Thu 01 May 15:00: The Case for Decentralized Scheduling in Modern Datacenters
The growing demand for data centre resources and the slower evolution of their hardware have led to clusters operating at high utilisation. In this talk, I will examine how current schedulers perform under such conditions. I will discuss how centralised schedulers struggle to scale under high load due to the significant network traffic caused by continuously transferring up-to-date node data. Conversely, distributed schedulers scale well but lack a global cluster view, leading to suboptimal task allocations. As a result, existing schedulers impose up to three times longer wait times on tail tasks, which increases job completion times.
I will then introduce our work on decentralised scheduling, focusing on performance, scalability, and load balancing. These schedulers have been largely under-explored due to their design complexity. However, we demonstrate that Murmuration, our job-aware decentralised scheduler, achieves high performance under both normal and high load despite its simple approach using approximate load information. It reduces communication overhead between nodes and schedulers while still achieving balanced cluster load distribution. By the end of this talk, I hope to convince you that decentralised schedulers with approximate knowledge strike the right balance between performance and scalability, making them a practical solution for today’s highly utilised data centres.
Bio: Smita Vijayakumar recently completed her PhD from the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge, under the supervision of Evangelia Kalyvianaki. As a part of her thesis, she developed a novel decentralised scheduling framework to reduce tail task latencies in highly utilised data centres. She has over twelve years of industry experience working on networking, cloud computing, and distributed systems. She also has an MS from The Ohio State University, where her work investigated cloud resource allocation to bottleneck stages for processing streaming applications. Her research has been published in top-tier conferences, and also as a book. She has also been actively involved in mentoring, teaching, and community leadership, including founding Women Who Go, India.
- Speaker: Smita Vijayakumar, Systems Research Group, Cambridge University Computer Laboratory
- Thursday 01 May 2025, 15:00-16:00
- Venue: Computer Lab, FW11 and Online (MS Teams link below).
- Series: Computer Laboratory Systems Research Group Seminar; organiser: Richard Mortier.
Mon 12 May 19:30: Bioelectronic Medicine
Neurological conditions affect one in six people, imposing significant health, economic and societal burden. Bioelectronic medicine aims to restore or replace neurological function with the help of implantable electronic devices. Unfortunately, significant technological limitations prohibit these devices from reaching patients at scale, as implants are bulky, require invasive implantation procedures, elicit a pronounced foreign body response, and show poor treatment specificity and off-target effects. Over the past decade, novel materials and fabrication methods inspired from the microelectronics industry have been shown to overcome these limitations. Recent literature provides powerful demonstrations of thin film implants that are miniaturised, ultra-conformal, stretchable, multiplexed, integrated with different sensors and actuators, bioresorbable, and minimally invasive. This talk discuss the state-of-the-art of these new technologies and the barriers than need to be overcome to reach patients at scale.
More details here.
- Speaker: Professor George Malliaras FRS, Prince Philip Professor of Technology, Department of Engineering, Cambridge University
- Monday 12 May 2025, 19:30-21:00
- Venue: Location: Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Churchill College, and Zoom.
- Series: Cambridge Society for the Application of Research (CSAR); organiser: John Cook.
Mon 16 Jun 19:30: An Introduction to The Alan Turing Institute, the National Institute for Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence
The Alan Turing Institute was established ten years ago and, in this time, it has delivered a number of worlds firsts such as the first 3D printed stainless steel pedestrian bridge, a digital twin of the United Kingdom’s air space, digital twins of cardiac systems in patients, as well as the research vessel the Sir David Attenborough. This talk will focus on some of the achievements of the institute and describe the Grand Challenges it has defined to address contemporary societal issues we face globally namely in the Environment and Sustainability, Defence and Security, and Health and Medicine.
More details here.
- Speaker: Professor Mark Girolami, Chief Scientist, The Alan Turing Institute; RAE Research Chair in Data Centric Engineering, Cambridge University Engineering Department
- Monday 16 June 2025, 19:30-21:00
- Venue: Location: Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Churchill College, and Zoom.
