doctoral dissertation synonyms

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• dissertation

a written essay, treatise, or thesis, especially one written by a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

any formal discourse in speech or writing.

Origin of dissertation

Other words from dissertation.

• dis·ser·ta·tion·al, adjective
• dis·ser·ta·tion·ist, noun

Words that may be confused with dissertation

• dissertation , thesis

Words Nearby dissertation

• dissenting opinion
• dissentious
• dissepiment

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use dissertation in a sentence

Thirteen years ago, while working on her PHD dissertation in Madagascar’s Masoala Peninsula, Borgerson encountered a problem.

At Harvard, he received a PhD in government and wrote his dissertation under Henry Kissinger, who became a lifelong friend.

I planned to go back to physics after a couple of years and then return to wrap up my dissertation .

My buba’s lived experience helped shape me into the girl who wrote her college dissertation on the gender pay gap, arguing for equal parental leave for dads and moms, almost 20 years before any major employer implemented any such thing.

My PhD dissertation was a highly theoretical model representing computer systems that were framed as a mathematical model, and if they were interconnected in such a way that these interconnected computers would communicate like cells in the body.

A terrific cultural studies dissertation awaits on how the fortunes of the Cheneys provide a mirror on a changing America.

Today, he visits online forums and bombards them with dissertation -length comments.

In her dissertation , McFate had asked whether ‘good anthropology’ might lead to ‘better killing.’

Heritage has distanced itself from Richwine and his dissertation .

No single dissertation will alter the status quo on its own.

I've never had time to write home about it, for I felt that it required a dissertation in itself to do it justice.

Dr. Pitcairn, published at Leyden his dissertation on the circulation of the blood through the veins.

Start not, reader, I am not going to trouble you with a poetical dissertation ; no, no!

dissertation sur les Assassins, Académie des Inscriptions, tom.

This dissertation , which is illustrated by several plates, will repay for the time spent in reading it.

British Dictionary definitions for dissertation

/ ( ˌdɪsəˈteɪʃən ) /

a written thesis, often based on original research, usually required for a higher degree

a formal discourse

Derived forms of dissertation

• dissertational , adjective
• dissertationist , noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Definition of dissertation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• dissertation
• He wrote his Master's dissertation on rats.
• Students can either do a dissertation or take part in a practical project.
• hall of residence
• Candidates are required to present a dissertation of between 8 000 and 12 000 words.
• She is writing her dissertation on the history of the Knights Templar.
• dissertation on

Want to learn more?

Find out which words work together and produce more natural-sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

It can be easy to fall into a pattern of overusing the same words or sentence constructions, which can make your work monotonous and repetitive for your readers. Consider utilizing some of the alternative constructions presented below.

Example 1: Passive construction

The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise.

Example 2: IS-AV construction

You can also present your information using the “IS-AV” (inanimate subject with an active verb ) construction.

A chapter is an inanimate object, so it is not capable of taking an action itself (e.g., presenting or discussing). However, the meaning of the sentence is still easily understandable, so the IS-AV construction can be a good way to add variety to your text.

Example 3: The “I” construction

Another option is to use the “I” construction, which is often recommended by style manuals (e.g., APA Style and Chicago style ). However, depending on your field of study, this construction is not always considered professional or academic. Ask your supervisor if you’re not sure.

Example 4: Mix-and-match

To truly make the most of these options, consider mixing and matching the passive voice , IS-AV construction , and “I” construction .This can help the flow of your argument and improve the readability of your text.

As you draft the chapter outline, you may also find yourself frequently repeating the same words, such as “discuss,” “present,” “prove,” or “show.” Consider branching out to add richness and nuance to your writing. Here are some examples of synonyms you can use.

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When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .

The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

George, T. (2023, November 21). Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved April 15, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/dissertation-thesis-outline/

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dissertation

Definition of dissertation

Examples of dissertation in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dissertation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1651, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near dissertation

dissertative

Cite this Entry

“Dissertation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissertation. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of dissertation, more from merriam-webster on dissertation.

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dissertation

Nglish: Translation of dissertation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of dissertation for Arabic Speakers

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What is another word for doctoral ?

Synonyms for doctoral -ˈtɔr i əl, -ˈtoʊr- doc·tor·al, this thesaurus page includes all potential synonyms, words with the same meaning and similar terms for the word doctoral ., princeton's wordnet rate this synonym: 0.0 / 0 votes.

doctoral, doctorial adjective

of or relating to a doctor or doctorate

"doctoral dissertation"; "doctorial candidates"

Synonyms: doctorial

PPDB, the paraphrase database Rate these paraphrases: 0.0 / 0 votes

List of paraphrases for "doctoral":

phd , ph.d. , doctorate , ph.d , doctorat , dr , postgraduate

How to pronounce doctoral?

