Timeline<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n- November 1, 2023: Application opens.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- December 31, 2023: Application deadline.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- January 1 \u2013 February 19, 2024: Confirmation of Visit Plans and Selection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- February 20, 2024: Announcement of Results.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- February 21, 2024 \u2013 January 31, 2025: Visits commence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Criteria<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n- Applicants are from collaborative universities with Microsoft Research and can provide recommendations from experts in the relevant field, as well as from their affiliated department\u2019s representative or supervisor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Applicants should be university\/institution faculty members and meet the requirement of having obtained a Ph.D. degree within the past 7 years (inclusive of the 7th year).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Applicants\u2019 research areas should fall within the research domains of interest in the StarTrack Scholars Program (refer to the \u201cFields\u201d page for details).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The program requires a full-time, three-month on-site visit. In exceptional cases, with committee approval, up to one month of remote access may be granted during the three-month visit.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Application<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n- Click the Registration Link (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> to submit your registration information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Download the StarTrack Scholars Program Application Form.docx<\/a>, along with the Letter of Recommendation.docx<\/a> and Letter of Institutional Endorsement.docx<\/a> templates. Utilize the form and templates to provide formal application details, then forward them via email to Jeanne Mengzhen Zheng at v-menzheng@microsoft.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Beibei Shi, program manager of the Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program, at <\/em>besh@microsoft.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n1. Societal AI<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Big models have showcased unprecedented achievements, establishing a new frontier in technological advancements. Nevertheless, these models are accompanied by profound societal challenges, encompassing security vulnerabilities, ethical considerations, intricate evaluation mechanisms, and broader social repercussions. This research theme aims to foster a comprehensive and interdisciplinary examination of these issues, juxtaposing AI dynamics with parallels in human development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n- Value Alignment: An exploration into ensuring that AI systems resonate with the ethical and moral principles we aim to impart. The goal is to understand and address the discrepancies between human values and AI outcomes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Safety: Delving into the protection of LLMs against malicious interventions and potential misuses. The research will also focus on developing defensive strategies and establishing safety best practices for these models.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- LLM Evaluating: A study dedicated to devising robust and holistic performance assessment techniques for AI systems. This will include identifying suitable metrics and benchmarks that capture the multifaceted nature of these models.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Interdisciplinary Collaborations: By bridging AI with social sciences, we aim to deeply comprehend and tackle the societal ramifications of AI. This involves dissecting its impact on individual, group, and societal dynamics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-xing-xie.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nXing Xie<\/a> (Engaging Lead)
Senior Principal Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWith the rising prominence of AI and its profound influence on society, I truly hope that your visit will ignite innovative perspectives and enhance our approach to AI. Additionally, we’re keen to explore the integration of AI with social sciences, and your insights are invaluable in bridging this divide. As we advance technologically, it remains crucial to maintain a holistic view. I look forward to the collaborative strides we will make together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"fangzhao](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-fangzhao-wu.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFangzhao Wu<\/a>
Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe hope the applicants have real passion in studying and improving the safety of LLMs against many serious risks such as Jailbreaking and Prompt Injection Attack. We also welcome applicants who want to study the LLM\u2019s impact on society, such as productivity, employment, education, and research.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-jianxun-lian.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJianxun Lian<\/a>
Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nTo obtain a comprehensive understanding of the societal challenges and impacts of LLMs, it is insufficient to solely focus on the individual LLM’s perspective. We advocate for a thorough investigation of AI-related societal topics from diverse viewpoints, such as integrating methods and theories across various disciplines or employing multiple, interconnected LLMs as a foundation. We anticipate a profound exchange of knowledge between artificial intelligence and other disciplines, including social science, psychology, and urban computing and ultimately, yielding interdisciplinary insights and uncovering novel interdisciplinary applications during this research visit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-jindong-wang.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJindong Wang<\/a>
Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe hope to gain a holistic understanding of the evaluation of LLMs during this visit. Specifically, establishing a unified and general evaluation framework to support different scenarios and protocols as well as different interdisciplinary research, cultivating new evaluation algorithms and analysis tools to offer insights for assessment, and building a collaborative environment to unite potential researchers in this area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"xiaoyuan](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-xiaoyuan-yi.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nXiaoyuan Yi<\/a>
Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe expect to establish a systematic solution to aligning LLMs’ intrinsic values with those of humans by incorporating interdisciplinary insights and methodologies during this visit. Our research will delve into topics include investigating the underlying values of LLMs and their corresponding social impact, and then fostering novel algorithms to align LLMs’ values in a unified, flexible, and efficient way, paving the way for a future where LLMs consistently serve the greater good.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n2. Media Foundation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Media Foundation is a cutting-edge research theme that delves into the convergence of multimedia and advanced AI technologies to revolutionize our lives in ways yet to be imagined. Drawing from various disciplines, Media Foundation aims to investigate the potential of advanced AI to learn from real-world multimodal media data, focusing on the symbiotic evolution of multimedia and AI. Humans possess remarkable learning capabilities, acquiring a wide range of skills and knowledge from various modalities, such as vision, hearing, touch, and language. Advanced AI systems also need to learn from the real world. However, how can we bridge the gap between the complex and noisy environment and the abstract and semantic representations of advanced AI? By transforming physical and virtual worlds into media tokens, media foundation research has the potential to foster AI learning and creativity, paving the way for innovative multimodal applications. This research theme includes topics such as neural codecs, neural communication, computer vision, audio and speech, foundation models, and deep learning fundamentals for multimedia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n- Neural codecs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Neural communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Computer vision<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Audio and speech<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Foundation models<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Deep learning fundamentals for multimedia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-yan-lu.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYan Lu<\/a> (Engaging Lead)
Partner Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe welcome applicants who possess a strong background in multimedia, AI, or related fields, including individuals with experience in neural codecs, computer vision, deep learning, audio and speech, and other related domains. We also expect participants to be passionate about exploring the paradigm shifts in video and audio research and are eager to contribute to the development of advanced AI systems that can enhance human learning and creativity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-xiulian-peng.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nXiulian Peng<\/a>
Principal Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe welcome applicants with expertise in audio\/speech, cross-modal learning, AI, and related fields, especially audio\/speech technologies. We expect individuals to be passionate about delving into the paradigm shift within audio\/speech-related research and be eager to contribute to the advancement of cutting-edge AI systems that can augment human learning and foster creativity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"cuiling](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-cuiling-lan.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCuiling Lan<\/a>
Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe look forward to collaborating with visiting researchers who have great passion for media foundation research. We warmly welcome applicants who: 1) possess a deep passion for exploring innovative approaches in multimedia and AGI research; 2) have a strong background in AI, multimedia, or related fields, such as computer vision, multi-modal understanding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"bin](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-bin-li.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBin Li<\/a>
Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe welcome candidates with expertise in multimedia, AI, and related fields, such as neural codecs, computer vision, and deep learning. We value individuals passionate about investigating video research’s paradigm shifts and contributing to advanced AI systems development, fostering human learning and creativity enhancement. We expect applicants to have a deep understanding of the field and are committed to pushing the boundaries of AI and multimedia research.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n3. AI for Sustainability<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
