The Computer Science, Data Science and Engineering department (CSDSE) at NYU Shanghai recently embarked on an exciting initiative to inspire undergraduate students to engage in academic research. The "Meet Our Faculty: Research and Life Lessons Series" features thought-provoking talks by esteemed professors and offers a platform for CSDSE faculty and students in science and engineering to share research interests and foster collaboration on innovative projects. This series aims to enhance undergraduate research skills and nurture a culture of critical thinking among students.
NYU Shanghai is dedicated to encouraging undergraduate students to explore scientific research, aiding them in discovering their academic passions early on and honing their innovative thinking abilities. Many CSDSE undergraduates pursuing their research interests are in a lab setting by their sophomore year. The department’s faculty expertise spans diverse fields such as informatics, data science, optimization theory, computer science, mathematics, etc.
Highlights from the Series
The series commenced with an engaging presentation by Prof. Mathieu Laurière, an assistant Mathematics and Data Science professor at NYU Shanghai and a researcher at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences (CIMS). Prof. Laurière discussed machine learning, demonstrating its application in making optimal decisions in complex, multi-agent scenarios.
“Machine learning can solve complex problems involving multiple players, which is crucial in fields like economics and ecology, and more,” said Prof. Laurière. “Moreover, game theory helps us understand techniques like generative adversarial networks (GANs) and diffusion models, viewing them as neural network games, transforming our approach to AI research." Prof. Laurière also shared valuable tips for conducting research at the undergraduate level.
(Left: Dr. Mathieu Laurière; Right:Dr. Hongyi Wen)
Following this, Dr. Hongyi Wen, assistant professor of computer science, captivated the audience with his presentation on building personalization systems using generative models. Dr. Wen showcased his work on enabling personalized image generation through Diffusion Models and shared innovative strategies leveraging large language models (LLMs) to enhance customized learning experiences in computer science education. His presentation garnered immense student interest, with many eager to collaborate with him on research projects.
(Dr. Qiaoyu Tan giving speech)
Dr. Qiaoyu Tan, Assistant Professor in Computer Science and leader of the Data Intelligence and Reasoning Lab (DIRLab) at NYU Shanghai, continued the series by delving into the evolving landscape of machine learning. Dr. Tan highlighted the shift towards innovative models that harness interconnected data points in contemporary scenarios such as social media, transportation systems, and e-commerce platforms. He explored the application of state-of-the-art deep neural networks and used textual information to enhance these models, mainly through large language models like ChatGPT. Dr. Tan also provided valuable insights on preparing for graduate studies, offering guidance to aspiring scholars.
(Left: Dr.Shengjie Wang; Right:Dr. Chen Zhao)
The lecture series further featured contributions from Prof. Chen Zhao and Prof. Shengjie Wang. Prof. Zhao shared his perspectives on Large Language Model (LLM) applications. At the same time, Prof. Wang discussed leveraging human-learning-like curricula to enhance machine-learning models. Their contributions enriched the series with diverse viewpoints that resonated with the students and sparked engaging discussions.
Connect with Potential NYU Shanghai Professors
1. Identify Your Academic Interests: Understanding your interests is crucial to identifying research areas and professors specializing in those fields.
2. Research Professors: Explore faculty information on the official website
(https://shanghai.nyu.edu/academics/faculty-directory) to align with professors conducting research of interest.
3. Craft a Professional Email: Introduce yourself, highlight your academic interests, and express interest in their work by sending a clear and concise email. You can also request a meeting or inquire about research opportunities.
4. Attend Office Hours: Personal interactions during professors' office hours demonstrate commitment and interest in their research, fostering potential collaborations and mentorship opportunities.