How to say doctoral in sign language, words popularity by usage frequency, how to use doctoral in a sentence.

Mayim Bialik :

I got my undergrad degree in neuroscience and Hebrew and Jewish studies, and then I went on to a doctoral program.

Dean Acheson :

The task of a public officer seeking to explain and gain support for a major policy is not that of the writer of a doctoral thesis, qualification must give way to simplicity of statement, nicety and nuance to bluntness, almost brutality, in carrying home a point.

Gerald McSwiggan :

The English department faculty saw a need for additional scholarship in Black studies, and decided to focus doctoral admissions this year on prospective PhD students with an interest in working in and with Black Studies, as with other departments in the University, the departments faculty will decide which areas of scholarship they wish to focus on for PhD admissions in future years.

Heather Kugelmass :

This study identified racial and class-based disparities in access, but could not evaluate potential solutions, also, it’s important to caution that this study investigated only doctoral-level psychotherapists in New York City who were sole practitioners; therefore, recommendations based on this research might not be generalizable.

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University of South Florida

School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies

College of Arts and Sciences

Main Navigation

Graduate programs, ma in political science.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION. BE BACK SOON!

How To Apply

The university's application for admission is available online . 

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester: Domestic - Spring Semester: Domestic -  No summer admissions

Admission Requirements

Must meet University Requirements , as well as the requirements listed below: 

• Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
• GRE/ TOEFL scores
• Three (3) letters of recommendation, preferably by academics
• A 500 word personal statement
• Official transcripts
• Minimum GPA of 3.00
• Must have an undergraduate background in political science

International students:

Transcripts/documents that are issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a literal English translation. In addition, transfer applicants who completed any postsecondary work (college or university) at an institution not in the U.S. are required to submit an evaluation of that academic work. The evaluation must include a course-by-course assessment, with grades or marks and credits or hours equated to the U.S. system. Click here for a list of evaluation services.

Curriculum Requirements

During the first semester in the program, each student must develop a plan of study in consultation with the Graduate Director. Thereafter, students consult with the Graduate Director who provides technical and procedural advising as well as substantive advice. However, students are also encouraged to discuss their research interests with individual members of the faculty. An orientation session for new and continuing students is provided at the beginning of the academic year. In addition, monthly professional workshops discuss topics of interest to graduate students.

Total Minimum Hours: 36 credit hours Common Core – 12 credit hours Major Field or Concentration 9 credit hours Electives – 9 credit hours minimum Thesis/Non-Thesis – 6 credit hours

For instructional purposes, the graduate curriculum in Political Science has been divided into four fields: Field 1 Comparative Politics (courses with a CPO prefix) Field 2 International Relations (courses with an INR prefix) Field 3 American Government (Courses with a PUP, POS, or URP prefix) Field 4 Political Theory (courses with a POT prefix)

Common Core Courses -12 credit hours POS 6735 Foundations of Political Inquiry (3)

Disciplinary Seminar Requirements - Select two: POS 6045 Seminar in American Government (3) POT 6007 Seminar in Political Theory (3) INR 6007 Seminar in International Relations (3) CPO 6091 Seminar in Comparative Politics (3)

Required Research Methods Sequence - Select one: POS 6746 Quantitative Analysis I (3) POS 6707 Qualitative Analysis (3)

Students may either choose a Major Field of study, or the concentration in Africana Studies. Major field - 9 credit hours

In addition to the core course in major area, three additional courses in the core area are chosen from American Government, Political Theory, International Relations, or Comparative Politics.

Concentration in Africana Studies - 9 credit hours AFA 6932: Topics in Africana Studies (3) AFA 6120: Social Theory and Social Thought (3) AFA 6108: Social Construction of Race and Racism (3)

Electives - 9 credit hours minimum. Electives include, but are not limited to: AFA 6207: African American Historiography AFA 6805: African Historiography AFA 6355: African American Community Research AFA 6387: Seminar on Genocide and Human Rights AFA 6932: Special Topics AFA 6905: Independent Study AFA 6910: Directed Research CPO 5934: Selected Topics in Comparative Politics (3) POS 6933: Selected Topics in Political Science (3)

Electives have to be approved by the Graduate Director. Other graduate courses may also be taken as electives, with approval by the Graduate Director.

