Speaker:

Mark A. Tschopp, PhD, Research Scientist, Army Research Laboratory

Title:

From Padawan to Jedi Master: Machine Learning with a Star Wars Twist

Abstract:

Machine learning has become an increasingly important tool in various fields, but it can be challenging to learn for those without a technical background in machine learning, mathematics, and computing. In this talk, I will share my experiences in learning about the math, concepts, and applications of machine learning and then in creating a “Machine Learning for Everyone: May the Course Be with You” short course that uses Star Wars and other pop culture references, as well as implementation in Excel, to make the material more relatable and engaging. We'll explore how this course was framed with these references and tools to simplify complex concepts, enhance retention, and create a fun and memorable learning experience. I'll also share tips and best practices for designing and delivering effective machine learning courses that cater to a wide audience. What started as an idea about a short seminar on a few important machine learning topics that I felt everyone should know about has grown into a 2-day short course that has attracted over 2000 people from around the world. Whether you're a seasoned data scientist or a beginner, and whether you are a Star Wars fan or have never seen it, this talk will be a fun excursion into some of the basics of machine learning and the journey of turning that crazy idea into a successful outcome that is out of this world!

Speaker Bio:

Mark Tschopp is a research scientist at the Army Research Laboratory, currently on sabbatical in 2023 collaborating with several organizations in the greater Chicago area. He has a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and a B.S./M.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology. Mark's research interests are at the intersection of computer science, engineering, social science, and business. His past research focus was on the realm of accelerated materials design, combining material microstructure, modeling and simulation, data science, machine learning, and design optimization. He has published over 180 papers in journals, conference proceedings, and technical reports, with more than 6,000 citations for 100+ peer-reviewed journal papers in materials science, mechanics, computational science, and design.

Location:

In person: Chambers Hall, 600 Foster Street, Lower Level
Remote option: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/93442615181
Passcode: NICO23

About the Speaker Series:

Wednesdays@NICO is a vibrant weekly seminar series focusing broadly on the topics of complex systems and data science. It brings together attendees ranging from graduate students to senior faculty who span all of the schools across Northwestern, from applied math to sociology to biology and every discipline in-between. Please visit: https://bit.ly/WedatNICO for information on future speakers.

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