In the face of accelerating climate change, the urgency of achieving sustainability and carbon neutrality has become a global imperative. Microsoft, recognizing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), introduces the research theme \u201cAI for Sustainability.\u201d This initiative aims to harness AI\u2019s unparalleled capacity for data analysis, prediction, and system optimization to address pressing environmental challenges. With a focus on four key pillars\u2014carbon emission monitoring, renewable energy generation optimization, battery management and power-grid optimization, and power consumption reduction\u2014we endeavor to create innovative AI solutions that directly contribute to global carbon neutrality goals. Our commitment extends to producing high-impact research papers for prestigious journals and conferences. This initiative not only underscores Microsoft\u2019s dedication to leveraging technological advancements for global good but also sets a benchmark for integrating AI into sustainable practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n- AI for carbon emission monitoring<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AI for renewable energy generation optimization<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AI for battery management<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AI for power-grid optimization<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AI for power consumption reduction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-jiang-bian.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJiang Bian<\/a> (Engaging Lead)
Senior Principal Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nI am eager to welcome visiting researchers to Microsoft\u2019s \u201cAI for Sustainability\u201d initiative, a groundbreaking endeavor committed to utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing crucial environmental challenges and propelling us toward global carbon neutrality. As we navigate through the complexities of accelerating climate change, your expertise and dedication will be invaluable, particularly in our focused areas of carbon emission monitoring, renewable energy optimization, battery and power-grid management, and power consumption reduction. I anticipate a collaborative spirit, innovative thinking, and a steadfast commitment to excellence as we collectively strive to create AI-driven solutions with real-world impact. Your contributions will not only play a pivotal role in advancing our research initiatives but also in achieving tangible results that resonate on a global scale. I am confident that together, we will produce high-impact research, share knowledge, and forge new paths in integrating AI into sustainable practices, setting a new benchmark for technological innovation for the greater good.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-lei-song.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLei Song<\/a>
Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nAs a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability, I am eager to explore the potential of AI in optimizing renewable energy generation, power-grid management, and power consumption reduction. I am confident that my background in industrial innovations, combined with experience in AI research, will enable us to make meaningful contributions to this collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The present global energy landscape is undergoing a swift shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, introducing challenges in optimizing efficiency, maintaining a reliable power supply, and enhancing grid management. I am convinced that AI holds the potential to transform the energy sector by tackling these obstacles and fostering more sustainable energy systems. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you share our vision and enthusiasm for these subjects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"shun](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-shun-zheng.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nShun Zheng<\/a>
Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nI expect to collaborate on research topics related to Lithium-ion batteries, electrical vehicles, and renewable energy solutions. The main topic will be applying cutting-edge machine learning techniques into critical research problems in these domains.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"jinyu](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-jinyu-wang.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJinyu Wang<\/a>
Senior Applied Scientist, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe warmly welcome visiting researchers who have a keen interest in environmental sustainability and possess expertise in AI, renewable energy, or related fields. If you have experience in areas such as optimizing renewable energy generation, power-grid management, power consumption reduction, and AI-driven innovations in the energy sector, we would be delighted to have you join us. Our visiting researchers are encouraged to be enthusiastic about discovering new ways to leverage AI technology in addressing the challenges faced by the global energy landscape and contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable energy systems. If you share our passion and dedication to transforming the energy sector through AI-based solutions, we wholeheartedly invite you to collaborate with us in making a significant impact on the future of renewable energy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/uploads\/prod\/2023\/10\/startrack-xiaofan-gui.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nXiaofan Gui<\/a>
Applied Scientist, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe welcome applicants with a strong background in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and battery manufacturing, as well as individuals experienced in sustainability and climate change research, ultimately contributing to the development of advanced AI systems that address real-world challenges and promote sustainable practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three research fields mentioned above are the primary focus for collaboration in the 2024 Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program. In addition to these, applicants can also choose a field of their interest from the following options: Heterogeneous Extreme Computing, Intelligent Cloud and Edge, Intelligent Multimedia, Internet Graphics, Machine Learning, Media Computing, Multi-Modal Computing, Natural Language Computing, Networking Infrastructure, Social Computing, Systems, Trustworthy Systems, Visual Computing, Wireless.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProgram Process<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n- Application and Preliminary Communication:<\/strong> Prospective applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for the Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program are requested to prepare the application form and recommendation letters as per the application requirements. Please complete the registration process by filling out the registration information via the provided link and forward the application form and recommendation letters to our global program coordinator Jeanne Mengzhen Zheng via email at v-menzheng@microsoft.com<\/a> by December 31, 2023. During this period, applicants are encouraged to establish initial contact with Microsoft Research Asia researchers they intend to collaborate with during their visit. For additional assistance, please feel free to contact our program manager, Ms. Beibei Shi, at besh@microsoft.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Program Coordination and Review:<\/strong> In January 2024, the Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program Committee will conduct a comprehensive review of all the application materials with collaborating researchers. They will select and confirm suitable candidates, develop visit plans, and announce the final list.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Formal Invitation:<\/strong> The Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program Committee will send a formal \u201cMicrosoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program Invitation\u201d to the young scholars on the final list. The anticipated date for extending formal invitation is February 20, 2024.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Visit Plan Confirmation:<\/strong> Upon receiving the \u201cMicrosoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program Invitation,\u201d applicants are requested to collaborate with the program manager, Ms. Beibei Shi, and relevant collaborating researchers to confirm their specific visit plans. The 2024 StarTrack Scholars Program visit period spans from February 2024 to January 2025. Please be aware that if, for personal reasons, candidates are unable to confirm their visit plans within one year from the date of the formal invitation, they will be considered as having voluntarily withdrawn from participating in the StarTrack Scholars Program for that year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Visit Plan Modifications: <\/strong>Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program requires three-month full-time on-site visit. With the assistance of the program manager, candidates can submit requests for changes to their visit plans to the program committee. There are two scenarios for such changes:\n
\n- Inability to Fulfill Three-Month Onsite Visit<\/strong>: If it is not feasible to fulfill the mandatory three-month onsite visit requirement, candidates are advised to reach out to the program manager and the collaborating researchers to discuss and submit a request for a modification to the visit plan before the visit begins. Subject to approval by the program committee, candidates may apply for a maximum of one month of remote access during the three-month visit. Please note that requests for this modification cannot be entertained once the onsite visit has commenced.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Requesting an Extension Beyond Three Months<\/strong>: If candidates need a visit duration of more than three months, they can contact the program manager and collaborating researchers during the visit period to discuss and submit a request for an extension. Upon approval from the program committee, the on-site visit can be extended for up to an additional three months (no extension for remote visit is allowed). This request must be submitted no later than 30 days before the scheduled end of the visit to be considered valid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Visit Conclusion: <\/strong>Upon concluding their visits, StarTrack Scholars are required to submit a formal visit conclusion report as per guidelines. Additionally, they are expected to deliver an academic presentation internally at Microsoft Research Asia. After their visits, StarTrack Scholars will be welcomed into the Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Alumni Association.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
More information<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n- Selected candidates for the Microsoft StarTrack Scholars Program will join Microsoft Research Asia as StarTrack Scholars for a three-month full-time visit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- StarTrack Scholars will participate in Microsoft research projects, subject to a confidentiality agreement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The program prohibits scholars from bringing existing projects or intellectual property from their current institutions to MSRA. StarTrack Scholars will collaborate with MSRA researchers, initiating new research projects under StarTrack Scholars Program, with intellectual property rights owned by Microsoft. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program will provide StarTrack Scholars with corresponding visit allowances to support their daily work, dining, accommodation, and travel needs during their visit to Microsoft Research Asia.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n\n
