points from 1,900+ fish across 18 unique treatment combinations over 4 time points to uncover patterns in selenium-cadmium interactions between multiple datasets. Her work has already demonstrated promising results showing selenium’s protective effects against cadmium-induced malformations. Jessica’s research has implications for understanding potential therapeutic approaches to heavy metal toxicity.

Alejandra Planells Devesa
2nd year PhD in Biochemistry + Molecular Biology
PROJECT: Exploring Peptide-Small Molecule Interactions with AI and Large Language Models for Versatile Molecular Detection and Biosensor Design
MENTOR:
Ravi Vadapalli, PhD | Director, Advanced Computing, Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC)
Alejandra Planells Devesa is a second-year Ph.D. student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the Sylvia Daunert Lab at the Miller School of Medicine. She graduated with a B.Sc. in Biotechnology from the high academic program at the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia in Spain and has gained extensive international research experience in labs across Spain, France, and Switzerland. As an IDSC Fellow, Alejandra aims to advance her work on designing adaptable peptide-based biosensors, leveraging machine learning algorithms and large language models (LLMs). Her focus is on developing a streamlined computational pipeline for the rapid identification and optimization of peptide binders with high specificity and affinity, applicable to diverse molecular targets. This approach has the potential to address a broad spectrum of challenges in molecular recognition across biological, clinical, and environmental contexts.

Data Citizens: A Distinguished Lecture Series presents Eric M. Meslin 12/4
2024-12-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Abess Center, 1365 Memorial Drive, Suite 230C-D, Coral Gables, Florida, 33146
The IDSC Data Citizens: A Distinguished Lecture Series is pleased to present Eric M. Meslin, Ph.D., FRSC, FCAHS, ICD.D. Join us on Wednesday, December 4, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in person or via ZOOM. This event is free and open to the public.
Register Now
In person Arthur Ungar Building, Abess Center, 2nd Floor, Room 230
1365 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables FL 33146 | (Map + Directions)
or via ZOOM: Registration confirmation will include a ZOOM link
TALK TITLE: “”On Value and Values in a World of Data: Getting Clear on What Should Matter and Why”
About Eric M. Meslin
Dr. Eric Meslin has enjoyed a distinguished 35-year career in healthcare, academic, and government settings focusing on the ethical and policy issues confronting researchers, clinicians, organizations, and society. Born in Toronto, he has a BA in Philosophy from York University, an MA and PhD from the Bioethics Program at Georgetown University in Washington DC, and the ICD.D certification from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
At the end of 2023, he stepped down after 8 years as President and CEO of the Council of Canadian Academies, a not-for-profit that undertook more than 30 expert assessments for the Government of Canada on topics in Climate, Health, Innovation, Indigenous Affairs, Energy, Security, and Science & Technology Policy.
Some of his other leadership roles included: Bioethics Research Director in the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications Program of the Human Genome Project; and Executive Director of the U.S. National Bioethics Advisory Commission established by President Bill Clinton.
Dr. Meslin’s academic resume includes 15 years at Indiana University where he was Founding Director of the Center for Bioethics; Associate Dean for Bioethics in the School of Medicine; and Indiana’s first Endowed Professor of Bioethics. He has also held academic positions at the University of Western Australia, University of Oxford, and as Pierre de Fermat Chair at the University of Toulouse. He has published more than 125 peer-reviewed articles, 40 book chapters, and 2 edited books.
He continues to undertake research and advice, advising institutions and governments including WHO and OECD, and through current appointments as:

Distinguished Research Scholar at the University of Miami Institute of Health Policy and Bioethics
Adjunct Professor of Public Health at the University of Toronto
Senior Fellow at the PHG Foundation at the University of Cambridge, and
Visiting Scholar at the Centre of Genomics McGill University

Among Dr. Meslin’s honors he has been recognized as:

Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
Fellow of The Hastings Center, and
A Chevalier de l’Ordre Nationale du Mérite (Knight of the National Order of Merit) by the French government.

