Department of Computer Science News

Death of the Middleman? USC Researchers Imagine a Cheaper, Fairer Marketplace For Digital Goods

May 17, 2019

Beyond improving e-commerce, USC Viterbi’s Bhaskar Krishnamachari sees a blockchain-driven future where cars, homes and appliances can buy and sell digital information.

Master’s Students Shine

May 11, 2019

At the 2019 USC Viterbi master’s commencement, graduates shared hugs, smiles and selfies.

Avri Parker, president of the National Society of Black Engineers USC Chapter, lands dream job at Microsoft, sets sights on chief technology officer roles—and aims to start a school for black girls in technology.

Dreaming Big Pays Off

May 08, 2019

Computer science student turned entrepreneur Drake Rehfeld is flying high with five ventures under his belt before he’s even graduated—but it didn’t happen without hard work.

The Next Generation Meets the Bots

May 01, 2019

Local K-12 students learned about robotics and the value of STEM education at USC’s 2019 Robotics Open House

HackSC 2019: 36 Hours of Hackers, Yoga and, yes, Puppies

Apr 30, 2019

USC’s largest hackathon event fuses competition, inspiration and wellness

Want to Know the Secret of a Good Idea? It Could be Hidden in Language.

Apr 22, 2019

Xiang Ren, a USC Viterbi assistant professor of computer science, is using natural language processing to find patterns in massive amounts of text, which could unlock the secrets of innovation—and much more.

A Hackathon for Women by Women

Apr 19, 2019

USC students changing hacking culture from competitive to collaborative.

Excellence In Engineering

Apr 12, 2019

At the 41st Viterbi Awards, NAE President Dan Mote Jr., alumna and Northrop Grumman VP Linnie Haynesworth, and SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell were honored.

How to Make Self-Driving Cars Safer on Roads

Mar 28, 2019

USC computer science researchers develop a new way to test machine learning algorithms that control self-driving cars

Using Artificial Intelligence to Predict Violence in Movies

Mar 20, 2019

The film industry will soon be able to better predict MPAA ratings for movies, thanks to a new artificial intelligence tool.

A Robotic Leg, Born Without Prior Knowledge, Learns to Walk

Mar 11, 2019

New AI algorithms could allow robots to learn to move by themselves, imitating animals.

New Method Uses AI to Screen for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Feb 26, 2019

Scientists at USC, Queen’s University (Ontario) and Duke University have developed a new tool that can screen children for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) quickly and affordably

To Protect Earth’s Natural Resources, It Takes a Village

Feb 21, 2019

A recent community-building symposium, hosted by USC’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society (CAIS), explored how AI could revolutionize the field of conservation.

Saving Endangered Species, One Algorithm at a Time

Feb 11, 2019

Bistra Dilkina, USC Viterbi assistant professor in computer science, develops artificial intelligence tools to help protect endangered animals

Stop The Spoofing

Feb 01, 2019

USC ISI researcher Wael Abd-Almageed and an international research team are building enhanced biometric security technologies to thwart would-be malefactors.

USC Researchers Use AI to Detect Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Jan 28, 2019

USC researchers found “hidden factors” in medical data that could improve Alzheimer’s disease prediction and lead to better outcomes.

USC Trojans Repeat as Region’s Top Team in “Coding Olympics”

Jan 11, 2019

The winners of the regional coding contest will compete against more than 100 teams at the world finals in Portugal this summer.

A Star Is Born…With C Programming And Robots.

Jan 09, 2019

With donor support, USC Viterbi’s Robotics and Coding Academy provides computer science education to local elementary schools

Four USC Viterbi Faculty Members Selected As IEEE Fellows

Jan 08, 2019

USC Viterbi Faculty members from Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering join the 2019 class of IEEE fellows.

Helping USC’s Homeless

Dec 18, 2018

USC Viterbi’s Sandeep Suresh helped build a website that provides invaluable information to USC’s hidden hungry and homeless population.

Computer Science Students Unleash Power of Social Web Data

Dec 13, 2018

As part of a new USC data science course, more than 100 master’s and PhD students unveiled their final research project posters to professors and industry members.