We are delighted to unveil the results of the esteemed MSR Asia StarTrack Scholars 2024 program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Foremost, we express our sincere appreciation to all applicants who showcased remarkable dedication and passion in advancing research within their respective fields. Your contributions have significantly enriched our selection process, highlighting the depth of talent and innovation present within our global research community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From a wealth of highly valuable proposals, we meticulously identified those that closely align with the focal collaborative research themes of this year’s program, encompassing Societal AI, Media Foundation, and Sustainability. Additionally, we selected projects that resonate with key research areas within our labs, including AI-Driven Advancement in System and Infrastructure, Embodied AI, Large Language Models, and Healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following thorough review and evaluation, we are delighted to announce the selection of 17 exceptional scholars, listed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\nName<\/th>\n University<\/th>\n Project<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \nXu Chen<\/strong><\/td>\nRenmin University of China<\/td>\n Social Simulation with Humanoid Large Language Models<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nWeiran Huang<\/strong><\/td>\nShanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n LLM Evaluation Based on Matrix Entropy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nLinus Huang<\/strong><\/td>\nHong Kong University of Science and Technology<\/td>\n Dynamic Value Alignment: Enhancing Ethical AI through User-Centric Adaptability<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nQi Mao<\/strong><\/td>\nCommunication University of China<\/td>\n Neural Codecs-Generative and Cross-modal Compression<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXixin Wu<\/strong><\/td>\nThe Chinese University of Hong Kong<\/td>\n Multimodal Large Language Model based on Shared Space<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nRenhe Jiang<\/strong><\/td>\nThe University of Tokyo<\/td>\n Uncertainty-Aware Machine Learning Models for Spatiotemporal Forecasting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nCheng Tan<\/strong><\/td>\nNortheastern University<\/td>\n Ensuring Correctness and Reliability of Large-scale Distributed Training and Inference in the LLM Era<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nLuo Mai<\/strong><\/td>\nUniversity of Edinburgh<\/td>\n Exploring Next-Generation AI Accelerator System Stack<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXiangyu Xu<\/strong><\/td>\nXi’an Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Large Foundation Model for 3D Human Pose Estimation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nYe Pan<\/strong><\/td>\nShanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Stylized 3D avater generation and real time animation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXiaohong Liu<\/strong><\/td>\nShanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Multi-Modal Reconstruction and Quality Assessment for Neuroimaging<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nHao Wu<\/strong><\/td>\nNanjing University<\/td>\n Synergistic Edge Intelligence Based on Retrieval-Enhanced Large Language Models<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nYujiang Wang<\/strong><\/td>\nOxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research<\/td>\n ICU-LLM: A Multi-modal Large Language Model for Understanding Structured and Unstructured Medical Records in Intensive Care Units<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXie Chen<\/strong><\/td>\nShanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Multitask-oriented Speech Large Model Research<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nDanfeng Shan<\/strong><\/td>\nXi’an Jiaotong University<\/td>\n Efficient network buffer management scheme for large-scale AI clusters<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXingyu Gao<\/strong><\/td>\nChinese Academy of Sciences<\/td>\n Multimodal Perception and Embodied Intelligence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nJian Li<\/strong><\/td>\nInstitute of Information Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences<\/td>\n Lightweight Large Language Models for Complex Reasoning Tasks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"featured_media":970527,"template":"","meta":{"msr-url-field":"","msr-podcast-episode":"","msrModifiedDate":"","msrModifiedDateEnabled":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"msr-opportunity-type":[],"msr-region":[256048],"msr-locale":[268875],"msr-program-audience":[243727],"msr-impact-theme":[],"class_list":["post-970518","msr-academic-program","type-msr-academic-program","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","msr-region-global","msr-locale-en_us","msr-program-audience-faculty"],"msr_description":"","msr_social_media":[],"related-researchers":[],"tab-content":[],"msr_impact_theme":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program\/970518"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/msr-academic-program"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program\/970518\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1059186,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program\/970518\/revisions\/1059186"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/970527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=970518"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"msr-opportunity-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-opportunity-type?post=970518"},{"taxonomy":"msr-region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-region?post=970518"},{"taxonomy":"msr-locale","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-locale?post=970518"},{"taxonomy":"msr-program-audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-program-audience?post=970518"},{"taxonomy":"msr-impact-theme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-impact-theme?post=970518"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Criteria<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n- Applicants are from collaborative universities with Microsoft Research and can provide recommendations from experts in the relevant field, as well as from their affiliated department\u2019s representative or supervisor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Applicants should be university\/institution faculty members and meet the requirement of having obtained a Ph.D. degree within the past 7 years (inclusive of the 7th year).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Applicants\u2019 research areas should fall within the research domains of interest in the StarTrack Scholars Program (refer to the \u201cFields\u201d page for details).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The program requires a full-time, three-month on-site visit. In exceptional cases, with committee approval, up to one month of remote access may be granted during the three-month visit.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Application<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n- Click the Registration Link (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> to submit your registration information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Download the StarTrack Scholars Program Application Form.docx<\/a>, along with the Letter of Recommendation.docx<\/a> and Letter of Institutional Endorsement.docx<\/a> templates. Utilize the form and templates to provide formal application details, then forward them via email to Jeanne Mengzhen Zheng at v-menzheng@microsoft.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Beibei Shi, program manager of the Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program, at <\/em>besh@microsoft.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n1. Societal AI<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Big models have showcased unprecedented achievements, establishing a new frontier in technological advancements. Nevertheless, these models are accompanied by profound societal challenges, encompassing security vulnerabilities, ethical considerations, intricate evaluation mechanisms, and broader social repercussions. This research theme aims to foster a comprehensive and interdisciplinary examination of these issues, juxtaposing AI dynamics with parallels in human development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n- Value Alignment: An exploration into ensuring that AI systems resonate with the ethical and moral principles we aim to impart. The goal is to understand and address the discrepancies between human values and AI outcomes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Safety: Delving into the protection of LLMs against malicious interventions and potential misuses. The research will also focus on developing defensive strategies and establishing safety best practices for these models.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- LLM Evaluating: A study dedicated to devising robust and holistic performance assessment techniques for AI systems. This will include identifying suitable metrics and benchmarks that capture the multifaceted nature of these models.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Interdisciplinary Collaborations: By bridging AI with social sciences, we aim to deeply comprehend and tackle the societal ramifications of AI. This involves dissecting its impact on individual, group, and societal dynamics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Xing Xie<\/a> (Engaging Lead)
Senior Principal Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWith the rising prominence of AI and its profound influence on society, I truly hope that your visit will ignite innovative perspectives and enhance our approach to AI. Additionally, we’re keen to explore the integration of AI with social sciences, and your insights are invaluable in bridging this divide. As we advance technologically, it remains crucial to maintain a holistic view. I look forward to the collaborative strides we will make together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFangzhao Wu<\/a>
Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe hope the applicants have real passion in studying and improving the safety of LLMs against many serious risks such as Jailbreaking and Prompt Injection Attack. We also welcome applicants who want to study the LLM\u2019s impact on society, such as productivity, employment, education, and research.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJianxun Lian<\/a>
Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nTo obtain a comprehensive understanding of the societal challenges and impacts of LLMs, it is insufficient to solely focus on the individual LLM’s perspective. We advocate for a thorough investigation of AI-related societal topics from diverse viewpoints, such as integrating methods and theories across various disciplines or employing multiple, interconnected LLMs as a foundation. We anticipate a profound exchange of knowledge between artificial intelligence and other disciplines, including social science, psychology, and urban computing and ultimately, yielding interdisciplinary insights and uncovering novel interdisciplinary applications during this research visit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJindong Wang<\/a>
Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe hope to gain a holistic understanding of the evaluation of LLMs during this visit. Specifically, establishing a unified and general evaluation framework to support different scenarios and protocols as well as different interdisciplinary research, cultivating new evaluation algorithms and analysis tools to offer insights for assessment, and building a collaborative environment to unite potential researchers in this area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nXiaoyuan Yi<\/a>
Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe expect to establish a systematic solution to aligning LLMs’ intrinsic values with those of humans by incorporating interdisciplinary insights and methodologies during this visit. Our research will delve into topics include investigating the underlying values of LLMs and their corresponding social impact, and then fostering novel algorithms to align LLMs’ values in a unified, flexible, and efficient way, paving the way for a future where LLMs consistently serve the greater good.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n2. Media Foundation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Media Foundation is a cutting-edge research theme that delves into the convergence of multimedia and advanced AI technologies to revolutionize our lives in ways yet to be imagined. Drawing from various disciplines, Media Foundation aims to investigate the potential of advanced AI to learn from real-world multimodal media data, focusing on the symbiotic evolution of multimedia and AI. Humans possess remarkable learning capabilities, acquiring a wide range of skills and knowledge from various modalities, such as vision, hearing, touch, and language. Advanced AI systems also need to learn from the real world. However, how can we bridge the gap between the complex and noisy environment and the abstract and semantic representations of advanced AI? By transforming physical and virtual worlds into media tokens, media foundation research has the potential to foster AI learning and creativity, paving the way for innovative multimodal applications. This research theme includes topics such as neural codecs, neural communication, computer vision, audio and speech, foundation models, and deep learning fundamentals for multimedia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n- Neural codecs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Neural communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Computer vision<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Audio and speech<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Foundation models<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Deep learning fundamentals for multimedia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Yan Lu<\/a> (Engaging Lead)
Partner Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe welcome applicants who possess a strong background in multimedia, AI, or related fields, including individuals with experience in neural codecs, computer vision, deep learning, audio and speech, and other related domains. We also expect participants to be passionate about exploring the paradigm shifts in video and audio research and are eager to contribute to the development of advanced AI systems that can enhance human learning and creativity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nXiulian Peng<\/a>
Principal Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe welcome applicants with expertise in audio\/speech, cross-modal learning, AI, and related fields, especially audio\/speech technologies. We expect individuals to be passionate about delving into the paradigm shift within audio\/speech-related research and be eager to contribute to the advancement of cutting-edge AI systems that can augment human learning and foster creativity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCuiling Lan<\/a>
Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe look forward to collaborating with visiting researchers who have great passion for media foundation research. We warmly welcome applicants who: 1) possess a deep passion for exploring innovative approaches in multimedia and AGI research; 2) have a strong background in AI, multimedia, or related fields, such as computer vision, multi-modal understanding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBin Li<\/a>
Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe welcome candidates with expertise in multimedia, AI, and related fields, such as neural codecs, computer vision, and deep learning. We value individuals passionate about investigating video research’s paradigm shifts and contributing to advanced AI systems development, fostering human learning and creativity enhancement. We expect applicants to have a deep understanding of the field and are committed to pushing the boundaries of AI and multimedia research.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n3. AI for Sustainability<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
In the face of accelerating climate change, the urgency of achieving sustainability and carbon neutrality has become a global imperative. Microsoft, recognizing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), introduces the research theme \u201cAI for Sustainability.\u201d This initiative aims to harness AI\u2019s unparalleled capacity for data analysis, prediction, and system optimization to address pressing environmental challenges. With a focus on four key pillars\u2014carbon emission monitoring, renewable energy generation optimization, battery management and power-grid optimization, and power consumption reduction\u2014we endeavor to create innovative AI solutions that directly contribute to global carbon neutrality goals. Our commitment extends to producing high-impact research papers for prestigious journals and conferences. This initiative not only underscores Microsoft\u2019s dedication to leveraging technological advancements for global good but also sets a benchmark for integrating AI into sustainable practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n- AI for carbon emission monitoring<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AI for renewable energy generation optimization<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AI for battery management<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AI for power-grid optimization<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AI for power consumption reduction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Jiang Bian<\/a> (Engaging Lead)
Senior Principal Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nI am eager to welcome visiting researchers to Microsoft\u2019s \u201cAI for Sustainability\u201d initiative, a groundbreaking endeavor committed to utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing crucial environmental challenges and propelling us toward global carbon neutrality. As we navigate through the complexities of accelerating climate change, your expertise and dedication will be invaluable, particularly in our focused areas of carbon emission monitoring, renewable energy optimization, battery and power-grid management, and power consumption reduction. I anticipate a collaborative spirit, innovative thinking, and a steadfast commitment to excellence as we collectively strive to create AI-driven solutions with real-world impact. Your contributions will not only play a pivotal role in advancing our research initiatives but also in achieving tangible results that resonate on a global scale. I am confident that together, we will produce high-impact research, share knowledge, and forge new paths in integrating AI into sustainable practices, setting a new benchmark for technological innovation for the greater good.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLei Song<\/a>
Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nAs a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability, I am eager to explore the potential of AI in optimizing renewable energy generation, power-grid management, and power consumption reduction. I am confident that my background in industrial innovations, combined with experience in AI research, will enable us to make meaningful contributions to this collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The present global energy landscape is undergoing a swift shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, introducing challenges in optimizing efficiency, maintaining a reliable power supply, and enhancing grid management. I am convinced that AI holds the potential to transform the energy sector by tackling these obstacles and fostering more sustainable energy systems. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you share our vision and enthusiasm for these subjects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nShun Zheng<\/a>
Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nI expect to collaborate on research topics related to Lithium-ion batteries, electrical vehicles, and renewable energy solutions. The main topic will be applying cutting-edge machine learning techniques into critical research problems in these domains.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJinyu Wang<\/a>
Senior Applied Scientist, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe warmly welcome visiting researchers who have a keen interest in environmental sustainability and possess expertise in AI, renewable energy, or related fields. If you have experience in areas such as optimizing renewable energy generation, power-grid management, power consumption reduction, and AI-driven innovations in the energy sector, we would be delighted to have you join us. Our visiting researchers are encouraged to be enthusiastic about discovering new ways to leverage AI technology in addressing the challenges faced by the global energy landscape and contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable energy systems. If you share our passion and dedication to transforming the energy sector through AI-based solutions, we wholeheartedly invite you to collaborate with us in making a significant impact on the future of renewable energy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nXiaofan Gui<\/a>
Applied Scientist, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe welcome applicants with a strong background in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and battery manufacturing, as well as individuals experienced in sustainability and climate change research, ultimately contributing to the development of advanced AI systems that address real-world challenges and promote sustainable practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three research fields mentioned above are the primary focus for collaboration in the 2024 Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program. In addition to these, applicants can also choose a field of their interest from the following options: Heterogeneous Extreme Computing, Intelligent Cloud and Edge, Intelligent Multimedia, Internet Graphics, Machine Learning, Media Computing, Multi-Modal Computing, Natural Language Computing, Networking Infrastructure, Social Computing, Systems, Trustworthy Systems, Visual Computing, Wireless.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProgram Process<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n- Application and Preliminary Communication:<\/strong> Prospective applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for the Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program are requested to prepare the application form and recommendation letters as per the application requirements. Please complete the registration process by filling out the registration information via the provided link and forward the application form and recommendation letters to our global program coordinator Jeanne Mengzhen Zheng via email at v-menzheng@microsoft.com<\/a> by December 31, 2023. During this period, applicants are encouraged to establish initial contact with Microsoft Research Asia researchers they intend to collaborate with during their visit. For additional assistance, please feel free to contact our program manager, Ms. Beibei Shi, at besh@microsoft.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Program Coordination and Review:<\/strong> In January 2024, the Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program Committee will conduct a comprehensive review of all the application materials with collaborating researchers. They will select and confirm suitable candidates, develop visit plans, and announce the final list.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Formal Invitation:<\/strong> The Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program Committee will send a formal \u201cMicrosoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program Invitation\u201d to the young scholars on the final list. The anticipated date for extending formal invitation is February 20, 2024.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Visit Plan Confirmation:<\/strong> Upon receiving the \u201cMicrosoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program Invitation,\u201d applicants are requested to collaborate with the program manager, Ms. Beibei Shi, and relevant collaborating researchers to confirm their specific visit plans. The 2024 StarTrack Scholars Program visit period spans from February 2024 to January 2025. Please be aware that if, for personal reasons, candidates are unable to confirm their visit plans within one year from the date of the formal invitation, they will be considered as having voluntarily withdrawn from participating in the StarTrack Scholars Program for that year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Visit Plan Modifications: <\/strong>Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program requires three-month full-time on-site visit. With the assistance of the program manager, candidates can submit requests for changes to their visit plans to the program committee. There are two scenarios for such changes:\n