Virtual Lecture: Encryption and Sharing of Health Data | Kurt Rohloff 1/23
2025-01-08 08:00 - 17:00
IDSC Director of Population Health Informatics, Dr. Azizi Sexias presents Dr. Kurt Rohloff, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Office for Duality. Dr. Rohloff will speak on “Fully homomorphic encryption to enable secure data sharing and collaborative analysis of sensitive health data in the cloud” via ZOOM on Thursday, January 23, 2025, 11AM-12PM.
This free lecture is part of Dr. Seixas’s Future of Data Health Innovation virtual lecture series.
REGISTER NOW

MIAMI XR 2025 February 6+7 | Ticket Covers Both Days
2025-02-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Shalala Student Center Complex, 1330 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, Florida, 33146, United States
UMverse at the University of Miami invites you to dive into the cutting-edge world of XR at Miami XR 2025, Thursday and Friday, February 6+7. Join industry experts, tech visionaries, artists, and university scholars from around the globe to explore the latest trends and innovations in XR technology.
Register Now
$30.00 per person (both days included) • Free for UM Faculty, Staff, and Students. Using your miami.edu email, please contact idsc@miami.edu for the PROMO CODE.

Special thanks to our Sponsors!

Agenda
Day 1 Thursday 2/6/2025 • Shalala Student Center Complex, Rooms 304-6

1330 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146 | Directions
5:00 PM Registrations + Cocktail Hour Opens
5:30 PM Student Welcome | Mia Uy
5:40 PM UM Welcome | Provost Willy Prado
—Introduction by Mia Uy
5:50 PM Faculty Welcome | Kim Grinfeder
5:55 PM Intro to XR at the U | Thomas Merrick
6:05 PM Lightning Talks
6:35 PM KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Dan O’Brien
—Introduction by Thomas Merrick
6:55 PM Meta Closing Remarks | Matthew Sanders
7:00-8:00 PM Networking Cocktails
RESERVED PARKING is available using the Pay by Phone app at the Pavia Garage (see maps below). The dark green dotted line indicates the walking path from Pavia to the Shalala Student Center Complex. Once you enter the lobby, take the elevator or stairs to the 3rd floor.
Click on either map for a larger version.

Day 2 Friday 2/7/2025 • Newman Alumni Center (Multipurpose ABC)
6200 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146 | Directions
9:00 AM Registration Opens | Breakfast + Demos
10:00 AM Welcome Remarks | Thomas Sydnor + Thomas Merrick
10:10 AM Lightning Talks
10:30 AM KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Jeremy Bailenson
—Introduction by Thomas Merrick
11:15 AM Break
11:35 AM The Tipping Point for XR | John Cunningham
11:45 PANEL: Future of XR | Moderator: John Cunningham
Panelists: Matthew Sanders, Denise Mendez, Anna Queiroz
12:15 PM Lunch and Demos
1:30 PM Lightning Talks
1:50 PM KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Carolina Cruz Neira
—Introduction by Sidney Cocimano
2:35 PM Break
3:00 PM PANEL: Jobs in XR | Moderator: Mia Uy
Panelists: Chanel Menard, Sofia Perez-Baux, Sadah Espii Proctor, Alec Warren
3:45 PM Closing Remarks | Kim Grinfeder
4:00-5:30 PM Cocktail Reception + Demos

COMPLIMENTARY PARKING | Day 2 Newman Alumni Center

Complimentary parking is available if you register your vehicle:
https://www.offstreet.io/location/SVMCNHTN
Enter your license plate number, then enter this code: 0207
Parking valid in Gray Lots only. | Please park head-in only.

Keynote Speakers

Jeremy Bailenson
Founding Director, Stanford University Virtual Human Interaction Lab
Jeremy Bailenson is founding director of Stanford University’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab, Thomas More Storke Professor in the Department of Communication, Professor (by courtesy) of Education, Professor (by courtesy) Program in Symbolic Systems, and a Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment. He has served as Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication for over a decade.
He earned a B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1994 and a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Northwestern University in 1999. He spent four years at the University of California, Santa Barbara as a Post-Doctoral Fellow and then an Assistant Research Professor. Read More

Carolina Cruz Neira
Agere Chair in Computer Science, University of Central Florida
Steering Committee member, NSF Big Data South Hub
Inventor of the CAVE Virtual Reality System
XR Hall of Fame Inductee

