7/10/2024
Meet Dr. Jiang Guo from the DHS Summer Research Team Program
Q&A
Meet Dr. Jiang Guo
California State University computer science professor Dr. Jiang Guo is focusing on using machine learning technologies that enhance transportation resilience, specifically in facilitating mass evacuations during major disasters. Their team is conducting this research as part of the Department of Homeland Security's Summer Research Team Program. They are working with CIRI, a DHS Center of Excellence housed within UIUC.
Interviewed by Chanel Fraction
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Summer Research Team Program gives him a chance to delve deeper into DHS-related research, broadening his ability to apply his expertise in data science and machine learning to address DHS-related challenges.
Dr. Guo is pleased to be working with CIRI researcher, Dr. Bistra Dilkina, at the University of Southern California on the project who he says has provided insightful suggestions and recommendations which have improved his approach to the research.
Dr. Guo states that this opportunity inspires him and historically under-represented students to participate in DHS-related research and encourages minority students to pursue data science and artificial intelligence-related careers in DHS.
Where are you from and what are you currently researching at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
I am from Los Angeles, California. I am a Professor of Computer Science at California State University-Los Angeles. My research at University of Illinois focuses on using machine learning technologies to enhance transportation resilience, particularly in facilitating mass evacuations during major disasters.
What attracted you to apply for the Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions?
The SRT Program provides us an opportunity to delve deeper into DHS-related research, broadening our capacity in data science and machine learning within DHS-related domains. Through this program, we can explore and implement cutting-edge technologies in these areas.
Our diverse and intense academic and professional experiences enable us to make substantial contributions to DHS initiatives.
Describe how your experience has been thus far conducting research with CIRI at UIUC.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the strong support of CIRI Executive Director Randall Sandone, our mentor Dr. Bistra Dilkina, and the entire staff at CIRI. Their tremendous effort in providing guidance and discussing the details of our project is deeply valued and appreciated. Their insightful suggestions and comments are very useful and helpful.
How will or has this opportunity impacted your professional growth?
This project will inspire me and our historically under-represented students to participate in DHS related research and encourage our minority students to pursue data science and artificial intelligence related careers in DHS.