Thesis/Non Thesis - 6 hours minimum Thesis POS 6971 6 Thesis: Master’s AFA 6971 6 Thesis: Master’s

Students must enroll in either POS 6971 or AFA 6971 (Africana Studies Concentration students) Thesis: Master’s for a minimum of 6 credit hours. In their thesis, students must provide new insight into a relevant topic in political science or international studies. As students approach the thesis stage, they need to compose a thesis committee consisting of a major professor, who must be a member of the Department of Government and International Affairs, and two readers. One of the two readers can be from another department, but that person must first be approved by the Graduate Director. The thesis committee must approve proposals before students embark on their projects. Students must prepare a written thesis and defend their work in a formal oral presentation before their committee.

Non-Thesis: Elective 3 Structured course approved by the Graduate Director and one of the following: POS 6909 3 Independent Study (for students in a major field) AFA 6905 3 Independent Study (for students in the Africana Studies Concentration)

Students who choose a non-thesis option will be required to complete an additional 6 hours of course work at the 6000 level. The student is required to demonstrate competency by successfully completing a substantial literature review of approximately 50 pages in his or her major field, or in the Africana Studies Concentration.

Comprehensive Examination For students in the thesis option, successful completion of the Thesis serves in lieu of the Comprehensive Exam. For students in the non-thesis option, the extensive literature review determines competency and serves as the equivalent of a comprehensive examination.

Students may take a maximum of 3 credit hours of Independent Study (POS 6909) and 3 credit hours of Directed Research (POS 6919)

For the full requirements, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies Graduate Catalog. 

Forms and information

General Information Course Offerings (Please verify the requirements based on the catalog from the year you were admitted) Research Proposal Example SIGS Graduate Resources   MA in Political Science Tracking Sheet   MA in Political Science/Africana Studies Concentration Tracking Sheet Independent Study/Directed Research Contract Graduate Catalog Listing Office of Graduate Studies Forms Plagiarism Information (Office of Graduate Studies) Thesis and Literature Review Forms Thesis, Dissertation, and Proposal Guidelines and Tips MA Thesis Checklist Graduate Student Supervisory Committee Appointment Form Request to Schedule Thesis Defense Form Certificate of Approval Form for Thesis & Dissertation Doing a Literature Review General Guidelines for the Literature Review (MA Student Non-Thesis Option)

Graduate School Summer Funding Competition Awards Announced

Seventy-one scholars are the recipients of dissertation and pre-dissertation fellowship awards through The Graduate School’s Summer Funding Competition . The $4,500 awards are given annually to a select group of outstanding doctoral students to support progress to degree and dissertation completion. The awards are part of an expansion of funding and benefits programs announced by the Office of the Provost last spring.   

This year’s awards provide funding for summer research and writing to students in 43 different programs.   

  Dissertation fellowships were awarded to: 

• Carlos Ramirez Arenas, religion   
• Emily Beauparlant, social psychology   
• Chelsea Bouldin, cultural foundations of education   
• John Brigham, earth sciences     
• Semaj Campbell-Blakes, history   
• Stephen Caviness, teaching and curriculum   
• Ahmet Celik, religion   
• Shreyas Aralumallige Chandregowda, civil engineering   
• Sicong Chen, computer engineering and information science    
• Joseph Colbert, biology   
• Nicholas Croce, social science   
• Amber Ford, chemistry   
• Lerie Gabriel, composition and cultural rhetoric   
• Nicole Yeannine Moller Gonzalez, geography   
• Xiaoxia Huang, political science   
• Jianqing Jia, mathematics   
• Linghua Jiang, human development and family science   
• Kelly Kearns, counseling and counselor education   
• Marie Kramer, mathematics   
• Qingyang Liu, human development and family science   
• Yang Liu, instructional design, development and evaluation    
• Michael McCall, political science   
• Catherine Montgomery, clinical psychology   
• Katherine Mott, sociology   
• Zakery Munoz, composition and cultural rhetoric   
• Brian Odiwuor, mathematics education   
• David Okanlawon, anthropology   
• Felipe Oliveira, philosophy   
• Madeline Olley, English   
• Zhijuan Niu, instructional design, development and evaluation    
• Jared Rosenberg, exercise science   
• Sarah Souders, public administration   
• Sarah Stegeman, history   
• Nimisha Thakur, anthropology   
• Sidney Turner, composition and cultural rhetoric   
• Renci Xie, Doctor of Juridical Science    
• Dong Zheng, civil engineering   