Carolina Cruz-Neira is a pioneering computer scientist and a leading figure in virtual reality, known for inventing the CAVE Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE). She currently serves as the Agere Chair Professor in Computer Science at the University of Central Florida, where she co-leads the UCF Digital Twin Strategic Initiative and heads the VARLab. Cruz-Neira’s contributions to real-time visualization, VR frameworks, and immersive technologies have earned her numerous accolades, including membership in the National Academy of Engineering and the XR Hall of Fame. Her work bridges engineering, art, and education, inspiring advancements in virtual environments and interactive applications worldwide. Read More

Daniel O’Brien
President, Americas | HTC VIVE
Daniel is a seasoned technology executive with over 24 years of experience in leading and managing the commercialization of emerging technologies, innovations, and solutions for consumers and professional customers. He is the HTC VIVE President for the Americas, overseeing the sales, marketing, product, and operations for the immersive and wireless divisions of HTC.
As a humanity mission driven leader, Daniel is focused on delivering revenue growth, brand building, e-commerce strategies, business development, content creation, and strategic partnerships for HTC VIVE, the pioneer and global leader in virtual reality. He has a proven track record of defining and executing the channel strategy, marketing strategy, product management, supply chain, and public relations for HTC VIVE. Read More

Speakers

Chanel Menard
Digital Product Specialist, SafeKitchen VR
UM Graduate May 2024

Denise Mendez
Principle Software Engineer, Microsoft Mixed Reality
Thomas Merrick
Sr Project Manager, XR Initiatives
Lecturer, Dept. of Interactive Media

Sofia Perez-Baux
Project Manager, Xennial
UM Graduate May 2024
Matthew Sanders
Education and VR Director,
Meta Global Affairs

Conference Organizers

Thomas Merrick
Senior Project Manager, XR Initiatives, UM School of Communication Department of Interactive Media
Sidney Cocimano
UX/UI Designer,
The VESL
Evelyn Cruz
Director, Business Operations,
IDSC

Jacqueline Green-Allen
Sr. Administrative Assistant
and Events Coordinator,
IDSC

Kim Grinfeder
Founding Chair and Professor, UM School of Communication Department of Interactive Media
Anna Muller Queiroz
Associate Professor, UM School of Communication Department of Interactive Media
Core Faculty Member, UM IDSC, Creative Technologies program

Mia Uy
Project Manager, The VESL, UM School of Communication, Department of Interactive Media
Co-Founder and President, Kappa Theta Pi

Where to Stay

Hotel Arya, Coconut Grove
The Mutiny Hotel, Coconut Grove
Courtyard by Marriott, Coconut Grove
Thesis Hotel Miami, Coral Gables
All Choices

Places to Eat

Virtual Lecture: A Practical Overview of AI in Medicine | Brendan O'Leary 2/27
2025-02-27 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom (online)
IDSC Director of Population Health Informatics, Dr. Azizi Sexias presents Brendan O’Leary of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Former Acting Director | Digital Health Center of Excellence. Mr. O’Leary will speak on “AI in Medicine: A Practical Overview with Insights from a Former Regulator” via ZOOM on Thursday, February 27, 2025, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM EST.
This free lecture is part of Dr. Seixas’s Future of Data Health Innovation virtual lecture series.
REGISTER NOW (free)

Free 2-Day Software Carpentry "R" Programming Workshop at Medical Campus 3/3+4
2025-03-03 09:00 - 2025-03-04 16:30 | Don Soffer Clinical Research Center, 1120 NW 14th St, Miami, FL, 33136, United States
Join us for a free-2-day, in-person only, Software Carpentry “R” Workshop at Medical Campus on Monday and Tuesday, March 3 and 4, 2025, at the CTSI Research Training Center (Rooms 710 Q-R). Course Hours both days: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. (Course lasts two days—content is not repeated).
Software Carpentry aims to help researchers get their work done in less time and with less pain by teaching them basic research-computing skills. This free, hands-on 2-day workshop will cover basic concepts and tools, including program design, version control, data management, and task automation. Participants will be encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems.
Registration is Closed—This Session is FULL
Click here for the Syllabus, which includes additional information, such as: The Code of Conduct, Pre- and Post-Workshop Surveys, a detailed Schedule, and the required (free) software with installation instructions.
Who
The course is aimed at graduate students and other researchers. You don’t need to have any previous knowledge of the tools that will be presented at the workshop.
Where
Rooms 710 R&Q, Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), Don Soffer Clinical Research Center, 1120 NW 14th St., Miami, FL 33136. Get directions with OpenStreetMap or Google Maps.
When
March 3+4/2025 | 9:00 am – 4:30 pm EST. Add to your Google Calendar.
Requirements
Participants must bring a laptop with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) that they have administrative privileges on. They should have a few specific software packages installed (listed on the syllabus).
Accessibility
We are committed to making this workshop accessible to everybody. The workshop organizers have checked that:

The room is wheelchair / scooter accessible.
Accessible restrooms are available.