Ellis Meng and Mike Waterman Elected Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors

Dec 11, 2018

USC faculty members were two of 148 academic inventors selected this year

Fledgling Programmers Join Global Coding Celebration

Dec 10, 2018

USC Viterbi students joined forces with Google engineers to inspire the coders of the future.

Can taking breaks enhance test-taking performance?

Dec 10, 2018

Computer scientists find a connection between our test-taking abilities and resting

Han Wang Receives Coveted Army Research Office Young Investigator Award

Dec 04, 2018

The USC Viterbi assistant professor, who also just received the prestigious IEEE Nanotechnology Early Career Award, hopes to advance computer efficiency and proficiency.

USC Viterbi Student Named Amazon Alexa Graduate Fellow

Nov 29, 2018

Doctoral student I-Hung Hsu has won the prestigious fellowship for his research in advancing interactions between voice and technology

USC Viterbi’s “Adopt-a-School” Program Announces Partnerships with Code.org and Sesame Workshop

Nov 13, 2018

USC Viterbi VAST programs gain attention for community engagement in computer sciences, landing new partnerships from leading STEM organizations

Getting Connected with Big Tech

Oct 09, 2018

New program establishes partnership between the USC Computer Science Department and major technology companies

Can AI Reduce Race Bias in Homelessness?

Oct 01, 2018

New Algorithm Can Improve Outcomes in Assigning Housing to Homeless Youth and Change Housing Policy

USC students go into refugee camps in Greece to volunteer and research solutions to the global refugee crisis

Sep 26, 2018

New USC Viterbi course focused on engineering solutions for social good takes students from seven USC schools in a close encounter with problems inside refugee camps

Alexa To USC: “Congratulations! You Have Been Chosen.”

Aug 31, 2018

The prestigious Amazon Alexa Innovation Fellowship will allow the USC Viterbi School of Engineering to infuse voice technology into several of its innovation programs.

New Deep Learning AI Technology Can Help You Save Time on Your Commute

Aug 24, 2018

New AI forecasting technology might also aid fleets of autonomous cars navigate future traffic.

Predicting the next Taylor Swift—with algorithms?

Aug 10, 2018

Want to discover the next big thing in music? A new USC study used data mining to predict what artists will hit the big-time in the next year.

Mr. USC

Jul 18, 2018

How To Launch A Million Dollar Software Firm? A Family Helps. Specifically, the Trojan Variety.

Data-Crunching Class Looks to the Skies to Explore UFO Sightings

Jul 02, 2018

Computer science master’s students sifted through thousands of documented sightings of UFOs to tackle one of the greatest unsolved mysteries: Are we alone in the universe?

New Study Finds Taking Breaks Boosts Team Performance

Jun 27, 2018

USC computer scientists leverage artificial intelligence to analyze the performance of individuals in online team-based games, producing unique insights into the psychology of performance

USC Computer Science Professor Develops Haptic Armband to Mimic Human Touch

Jun 20, 2018

New wearable creates “haptic illusion” using tiny speakers to simulate gestures used in social touch

Hacking for Defense

May 24, 2018

In an exciting, experiential new class, the U.S. Department of Defense supplies national security problems, while students develop ideas for solutions.

Let the games begin!

May 23, 2018

First ever Games Expo sets the stage for the biggest night of games at USC

Eureka! Eureka! The Class of 2018 Has Found It

May 12, 2018

After long nights that muddled into early mornings in SAL, CED, and Leavey, they’re ready to set sail

Master’s Class For The Ages

May 12, 2018

2018 USC Viterbi master’s students shared hugs, laughs and memories at graduation ceremonies.

2018 Viterbi Master’s Student Awards

May 11, 2018

Accomplishments of Viterbi Master’s students celebrated at the second annual event

Marie Curie Dropped the Ph.D. Mic 115 Years Ago. These Trojans Picked It Up.

May 10, 2018

At the 2018 USC Viterbi Ph.D. Hooding and Awards ceremony, the intellectual descendants of Curie, Drexler and Viterbi took the stage.