- Series: Cambridge Society for the Application of Research (CSAR); organiser: John Cook.
Fri 27 Jun 13:00: TBA
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Vicky Metzis
- Friday 27 June 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: Biffen Theater- Please subscribe to mailing list for link.
- Series: Developmental Biology Seminar Series; organiser: Theresa Gross-Thebing.
Fri 20 Jun 13:00: TBA
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Tony Southall
- Friday 20 June 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: Biffen Theater- Please subscribe to mailing list for link.
- Series: Developmental Biology Seminar Series; organiser: Theresa Gross-Thebing.
Fri 23 May 13:00: TBA
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Sarah Bray
- Friday 23 May 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: Biffen Theater- Please subscribe to mailing list for link.
- Series: Developmental Biology Seminar Series; organiser: Theresa Gross-Thebing.
Fri 02 May 13:00: Coordination of Protrusions in Migrating Immune Cells
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Michael Sixt
- Friday 02 May 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: Biffen Theater- Please subscribe to mailing list for link.
- Series: Developmental Biology Seminar Series; organiser: Theresa Gross-Thebing.
Fri 16 May 13:00: Motility and matrix remodelling coupling drive early avian morphogenesis
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Lakshmi Balasubramaniam
- Friday 16 May 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: Biffen Theater- Please subscribe to mailing list for link.
- Series: Developmental Biology Seminar Series; organiser: Theresa Gross-Thebing.
Fri 25 Apr 13:00: Echoes of the Embryo: A stem cell model of human gastrulation and post-gastrulation lineage emergence
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Jitesh Neupane
- Friday 25 April 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: Biffen Theater- Please subscribe to mailing list for link.
- Series: Developmental Biology Seminar Series; organiser: Theresa Gross-Thebing.
Wed 16 Apr 11:30: 1) Navigating Digital Health: Sociodemographic and Neuropsychiatric Influences on Youth uptake of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services; 2) Endometriosis and psychiatric comorbidity
1) Telehealth is increasingly becoming an integral part of modern healthcare systems – following the COVID 19 pandemic digital modalities like video and message-based consultations have expanded rapidly. Youth represent a particularly promising demographic for digital healthcare, for whom a key priority is access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Recent studies suggest that technology-based SRH services are perceived as confidential and private by youth. Still, among young people large-scale studies of population-based uptake remain sparce. However, in the general population digital solutions have been observed to be disproportionally accessed and adopted by more advantaged groups in the general population. Furthermore, comparisons of uptake across different digital modalities remain understudied, and it is unclear whether some might be more equitably accessed across sociodemographic groups than others. In this research project, we leverage Sweden’s unique national registries and health data to examine the dynamics of digital SRH service use among youth. The doctoral project focuses on youth clinics offering free-of-charge sexual and reproductive health services for youth 12-22 in Stockholm, Sweden. Whereas the first article focused on comparing uptake of in-person and digital services across sociodemographic groups (sex, age, migrant background and socioeconomic status), a forthcoming study will examine the uptake among neurotypical and neurodiverse youth (autism spectra and ADHD ).
2) Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition that can lead to chronic pain and infertility. Approximately 1/10 of all women of reproductive age are believed to be affected but underdiagnosis is common. Despite how common and costly the disease is, there is still no complete cure, and we know relatively little about how it develops. Women with endometriosis also have an increased risk of experiencing mental health issues. The most commonly observed comorbidity between endometriosis and psychiatric disorders is depression and anxiety disorders. It has previously largely been seen as a consequence of the chronic pain many endometriosis patients experience as well as the psychological toll of having a chronic disease. There have, however, been several studies, including one from our group, that have shown an increased incidence of other psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder, ADHD , and personality disorders, where the link to pain is much less clear. In our project we want to examine other possible causes for the comorbidity, such as genetics and family environment, that could explain the high prevalence of mental disorders in endometriosis sufferers. To do this we utilize data from large national registers as well as genetic data to try to elucidate exactly how endometriosis and psychiatric disorders are linked.