We are dedicated to providing a positive and accessible learning environment for all. We do not require participants to provide documentation of disabilities or to disclose any unnecessary personal information. However, we do want to help create an inclusive, accessible experience for all participants. We encourage you to share any information that would be helpful to make your Carpentries experience accessible. To request an accommodation for this workshop, please fill out the accommodation request form. If you have questions or need assistance with the accommodation form please email us.
Glosario is a multilingual glossary for computing and data science terms. The glossary helps learners attend workshops and use our lessons to make sense of computational and programming jargon written in English by offering it in their native language. Translating data science terms also provides a teaching tool for Carpentries Instructors to reduce barriers for their learners.
Sponsored by
Department of Computer Science • Calder Memorial Library • CIMAS
OVPRS • The Graduate School • IDSC • UM Libraries

Instructors

Erica Newcome
STEM and Interdisciplinary Research
Librarian
University of Miami Libraries
Charles Brown-Roberts
Applications Software Developer
University of Miami Libraries
Emory Neer
Research Support Specialist
University of Miami
Miller School of Medicine

Helpers

Thilani Samarakoon
Biomedical Data Librarian
University of Miami Libraries
Timothy Norris, PhD
Data Scientist
University of Miami Libraries and
Frost Institute for Data Science
and Computing (IDSC)

Contact
Please email tnorris@miami.edu for more information.

3rd annual Computing Day 4/25
2025-03-04 10:00 - 17:00 | Lakeside Village, 1280 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, 33146, United States
Computing Day showcases the vast array of interdisciplinary research and scholarship in computing at the University of Miami. Join us at the Lakeside Village Expo Center on Friday, April 25, 2025. UM faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff are invited to submit posters and /or demos for presentation.
Computing Day convenes audiences engaged in computing to design the future, and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. This event is free and open to the public.
Register Now
Agenda
9:00 AM Poster + Demo Check-in
10:00 AM Registration Opens | Poster Review Session
10:55 AM Welcome Remarks
11:00 AM Keynote Speaker | Dr. Madeline Ganon, ATONATON
12:00 PM Lunch | Posters + Demos | Networking
2:00 PM Panel Discussion
3:05 PM Closing Remarks
3:15-5:00 PM Posters + Demos | Networking Happy Hour
Keynote Speaker | Madeline Gannon
We are pleased to announce the Keynote Speaker of the third annual Computing Day is one of the top ten women in the Robotics Industry, Dr. Madeline Gannon of ATONATON.

ATONATON is led by Dr. Madeline Gannon, a multidisciplinary designer and inventor forging new futures for human-robot relations. Also known as “The Robot Whisperer”, Gannon blends techniques in art, design, computer science, and robotics to convince robots to do things they were never intended to do: from transforming giant industrial robots into living, breathing mechanical creatures, to taming hordes of autonomous machines to behave like a pack of animals.
Gannon believes that technology is a cultural medium, and tunes her work to engage communities across science and society. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Copernicus Science Centre, and has been exhibited at international cultural institutions, published at academic conferences, and profiled at global media outlets, such as the BBC, the Guardian, FT, the Science Channel, WIRED, FastCompany, Dezeen, and The Verge.
Dr. Gannon has been a Knight Foundation Awardee, a World Economic Forum Cultural Leader, a Robotics & AI Researcher at NVIDIA, and an artist in residence at ETH Zurich, Autodesk Pier 9, and the Carnegie Mellon STUDIO for Creative Inquiry. She is known as one of the ‘Top 10 Women in Robotics Industry‘ and ‘World’s 50 Most Renowned Women in Robotics’ according to Analytics Insight. Gannon holds a M.Arch from Florida International University, and a Ph.D. in Computational Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Panelists