\n- Inability to Fulfill Three-Month Onsite Visit<\/strong>: If it is not feasible to fulfill the mandatory three-month onsite visit requirement, candidates are advised to reach out to the program manager and the collaborating researchers to discuss and submit a request for a modification to the visit plan before the visit begins. Subject to approval by the program committee, candidates may apply for a maximum of one month of remote access during the three-month visit. Please note that requests for this modification cannot be entertained once the onsite visit has commenced.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Requesting an Extension Beyond Three Months<\/strong>: If candidates need a visit duration of more than three months, they can contact the program manager and collaborating researchers during the visit period to discuss and submit a request for an extension. Upon approval from the program committee, the on-site visit can be extended for up to an additional three months (no extension for remote visit is allowed). This request must be submitted no later than 30 days before the scheduled end of the visit to be considered valid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Visit Conclusion: <\/strong>Upon concluding their visits, StarTrack Scholars are required to submit a formal visit conclusion report as per guidelines. Additionally, they are expected to deliver an academic presentation internally at Microsoft Research Asia. After their visits, StarTrack Scholars will be welcomed into the Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Alumni Association.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
More information<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n- Selected candidates for the Microsoft StarTrack Scholars Program will join Microsoft Research Asia as StarTrack Scholars for a three-month full-time visit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- StarTrack Scholars will participate in Microsoft research projects, subject to a confidentiality agreement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The program prohibits scholars from bringing existing projects or intellectual property from their current institutions to MSRA. StarTrack Scholars will collaborate with MSRA researchers, initiating new research projects under StarTrack Scholars Program, with intellectual property rights owned by Microsoft. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program will provide StarTrack Scholars with corresponding visit allowances to support their daily work, dining, accommodation, and travel needs during their visit to Microsoft Research Asia.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n\n
We are delighted to unveil the results of the esteemed MSR Asia StarTrack Scholars 2024 program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Foremost, we express our sincere appreciation to all applicants who showcased remarkable dedication and passion in advancing research within their respective fields. Your contributions have significantly enriched our selection process, highlighting the depth of talent and innovation present within our global research community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From a wealth of highly valuable proposals, we meticulously identified those that closely align with the focal collaborative research themes of this year’s program, encompassing Societal AI, Media Foundation, and Sustainability. Additionally, we selected projects that resonate with key research areas within our labs, including AI-Driven Advancement in System and Infrastructure, Embodied AI, Large Language Models, and Healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following thorough review and evaluation, we are delighted to announce the selection of 17 exceptional scholars, listed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\nName<\/th>\n University<\/th>\n Project<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \nXu Chen<\/strong><\/td>\nRenmin University of China<\/td>\n Social Simulation with Humanoid Large Language Models<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nWeiran Huang<\/strong><\/td>\nShanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n LLM Evaluation Based on Matrix Entropy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nLinus Huang<\/strong><\/td>\nHong Kong University of Science and Technology<\/td>\n Dynamic Value Alignment: Enhancing Ethical AI through User-Centric Adaptability<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nQi Mao<\/strong><\/td>\nCommunication University of China<\/td>\n Neural Codecs-Generative and Cross-modal Compression<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXixin Wu<\/strong><\/td>\nThe Chinese University of Hong Kong<\/td>\n Multimodal Large Language Model based on Shared Space<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nRenhe Jiang<\/strong><\/td>\nThe University of Tokyo<\/td>\n Uncertainty-Aware Machine Learning Models for Spatiotemporal Forecasting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nCheng Tan<\/strong><\/td>\nNortheastern University<\/td>\n Ensuring Correctness and Reliability of Large-scale Distributed Training and Inference in the LLM Era<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nLuo Mai<\/strong><\/td>\nUniversity of Edinburgh<\/td>\n Exploring Next-Generation AI Accelerator System Stack<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXiangyu Xu<\/strong><\/td>\nXi’an Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Large Foundation Model for 3D Human Pose Estimation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nYe Pan<\/strong><\/td>\nShanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Stylized 3D avater generation and real time animation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXiaohong Liu<\/strong><\/td>\nShanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Multi-Modal Reconstruction and Quality Assessment for Neuroimaging<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nHao Wu<\/strong><\/td>\nNanjing University<\/td>\n Synergistic Edge Intelligence Based on Retrieval-Enhanced Large Language Models<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nYujiang Wang<\/strong><\/td>\nOxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research<\/td>\n ICU-LLM: A Multi-modal Large Language Model for Understanding Structured and Unstructured Medical Records in Intensive Care Units<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXie Chen<\/strong><\/td>\nShanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Multitask-oriented Speech Large Model Research<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nDanfeng Shan<\/strong><\/td>\nXi’an Jiaotong University<\/td>\n Efficient network buffer management scheme for large-scale AI clusters<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXingyu Gao<\/strong><\/td>\nChinese Academy of Sciences<\/td>\n Multimodal Perception and Embodied Intelligence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nJian Li<\/strong><\/td>\nInstitute of Information Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences<\/td>\n Lightweight Large Language Models for Complex Reasoning Tasks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"featured_media":970527,"template":"","meta":{"msr-url-field":"","msr-podcast-episode":"","msrModifiedDate":"","msrModifiedDateEnabled":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"msr-opportunity-type":[],"msr-region":[256048],"msr-locale":[268875],"msr-program-audience":[243727],"msr-impact-theme":[],"class_list":["post-970518","msr-academic-program","type-msr-academic-program","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","msr-region-global","msr-locale-en_us","msr-program-audience-faculty"],"msr_description":"","msr_social_media":[],"related-researchers":[],"tab-content":[],"msr_impact_theme":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program\/970518"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/msr-academic-program"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program\/970518\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1059186,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program\/970518\/revisions\/1059186"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/970527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=970518"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"msr-opportunity-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-opportunity-type?post=970518"},{"taxonomy":"msr-region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-region?post=970518"},{"taxonomy":"msr-locale","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-locale?post=970518"},{"taxonomy":"msr-program-audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-program-audience?post=970518"},{"taxonomy":"msr-impact-theme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-impact-theme?post=970518"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Application<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n- Click the Registration Link (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> to submit your registration information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Download the StarTrack Scholars Program Application Form.docx<\/a>, along with the Letter of Recommendation.docx<\/a> and Letter of Institutional Endorsement.docx<\/a> templates. Utilize the form and templates to provide formal application details, then forward them via email to Jeanne Mengzhen Zheng at v-menzheng@microsoft.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Beibei Shi, program manager of the Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program, at <\/em>besh@microsoft.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n1. Societal AI<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Big models have showcased unprecedented achievements, establishing a new frontier in technological advancements. Nevertheless, these models are accompanied by profound societal challenges, encompassing security vulnerabilities, ethical considerations, intricate evaluation mechanisms, and broader social repercussions. This research theme aims to foster a comprehensive and interdisciplinary examination of these issues, juxtaposing AI dynamics with parallels in human development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n- Value Alignment: An exploration into ensuring that AI systems resonate with the ethical and moral principles we aim to impart. The goal is to understand and address the discrepancies between human values and AI outcomes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Safety: Delving into the protection of LLMs against malicious interventions and potential misuses. The research will also focus on developing defensive strategies and establishing safety best practices for these models.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- LLM Evaluating: A study dedicated to devising robust and holistic performance assessment techniques for AI systems. This will include identifying suitable metrics and benchmarks that capture the multifaceted nature of these models.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Interdisciplinary Collaborations: By bridging AI with social sciences, we aim to deeply comprehend and tackle the societal ramifications of AI. This involves dissecting its impact on individual, group, and societal dynamics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Xing Xie<\/a> (Engaging Lead)
Senior Principal Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWith the rising prominence of AI and its profound influence on society, I truly hope that your visit will ignite innovative perspectives and enhance our approach to AI. Additionally, we’re keen to explore the integration of AI with social sciences, and your insights are invaluable in bridging this divide. As we advance technologically, it remains crucial to maintain a holistic view. I look forward to the collaborative strides we will make together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFangzhao Wu<\/a>
Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe hope the applicants have real passion in studying and improving the safety of LLMs against many serious risks such as Jailbreaking and Prompt Injection Attack. We also welcome applicants who want to study the LLM\u2019s impact on society, such as productivity, employment, education, and research.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJianxun Lian<\/a>
Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nTo obtain a comprehensive understanding of the societal challenges and impacts of LLMs, it is insufficient to solely focus on the individual LLM’s perspective. We advocate for a thorough investigation of AI-related societal topics from diverse viewpoints, such as integrating methods and theories across various disciplines or employing multiple, interconnected LLMs as a foundation. We anticipate a profound exchange of knowledge between artificial intelligence and other disciplines, including social science, psychology, and urban computing and ultimately, yielding interdisciplinary insights and uncovering novel interdisciplinary applications during this research visit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJindong Wang<\/a>
Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe hope to gain a holistic understanding of the evaluation of LLMs during this visit. Specifically, establishing a unified and general evaluation framework to support different scenarios and protocols as well as different interdisciplinary research, cultivating new evaluation algorithms and analysis tools to offer insights for assessment, and building a collaborative environment to unite potential researchers in this area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nXiaoyuan Yi<\/a>
Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe expect to establish a systematic solution to aligning LLMs’ intrinsic values with those of humans by incorporating interdisciplinary insights and methodologies during this visit. Our research will delve into topics include investigating the underlying values of LLMs and their corresponding social impact, and then fostering novel algorithms to align LLMs’ values in a unified, flexible, and efficient way, paving the way for a future where LLMs consistently serve the greater good.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n2. Media Foundation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Media Foundation is a cutting-edge research theme that delves into the convergence of multimedia and advanced AI technologies to revolutionize our lives in ways yet to be imagined. Drawing from various disciplines, Media Foundation aims to investigate the potential of advanced AI to learn from real-world multimodal media data, focusing on the symbiotic evolution of multimedia and AI. Humans possess remarkable learning capabilities, acquiring a wide range of skills and knowledge from various modalities, such as vision, hearing, touch, and language. Advanced AI systems also need to learn from the real world. However, how can we bridge the gap between the complex and noisy environment and the abstract and semantic representations of advanced AI? By transforming physical and virtual worlds into media tokens, media foundation research has the potential to foster AI learning and creativity, paving the way for innovative multimodal applications. This research theme includes topics such as neural codecs, neural communication, computer vision, audio and speech, foundation models, and deep learning fundamentals for multimedia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n- Neural codecs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Neural communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Computer vision<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Audio and speech<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Foundation models<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Deep learning fundamentals for multimedia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Yan Lu<\/a> (Engaging Lead)
Partner Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe welcome applicants who possess a strong background in multimedia, AI, or related fields, including individuals with experience in neural codecs, computer vision, deep learning, audio and speech, and other related domains. We also expect participants to be passionate about exploring the paradigm shifts in video and audio research and are eager to contribute to the development of advanced AI systems that can enhance human learning and creativity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nXiulian Peng<\/a>
Principal Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe welcome applicants with expertise in audio\/speech, cross-modal learning, AI, and related fields, especially audio\/speech technologies. We expect individuals to be passionate about delving into the paradigm shift within audio\/speech-related research and be eager to contribute to the advancement of cutting-edge AI systems that can augment human learning and foster creativity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCuiling Lan<\/a>
Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe look forward to collaborating with visiting researchers who have great passion for media foundation research. We warmly welcome applicants who: 1) possess a deep passion for exploring innovative approaches in multimedia and AGI research; 2) have a strong background in AI, multimedia, or related fields, such as computer vision, multi-modal understanding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBin Li<\/a>
Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe welcome candidates with expertise in multimedia, AI, and related fields, such as neural codecs, computer vision, and deep learning. We value individuals passionate about investigating video research’s paradigm shifts and contributing to advanced AI systems development, fostering human learning and creativity enhancement. We expect applicants to have a deep understanding of the field and are committed to pushing the boundaries of AI and multimedia research.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n3. AI for Sustainability<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
In the face of accelerating climate change, the urgency of achieving sustainability and carbon neutrality has become a global imperative. Microsoft, recognizing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), introduces the research theme \u201cAI for Sustainability.\u201d This initiative aims to harness AI\u2019s unparalleled capacity for data analysis, prediction, and system optimization to address pressing environmental challenges. With a focus on four key pillars\u2014carbon emission monitoring, renewable energy generation optimization, battery management and power-grid optimization, and power consumption reduction\u2014we endeavor to create innovative AI solutions that directly contribute to global carbon neutrality goals. Our commitment extends to producing high-impact research papers for prestigious journals and conferences. This initiative not only underscores Microsoft\u2019s dedication to leveraging technological advancements for global good but also sets a benchmark for integrating AI into sustainable practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n- AI for carbon emission monitoring<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AI for renewable energy generation optimization<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AI for battery management<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AI for power-grid optimization<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AI for power consumption reduction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Jiang Bian<\/a> (Engaging Lead)
Senior Principal Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nI am eager to welcome visiting researchers to Microsoft\u2019s \u201cAI for Sustainability\u201d initiative, a groundbreaking endeavor committed to utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing crucial environmental challenges and propelling us toward global carbon neutrality. As we navigate through the complexities of accelerating climate change, your expertise and dedication will be invaluable, particularly in our focused areas of carbon emission monitoring, renewable energy optimization, battery and power-grid management, and power consumption reduction. I anticipate a collaborative spirit, innovative thinking, and a steadfast commitment to excellence as we collectively strive to create AI-driven solutions with real-world impact. Your contributions will not only play a pivotal role in advancing our research initiatives but also in achieving tangible results that resonate on a global scale. I am confident that together, we will produce high-impact research, share knowledge, and forge new paths in integrating AI into sustainable practices, setting a new benchmark for technological innovation for the greater good.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLei Song<\/a>
Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nAs a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability, I am eager to explore the potential of AI in optimizing renewable energy generation, power-grid management, and power consumption reduction. I am confident that my background in industrial innovations, combined with experience in AI research, will enable us to make meaningful contributions to this collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The present global energy landscape is undergoing a swift shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, introducing challenges in optimizing efficiency, maintaining a reliable power supply, and enhancing grid management. I am convinced that AI holds the potential to transform the energy sector by tackling these obstacles and fostering more sustainable energy systems. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you share our vision and enthusiasm for these subjects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nShun Zheng<\/a>
Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nI expect to collaborate on research topics related to Lithium-ion batteries, electrical vehicles, and renewable energy solutions. The main topic will be applying cutting-edge machine learning techniques into critical research problems in these domains.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJinyu Wang<\/a>
Senior Applied Scientist, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe warmly welcome visiting researchers who have a keen interest in environmental sustainability and possess expertise in AI, renewable energy, or related fields. If you have experience in areas such as optimizing renewable energy generation, power-grid management, power consumption reduction, and AI-driven innovations in the energy sector, we would be delighted to have you join us. Our visiting researchers are encouraged to be enthusiastic about discovering new ways to leverage AI technology in addressing the challenges faced by the global energy landscape and contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable energy systems. If you share our passion and dedication to transforming the energy sector through AI-based solutions, we wholeheartedly invite you to collaborate with us in making a significant impact on the future of renewable energy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nXiaofan Gui<\/a>
