Computer Science Department Hosted CS Seminar Series on November 8
The Computer Science Department at Loyola University Chicago recently hosted a CS Seminar Series on Friday, November 8th, featuring two distinguished speakers from the fields of technology innovation and network science. The event was held in Regis Hall’s MPR Room and provided an engaging afternoon filled with insightful talks, networking opportunities, and a shared meal.
Attendees had the opportunity to learn from Paul Edlund, Chief Technologist at Microsoft, and Dr. Satyaki Sikdar, an assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago. The seminar explored topics ranging from Microsoft’s upcoming technologies to the theoretical constructs of network science and their real-world applications.
Event Location: Regis Hall - MPR Room
Event Schedule
- 12:00 - 12:40 PM: Lunch and Social
- 12:40 - 01:20 PM: Talk by Chief Technologist Paul Edlund (Microsoft)
- 01:20 - 02:00 PM: Talk by Dr. Satyaki Sikdar (Loyola University Chicago)
Talks and Speakers:
Talk 1. What’s Next for Microsoft?
Talk by Paul Edlund (Chief Technologist at Microsoft)
Paul Edlund discussed some of the groundbreaking technologies that Microsoft is developing and how they might impact the world we live in. His talk delved into the future of technology and the role Microsoft aims to play in shaping it.
Speaker Bio: Throughout his career, Paul has focused on making complex technical problems understandable for everyone. He has navigated the intricate intersection of business, ethics, and technology, speaking at venues like the United Nations and TED Talks. As the Chief Technologist for Microsoft’s central region, Paul applies Microsoft’s long-term R&D to enterprise customers and guides them through cybersecurity and data center design strategies. A Loyola University alumnus with a BS in Economics, he actively serves on the university’s Technology Board and resides in Chicago with his wife and two children.
Talk 2. It’s All Connected: Adventures in Network Science
Talk by Dr. Satyaki Sikdar (Loyola University Chicago)
Dr. Sikdar explored the theoretical constructs of networks through generative models and exciting applications in the emerging field of the Science of Science. He introduced vertex replacement grammars as a framework for understanding complex networks and presented empirical studies on scientific collaborations, including the scientific community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Satyaki Sikdar is an assistant professor of Computer Science at Loyola University Chicago. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Notre Dame. His research focuses on understanding complex, interconnected systems using AI, network science, and computational social science. Dr. Sikdar analyzes large-scale bibliometric data from scientific publications using generative models and embeddings. His work has been published in leading scientific venues such as Nature Human Behaviour, Scientific Reports, IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering, and IEEE International Conference on Data Mining.
The Computer Science Department invited students, faculty, and the broader community to attend this seminar to gain a deeper understanding of the future of technology and the fascinating world of network science.
Note of Appreciation: The Computer Science Department would like to extend its gratitude to our esteemed speakers, Chief Technologist Paul Edlund and Dr. Satyaki Sikdar, for sharing their knowledge and insights. We also thank all the faculty, staff, and students who contributed their time and effort to make this event a success.
The seminar not only provided valuable knowledge but also fostered networking and collaboration among attendees. The department looks forward to hosting more events that contribute to the academic and professional growth of its community.