News

2023

New DSI Open Spatial Lab brings expertise to social impact organizations

January 17, 2023

Purple markers overtop an aerial map of downtown Chicago

The Open Spatial Lab (OSL), a collaboration of the Data Science Institute and the Center for Spatial Data Science, is a new hub for the tools and partnerships essential for maximizing the potential of spatial data science.


ML bias & ethics researcher Kristian Lum joins Data Science Institute

January 13, 2023

Kristian Lum

Kristian Lum has joined the DSI as a research associate professor after time at Twitter, the Human Rights Data Analysis Group, and in academia examining fairness, accountability and transparency in machine learning and its applications.


High school students find their place in computing through wearables workshop

January 13, 2023

Pedro Lopes stands with high school students holding wearable computer devices they made in his workshop

Sixteen high school students expanded their view of what computer science is by participating in a “Make Your Own Wearables From Scratch” workshop hosted by the University of Chicago.


Robert Rosner, 2023 APS President, takes the helm

January 13, 2023

Robert Rosner

An interview with theoretical physicist Prof. Robert Rosner as he becomes the American Physical Society President in 2023.


Chemist John Anderson comments as substance from chemical plant fire rains down

January 12, 2023

A firetruck extinguishes a fire at a La Salle chemical plant Jan 2023

Chemist and Assoc. Prof. John Anderson comments on the dangerous, reactive residue residents of La Salle are encountering after a chemical plant burned down.


Asst. Prof. Sarah Sebo presents robot-human interaction research to Northwestern

January 10, 2023

people listening to an academic talk

Asst. Prof. Sarah Sebo, Dept. of Computer Science, presented her research on human and robot interactions and their effect on emotions at Northwestern University.


Meet astronomy and astrophysics student, Mandy Chen

January 5, 2023

Mandy Chen

Mandy Chen was born and raised in Guizhou Province, Southwest China. Before coming to UChicago she was studying at the University of Hong Kong, where she got bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics and astronomy. This is her fifth year as a PhD student in astronomy and astrophysics. Her research focuses on observations of the diffuse circumgalactic medium—the outermost envelopes of galaxies.


Carry the Two podcast: Mike Menzel, lead systems engineer for JWST

January 5, 2023

Carry The Two podcast logo, pink and black segments mirroring each other

In this episode of Carry the Two, we hear from NASA lead systems engineer, Mike Menzel, all about designing and testing the solar shield for JWST.


UChicago launches Polsky Deep Tech Ventures to support startups bringing science, tech to market

January 5, 2023

Illustration of computer chips, quantum devices, and binary code

UChicago unveiled Polsky Deep Tech Ventures, a new $20m initiative offering accelerators, entrepreneurial training, and funding dedicated to supporting startups that bring world-changing science and technology to market.


Quantum leaders discuss past, present, future of quantum technology at Chicago Quantum Summit

January 5, 2023

Attendees at the 2022 Chicago Quantum Summit

The fifth annual Chicago Quantum Summit brought together over 220 members of the quantum information science and technology community from across the nation and around the world. Read the recap.


Asst. Prof. Robert Rand receives Air Force Young Investigator Grant

January 4, 2023

Robert Rand

Asst. Prof. Robert Rand of computer science received a $450,000 early career grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Research Program. The grant will fund his research on the formal verification of the ZX-calculus, a graphical system for representing quantum programs.


PIT-UN grant supports DSI Community Data Fellows Program

January 4, 2023

Students discuss the potential of data science with community organizations at the annual Scope-a-thon event hosted by UChicago’s South Side Civic student group.

UChicago has received a grant from the Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) to create the Community Data Fellows program, which pairs local, community-based nonprofit organizations with UChicago graduate students (Fellows) who possess skills in technology and policy analysis.


New mBio Data Portal brings transparency to genetically modified crops in Africa

January 4, 2023

“Ajala evaluating maize plants in maize experimental plot”

A collaboration between the University of Chicago, University of San Francisco, and University of Cambridge gathers and analyzes data on the funding, location, and research status for more than 230 GMO crop varieties in Africa.


PSD recognized among 2022 UChicago historic highlights

January 3, 2023

A snowy statue of Rockefeller overlooks an aerial view of UChicago campus

PSD news and honors were among the University of Chicago’s historic 2022 highlights. Read more about Eugene Parker (1927-2022), addressing digital disparities, expanding the Chicago quantum network, and the first inaugural South Side Science Festival.


Guangbin Dong named Weldon G. Brown Professor in the Dept. of Chemistry and the College

January 3, 2023

Guangbin Dong

Guangbin Dong has been named the first Weldon G. Brown Professor in the Department of Chemistry and the College.