Applied Scientist, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWe welcome applicants with a strong background in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and battery manufacturing, as well as individuals experienced in sustainability and climate change research, ultimately contributing to the development of advanced AI systems that address real-world challenges and promote sustainable practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three research fields mentioned above are the primary focus for collaboration in the 2024 Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program. In addition to these, applicants can also choose a field of their interest from the following options: Heterogeneous Extreme Computing, Intelligent Cloud and Edge, Intelligent Multimedia, Internet Graphics, Machine Learning, Media Computing, Multi-Modal Computing, Natural Language Computing, Networking Infrastructure, Social Computing, Systems, Trustworthy Systems, Visual Computing, Wireless.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProgram Process<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n- Application and Preliminary Communication:<\/strong> Prospective applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for the Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program are requested to prepare the application form and recommendation letters as per the application requirements. Please complete the registration process by filling out the registration information via the provided link and forward the application form and recommendation letters to our global program coordinator Jeanne Mengzhen Zheng via email at v-menzheng@microsoft.com<\/a> by December 31, 2023. During this period, applicants are encouraged to establish initial contact with Microsoft Research Asia researchers they intend to collaborate with during their visit. For additional assistance, please feel free to contact our program manager, Ms. Beibei Shi, at besh@microsoft.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Program Coordination and Review:<\/strong> In January 2024, the Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program Committee will conduct a comprehensive review of all the application materials with collaborating researchers. They will select and confirm suitable candidates, develop visit plans, and announce the final list.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Formal Invitation:<\/strong> The Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program Committee will send a formal \u201cMicrosoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program Invitation\u201d to the young scholars on the final list. The anticipated date for extending formal invitation is February 20, 2024.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Visit Plan Confirmation:<\/strong> Upon receiving the \u201cMicrosoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program Invitation,\u201d applicants are requested to collaborate with the program manager, Ms. Beibei Shi, and relevant collaborating researchers to confirm their specific visit plans. The 2024 StarTrack Scholars Program visit period spans from February 2024 to January 2025. Please be aware that if, for personal reasons, candidates are unable to confirm their visit plans within one year from the date of the formal invitation, they will be considered as having voluntarily withdrawn from participating in the StarTrack Scholars Program for that year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Visit Plan Modifications: <\/strong>Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program requires three-month full-time on-site visit. With the assistance of the program manager, candidates can submit requests for changes to their visit plans to the program committee. There are two scenarios for such changes:\n
\n- Inability to Fulfill Three-Month Onsite Visit<\/strong>: If it is not feasible to fulfill the mandatory three-month onsite visit requirement, candidates are advised to reach out to the program manager and the collaborating researchers to discuss and submit a request for a modification to the visit plan before the visit begins. Subject to approval by the program committee, candidates may apply for a maximum of one month of remote access during the three-month visit. Please note that requests for this modification cannot be entertained once the onsite visit has commenced.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Requesting an Extension Beyond Three Months<\/strong>: If candidates need a visit duration of more than three months, they can contact the program manager and collaborating researchers during the visit period to discuss and submit a request for an extension. Upon approval from the program committee, the on-site visit can be extended for up to an additional three months (no extension for remote visit is allowed). This request must be submitted no later than 30 days before the scheduled end of the visit to be considered valid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Visit Conclusion: <\/strong>Upon concluding their visits, StarTrack Scholars are required to submit a formal visit conclusion report as per guidelines. Additionally, they are expected to deliver an academic presentation internally at Microsoft Research Asia. After their visits, StarTrack Scholars will be welcomed into the Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Alumni Association.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
More information<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n- Selected candidates for the Microsoft StarTrack Scholars Program will join Microsoft Research Asia as StarTrack Scholars for a three-month full-time visit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- StarTrack Scholars will participate in Microsoft research projects, subject to a confidentiality agreement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The program prohibits scholars from bringing existing projects or intellectual property from their current institutions to MSRA. StarTrack Scholars will collaborate with MSRA researchers, initiating new research projects under StarTrack Scholars Program, with intellectual property rights owned by Microsoft. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program will provide StarTrack Scholars with corresponding visit allowances to support their daily work, dining, accommodation, and travel needs during their visit to Microsoft Research Asia.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n\n
We are delighted to unveil the results of the esteemed MSR Asia StarTrack Scholars 2024 program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Foremost, we express our sincere appreciation to all applicants who showcased remarkable dedication and passion in advancing research within their respective fields. Your contributions have significantly enriched our selection process, highlighting the depth of talent and innovation present within our global research community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From a wealth of highly valuable proposals, we meticulously identified those that closely align with the focal collaborative research themes of this year’s program, encompassing Societal AI, Media Foundation, and Sustainability. Additionally, we selected projects that resonate with key research areas within our labs, including AI-Driven Advancement in System and Infrastructure, Embodied AI, Large Language Models, and Healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following thorough review and evaluation, we are delighted to announce the selection of 17 exceptional scholars, listed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\nName<\/th>\n University<\/th>\n Project<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \nXu Chen<\/strong><\/td>\nRenmin University of China<\/td>\n Social Simulation with Humanoid Large Language Models<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nWeiran Huang<\/strong><\/td>\nShanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n LLM Evaluation Based on Matrix Entropy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nLinus Huang<\/strong><\/td>\nHong Kong University of Science and Technology<\/td>\n Dynamic Value Alignment: Enhancing Ethical AI through User-Centric Adaptability<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nQi Mao<\/strong><\/td>\nCommunication University of China<\/td>\n Neural Codecs-Generative and Cross-modal Compression<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXixin Wu<\/strong><\/td>\nThe Chinese University of Hong Kong<\/td>\n Multimodal Large Language Model based on Shared Space<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nRenhe Jiang<\/strong><\/td>\nThe University of Tokyo<\/td>\n Uncertainty-Aware Machine Learning Models for Spatiotemporal Forecasting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nCheng Tan<\/strong><\/td>\nNortheastern University<\/td>\n Ensuring Correctness and Reliability of Large-scale Distributed Training and Inference in the LLM Era<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nLuo Mai<\/strong><\/td>\nUniversity of Edinburgh<\/td>\n Exploring Next-Generation AI Accelerator System Stack<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXiangyu Xu<\/strong><\/td>\nXi’an Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Large Foundation Model for 3D Human Pose Estimation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nYe Pan<\/strong><\/td>\nShanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Stylized 3D avater generation and real time animation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXiaohong Liu<\/strong><\/td>\nShanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Multi-Modal Reconstruction and Quality Assessment for Neuroimaging<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nHao Wu<\/strong><\/td>\nNanjing University<\/td>\n Synergistic Edge Intelligence Based on Retrieval-Enhanced Large Language Models<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nYujiang Wang<\/strong><\/td>\nOxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research<\/td>\n ICU-LLM: A Multi-modal Large Language Model for Understanding Structured and Unstructured Medical Records in Intensive Care Units<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXie Chen<\/strong><\/td>\nShanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Multitask-oriented Speech Large Model Research<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nDanfeng Shan<\/strong><\/td>\nXi’an Jiaotong University<\/td>\n Efficient network buffer management scheme for large-scale AI clusters<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nXingyu Gao<\/strong><\/td>\nChinese Academy of Sciences<\/td>\n Multimodal Perception and Embodied Intelligence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nJian Li<\/strong><\/td>\nInstitute of Information Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences<\/td>\n Lightweight Large Language Models for Complex Reasoning Tasks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"featured_media":970527,"template":"","meta":{"msr-url-field":"","msr-podcast-episode":"","msrModifiedDate":"","msrModifiedDateEnabled":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"msr-opportunity-type":[],"msr-region":[256048],"msr-locale":[268875],"msr-program-audience":[243727],"msr-impact-theme":[],"class_list":["post-970518","msr-academic-program","type-msr-academic-program","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","msr-region-global","msr-locale-en_us","msr-program-audience-faculty"],"msr_description":"","msr_social_media":[],"related-researchers":[],"tab-content":[],"msr_impact_theme":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program\/970518"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/msr-academic-program"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program\/970518\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1059186,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program\/970518\/revisions\/1059186"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/970527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=970518"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"msr-opportunity-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-opportunity-type?post=970518"},{"taxonomy":"msr-region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-region?post=970518"},{"taxonomy":"msr-locale","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-locale?post=970518"},{"taxonomy":"msr-program-audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-program-audience?post=970518"},{"taxonomy":"msr-impact-theme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-impact-theme?post=970518"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Beibei Shi, program manager of the Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program, at <\/em>besh@microsoft.