AMATH PhD Final Exam: Shirui Chen
Title: Probability and Representation in Neural Systems: Dynamics, Learning, and Computation
Abstract: Biological and artificial neural systems must infer and act from observations that are often incomplete and compatible with multiple explanations. This talk will examine how neural systems represent probability distributions and carry out computations, and how learning shapes the internal representations supporting those computations.
The first part will focus on probabilistic computation in neural systems. First, I will show that stochastic recurrent networks can sample from complex prior distributions depending on the score function their dynamics can approximate. I will then demonstrate how pre-trained artificial neural networks can perform Bayesian inference and the resulting conditional probability can serve as a training-free progress signal for robot learning. I will also touch on how language sequences can be modeled probabilistically through a masked diffusion language model that enables…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Dempsey Hall (DEM). Online Meeting Link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/97384125586. Campus room: DEM 124. Accessibility Contact: info@amath.washington.edu. Event Types: Academics.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
Dawg Daze Event: CFRM & AMATH Undergrad Majors Meet & Greet with Advisers
Interested in majoring in Applied Mathematics (AMATH) or Computational Finance & Risk Management (CFRM), or our Data Science Options? Drop by Lewis Hall to meet academic advisers and learn about the admissions process, degree requirements, and experiential learning opportunities. Bring your questions!
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Lewis Hall (LEW). Campus room: Front porch of Lewis Hall (outdoors). Accessibility Contact: amathadv@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics. Information Sessions. Student Activities. Target Audience: UW undergrads interested in AMATH or CFRM majors.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Dawg Daze Event: AMATH & CFRM Undergrad Majors Info Session (Virtual)
Meet with an academic adviser in the Applied Mathematics (AMATH) and Computational Finance & Risk Management (CFRM) majors (and Data Science options of those majors) to learn about the admissions process, degree requirements, and experiential learning opportunities. Bring your questions to a live virtual Q&A via Zoom.
- Zoom link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/97766955265?pwd=ODhWVFZUNGFRWW9KbXRIbzlzMllvUT09.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus room: ONLINE. Accessibility Contact: amathadv@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics. Information Sessions. Student Activities. Target Audience: UW undergrads interested in AMATH or CFRM majors.
Thursday, October 1, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Department of Applied Mathematics Faculty Meeting
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: tonyg2@uw.edu. Event Types: Not Specified.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
UW Family Weekend Office Hours in Applied Math: AMATH & CFRM Undergrad Majors
Join the Applied Math Department's Undergraduate Program Academic Advisor for office hours (one family at a time) from 9am-noon to ask questions related to the AMATH/CFRM majors. And check out other UW College of Arts & Sciences Family Weekend events!
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Lewis Hall (LEW). Campus room: LEW 203. Accessibility Contact: amathadv@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics. Special Events. Meetings. Target Audience: Current & prospective undergrad majors & families.
Friday, November 6, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Department of Applied Mathematics Faculty Meeting
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: tonyg2@uw.edu. Event Types: Not Specified.
Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.