Vanessa Aguiar-Pulido, PhD
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, Department of Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences
ADJUNCT ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, Weill Cornell Medicine Neuroscience
PI, Data Science and Computational Biology Lab (vaguiarpulido.github.io)

Dr. Aguiar-Pulido is passionate about problem solving in biomedical research, with a focus on developing tools and algorithms that will impact diagnosis and therapeutics of rare and complex genetic disorders. Her background and interests include big data analytics, machine learning, AI, bioinformatics, neuroscience, data mining, ontologies, biomedical data integration, health informatics, epigenetics, and omics in general.
Her DSaCB Lab is at the interface of Computer Science and Biomedical Sciences, and her research focuses on understanding the underlying genetic causes of monogenic and complex disorders, how these causes can be influenced by environmental factors, and how these findings can be applied to clinical practice.

Mingzhe Chen, PhD
KNIGHT FOUNDATION CHAIR IN DATA SCIENCE AND AI
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
CORE FACULTY MEMBER, AI + Machine Learning, Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC)

Dr. Chen received his PhD from the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications in Beijing, China (2019). From 2016-19, he was a Visiting Researcher at the Virginia Tech Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. From 2019-21, he was a Postdoctoral Research Associate with Princeton’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. In 2022, he worked as an AI Researcher at Ericsson Research, USA. His research interests include federated learning, reinforcement learning, virtual reality, unmanned aerial vehicles, and the Internet of Things.
Dr. Chen received two IEEE Communication Society paper awards including the 2021 Young Author Best Paper Award, the 2022 Fred W. Ellersick Prize Award, and three conference best paper awards at IEEE ICC and IEEE GLOBECOM (2020), and IEEE WCNC (2021).
Dr. Chen currently serves as an Associate Editor of IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking, and IEEE Transactions on Machine Learning in Communications and Networking. Previously, he guest edited a special issue on Distributed Learning over Wireless Edge Networks for IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications (JSAC).

Clay Ewing, MFA
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, Department of Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences
DIRECTOR, NERDLab.miami
CREATOR, Queso—a classroom management system for educators who want to run a gameful course.

Prof. Ewing is a creative technologist with a focus on serious games, on implementing game mechanics into real-world applications, and on social justice. As an award-winning game designer and developer, his 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,” was the winner of a special emphasis award at the Serious Games Showcase and Challenge for its use of social media crowdsourcing for peer learning.
Prof. Ewing has worked with numerous nonprofits 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.

Andres Sawicki, JD
PROFESSOR OF LAW, School of Law
DIRECTOR, Business of Innovation, Law, and Technology Concentration
CO-DIRECTOR, Data Ethics + Society, Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC)

Prof. Sawicki teaches in the area of intellectual property. His primary research projects explore the extent to which IP can help solve problems in the production of inventions and expressive works. He’s particularly interested in the complex psychology of creativity and in the difficulty of coordinating multiple creative collaborators. His research also examines the interaction among distinct patent doctrines. His work has been published by leading journals, including Cornell Law Review, William & Mary Law Review, and The University of Chicago Law Review, among others. Prof. Sawicki graduated from MIT with S.B. degrees in Brain & Cognitive Sciences and Science, Technology, & Society. He then earned his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School (2006), where he was an Articles Editor for the Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif.
After graduation, he clerked for the Honorable Robert D. Sack of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. From 2007-10, he worked as an associate in the NY office of Kirkland & Ellis, LLP. His practice focused on intellectual property litigation, especially Hatch-Waxman Act pharmaceutical patent cases. Prior to his appointment at UM, he was a Bigelow Teaching Fellow and Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School.

Zheng Wang, PhD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, Department of Computer Science, Department of Biology
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center | Z. Wang Lab

Dr. Wang’s research expertise is in 3D genome structure reconstruction and analysis (since 2010), protein structure prediction (since 2006), protein function prediction (since 2010), and complex biological network analysis (since 2010). His Lab has experience in analyzing various biological and next-generation sequencing data and applying machine learning algorithms and other algorithms or software to biomedical data. For example, they developed deep learning algorithms to forecast the Hi-C profiles at future time points based on the past and current Hi-C profiles, predict bp-specific single-cell DNA methylation status based on single-cell Hi-C data, predict ChIA-PET contacts from Hi-C data, predict protein functions in terms of GO terms solely based on amino acid sequence, reconstruct the whole-genome 3D structures of single-cells, and predict the qualities of predicted protein structures. Moreover, the lab has collaborated with neuroscientists, cancer biologists, and other bioinformatics scientists on high-impact research.

Moderator

Nick Tsinoremas, PhD
VICE PROVOST FOR RESEARCH COMPUTING AND DATA
FOUNDING DIRECTOR, Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC)
PROFESSOR, Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Computer Science, Health Informatics and Data Science, and Orthopaedics

At the University of Miami, Dr. Tsinoremas is the Vice Provost for Research Computing and Data and the Founding Director of the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC), which was established to catalyze data-intensive research in fields ranging from medicine to earth sciences, urban planning, digital humanities, and business. Before joining UM, he served as Head of Informatics and Cheminformatics at The Scripps Research Institute—Florida. In the past, he was the Director of Computational Genomics and Genomic Discovery at Rosetta/Merck where he directed the project that combined data science and computational approaches with gene expression profiling, high-throughput screening, and genetics to discover, prioritize, and define new drug targets and novel therapeutics.
Prior to working for Merck Research Laboratories (MRL)/Rosetta, Dr. Tsinoremas was the Vice-President of Genomics at DoubleTwist Inc., where he determined the scientific direction and development of DoubleTwist’s bioinformatics applications and databases. At that time, he also led a team that developed the first annotation of the Human Genome.
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, U.K. His research focus includes projects that combine data science and computational approaches; informatics, digital health, clinical genomics, molecular biology, computational biology, and drug discovery.

Register Now
Friday April 25, 2025 | 10:00 AM-5:00 PM ET
University of Miami Coral Gables campus
Lakeside Village EXPO CENTER
1280 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146 | (Directions)
Complimentary Parking (you will need your License Plate Number)
Location: Pavia Garage-1st floor Visitor Area
Valid: Friday, April 25, 2025, 7:00am to 6:00pm
Link: https://www.offstreet.io/events/L5Z3AB7R
Registration Code: 10820

Call for Posters and Demos
Submissions are limited to University of Miami only.
Poster Dimensions: 48″ wide x 36″ high (or 36″ wide x 48″ high) maximum. Information on how to design an academic poster (with templates): Click here.
Poster Printing: The event will cover the cost of posters printed in house through the School of Architecture Computing Lab, Building 49. Please email idsc@miami.edu for the billable account number. (The Richter Library Creative Studio large format printer is currently down.)
The submission deadline is Friday, April 18, 2025. If you have any questions and/or require additional information concerning posters or demos, please email idsc@miami.edu.
Before you enter your submission, please make sure that you have the following ready:

Presentation Title
Principal Investigator/Author name(s) and Affiliations
350-word (maximum) Abstract

Poster + Demo Submission Form

2nd Annual IDSC DAY 3/7 Showcases the U's Interdisciplinary Research
2025-03-07 11:30 - 18:00 | Lakeside Village, 1280 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, 33146, United States
The Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) cordially invites you to the 2nd annual IDSC Day on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the University of Miami Lakeside Village EXPO CENTER. Demos, posters, and presentations will showcase the impact IDSC has made on the University of Miami, South Florida community, and beyond.

Register Now (free)
Friday 3/7 | 11:30 AM-6:00 PM (includes Lunch 12:00-1:30 + Networking Reception 4:30-6:00)
This exciting event convenes faculty, staff, students, and industry partners to enable discovery through leading-edge scientific and computational projects that extract hidden knowledge and generate fresh insights from large and complex datasets. At IDSC Day, you can meet our core faculty members and IDSC Fellows, and discuss their projects, studies, and research interests. There will be demos, posters, and presentations from grant recipients who will discuss how IDSC support has made them more competitive for Federal funding. The program begins at 1:30 PM. Toward the end of the day, we will host a relaxed social event, providing opportunities for conversations, learning, and networking. In a work-from-anywhere world, we recognize the important of the traditional office “water cooler” conversations.
IDSC is pleased to announce the keynote speakers for the second annual IDSC Day: Miami Herbert Business School Dean Paul Pavlou, and distinguished UM alum Dr. Eddy Vadia ’06.