That’s a Wrap: Computer Science Student Gets Behind the Silver Screen

May 10, 2018

Annie Song, who graduates this month with a bachelor’s in computer science and minor in cinema studies, shares her experiences and lessons learned during her time at USC

You Have 28 Hours to Protect the World’s Smart Watches, Cars, Pacemakers and Cities. What Do You Do?

May 08, 2018

The 2nd Annual Viterbi Graduate Hackathon brought together aspiring developers to keep the Internet of Things safe from cyberattacks.

Dancing to a Different Beat

May 07, 2018

Passions for dance and computer science combine in Botswana for adventure-seeking student

USC Women In Science and Engineering (WiSE) helps junior female faculty share their research

May 07, 2018

The annual WiSE Research Horizons Symposium at USC brought together some of the best minds in academic research

Football Star Tackles Computer Science

May 02, 2018

Student-athlete balances sports and academics, training 20 hours per week while earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years

USC Center for AI in Society Seeks to Reduce Military Suicides

May 01, 2018

In a groundbreaking project, USC Viterbi School of Engineering and USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work to identify at-risk active military personnel and veterans.

Cue the robots

Apr 26, 2018

USC Robotics Open House leads the way for the next generation of STEM professionals

Life Hacks 2.0

Apr 25, 2018

Hundreds of LA kids participate in a hackathon designed by USC students especially for them

USC Viterbi’s most prestigious night gives the stage to “heroic engineers”

Apr 23, 2018

Legendary alums and engineering pioneers honored at the 40th Viterbi Awards

USC’s Department of Computer Science Opens its Doors to Prospective Doctoral Students

Apr 18, 2018

More than 50 prospective students explored USC’s Department of Computer Science and made new connections during this year’s PhD Visit Day.

The American Art Collaborative and USC Information Sciences Institute: An Unexpected Partnership.

Apr 17, 2018

The Information Sciences Institute and the American Art Collaborative began a partnership that proves that STEM and the arts actually can get along.

USC Viterbi announces its 2018 NSF CAREER Award Winners

Apr 17, 2018

Three USC Viterbi Assistant Professors receive a National Science Foundation’s CAREER Award for outstanding, innovative and promising approaches to research

You Are What Your Friends Eat

Apr 11, 2018

The USC Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society is transforming public health by calibrating real-life, human intervention

Computer Science Student Named KPCB Fellow, Sets Sights on Silicon Valley Cybersecurity Startup

Mar 30, 2018

Prestigious KPCB summer internship program offers top U.S. college students experience and mentorship with prominent Silicon Valley startups

ISI Researchers to “Model the World” with New DARPA Award

Mar 22, 2018

New project led by Yolanda Gil receives $13 million DARPA award to apply artificial intelligence to large-scale integrated modeling

USC ISI Researchers Develop Computational Methods to Uncover Hidden Trends in Human Behavior

Mar 22, 2018

New research suggests studying and avoiding all-nighters could lead to greater student happiness

AI Tool Promotes Positive Peer Groups to Tackle Substance Abuse

Mar 22, 2018

An algorithm created by USC researchers leverages social networks to optimize substance abuse intervention groups for homeless youth

Hao Li Earns Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award

Mar 01, 2018

Li will develop artificial intelligence techniques to create more realistic computer-generated humans for U.S. Navy immersive training simulations

Memes Are The Future

Feb 28, 2018

Len Adleman, recent inductee to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, talks Internet memes and helps protect e-commerce as we know it.

1,000 Reactions

Feb 26, 2018

Can virtual audiences make you a better public speaker?

Making Facebook Faster

Feb 23, 2018

In 2016, Facebook gave Brandon Schlinker a fellowship. In 2017, he and new fellow finalist Yi-Ching Chiu are making the network faster than ever.

