September 20, 2018

Big Data seminar series starts next week

There’s lotsa data, and then there’s BIG DATA.

But just what is “big data,” anyway, and how big is it?

A scientific research society along with other campus offices are planning a university event to discuss this emerging issue, which is having major impacts in fields ranging from biology to engineering to computers science and beyond.

Series begins Sept. 27

The SIUC Chapter of Sigma Xi, a scientific research honors society, is hosting a big data seminar series for the 2018-19 academic year. The first event is set for 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, in the auditorium at Life Science III.

SIU IT manager to give keynote lecture

Chester Langin, information technology manager and administrative coordinator at SIU, will give the keynote lecture titled “Big Data: How Big is Big? — Using de novo Assembly and Annotation for Goat Rumen Bacterial and Fungal Meta Genomics as Examples.”

A follow-up round table discussion with a biologist, computer scientist and mathematician is set for 9 a.m., Sept. 28, in rooms 752-754 at Morris Library.

Series hopes to bring better understanding of big data to SIU

The recent and growing ability to amass huge amounts of data is providing new opportunities, but also new challenges for disciplines that use it. The seminar series is aimed at bringing a better understanding of the issue to the campus community.

The seminar series is supported by SIU Office of Vice Chancellor for Research, Department of Geography and Environmental Resources, and Sigma Xi.