Opening Keynote Speaker | Dean Paul Pavlou

Paul A. Pavlou is the Dean of the University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School. He is also the Leonard M. Miller University Chair Professor.
His research has been cited more than 90,000 times by Google Scholar, and Thomson Reuters recognized him among the “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds” based on an analysis of Highly Cited Researchers. Paul was ranked No. 1 globally in publications in top Information Systems journals from 2010 to 2016. He earned a Ph.D. in Information Systems and a master’s in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California, and a bachelor’s in electrical engineering and managerial studies, magna cum laude, from Rice University.
In his former position as Dean of the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, Paul helped raise over $150M in philanthropic gifts and commitments. During his tenure, the Bauer College led all business schools by ascending 34 spots in the U.S. News & World Report rankings to become a Top 50 MBA program; climbed 44 spots in the online master’s programs rankings; joined the Top 15 public undergraduate programs by Poets&Quants; and ranked #1 undergraduate entrepreneurship program by The Princeton Review for five consecutive years. Read More

Closing Keynote Speaker | Eduardo “Eddy” Vadia, MD ’06

Dr. Eduardo Vadia graduated from the University of Miami School of Medicine in 2006. He completed his Internal Residency Residency, Chief Medical Residency, and Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX. Dr. Vadia was tenured as a faculty physician at UT Southwestern through April 2019, where he focused his efforts on medical education in the Parkland Hospital ICU. He is currently boarded in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, and Critical Care Medicine.
During his fellowship, Dr Vadia co-founded Access Physicians, a multi-specialty telemedicine physician group focused on “scaling clinical excellence” in its effort to deliver care to high-acuity, high-complexity patients in the inpatient setting. Dr. Vadia grew the company from inception to the second-largest inpatient telemedicine group in the country. Access Physicians had over 200 hospital deployments across 30 states, managed over 600 physicians, and secured enterprise agreements with many of the largest health and hospital systems in the country. Access Physicians was acquired in March, 2021 by SOC Telemed.
Dr. Vadia has since returned home to Miami and is focused on high-impact innovation as an investor and founder.

Location
University of Miami
Lakeside Village EXPO CENTER (Map + Directions)
1280 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146
Where to Park
Complimentary Reserved Parking is available in the Pavia Garage (see map below) right next to the Lakeside Village (1280 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146). Enter on Pavia Street and tell the attendant you’re here for IDSC Day. You must register your vehicle online. Click here: https://www.offstreet.io/events/BKUL2U3J and enter your License Plate Number and State, click NEXT. Enter your Name, click Next, then enter this Code: 10632, and click PARK.
Parking is valid during the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. only on Friday, March 7, 2025. NOTE: Please park head in only.

Agenda
11:30 AM Registration Opens + Posters
12:00 PM Lunch + Posters
1:30 PM Welcome Address
1:35 PM Opening Keynote Speaker: Dean Paul Pavlou
2:05 PM IDSC Joint Faculty Panel
3:00 PM Break + Posters
3:30 PM IDSC Fellows Highlight
3:50 PM Closing Keynote Speaker: Dr. Eddy Vadia
4:20 PM Closing Remarks
4:30 PM Networking Reception + Posters
6:00 PM Event Ends

Poster and Demo Submissions
We are excited to invite our faculty, researchers, students, and collaborative data science awardees to submit posters and demos for our upcoming event, IDSC Day! The success of this event truly relies on your participation—your innovative research, creative projects, and cutting-edge work are what will make IDSC Day impactful.
Submission Guidelines:

Posters: Share your research, discoveries, or projects through an engaging visual presentation. Max dimensions: 48″’ wide x 36” high or 36″ wide x 48″ high.
Demos: Showcase your interactive or experimental work with live demonstrations.
Deadline: February 28, 2025
Please Note: The Richter Library Creative Studio large format printer is not available. IDSC will cover the cost of posters printed in house through the School of Architecture Computer Lab in Building 49. Please email idsc@miami.edu for the account number to give the student attendant at the Lab.

Submission Form (click here to submit)
This event thrives on the diversity and depth of ideas that come from your teams. Your participation is key to making it a dynamic and valuable experience for everyone. For additional information, please email idsc@miami.edu or call 305-243-4962.