New Insights Into Human Kidney Formation Made Possible with Innovative Platform Developed at ISI

Feb 16, 2018

USC stem cell scientists used a new “ecosystem of tools” designed by ISI researchers to analyze massive amounts of data to document the similarities and differences between kidney development in humans and mice

Computer Science Graduate Student Earns NATO Scientific Achievement Award

Feb 15, 2018

Stephanie Kemna, a PhD student who researches autonomous underwater vehicles, was part of a team recently honored with a 2017 NATO Science and Technology Organization’s (STO) Scientific Achievement Award

Fighting Addiction Before It Begins

Feb 09, 2018

USC Viterbi’s Yan Liu uses machine learning to fight the opioid addiction crisis sweeping the nation.

A New Way to Fight the Spread of Infectious Diseases

Feb 08, 2018

An algorithm developed by USC researchers could help public health programs better locate, and treat, people living with undiagnosed infectious diseases, says a new study.

Computer Models Reveal Best Way to Kill Deadly Bacteria

Jan 31, 2018

Bacterial spores use “chemical magic trick” to create protective shell, study finds

Former intern honored with national award

Jan 30, 2018

NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing recipient Bekah Agwunobi plans to use computer science to drive social change

Trojan team’s bias-busting app wins third prize at Facebook Global Hackathon

Jan 08, 2018

App utilizes virtual reality and natural language processing to create immersive space for unconscious bias training

USC ISI to Develop Translation and Information-Retrieval System for Uncommon Languages

Jan 08, 2018

Researchers receive $16.7 million grant to automatically translate and summarize “low-resource” language documents into English

Can You Save the World with Origami?

Jan 04, 2018

From 3-D origami battles to VR journalism, the GamePipe Laboratory Fall 2017 Showcase showed the range and creativity of USC Games students

Students Mentored by LA City Leader and Viterbi Students at Code Dojo

Dec 20, 2017

Over a thousand students participate in Viterbi’s “Code Dojo” for National Computer Science Education Week

The Sun Also Rises. And Now We Know How Hot It Gets.

Dec 14, 2017

A high school student’s family history leads her to team up with USC Viterbi students to build an app that can save farmworkers from heat death

Two USC computer science professors named fellows of American Association for the Advancement of Science

Dec 01, 2017

Sven Koenig and Paul Rosenbloom recognized for outstanding contributions to science

USC Computer Science Student Teams Win First and Second Place at “Programming Olympics” Regional Contest

Dec 01, 2017

USC will progress to world finals of Association for Computing Machinery’s International Collegiate Programming Contest in Beijing, China

What Lies Beneath: “PipeFish” Robot Patrols City Pipes to Detect Underground Water Leaks

Nov 27, 2017

Supported by the Keston endowment, ISI researcher Wei-Min Shen is working to combat deterioration in LA’s aging underground water networks

Smart City Consortium formed at USC

Nov 16, 2017

I3 to bring together academics and practitioners in engineering, business to develop a model for IoT-connected cities in the US

Computer science PhD student wins “supercomputer” essay contest

Nov 15, 2017

Prize of two GPUs will help propel prediction analysis research.

America’s Next Cyber Warrior

Nov 08, 2017

Veteran students like Neil Constantino come to USC to train for a new kind of war

Can AI Help to Detect and Cure Cancer?

Oct 31, 2017

At the USC Michelson Center, Fei Sha will bring an expertise in AI and commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle some of the most vexing issues in healthcare.

USC ISI to Lead Project to Simulate Dynamics of Online Social Behavior

Oct 24, 2017

$4.95 million DARPA contract awarded to develop large-scale computational simulation of online social behavior

USC ISI Leads IARPA Contract for developing Hybrid Forecasting Systems

Oct 11, 2017

Project to combine machine learning and human forecasting to predict geopolitical events

Meeting of the Minds

Oct 11, 2017

Computer scientists, social work researchers and academics from other fields recently gathered at USC to discuss the potential of AI to make the world a better place.

Protecting The Troops

Oct 11, 2017

USC Viterbi receives $4.5 million to help develop Internet of Battlefield Things

USC ISI researchers poised to crack the code on reducing workplace stress

Oct 03, 2017

New research to explore the intersection of data, sensors and artificial intelligence.

ISI’s Senior Director for Administrative Affairs Receives 2017 Distinguished Service Award from Digital Government Society

Sep 29, 2017

Yigal Arens Honored for Contributions to Digital Government