News & Events

Department Events & Announcements

Events

• Feb

  10

  CS Seminar: A quest for an algorithmic theory for high-dimensional statistical inference (Sidhanth Mohanty)

  Department of Computer Science (CS)

  12:00 PM 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)

  EVENT DETAILS

  Monday / CS Seminar
  February 10th / 12:00 PM
  Hybrid / Mudd 3514

  Speaker
  Sidhanth Mohanty, MIT

  Talk Title
  A quest for an algorithmic theory for high-dimensional statistical inference

  Abstract
  "When does a statistical inference problem admit an efficient algorithm?
  There is an emergent body of research that studies this question by trying to understand the power and limitations of various algorithmic paradigms in solving statistical inference problems; for example, convex programming, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms, and message passing algorithms to name a few.

  Of these, MCMC algorithms are easy to adapt to new inference problems and have shown strong performance in practice, which makes them promising as a universal algorithm for inference. However, provable guarantees for MCMC have been scarce, lacking even for simple stylized models of inference.

  In this talk, I will survey some recent strides that I have made with my collaborators on achieving provable guarantees for MCMC in inference, and some new tools we introduced for analyzing the behavior of slow-mixing Markov chains."

  Biography
  "Sidhanth is broadly interested in theoretical computer science and probability theory, and his primary interests are on the algorithms and complexity of statistical inference, and spectral graph theory.

  Sidhanth is currently a postdoctoral researcher at MIT, hosted by Sam Hopkins. Previously, he received his PhD in Computer Science at UC Berkeley in 2023 where he was advised by Prasad Raghavendra."

  Research/Interest Areas
  Theoretical computer science, algorithmic statistics, analysis of Markov chains, spectral graph theory, semidefinite programming, random matrix theory
  ---

  Zoom: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/98400432043?pwd=t4PaTy1pIWxa9R0QrhxojIjKeJ8pho.1
  Panopto: https://northwestern.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=d9a67624-ddf1-4295-bb3a-b27b011768d7
  Community Connections Topic: Lab counterculture

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  TIME Monday, February 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

  LOCATION 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)    map it

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Wynante R Charles    wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)

• Aug

  20

  Alumni Education Webinar: McCormick School of Engineering's Strategic Vision

  McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  12:00 PM

  EVENT DETAILS

  Join us to explore the McCormick School of Engineering’s strategic vision and its vital role in advancing Northwestern’s top priorities. From groundbreaking research to transformative education, Northwestern Engineering is shaping solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges and working to advance Northwestern. During this presentation, you will learn directly from Dean Christopher Schuh on how our alumni community can come together to amplify this impact—through engagement, mentorship, philanthropy, and industry connections. Learn how your involvement can help unlock bold ideas and ensure Northwestern remains a global leader in engineering and beyond.

  Event Contact Info

  NAA Alumni Education
  alumnieducation@northwestern.edu

  Register Now

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  TIME Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Sep

  8

  Welcome & Breakfast for New McCormick PhD Students

  McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  9:00 AM LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free light breakfast on the Tech East Plaza will follow.

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  TIME Monday, September 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

  LOCATION LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Sep

  12

  New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration

  University Academic Calendar

  All Day

  EVENT DETAILS

  New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration

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  TIME Friday, September 12, 2025

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

• Sep

  15

  Welcome & Luncheon for New Full-time Graduate Students

  McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  11:00 AM Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free lunch on the Tech East Plaza will follow.

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  TIME Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

  LOCATION Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute    map it

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Andi Joppie    andi.joppie@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Sep

  16

  Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins

  University Academic Calendar

  All Day

  EVENT DETAILS

  Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins

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  TIME Tuesday, September 16, 2025

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  CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

• Sep

  25

  Bagel Thursday

  Department of Computer Science (CS)

  9:00 AM

  EVENT DETAILS

  TBA

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  TIME Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Wynante R Charles    wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)