- Speaker: 1) Lovisa Hellsten 2) Marika Rostvall. Both speakers are from the Karolinska Institutet
- Wednesday 16 April 2025, 11:30-13:00
- Venue: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87076030035?pwd=XUpJuh8jiR0mae1AhkV79qbg8MtlSM.1.
- Series: ARClub Talks; organiser: Simon Braschi.
Wed 16 Apr 11:30: 1) Navigating Digital Health: Sociodemographic and Neuropsychiatric Influences on Youth uptake of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services; 2) Endometriosis and psychiatric comorbidity
1) Telehealth is increasingly becoming an integral part of modern healthcare systems – following the COVID 19 pandemic digital modalities like video and message-based consultations have expanded rapidly. Youth represent a particularly promising demographic for digital healthcare, for whom a key priority is access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Recent studies suggest that technology-based SRH services are perceived as confidential and private by youth. Still, among young people large-scale studies of population-based uptake remain sparce. However, in the general population digital solutions have been observed to be disproportionally accessed and adopted by more advantaged groups in the general population. Furthermore, comparisons of uptake across different digital modalities remain understudied, and it is unclear whether some might be more equitably accessed across sociodemographic groups than others. In this research project, we leverage Sweden’s unique national registries and health data to examine the dynamics of digital SRH service use among youth. The doctoral project focuses on youth clinics offering free-of-charge sexual and reproductive health services for youth 12-22 in Stockholm, Sweden. Whereas the first article focused on comparing uptake of in-person and digital services across sociodemographic groups (sex, age, migrant background and socioeconomic status), a forthcoming study will examine the uptake among neurotypical and neurodiverse youth (autism spectra and ADHD ).
2) Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition that can lead to chronic pain and infertility. Approximately 1/10 of all women of reproductive age are believed to be affected but underdiagnosis is common. Despite how common and costly the disease is, there is still no complete cure, and we know relatively little about how it develops. Women with endometriosis also have an increased risk of experiencing mental health issues. The most commonly observed comorbidity between endometriosis and psychiatric disorders is depression and anxiety disorders. It has previously largely been seen as a consequence of the chronic pain many endometriosis patients experience as well as the psychological toll of having a chronic disease. There have, however, been several studies, including one from our group, that have shown an increased incidence of other psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder, ADHD , and personality disorders, where the link to pain is much less clear. In our project we want to examine other possible causes for the comorbidity, such as genetics and family environment, that could explain the high prevalence of mental disorders in endometriosis sufferers. To do this we utilize data from large national registers as well as genetic data to try to elucidate exactly how endometriosis and psychiatric disorders are linked.
- Speaker: 1) Lovisa Hellsten 2) Marika Rostvall. Both speakers are from the Karolinska Institutet
- Wednesday 16 April 2025, 11:30-13:00
- Venue: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87076030035?pwd=XUpJuh8jiR0mae1AhkV79qbg8MtlSM.1.
- Series: ARClub Talks; organiser: Simon Braschi.
Wed 16 Apr 11:30: 1) Navigating Digital Health: Sociodemographic and Neuropsychiatric Influences on Youth uptake of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services; 2) Endometriosis and psychiatric comorbidity
1) Telehealth is increasingly becoming an integral part of modern healthcare systems – following the COVID 19 pandemic digital modalities like video and message-based consultations have expanded rapidly. Youth represent a particularly promising demographic for digital healthcare, for whom a key priority is access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Recent studies suggest that technology-based SRH services are perceived as confidential and private by youth. Still, among young people large-scale studies of population-based uptake remain sparce. However, in the general population digital solutions have been observed to be disproportionally accessed and adopted by more advantaged groups in the general population. Furthermore, comparisons of uptake across different digital modalities remain understudied, and it is unclear whether some might be more equitably accessed across sociodemographic groups than others. In this research project, we leverage Sweden’s unique national registries and health data to examine the dynamics of digital SRH service use among youth. The doctoral project focuses on youth clinics offering free-of-charge sexual and reproductive health services for youth 12-22 in Stockholm, Sweden. Whereas the first article focused on comparing uptake of in-person and digital services across sociodemographic groups (sex, age, migrant background and socioeconomic status), a forthcoming study will examine the uptake among neurotypical and neurodiverse youth (autism spectra and ADHD ).
2) Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition that can lead to chronic pain and infertility. Approximately 1/10 of all women of reproductive age are believed to be affected but underdiagnosis is common. Despite how common and costly the disease is, there is still no complete cure, and we know relatively little about how it develops. Women with endometriosis also have an increased risk of experiencing mental health issues. The most commonly observed comorbidity between endometriosis and psychiatric disorders is depression and anxiety disorders. It has previously largely been seen as a consequence of the chronic pain many endometriosis patients experience as well as the psychological toll of having a chronic disease. There have, however, been several studies, including one from our group, that have shown an increased incidence of other psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder, ADHD , and personality disorders, where the link to pain is much less clear. In our project we want to examine other possible causes for the comorbidity, such as genetics and family environment, that could explain the high prevalence of mental disorders in endometriosis sufferers. To do this we utilize data from large national registers as well as genetic data to try to elucidate exactly how endometriosis and psychiatric disorders are linked.
- Speaker: 1) Marika Rostvall 2) Lovisa Hellsten. Both speakers are from the Karolinska Institutet
- Wednesday 16 April 2025, 11:30-13:00
- Venue: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87076030035?pwd=XUpJuh8jiR0mae1AhkV79qbg8MtlSM.1.
- Series: ARClub Talks; organiser: Simon Braschi.
Thu 08 May 14:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Prof. Nikos Nikiforakis (Cambridge)
- Thursday 08 May 2025, 14:00-15:30
- Venue: Seminar Room 2, RDC.
- Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Bo Peng.
Fri 09 May 14:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Mikael Rechtsman, Penn State
- Friday 09 May 2025, 14:00-15:00
- Venue: Seminar Room 3, RDC.
- Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Gaurav.
Thu 08 May 14:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Prof. Nikos Nikiforakis (Cambridge)
- Thursday 08 May 2025, 14:00-15:30
- Venue: Seminar Room 3, RDC.
- Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Bo Peng.
Thu 08 May 14:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Prof. Nikos Nikiforakis (Cambridge)
- Thursday 08 May 2025, 14:00-15:30
- Venue: Seminar Room 2, RDC.
- Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Bo Peng.
Thu 19 Jun 14:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Prof. Jörg Behler (Ruhr-Universität Bochum)
- Thursday 19 June 2025, 14:00-15:30
- Venue: Seminar Room 3, RDC.
- Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Bo Peng.
Thu 12 Jun 14:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Marina Filip (Oxford)
- Thursday 12 June 2025, 14:00-15:30
- Venue: Seminar Room 3, RDC.
- Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Bo Peng.
Thu 05 Jun 14:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Chris Hooley (Coventry)
- Thursday 05 June 2025, 14:00-15:30
- Venue: Seminar Room 3, RDC.
- Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Bo Peng.
Thu 22 May 14:00: Walter Kohn: the theoretical physicist who created DFT and won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry
Density Functional Theory (DFT) has become one of the most highly cited techniques in science, widely used for simulations in physics, chemistry, materials science and biology. The modern form of DFT was invented by Walter Kohn after a remarkable personal journey which included escaping on the Kindertransport to England on almost the last train out of Vienna in August 1939, and then being interned in Canada deep in a forest miles from civilisation. Despite these disadvantages, Walter Kohn was able to have an exceptional academic career in theoretical solid state physics which culminated in DFT and the Nobel Prize (but for Chemistry, not Physics). Drawing on fresh insights from his recent biography Walter Kohn: From Kindertransport and Internment to DFT and the Nobel Prize , David Clary will describe the remarkable life, career and science of Walter Kohn.
- Speaker: Prof. Sir David Clary, FRS (University of Oxford)
- Thursday 22 May 2025, 14:00-15:30
- Venue: Seminar Room 3, RDC.
- Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Bo Peng.