All Seminars
| Title: Making Sense of Genome-scale Data |
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| Graduate Student Seminar: Computer Science |
| Speaker: Dr. James Taylor of Emory University |
| Contact: James J. Lu, jlu@mathcs.emory.edu |
| Date: 2008-09-19 at 3:00PM |
| Venue: MSC W201 |
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| Abstract: High-throughput data production technologies are revolutionizing modern biology. Translating this experimental data into discoveries of relevance to human health relies on sophisticated computational tools that can handle large-scale data. However, sophisticated methods for the analysis of biological data are of little value if they are not accessible. Powerful analysis tools, data warehouses, and browsers exist, but for the average experimental biologists with limited computer expertise, making effective use of these resources is still out of reach. We have developed "Galaxy", which solves this problem by providing an integrated web-based workspace that bridges the gap between different tools and data sources. For computational tool developers, Galaxy eliminates the repetitive effort involved in creating high-quality user interfaces, while giving them the benefit of being able to provide their tools in an integrated environment. For experimental biologists, Galaxy allows running complex analyses on huge datasets with nothing more than a web browser, and without needing to worry about details like resource allocation, and format conversions. Galaxy makes high-end computational biology more accessible, efficient, and reproducible. |
| Title: Patching central simple algebras and quadratic forms |
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| Seminar: Algebra |
| Speaker: Daniel Krashen of University of Georgia |
| Contact: R. Parimala, parimala@mathcs.emory.edu |
| Date: 2008-09-16 at 4:00PM |
| Venue: MSC W303 |
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| Abstract: Recently, David Harbater and Julia Hartmann have developed a technique called ``field patching," which provides a new set of tools to study and construct algebraic objects of various types over function fields of curves defined over complete discretely valued fields. In this talk, I will describe these techniques, and give a survey of applications to central simple algebras and quadratic forms, including results on the period-index problem, the $u$-invariant, and admissibility of finite groups over these fields. |
| Title: Hopf's Conjecture and Aleksandrov's Theorem: Soap Bubbles Are Round Spheres (Part 2) |
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| Seminar: Analysis and Differential Geometry |
| Speaker: Pascal Philipp of Emory University |
| Contact: Vladimir Oliker, oliker@mathcs.emory.edu |
| Date: 2008-09-16 at 4:00PM |
| Venue: MSC W301 |
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| Abstract: 50 years ago Aleksandrov proved that the only embedded compact surfaces of constant mean curvature are round spheres. In this talk, we will continue the presentation of Aleksandrov's proof and some interesting geometric techniques. |
| Title: Computerized Voting: Will you be able to vote? Will your vote be properly counted? |
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| Colloquium: Computer Science |
| Speaker: Barbara Simons of |
| Contact: Erin Nagle, erin@mathcs.emory.edu |
| Date: 2008-09-11 at 4:00PM |
| Venue: MSC W201 |
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| Abstract: Almost \$4 billion in federal dollars, provided by the 2002 Help America Vote Act (HAVA), resulted in the initial widespread purchase of paperless computerized voting systems (Direct Recording Electronic or DREs) by many states, including Georgia. Election officials were told that DREs would be cheaper than alternative voting systems, a claim that ignored the costs of testing and secure storage, as well as very expensive annual maintenance contracts. They were told that DREs had been extensively tested and that the certification process guaranteed that the machines were reliable and secure. They were also told that DREs would allow people with disabilities to vote independently. In some cases officials were threatened with lawsuits or actually sued by certain disability rights groups if they expressed hesitation at purchasing DREs. However, early independent security studies, followed by recent results from California’s “Top-to-Bottom Review” have revealed that the DREs that were tested by California – all of which had been federally qualified and state certified – are poorly designed, badly programmed, insecure, unreliable, and at times very difficult for people with disabilities to use. As a result the California Secretary of State Debra Bowen decertified all of the tested systems. While she recertified them, her conditional recertification orders, which contain long lists of detected problems, have still longer lists of conditions, some quite arduous, that must be met. HAVA also required each state to create a statewide computerized database of all registered voters. Congressional Democrats and Republicans supported the computerized databases, because they felt the databases would prevent widespread voter disenfranchisement or voting by illegal aliens, respectively. However, if the databases are not secure and properly monitored, it will be possible to strip large numbers of voters’ names from the databases or to pad the databases with the names of non-citizens. We shall discuss some of the voting technologies that will be used in November, as well as national efforts to make our elections more secure and accurate through the use of voter verified paper ballots. We shall also review the situation in Georgia. Because Georgia still uses paperless Diebold DREs, there will be no way to conduct an audit or recount of the November 2008 election in Georgia. Information on this speaker can be found here: http://usacm.acm.org/usacm/Committee/Simons.htm |
| Title: The Brauer group |
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| Seminar: Algebra |
| Speaker: Eric Brussel of Emory University |
| Contact: Eric Brussel, brussel@mathcs.emory.edu |
| Date: 2008-09-09 at 4:00PM |
| Venue: MSC W303 |
| Download Flyer |
| Abstract: The Brauer group, comprising classes of central simple algebras over a field, plays an important role in the study of a field's arithmetic. We will give an overview of the Brauer group, and discuss how it has been used to produce some important examples in field arithmetic and algebraic geometry. |
| Title: Hopf's Conjecture and Aleksandrov's Theorem: Soap Bubbles Are Round Spheres (Part 1) |
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| Seminar: Analysis and Differential Geometry |
| Speaker: Pascal Philipp of Emory University |
| Contact: Vladimir Oliker, oliker@mathcs.emory.edu |
| Date: 2008-09-09 at 4:00PM |
| Venue: MSC W301 |
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| Abstract: 50 years ago Aleksandrov proved that the only embedded compact surfaces of constant mean curvature are round spheres. In this talk, Aleksandrov's proof and some interesting geometric techniques will be presented. |
| Title: On Algorithmic Hypergraph Regularity |
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| Defense: N/A |
| Speaker: Annika Poerschke of Emory University |
| Contact: Annika Poerschke, apoesc@emory.edu |
| Date: 2008-08-22 at 4:00PM |
| Venue: W302 |
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| Abstract: |
| Title: Evans-Hall Lecture: "Truveo: A Video Search Engine" |
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| Evans Hall Awards Ceremony and Lecture: Evans-Hall Lecture |
| Speaker: Adam Beguelin of |
| Contact: TBA |
| Date: 2008-04-21 at 4:00PM |
| Venue: MSC E208 |
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| Abstract: |