 Pre-Dissertation fellowships were awarded to:  

• Aleyna Akyuz, physics   
• Md Mahbubul Alam, chemistry   
• Karisa Bridgelal, composition and cultural rhetoric   
• Fatma Celik, religion Amanda Kingston, cultural foundations of education   
• Nelson Donkor, chemical engineering   
• Luanxin Gao, economics   
• Si Gao, counseling and counselor education   
• Falak Hadi, political science   
• Antonia Hamilton, clinical psychology   
• Sadam Hussain, anthropology   
• Geoffrey Huyck, composition and cultural rhetoric   
• Joanne Kim, public administration   
• Amanda Kingston, cultural foundations of education   
• Kaia Kirk, political science   
• Fasika Melese, instructional design, development and evaluation    
• Arda Oz, English   
• Eunji Park, counseling and counselor education   
• Abdul Bashir Pazhwak, social science   
• David Peters, mass communications   
• Caroline Plecki, biology   
• Vatya Raina, anthropology   
• Hannah Rembrandt, speech-language pathology   
• Karie Schmitz, mathematics   
• Soham Sinha, English   
• Ilariac Siriner, cognitive psychology   
• Paige Spencer, religion   
• Aditya Srinivasan, social science   
• Xihe Tian, counseling and counselor education   
• Nathalie Uwamahoro, electrical and computer engineering   
• Benjamin Valen, social psychology   
• Bryce Whitwam, mass communications   
• Jiahe Xing, economics   
• Zonglin Yang, earth sciences    
• Shuo Zhang, economics   

Diane Stirling

• Giving for a Common Good: Fraternities and Sororities Compete for the Inaugural Hendricks Cup Monday, April 15, 2024, By Dara Harper
• Libraries’ Read and Publish Agreement With Springer Allows Easier Open Access for Researchers Monday, April 15, 2024, By Cristina Hatem
• Maxwell’s Natalie Koch Speaks on ‘Arid Empire’ for Arizona State Library Monday, April 15, 2024, By News Staff
• For Many Graduate Students, Community-Engaged Scholarship Gives Extra Meaning to the Educational Experience Monday, April 15, 2024, By Diane Stirling
• Graduate School Marshal Takes Community-Engaged Approach to Scholarship Monday, April 15, 2024, By Diane Stirling

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Definition of 'doctoral'

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Dissertation Defense – Sean McGrath

May 6 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm.

Sean will present the dissertation entitled “Inferring Conditional Dependencies in Observational Studies: Nuisance Function Tuning and Transfer Learning”. The dissertation committee is chaired by Dr. Rajarshi Mukherjee, and includes Dr. James Robins, Dr. Brent Coull, Dr. Samuel Kou, and Dr. Rui Duan.

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Hannah Ericson Finishes First Place in UGA Three-Minute Thesis Competition

Hannah Ericson, PhD candidate in Genetics, finished first place in the annual UGA Three-Minute Thesis Competition! The exercise develops academic, presentation, and research communication skills and supports the development of students’ capacities to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience.

Master’s and doctoral students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis or dissertation topic and its significance. 3MT ® is not an exercise in trivializing or ‘dumbing-down’ research but forces students to consolidate their ideas and crystalize their research discoveries.

Currently enrolled master’s and doctoral students at the University of Georgia will be eligible to participate in 3MT ® . Graduates are not eligible. Students must present on the research that will culminate in either their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation. Previous winners of the 3MT ® competition are not eligible to participate. Hannah's first place award is $1000.

Hannah Ericson

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Seven Music Ph.D. Students Successfully Defend Dissertations

April 15, 2024.

Trinity Communications

The Duke Department of Music would like to congratulate the seven Ph.D. candidates who have successfully defended their dissertations.  Read more about the students and their dissertations below.

Minato Sakamoto

Minato's dissertation includes  Studies of Algorithmic Music Generation  – a three-movement string quartet and three piano pieces – and an essay titled “Folksong Enthusiasm in Post-Cultural Revolution China.” 

Chaired by Scott Lindroth, Minato’s dissertation committee included Stephen Jaffe, John Supko, Philip Rupprecht, and the distinguished composer Chen Yi (UMKC).

  Huijuan (Susie) Ling  

Susie’s thesis comprises two artistic components:  The Poetics  for Ten Instruments, a thirty-minute ensemble work recorded in Baldwin Auditorium under the direction of Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant, the Ciompi Quartet and guest artists in March 2022, and  Rainy Days , Vol. I for Harpsichord and Electronics, which Susie herself premiered and recorded at the Nelson Music Room in December 2023. An essay entitled “An Exploration of Musical Meaning in Tan Dun’s  Water Concerto :  Expectations, Assumptions and the Problem of “Chineseness” completes the project.

