New York Celebration of Women in Computing
Promoting the Academic, Social, and Professional Growth of Technical Women and their allies in New York State
April 12-13, 2024
Lake George, NY
Talks
Friday, April 12th
1:25-2:25 pm
Albany Room
Model Learning by Online Feature Selection based on Predictive Least Squares
Marija Iloska* - PhD student at Stony Brook University, Mónica Bugallo - Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Stony Brook University, Petar M. Djurić - Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Stony Brook University
In this work, we introduce a predictive model learning algorithm for real-time decision making problems, such as weather forecasting, health monitoring, or stock pricing, among many other applications. The proposed algorithm is based on the fundamental principles of least-squares and identifies the features in the model that are relevant to best explaining not only present, but future data as well.
Friday, April 12th
1:25-2:25 pm
Albany Room
Deep Learning Models for Nanomaterial Design
Elham Sadeghi* (graduate student- Department of Computer Science- University at Albany - SUNY)
Anna Gonzàlez-Rosell (graduate student- University of California, Irvine),
Peter Mastracco(graduate student- University of California, Irvine),
Stacy M. Copp(Assistant Professor - Department of Materials Science and Engineering | Department of Physics and Astronomy- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering | University of California, Irvine)
Petko Bogdanov (Associate Professor- Department of Computer Science- University at Albany - SUNY)
In this work, we introduce a predictive model learning algorithm for real-time decision making problems, such as weather forecasting, health monitoring, or stock pricing, among many other applications. The proposed algorithm is based on the fundamental principles of least-squares and identifies the features in the model that are relevant to best explaining not only present, but future data as well.
Friday, April 12th
1:25-2:25 pm
Long Lake room
Work-life balance
Vincia Phillip (Assistant Director of Career Education, Office of Career and Professional Development, University at Albany)
Being engaged with your work is a good thing. When we engage with work but do not watch out for our wellbeing, we can overdo it and start feeling burned out. This session will talk about how maintaining boundaries can help improve your wellbeing and minimize the risk of burnout.
Friday, April 12th
2:35-3:35 pm
Albany room
Exploring User Engagement of Library Social Media: A Content Analysis
Lu Gao*, Ph.D. candidate in Information Science, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, University at Albany, SUNY
Michael D. Young, Assistant Professor, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, University at Albany, SUNY
X (formerly Twitter) is one of the most popular social media platforms that bridges users and academic libraries. This study draws on Al-Daihani and Abrahams’ (2016) framework to investigate the levels of user engagement across nine tweet content categories from a university library’s X account from January 3rd, 2022, to May 31st, 2023. Not all content categories generated similar levels of engagement with the most user engagement generated by the study support category. These results suggest that academic libraries can increase student engagement by emphasizing study support in their social media communications.
Friday, April 12th
2:35-3:35 pm
Albany room
Real-time Academic Literature Recommendations from Large Language Models
Kyle Courounis* - 4th year undergraduate student, Marist College
Ian Marsh - 4th year undergraduate student, Marist College
Brian Gormanly - Senior Lecturer of Computer Science, Marist College
Using Large Language Models (LLMs) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), we are creating a real-time academic literature recommendation system for our open source editor called Agora (https://freeagora.org). The aim is to create a platform that is useful for researchers and academics to create and collaborate on their work.
2:35-3:35 pm
Friday, April 12th
Long Lake Room
Carbon Emissions Game
Maihan Naimi, 4th year undergraduate student at Bard College
In this presentation, I'll be sharing a computer game I created based on an existing educational activity used by universities worldwide. The original was a hands-on exercise to learn about policies for reducing carbon emissions. My digital version makes the experience more interactive and accessible. Students can play the game to get a better grasp on the real-world challenges of regulating carbon output and environmental policymaking. It connects the academic theories they study in the classroom to practical applications for addressing climate change through environmentally-conscious strategies. The game provides an engaging way to understand the complex decisions involved in environmental protection efforts.
2:35-3:35 pm
Friday, April 12th
Long Lake Room
Evaluating the Efficacy and Usability of Teaching Library Science Graduate Students Crisis Communications Skills Using Immersive Virtual Reality Serious Games
Catherine Dumas*, Visiting Assistant Professor of Information Science & Technology, U. at Albany,
Rachel D. Williams, Assistant Professor of Information Science, University of South Carolina,
Lydia Ogden, Associate Professor of Social Work, Simmons University,
Joanna Flanagan, Librarian, College of the Holy Cross,
Lukasz Porwol, E-Gov Unit Leader and Research Fellow at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics, University of Galway
This research analyzes the results of a study that is part of a larger, interdisciplinary, and multi-institutional project that examines the usability and effectiveness of VR training for library and information science (LIS) graduate students and professionals in gaining skills for interacting effectively with patrons in crisis. This paper reports on the findings related to the effectiveness of VR training for teaching empathy, confidence, and de-escalation skills for LIS graduate students. The findings illustrate that VR has the potential to impact LIS graduate education by reaching a wider audience that introduces training in low-stakes, immersive environments and that does not pose harm to patrons in crisis. This study also contributes innovative approaches that support training in skills including empathy, confidence, and de-escalation.
Friday, April 12th
5:40-6:40 pm
Albany room
Cybersecurity for Precision Time Protocol: Covert Channels, Code Injection, Spoofing, and DoS Attacks
Lillian McPadden* (Marist College), Casimer DeCusatis, Elizabeth Herrera, Luke Jacobs, Clay Kaiser, Paul Wojciak, Steve Guendert
The IEEE 1588 standard, known as Precision Time Protocol (PTP), is a candidate for high precision timing and clock distribution networks. We present experimental results from a PTP test bed that demonstrate several zero-day cybersecurity vulnerabilities in this protocol, for which we have developed proof-of-concept exploits. These include an attack which spoofs the system master clock, four variations of DoS attacks, three data injection attacks, and three covert channel attacks. We demonstrate and discuss the ability to produce large, incorrect timing offsets, intermittent temporal vortex attacks, clock frequency steering, among others and propose mitigation techniques and directions for further research
Friday, April 12th
5:40-6:40 pm
Albany room
Comparison of quantum computer algorithms for mitigation of DoS attacks
Evan Spillane*, 3rd year undergraduate student at Marist College in the Marist-IBM Joint Study
Casimer DeCusatis, Associate Professor at Marist College
We explore the use of Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) and Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) for graph partitioning in cybersecurity, specifically in segregating networks during cyberattacks. By analyzing cyberattack data from honeynets and applying QAOA and VQE for Max-Cut equations on the IBM Q System One, we aim to isolate network nodes targeted by DoS and DDoS attacks. Our study shows QAOA outperforms VQE in accuracy and speed, achieving a 98% success rate in differentiating DoS attack traffic from normal network activity.
5:40-6:40 pm
Friday, April 12th
Long Lake room
Improving Ethics Surrounding Collegiate-Level Hacking Education: Comprehensive Implementation Plan & Affiliation with Peer-Led Initiatives
Shannon O. Morgan*, SUNY University at Albany, 4th Year Undergraduate (PRESENTER)
Dr. Sanjay Goel, SUNY University at Albany, Information Security & Digital Forensics Department Chair Virtual Institute of Cyber Operations and Research (VICOR)
To meet the demand for cybersecurity professionals in the workforce, universities have increased their offerings of cyber-related programs to train cyber students both technically and theoretically to actively combat cyber criminals. However, the technical instruction of students brings to light the ethical concern regarding hacking education, as an educator could be teaching a future black hat hacker and cyber professional at the same time. Consequently, the purpose of this research is to utilize meta-synthesis to examine the implementation of hacking as a learning tool within the college education system from an ethical standpoint. The culmination of this research study provides a five-step comprehensive implementation plan that establishes guidelines for hacking-related training on both the departmental and college-wide levels.
Friday, April 12th
5:40-6:40 pm
Long Lake room
Learning on the Edge with AI Partnerships (LEAPs): Empowering Students to Advance Knowledge Frontiers with AI
Muskaan Shaikh*, 2nd Year Graduate Student, University at Albany
Forum Dipen Shah*, 2nd Year Graduate Student, University at Albany
Discover an innovative AI-partner system, designed for seamless integration with prevalent Learning Management Systems (LMS) and GenAI interfaces. Powered by Common Agent Request Broker Architecture., our multidimensional agent facilitates smooth tool exchange and utilization among diverse LMS, offering adaptability and extensive customization for student and teacher requirements. Witness the successful incorporation of ChatGPT within Knowledge Forum - an established virtual collaborative learning space—and Google Classroom, demonstrating its operational efficacy and interoperability.
Saturday, April 13th
11:30– 12:30 pm
Lake George South room
Successfully navigating career challenges
Jayapreetha Natesan, Senior Manager, zSystem Performance, IBM
Throughout history, women have faced unique challenges in their chosen career trajectories. These challenges have become more pronounced by the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of technology-driven workplaces. This necessitates one to constantly assess the risks vs rewards in maintaining a healthy and successful work-life balance. This talk will delve into these challenges and provide actionable insights for women seeking to excel in technical and computing roles. Attendees will leave the session armed with strategies and inspiration to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and confidently forge successful careers.
Saturday, April 13th
11:30– 12:30 pm
Long Lake room
Detect & Adapt: A Resiliency Enhancement Mechanism for Space Computing Platforms
Sandhya Aneja, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Marist College