About IDSC
IDSC believes in a collaborative approach that brings together talented minds in multiple disciplines and leverages the University’s state-of-the-art technology including an AI-ready supercomputer. In fields ranging from medicine to earth sciences, urban planning, digital humanities, and business, IDSC strives to enhance Data Science understanding among our students and the public, helping individuals of all ages including underrepresented minorities develop the STEM skills needed for professional success in the 21st century.
As a member of the University of Miami’s Frost Institutes of Science and Engineering, IDSC supports basic and applied research initiatives throughout the University and with other leading institutions around the world. We are committed to developing strong partnerships in south Florida, while building bridges to the Caribbean, Latin America, and beyond.

Yelena Yesha to Speak at BioFlorida South Florida Life Sciences Showcase 3/19
2025-03-19 09:30 - 14:00 | Miami International Airport, 2100 NW 42nd Avenue,, Miami, FL, 33142, United States
IDSC Innovation Officer Dr. Yelena Yesha will speak at the Annual BioFlorida South Florida Life Sciences Showcase on Wednesday, March 19th. Discover the future of life sciences! This premier event unites industry leaders, innovators, investors, and key stakeholders for a dynamic day of insightful discussions, networking, and collaboration.
The event will be held at the Miami International Airport Auditorium ( 2100 NW 42nd Avenue, 4th Floor Auditorium Terminal D, Miami, FL 33142) from 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST.

Networking: Connect with industry peers, investors, and policymakers.
Exhibitors: Explore cutting-edge solutions from top companies and organizations.
Startup Spotlights: Discover groundbreaking ideas shaping the future of life sciences.

Engage with South Florida’s leading life sciences community and gain valuable industry insights. Don’t miss out—register today!
Showcase your organization: Explore sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities to amplify your visibility. For more information, contact them at admin@bioflorida.com or call 561-653-3839.
Register Here
Agenda (subject to change)

9:30 – 9:50 a.m.
Breakfast/Networking/Exhibitors

9:50 – 10:05 a.m.
Opening Remarks | Mark Glickman, President + CEO

10:05 – 10:15 a.m.
MIA Airport Welcome | Jimmy Nares
Section Chief, Cargo Development, Marketing & Air Service Development Division
Miami-Dade Aviation Department

10:15 – 10:20 a.m.
BioFlorida Chapter Ambassador | Gina Alexis, Director, Business Development, BioTeknica

10:20 – 10:25 a.m.

10:25 – 10:55 a.m.
Panel #1—South Florida Commercial Success | Mark Glickman, MODERATOR
Jason Matuszewski | CEO, BioStem Technologies
Maurice Ferre, MD | CEO + Chairman, Insightec

10:55 – 11: 10 a.m.
Innovators & Companies to Watch | Gregory Mario, CEO, TAXIS Pharmaceuticals

11:10 – 11:25 a.m.
Innovators & Companies to Watch | Franck Carlier, CEO, LifePulse

11:25 – 12:00 p.m.
Networking/Exhibitors/Lunch

12:00 – 12:30 p.m.
KEYNOTE Presentation | Rich Daly, President + CEO, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals

12:30 – 12:55 p.m.
Fireside Chat: The Intersection of Innovation & Collaboration: Advancing Technology Together
Dr. Yelena Yesha, Innovation Officer, University of Miami Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing
Knight Endowed Foundation Chair of Data Science and AI

12:55 – 1:20 p.m.
Networking/Exhibitors

1:20 – 1:4 5p.m.
Panel #2—Incubation and Acceleration in South Florida
Mark Glickman | MODERATOR
Andrew Duffell | President, Research Park at FAU
Will Silverman, PhD | Executive Director, Counter Program + New Ventures, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Jaap Donath, PhD | Assistant Executive Director of Programs, Alan B. Levan/NSU Broward Center of Innovation

1:45 – 2:00 p.m.
Closing Comments | BioFlorida

Parking
Attendees should take the lanes to “Parking” (not Departures or Arrivals). Attempt to park as close to American Airlines/Terminal D for ease of navigation. Park in the Dolphin (preferred) or Flamingo garage on 3rd level and head towards Terminal D. If you park on a different level of garage, take the elevator to 3rd level. Then take the moving walkway entrance to Concourse D. At the end of the Concourse, turn left, then right and take the escalator to the 4th level.
