Graduate Seminar: Learning After Graduation

Abstract

Education in school marks the beginning, but what unfolds after graduation shapes the trajectory of success. Post-graduation, the most successful individuals are those committed to continual learning and adaptability. This is particularly relevant in the realms of science and technology, where rapid change and constant innovation define the landscape, demanding a keen spirit of flexibility and a strong emphasis on collaboration. "Learning after Graduation" delves into this transformative journey, employing specific technical examples to highlight the importance of adaptability and collaboration in problem-solving. Drawing from personal experience, the talk provides pragmatic career advice, offering a balanced approach to thriving in the dynamic post-graduation landscape.

Biography of Speaker

Robert Mateescu is a Senior Principal Researcher at Western Digital and an Adjunct Faculty in Computer Science at San Francisco State University, where he is currently teaching Deep Learning. He is pursuing research in artificial intelligence and machine learning, algorithm design, information theory and distributed systems. He received the B.Sc. in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Bucharest, Romania, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Information and Computer Science from the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Mateescu has extensive academic and industrial research experience, including a postdoc at Caltech, working at Microsoft Research in Cambridge, UK, working in the Research Lab of Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, and in the Research Lab of Western Digital and SanDisk. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, has published over 40 papers and holds 38 US patents. His papers were recognized in journals and conferences, including winning the 2009 IEEE Communications Society best paper award in Signal Processing and Coding for Data Storage, the 2016 IEEE International Conference on Communications best paper award, the 2016-2017 IEEE Data Storage best student paper award, and the 2020 Persistent Impact Prize in the Non-Volatile Memories Workshop. Beyond his professional endeavors, Robert is passionate about the game of Go, has studied as an apprentice professional Go player in Japan, and held the title of European Go Champion.