University Scholar Series | Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library

Fall 2024 University Scholar Series

Hosted by the Office of the Provost in partnership with the SJSU King Library, this series provides a unique opportunity to showcase the important research and scholarly activities of SJSU faculty members.

Stay tuned for next semester's University Scholar Series!

Bridging Sociotechnical Divides: Trustworthy AI for Community Well-Being and Fair Decision-Making

Presented by Souvick Ghosh, School of Information

The tremendous potential of AI to improve community well-being is hindered by the potential harm AI-based systems can cause. In this presentation, Dr. Ghosh will present his ongoing projects on automated decision-making and conversational chatbots. He will also discuss his upcoming work on trustworthy AI, and how they can improve the lives of marginalized communities by addressing biases and promoting equitable access to information. Dr. Ghosh is also heavily invested in AI education and outreach, which demystifies technology and empower communities with the tools to harness its potential responsibly. He will discuss some of his latest efforts in educating library and information (LIS) professionals about the latest AI developments and their ethical application in libraries.

Dr. Souvick Ghosh, an assistant professor at the School of Information at San José State University, is an information and computer scientist whose research on human-centered AI aligns with the current shift in AI research towards more user-focused, ethical, and responsible systems. Dr. Ghosh is interested in the ethical application of AI and its conversational capabilities within complex sociotechnical systems. Particularly, his focus is to improve the lives of marginalized communities through the application of trustworthy AI. In recent years, he received several extramural and SJSU grants, and his goal is to create a Responsible Computing Center at SJSU, for AI research, education, and outreach. The efforts of Dr. Ghosh and his colleagues were mentioned in the White House fact sheet.

The Hole Problem: Understanding How a Pore-Forming Toxin Promotes Respiratory Disease

Presented by Walter Adams, Department of Biological Sciences

The bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae causes over 150,000 hospitalizations annually in the U.S., with a mortality rate of 5-7%, making the disease both a significant health and financial burden. During infection, S. pneumoniae enters the human airways, damages lung cells, and causes severe diseases including pneumonia, heart complications, and brain inflammation, all of which can lead to death. The Adams Lab studies how to prevent S. pneumoniae from causing severe disease in humans. Recent work with students in the lab has identified factors that drive this disease and revealed exciting opportunities to pursue therapies for many respiratory infections.

Walter Adams is an associate professor of Biological Sciences at San José State University. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and conducted his postdoctoral research as an NIH IRACDA Scholar at Tufts University. His lab fosters a diverse and inclusive community that prioritizes student-centered research experiences. Their research focuses on understanding the epic microbial battle between white blood cells and bacteria during respiratory infections. He founded the Biology Department’s Innovating, Diversity, Access, and Equity (IDEA) Committee and serves on the College of Science Anti-Racism committee to promote student success and increase diversity across the sciences.

Questions?

Email Project and Communication Manager Lesley Seacrist at lesley.seacrist@sjsu.edu.

SJSU students, faculty, and staff, as well as community members, are invited to attend.

Co-Sponsored By: