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CBE Seminar: “Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology for a Sustainable Future” (Hal Alper, UT Austin)

Wu & Chen Auditorium

Abstract: Recent technical advances are leading to a rapid transformation of the chemical palette available in cells, thus making it conceivable to produce nearly any organic molecule of interest—from biofuels to biopolymers to pharmaceuticals. However, these feats require the ability to “hijack” native cellular machinery and metabolism and navigate the complexity inherent in cellular regulation. […]

MSE Seminar: “Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Targeted Cancer Imaging and Treatment,” Miqin Zhang – Kyocera Chair Professor of Materials Science and Engineering University of Washington

Wu & Chen Auditorium

One of our key research areas focuses on developing innovative nanoplatforms for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and therapy-response monitoring. We aim to understand material-biosystem interactions and design nanoparticles capable of delivering effective therapeutic payloads. This presentation will discuss strategies for synthesizing and engineering nanoparticles to ensure stability, extended blood circulation, and controlled drug release while overcoming […]

IDEAS/STAT Optimization Seminar: “Stochastic-Gradient-based Algorithms for Solving Nonconvex Constrained Optimization Problems”

Amy Gutmann Hall, Room 615

Zoom link: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/98220304722   Abstract I will present recent work by my research group on the design and analysis of stochastic-gradient-based algorithms for solving nonconvex constrained optimization problems, which may arise, for example, in informed supervised learning.  I will focus in particular on algorithmic strategies that have consistently been shown to exhibit the best practical […]

CIS Seminar: “Learning, Reasoning, and Planning with Neuro-Symbolic Concepts”

Levine 307 3330 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

I aim to build complete intelligent agents that can continually learn, reason, and plan: answer queries, infer human intentions, and make long-horizon plans spanning hours to days. In this talk, I will describe a general learning and reasoning framework based on neuro-symbolic concepts. Drawing inspiration from theories and studies in cognitive science, neuro-symbolic concepts serve […]

A Fireside Chat with Rajeev Misra: Global Trends in Technology, Business and Human Capital

Wu and Chen Auditorium (Room 101), Levine Hall 3330 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Misra will share insights on the intersection of technological innovation, business strategy, and talent in the AI era, drawing on his leadership experience in global finance and tech investment. The program will also include the presentation of the 2024 D. Robert Yarnall Award. Click here to RSVP to this event.

Penn AI Governance Workshop

Perry World House 3803 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA, United States

This event is presented by the Wharton Accountable AI Lab and co-sponsored by the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative; Penn Engineering; the Center for Technology, Innovation & Competition; and the Perry World House. The Penn AI Governance Workshop will feature panel discussions, lightning talks and networking opportunities, and will conclude with a reception. The workshop brings together leading Penn researchers to explore key […]

CIS Seminar: “Pareto-efficient AI systems: Expanding the quality and efficiency frontier of AI”

Amy Gutmann Hall, Room 414 3333 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, United States

We have made exciting progress in AI by massive models on massive amounts of data center compute. However, the demands for AI are rapidly expanding. I identify how to maximize performance under any compute constraint, expanding the Pareto frontier of AI capabilities.   This talk builds up to an efficient language model architecture that expands […]

Spring 2025 GRASP on Robotics: Reid Simmons, Carnegie Mellon University, “AI-Based Assistants for the Elderly”

Wu and Chen Auditorium (Room 101), Levine Hall 3330 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

This will be a hybrid event with in-person attendance in Wu and Chen and virtual attendance on Zoom. ABSTRACT As the population ages, the need grows for AI agents to assist people to remain living independently.  Older adults are typically set in their ways, so AI agents should adapt to their ways of doing things, […]

Women in Data Science @ Penn Conference: From Data to Discovery: Exploring AI with a Patient Case Study, ChatGPT and Generative Models

Jon M. Huntsman Hall 3730 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

In today’s data-driven landscape, vast unstructured data sources — like documents and electronic health records (EHRs) — demand advanced AI tools to unlock their full potential. Generative AI, powered by large language models (LLMs), is becoming indispensable for processing and extracting insights from complex language-based data. Participants will explore: Identifying key problems that lend themselves to AI-driven solutions. Collecting and preparing data, building models and running state-of-the-art algorithms. […]

CBE Doctoral Dissertation Defense: “Understanding and Modulating Interactions between Polymers and Nanoparticles for Effective Catalyst Design in Polymer Upcycling” (Anirban Majumder)

Raisler Lounge (Room 225), Towne Building 220 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Abstract: Despite recent advances in catalytic conversion of plastic waste into high-value chemicals, the interactions between the polymers and catalysts, which are highly porous nanomaterials, are not well understood. Fundamental understanding of these interactions and the ability to modulate them would allow us to design effective catalysts for polymer upcycling reactions. To study the interactions […]