The members of the Ph.D. Committee were Professors Roseen Giles, Scott Lindroth, John Supko and Edna Andrews. Stephen Jaffe served as the advisor.

Jeremy Sexton

Jeremy completed the defense for the Ph.D. in Musicology with the dissertation, “Samuel Barber as Synthesizer: An Analytical and Critical Reappraisal.” It includes interpretive readings of Barber’s First Symphony,  Capricorn Concerto,   Knoxville: Summer of 1915 , the opera  Vanessa , and the song cycle  The Lovers . – Phillip Rupprecht, Ph.D.

Serving on the committee were professors Roseen Giles, Larry Todd, and Howard Pollack (University of Houston).

Hannah Krall

Hannah defended her dissertation, entitled “The Creole of Color Clarinet Tradition and its Influence on the Creative Legacy of Duke Ellington.” Hannah’s research ranges from the early New Orleans period through the 1950s, and it includes a critique of theories of creolization, as they have been applied to jazz, as well as a feminist/intersectional reading of Ellington’s piece “A Drum is a Woman.” Thomas Brothers served as advisor for this dissertation. The dissertation committee consisted of professors Emily Wang, Philip Rupprecht and Brian Harker (BYU University). 

Ryan Harrison

Ryan successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation in Music. Ryan’s thesis consists of  Les Cenelles,  a composition for soprano, baritone and chamber orchestra, and an article “ No Turn Unstoned : Development, Deviation, and Dissolvement in the Electronic Dance Music of Luke Vibert.”

Les Cenelles  was first performed in August 2023 at Xavier University of Louisiana by the New Orleans Chamber Orchestra, Maxim Samarov conducting, with soloists Sakinah Davis, soprano and Ivan Griffin, bass-baritone.   Les Cenelles , which constitutes the major portion of Ryan’s Ph.D. thesis in composition, is based on the first anthology of poetry published by African Americans in 1845. 

Professors Nicholas Stoia, Scott Lindroth and John Supko joined Stephen Jaffe (chair) on the doctoral committee. 

Cole Swanson

Cole successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation in musicology: “Material Ends: Hauntology, Anachrony, and Traces of the Analog in Digital Cinema." 

The dissertation is organized along the following case-studies:  Arrival  (Villeneuve, 2016),  Barbie  (Gerwig, 2023),  Everything Everywhere All At Once  (Kwan & Scheinert, 2022),  Inglorious Bastards  and  Django unchained  (Tarantino, 2009, 2012),  Inside Llewyn Davis  (J. & E. Coen, 2014),  Ma Rainey's Black Bottom  (Wolfe, 2023),  Marie Antoinette  (S. Coppola, 2016),  Moonlight  (Jenkins, 2016),  The Joker  (Phillips, 2019),  The Lighthouse  (Eggers, 2018).  Cole's dissertation investigates the different modes of acoustic diversification that characterize the current Hollywood's digital era, and how such diversity is informed by an ongoing tension between the analog and the digital.

The committee members included Alessandra Campana (Tufts University), Philip Rupprecht and Nicolas Stoia.

Brooks Frederickson

Brooks successfully defended his dissertation, an album-length work called  Quilt  that mixes live instrumental recordings with digital audio and field recordings. The instrumental music was performed by visiting artists, Yarn/Wire. 

Brooks also produced a three-part podcast called  Instrumental Objects , which explores the music and working process of Matmos, the Baltimore-based experimental electronica duo. The podcast includes interviews, music analysis, and a historical outline that begins with Luigi Russolo, moves through Pierre Schaeffer and Pierre Henry, casts a sidelong glance at Object-Oriented Ontology, and finally arrives at Matmos .

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Four Ph.D. Students Honored with Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship

The University of Maryland's Graduate School has announced Department of Computer Science graduate students Nakul Garg , Shoken Kaneko ,  Mazda Moayeri and Gowthami Somepalli as recipients of the Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship , an award recognizing outstanding research contributions and academic performance by doctoral students in the later stages of their dissertation research.

The Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship is a testament to the university's commitment to fostering academic excellence and research innovation. It includes a $15,000 stipend, a candidacy tuition award and additional benefits to facilitate the completion of innovative dissertation work.

