Workshops

For more details, please visit the workshop website: sites.google.com/utexas.edu/ieebsn-waire

Location:

State Room, DoubleTree

Overview:

The potential of energy harvesting and batteryless sensing promises a future where IoT devices will become sustainable, long-lasting, and maintenance free. Given the significant challenges involved with building and programming such devices, it is reasonable to question whether energy harvesting based IoT can replace existing wearables (fitness trackers, smartwatches, or medical devices), while providing a reliable user experience. Hence, an important question arises: “What role can energy harvesting based sensing play in the age of AI and deep learning?” While energy harvesting based sensors can unlock new applications in wearables and personalized data analytics, the path towards integrating them into the modern deep learning landscape requires substantial intellectual innovation. This workshop aims to bridge multiple perspectives in wearable sensing and data analytics in the modern age of AI.

Workshop Schedule:

2:00 – 2:10 | Introduction

2:10 – 2:30

Keynote #1: AI and Algorithms

Radu Marculescu

Professor and Laura Jennings Turner Chair in Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin

2:30 – 2:50

Invited Talk: Integrated Circuits and Systems for Biomedical Devices

Yaoyao Jia

Assistant Professor, Fellow of Silicon Laboratories Endowed Chair in Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin

2:50 – 3:10 |Break

3:10 – 3:30:

Keynote #2: TinyML and Hardware

Hiroki Matsutani

Professor of Computer Science, Keio University

3:30 – 3:45

Student Talk: Enabling Pervasive Intelligence at the Extreme Edge

Rohit Sahu

PhD Candidate, Iowa State University

3:45 – 4:30

Panel: “Challenges of Integrating AI with Energy Harvesting-Based Sensors for Wearable Health Applications”

Panelists:

Nanshu Lu

Cullen Trust for Higher Education Endowed Professorship in Engineering, Frank and Kay Reese Endowed Professorship in Engineering, University of Texas at Austin

Nivedita Arora

Allen K. and Johnnie Cordell Breed Junior Professor of Design, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Northwestern University

Arman Roohi

Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Ilinois Chicago

Yaoyao Jia

Fellow of Silicon Laboratories Endowed Chair in Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin

4:30 – 4:35 | Closing Remarks

Call for extended abstracts (presented as 10 minute “flash talks”)

For details on submitting, visit https://sites.google.com/utexas.edu/ieebsn-waire

Organizers:

Geffen Cooper

PhD student, University of Texas Austin

geffen@utexas.edu

Ganapati Bhat

Raymond and Beverly Lorenz Distinguished Assistant Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Washington State University

 ganapati.bhat@wsu.edu

Location:

Lasalle Ballroom 1, DoubleTree

Overview:

This workshop will explore the latest advancements in Body Sensor Networks (BSN) augmented with Machine Learning (ML) technologies, with a focus on healthcare and biomedical applications. It aims to highlight cutting-edge research and future directions in sensor development and system-level integration, along with ML-enhanced data handling and device control. The workshop will cover the following main topics:

• Device Development and Control: This segment will explore the advancement of skin-interfaced electronics, including mechano-acoustic sensors and haptic systems, that mimic human skin functions. It will discuss improvements in device control accuracy and data processing efficiency facilitated by ML applications.
• Biomechanics and Bioelectronics: Focusing on the complex interactions between device mechanics and skin biomechanics, this topic will cover the challenges and recent breakthroughs in integrating flexible electronics with human skin. Research on analytical, computational, and experimental approaches in biomechanics to better understand these interactions will be highlighted.
• Translation to Clinical Practice: The translation of BSN technologies into clinical settings will be discussed. It will include case studies and current examples of how these technologies are being used in disease diagnosis, treatment, and robotic prostheses, emphasizing the role of ML in enhancing clinical outcomes.

Workshop Schedule:

2:00 – 5:00 pm | Workshop Events

Workshop Events:

Session 1: Brief introduction to the Workshop theme

Hyoyoung Jeong

Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California Davis

Session 2 Talks: ML-enhanced sensor development and system integration

Speaker 1: Jae-Young Yoo

Assistant Professor, Department of Semiconductor Convergence Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea

Speaker 2: Hee-Sup Shin

Assistant Professor, Division of Energy, Matter and Systems, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO

Session 3 Talks: ML-enhanced theoretical mechanics for bioelectronics

Speaker 3: Raudel Avila

Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX

Speaker 4: Jin Tae Jimmy Kim

Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea

Session 4 Talk: Translation to clinical practice, focusing on ML-reinforced biopotential classification and diagnosis.

Speaker 5: Andreas Tzavelis

M.D./Ph.D Candidate, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

Session 5: Closing remarks

Jin Tae Jimmy Kim

Organizer

Hyoyoung Jeong

ecejeong@ucdavis.edu

Location:

Lasalle Ballroom 2, DoubleTree

Overview:

We will focus our discussion on new applications and opportunities of wearable technology and soft actuators to patients relying on assistive care. Individuals in need of assistive care include elderly and handicapped people, patients in need of close medical monitoring, and mental health. Wearable technology and smart materials can promote functional capabilities to their needs, improving their quality of life. The application of on body sensors for assistive care brings new insights and advancement to the field while promoting inclusiveness, fairness, and equality for under-represented and under-served communities in digital health technologies and studies.

In this workshop experts will present the possible applications of wearable devices and soft robotic technology for assistive care, including (i) biosensors for health monitoring and early detection of diseases, (ii) bionic machines and bioelectronics for human enhancement and assistance, and (iii) machine learning for real-time feedback and big data analysis. In addition, we will discuss the main challenges and gaps for seamless integration of assistive devices and wearable technologies with further opportunities in the field.

Workshop Schedule:

2:00 – 2:10 pm

Opening Remarks

Juliane Sempionatto

Assistant Professor, James J. Truchard endowed chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University

2:10 – 2:40 pm

Implantable Systems to Monitor Chronic Disease

Andrew J. Sedlack

MD/PhD Student, Northwestern University

2:40 – 3:10 pm

Human augmenting assistive devices

Conor Walsh

Paul A. Maeder Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences, John A. Paulson Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

3:10 – 3:40 pm

Human-machine interfaces for health, accessibility, and rehabilitation

Momona Yamagami

Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University

3:40 – 3:55 pm | BREAK

3:55 – 4:25 pm

Wearable sensors as rehabilitation and assistive device

Hananeh Esmailbeigi

Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering & Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois Chicago

4:25 – 5:00 pm

Panel Discussion

Our panelists (above) will discuss how their research could be integrated into assistive devices, what are the challenges and the needs of elderly population, disabled people and patients with diseases that need close monitoring.

Panel Moderator

Juliane Sempionatto

Assistant Professor, James J. Truchard endowed chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University

5:00 – 5:05 pm

Closing Remarks

Inho Kim (Workshop Organizer)

Postdoctoral Researcher, California Institute of Technology

inhokim@caltech.edu

Juliane Sempionatto (Workshop Organizer)

Assistant Professor, James J. Truchard endowed chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University

jsemp@rice.edu

For more details, visit https://www.uncommonsenselabs.com/workshop

Location:

Stamler Conference Room, Northwestern Department of Preventive Medicine

Floor 14, 680 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL 60611

Overview:

This workshop will explore how we can more equitable devices by leveraging phantoms during iteration and validation.  When the proper considerations are made, we can better account for the variability in measurement that we expect to encounter during deployment.  Phantoms provide a means to have controlled variables in measurement and measurement conditions (i.e. adulterants, skin tone, skin thickness, BMI, environmental factors, etc.)  They also provide a platform for pushing the limits of measurement past what is safe to induce in human subjects.  We will discuss how and when it is appropriate to use phantoms, but also how to keep humans in the loop as much as possible. 

Workshop Schedule:

2:00 – 5:00 pm | Workshop Events

Workshop Events:

Introduction:

What is Equity-Driven design and the role phantoms play in equitable technologies 

Alexander Adams

Assistant Professor, School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology

Panel Discussion:

Panelists:

Matthew J Major

Associate Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University

Matthew T. Flavin

Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Mashfiqui Rabbi

Senior Principal Research Scientist, Optum AI, UnitedHealthGroup

Nabil Alshurafa

Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine,
Associate Professor of Computer Science, McCormick School of Engineering,
Northwestern University

Panel Discussion Points:

• Leveraging systematic, in-lab testing with phantoms to better design equitable solutions 
  • How are we doing this and how can it be improved?
• Balancing iteration with human trials  
  • How far can we, or should we, take it before introducing human trials?
• Remember who this is for 
  • How do we maintain focus on the people and not the product? 

Brainstorming Session:

Introduction

PuffBot: We introduce one of our phantoms and discuss how it enables testing and iteration that would not otherwise be feasible (or safe).

Rishabh Goel

PhD Student, Georgia Institute of Technology

Breakout Group Discussions

Each group will choose one of the following topics:

• Sensing and Substance use Disorder 
• Accounting for skin tone 
• Accounting for Gender in metrology  

Each group will identify one scenario and measurement in the topic. They will then identify why this would substantially benefit from phantom testing. The groups will them come up with a phantom setup that will help improve or even enable testing that would not otherwise be feasible. Each group will present their ideas, and discuss how this could enable more equitable design.

Organizer:

Alexander Adams

Assistant Professor, School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology

aadams322@gatech.edu

Full Title:

A UNIQUE APPROACH TO WRITING NIH-STYLE RESEARCH PROPOSALS: RHETORICAL PATTERNS, COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE, VERBAL FEEDBACK, COMMUNICATING WITH THE BRAINS OF REVIEWERS 

Location:

Daniel Hale Williams Auditorium, McGaw Medical Center, Northwestern University

Floor 2, 240 E Huron St, Chicago IL 60611

Overview:

Effective writing of research proposals is as complex a skill as the science they are written about. However, this complex skill is seldom taught in a way that reveals how reviewers’ brains have been conditioned to expect a precise pattern of communication. Even the best mentors often can’t explain, let along have the time to teach, this pattern. Furthermore, typical written feedback processes as proposals are developed are extraordinarily inefficient and often ineffective.

This workshop will introduce a unique approach developed over the past 20+ years to reframe the skills of proposal writing into a teaching and learning construct and its application at Northwestern University. The workshop will start with a presentation of this approach, its foundations, and internet-available tools for its application. The second part of the workshop will demonstrate how it can be applied to authentic NIH research proposals. Although designed around NIH-format proposals, the principles can be applied to any proposal which requires high-precision communication so that the importance and approach can be easily seen by a reader.

Target Audience:

Early career scientists from graduate students to faculty 

Workshop Schedule:

2:00 – 5:00 pm | Workshop Events

Speakers:

Rick McGee

Associate Dean for Faculty Recruitment and Professional Development, Professor of Medical Education, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

Sunghoon Ivan Lee

Manning Faculty Fellow, Associate Professor of Information and Computer Sciences, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Organizer:

Rick McGee

Associate Dean for Faculty Recruitment and Professional Development, Professor of Medical Education, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

r-mcgee@northwestern.edu