SMU Lyle Researchers Develop AI-Powered System to Streamline Scientific Workflows
Computer Science researchers from SMU Lyle School of Engineering have made a significant breakthrough in streamlining complex scientific workflows. Their innovative system, RANGER, has caught the attention of the scientific community, earning acceptance at the prestigious 25th International Web Information Systems Engineering conference (WISE 2024). The paper, titled "RANGER: Context-Aware Service Unit of Work Recommendation for Incremental Scientific Workflow Composition," was authored by SMU Ph.D. graduate Dr. Xihao Xie, current Ph.D. student Chang Liu, and Professor Jia Zhang, in collaboration with NASA scientists.
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RANGER applies advanced machine learning techniques to automatically recommend chainable software modules and algorithms, known as Units of Work. This intelligent system aims to save scientists valuable time and boost productivity by handling the technical challenges of software integration, allowing researchers to focus on scientific breakthroughs. Dr. Xihao Xie, the lead author and recent recipient of the Frederick E. Terman Graduate Student Award, brings expertise in services computing, recommender systems, and data science to the project. Chang Liu, a second-year Ph.D. student, contributes his knowledge in recommender systems and data science. Dr. Jia Zhang, the Interim Chair of Computer Science at SMU Lyle, lends her extensive experience in applying machine learning and data mining methods to data science problems. This groundbreaking research, sponsored by a NASA grant, demonstrates SMU Lyle's commitment to advancing scientific research through innovative computing solutions. The acceptance of their paper at WISE 2024, an A-ranked conference in Web-related research, further underscores the significance of their work in the field. “As scientific workflows continue to grow in complexity, RANGER stands poised to revolutionize how researchers approach big data analytics, potentially accelerating scientific discoveries across various disciplines,” Zhang said. About the Bobby Lyle School of Engineering About SMU
SMU's Lyle School of Engineering thrives on innovation that transcends traditional boundaries. We strongly believe in the power of externally funded, industry-supported research to drive progress and provide exceptional students with valuable industry insights. Our mission is to lead the way in digital transformation within engineering education, all while ensuring that every student graduates as a confident leader. Founded in 1925, SMU Lyle is one of the oldest engineering schools in the Southwest, offering undergraduate and graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees.
SMU is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. SMU’s alumni, faculty and nearly 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, community and the world.