Inaugurated in 2005, the award is named in honor of Department of Geology Professor Emerita Ann G. Wylie . The fellowship underscores the importance of academic and research endeavors at the University of Maryland. It is a key component of the Graduate School's efforts to nurture doctoral candidates' academic and professional development. 

The research focuses of the awardees are:  

Garg is a Ph.D. student advised by Assistant Professor Nirupam Roy . His research focuses on the development of sustainable computing technologies. Garg primarily deals with batteryless, AI-driven ambient computing technologies that enhance operational longevity and intelligence while reducing power requirements. His work is intended to support the creation of smarter cities, increase supply chain efficiencies and further develop advanced healthcare systems with a reduced environmental footprint.

In addition to his fellowship, Garg has collaborated with Microsoft Research to investigate AI solutions in supply chains, specifically focusing on dynamic tracking systems to reduce global food waste. His projects also include developing next-generation batteryless tags for applications like geofencing, wildlife monitoring and environmental sensing.

Garg plans to explore ambient computing's capabilities further using AI and machine learning to address challenges in egocentric sensing, perception and communications. After completing his Ph.D., he is considering founding a company to commercialize his research and maintain his contributions to the academic field.

Shoken Kaneko

Kaneko is a Ph.D. student advised by Professor Ramani Duraiswami . His work focuses on computational audio and acoustics, specifically spatial audio and boundary element analysis. His work aims to improve numerical simulations in acoustics and electrostatics, enhancing accuracy and reducing costs.

Kaneko has developed algorithms that could significantly improve the efficiency of numerical simulations. 

"The methods I've worked on improve spatial audio capture and processing, audio rendering, and sound localization," Kaneko explained. "My research could fundamentally change how we simulate and interact with audio in real-world and virtual environments, like virtual reality and the metaverse."

Looking ahead, he plans to refine spatial audio technologies and further develop engineering tools for audio and acoustics, aiming to enhance how audio is integrated and manipulated in physical and digital spaces.

Mazda Moayeri

Mazda Moayeri is a Ph.D. student advised by Associate Professor Soheil Feizi . Moayeri's research centers on building interpretability tools for artificial intelligence, aiming to enhance transparency and mitigate the risks associated with AI. His research addresses potential limitations within AI systems to prevent harmful impacts, making strides toward safer, more reliable and more equitable AI applications across different societal sectors.

Moayeri's work promises to fundamentally alter how society interacts with AI by making the technology's inner workings more accessible and understandable.

"AI is incredible because it can be applied to so many problems, and it is advancing at an astonishing rate," Moayeri explained. "A technology so wide-reaching is exciting but also scary, as the risks rise with the number of use cases, especially since we don't always know what's going on under the hood. My work aims to create a future where people can confidently decide when to rely on AI by enhancing the technology's transparency and proactively addressing bias issues before they cause harm."

Looking forward, Moayeri plans to continue exploring the field of AI, likely transitioning to industry roles that emphasize the societal impacts of technological advancements.

"I truly believe AI can empower all of us, but I also worry that it may widen existing gaps in our society," Moayeri stated. "I hope to build tools that put the power of AI in people's hands instead of cruelly replacing them. The exact problems I work on will evolve as the field does, which it currently is doing, but I will always care about fair AI, bias mitigation, model debugging and increasing transparency."

Gowthami Somepalli

Somepalli is a Ph.D. student advised by Professor Tom Goldstein . Her research focuses on identifying and addressing failure modes in multimodal deep learning models, aiming to enhance their reliability and functionality. Somepalli's work has notably included a study on understanding and memorization in diffusion models, which has significant implications for their practical application across various industries.

In addition to her primary research focus, Somepalli is enhancing vision large language models (LLMs), exploring ways to bolster their efficiency and applicability. This work aligns with her broader objectives to address critical challenges in deep learning technologies.

"My work aims to ensure that deep learning systems have a significantly reduced failure rate before they can be utilized on a large scale," Somepalli explained. "The application of my research in diffusion models was notably referenced during the Stable Diffusion lawsuit, and Stability AI has incorporated it in their recent SD3 model to minimize memorization."

Looking ahead, Somepalli plans to continue her research on improving multimodal systems. "Tackling the robustness of these systems is both a challenging and essential task," she remarked, emphasizing the importance of her future endeavors in contributing to the field of artificial intelligence.

—Story by Samuel Malede Zewdu, CS Communications 

The Department welcomes comments, suggestions and corrections.  Send email to editor [-at-] cs [dot] umd [dot] edu .