Topics: High Performance Computing in Protein Structure Prediction
Developing an iPad game for teaching calculus
10:30am (PST)/ 12:30PM (CST)/ 1:30PM (EST)
To register, please visit https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDR0U3h3YWI3OGVGTDlTT0l0RDZBanc6MQ#gid=0.
This webinar series highlights the exciting research of students within our community and how HPC is used to aid their research efforts. In addition, the sessions will provide a forum for fellow students to discuss similar research efforts and ask questions about the graduate school experience.
Featured Speakers:
Manuel Zubieta, University of New Orleans
J.D. DeVaughn-Brown, UMass Amherst.
Manuel Zubieta : High Performance Computing in Protein Structure Prediction
Certain classes of computational problems are so complex (NP-hard, NP-complete) as to be unsolvable using deterministic algorithms. The protein structure prediction problem has been shown to be NP-hard, and is often approached using stochastic processes such as the Metropolis Monte-Carlo method. This algorithm belongs to a class of algorithms that is considered to be embarrassingly parallel, which lends itself to high performance computing (HPC). I will present an introduction to the protein folding problem, followed with an overview of how HPC is used to tackle it.
J.D. DeVaughn-Brown: Developing an iPad game for teaching calculus
We are developing an iPad game called Qalc Quests. In this game students learn to apply elements of calculus, use critical thinking, and use effective collaboration to complete quests. As the student plays the game, the system gathers information about the student's knowledge base and is able to provide appropriate help and present appropriate quests that challenge the student. Currently there is no intelligent tutoring system to push our brightest students beyond the standardized tests on which too much emphasis is placed. With our system we hope to make calculus a more accessible subject and to push the brightest students to their full potential.
About the Speakers:
J.D. DeVaughn-Brown is a first year MS/PhD student in the Computer Science Department at UMass Amherst. He is a member of the Center For Knowledge Communication advised by Beverly Woolf. He received his B.S. in Computer Science from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. He is interested in developing intelligent tutoring systems targeted towards our gifted youth and in ways to help current and aspiring teachers utilize technology effectively in the classroom.
Manuel Zubieta is a Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Doctoral Scholar and a student at the University of New Orleans in the Doctorate in Engineering and Applied Sciences (DENAS) program. Manuel has a double bachelors in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of New Orleans. Manuel has twice been selected as an XSEDE Scholar. Manuel is studying under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Summa.