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Big models have showcased unprecedented achievements, establishing a new frontier in technological advancements. Nevertheless, these models are accompanied by profound societal challenges, encompassing security vulnerabilities, ethical considerations, intricate evaluation mechanisms, and broader social repercussions. This research theme aims to foster a comprehensive and interdisciplinary examination of these issues, juxtaposing AI dynamics with parallels in human development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Xing Xie<\/a> (Engaging Lead) With the rising prominence of AI and its profound influence on society, I truly hope that your visit will ignite innovative perspectives and enhance our approach to AI. Additionally, we’re keen to explore the integration of AI with social sciences, and your insights are invaluable in bridging this divide. As we advance technologically, it remains crucial to maintain a holistic view. I look forward to the collaborative strides we will make together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Fangzhao Wu<\/a> We hope the applicants have real passion in studying and improving the safety of LLMs against many serious risks such as Jailbreaking and Prompt Injection Attack. We also welcome applicants who want to study the LLM\u2019s impact on society, such as productivity, employment, education, and research.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Jianxun Lian<\/a> To obtain a comprehensive understanding of the societal challenges and impacts of LLMs, it is insufficient to solely focus on the individual LLM’s perspective. We advocate for a thorough investigation of AI-related societal topics from diverse viewpoints, such as integrating methods and theories across various disciplines or employing multiple, interconnected LLMs as a foundation. We anticipate a profound exchange of knowledge between artificial intelligence and other disciplines, including social science, psychology, and urban computing and ultimately, yielding interdisciplinary insights and uncovering novel interdisciplinary applications during this research visit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Jindong Wang<\/a> We hope to gain a holistic understanding of the evaluation of LLMs during this visit. Specifically, establishing a unified and general evaluation framework to support different scenarios and protocols as well as different interdisciplinary research, cultivating new evaluation algorithms and analysis tools to offer insights for assessment, and building a collaborative environment to unite potential researchers in this area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Xiaoyuan Yi<\/a> We expect to establish a systematic solution to aligning LLMs’ intrinsic values with those of humans by incorporating interdisciplinary insights and methodologies during this visit. Our research will delve into topics include investigating the underlying values of LLMs and their corresponding social impact, and then fostering novel algorithms to align LLMs’ values in a unified, flexible, and efficient way, paving the way for a future where LLMs consistently serve the greater good.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Media Foundation is a cutting-edge research theme that delves into the convergence of multimedia and advanced AI technologies to revolutionize our lives in ways yet to be imagined. Drawing from various disciplines, Media Foundation aims to investigate the potential of advanced AI to learn from real-world multimodal media data, focusing on the symbiotic evolution of multimedia and AI. Humans possess remarkable learning capabilities, acquiring a wide range of skills and knowledge from various modalities, such as vision, hearing, touch, and language. Advanced AI systems also need to learn from the real world. However, how can we bridge the gap between the complex and noisy environment and the abstract and semantic representations of advanced AI? By transforming physical and virtual worlds into media tokens, media foundation research has the potential to foster AI learning and creativity, paving the way for innovative multimodal applications. This research theme includes topics such as neural codecs, neural communication, computer vision, audio and speech, foundation models, and deep learning fundamentals for multimedia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Yan Lu<\/a> (Engaging Lead) We welcome applicants who possess a strong background in multimedia, AI, or related fields, including individuals with experience in neural codecs, computer vision, deep learning, audio and speech, and other related domains. We also expect participants to be passionate about exploring the paradigm shifts in video and audio research and are eager to contribute to the development of advanced AI systems that can enhance human learning and creativity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Xiulian Peng<\/a> We welcome applicants with expertise in audio\/speech, cross-modal learning, AI, and related fields, especially audio\/speech technologies. We expect individuals to be passionate about delving into the paradigm shift within audio\/speech-related research and be eager to contribute to the advancement of cutting-edge AI systems that can augment human learning and foster creativity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Cuiling Lan<\/a> We look forward to collaborating with visiting researchers who have great passion for media foundation research. We warmly welcome applicants who: 1) possess a deep passion for exploring innovative approaches in multimedia and AGI research; 2) have a strong background in AI, multimedia, or related fields, such as computer vision, multi-modal understanding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Bin Li<\/a> We welcome candidates with expertise in multimedia, AI, and related fields, such as neural codecs, computer vision, and deep learning. We value individuals passionate about investigating video research’s paradigm shifts and contributing to advanced AI systems development, fostering human learning and creativity enhancement. We expect applicants to have a deep understanding of the field and are committed to pushing the boundaries of AI and multimedia research.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n In the face of accelerating climate change, the urgency of achieving sustainability and carbon neutrality has become a global imperative. Microsoft, recognizing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), introduces the research theme \u201cAI for Sustainability.\u201d This initiative aims to harness AI\u2019s unparalleled capacity for data analysis, prediction, and system optimization to address pressing environmental challenges. With a focus on four key pillars\u2014carbon emission monitoring, renewable energy generation optimization, battery management and power-grid optimization, and power consumption reduction\u2014we endeavor to create innovative AI solutions that directly contribute to global carbon neutrality goals. Our commitment extends to producing high-impact research papers for prestigious journals and conferences. This initiative not only underscores Microsoft\u2019s dedication to leveraging technological advancements for global good but also sets a benchmark for integrating AI into sustainable practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Jiang Bian<\/a> (Engaging Lead) I am eager to welcome visiting researchers to Microsoft\u2019s \u201cAI for Sustainability\u201d initiative, a groundbreaking endeavor committed to utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing crucial environmental challenges and propelling us toward global carbon neutrality. As we navigate through the complexities of accelerating climate change, your expertise and dedication will be invaluable, particularly in our focused areas of carbon emission monitoring, renewable energy optimization, battery and power-grid management, and power consumption reduction. I anticipate a collaborative spirit, innovative thinking, and a steadfast commitment to excellence as we collectively strive to create AI-driven solutions with real-world impact. Your contributions will not only play a pivotal role in advancing our research initiatives but also in achieving tangible results that resonate on a global scale. I am confident that together, we will produce high-impact research, share knowledge, and forge new paths in integrating AI into sustainable practices, setting a new benchmark for technological innovation for the greater good.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Lei Song<\/a> As a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability, I am eager to explore the potential of AI in optimizing renewable energy generation, power-grid management, and power consumption reduction. I am confident that my background in industrial innovations, combined with experience in AI research, will enable us to make meaningful contributions to this collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The present global energy landscape is undergoing a swift shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, introducing challenges in optimizing efficiency, maintaining a reliable power supply, and enhancing grid management. I am convinced that AI holds the potential to transform the energy sector by tackling these obstacles and fostering more sustainable energy systems. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you share our vision and enthusiasm for these subjects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Shun Zheng<\/a> I expect to collaborate on research topics related to Lithium-ion batteries, electrical vehicles, and renewable energy solutions. The main topic will be applying cutting-edge machine learning techniques into critical research problems in these domains.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Jinyu Wang<\/a> We warmly welcome visiting researchers who have a keen interest in environmental sustainability and possess expertise in AI, renewable energy, or related fields. If you have experience in areas such as optimizing renewable energy generation, power-grid management, power consumption reduction, and AI-driven innovations in the energy sector, we would be delighted to have you join us. Our visiting researchers are encouraged to be enthusiastic about discovering new ways to leverage AI technology in addressing the challenges faced by the global energy landscape and contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable energy systems. If you share our passion and dedication to transforming the energy sector through AI-based solutions, we wholeheartedly invite you to collaborate with us in making a significant impact on the future of renewable energy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Xiaofan Gui<\/a> We welcome applicants with a strong background in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and battery manufacturing, as well as individuals experienced in sustainability and climate change research, ultimately contributing to the development of advanced AI systems that address real-world challenges and promote sustainable practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The three research fields mentioned above are the primary focus for collaboration in the 2024 Microsoft Research Asia StarTrack Scholars Program. In addition to these, applicants can also choose a field of their interest from the following options: Heterogeneous Extreme Computing, Intelligent Cloud and Edge, Intelligent Multimedia, Internet Graphics, Machine Learning, Media Computing, Multi-Modal Computing, Natural Language Computing, Networking Infrastructure, Social Computing, Systems, Trustworthy Systems, Visual Computing, Wireless.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n We are delighted to unveil the results of the esteemed MSR Asia StarTrack Scholars 2024 program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Foremost, we express our sincere appreciation to all applicants who showcased remarkable dedication and passion in advancing research within their respective fields. Your contributions have significantly enriched our selection process, highlighting the depth of talent and innovation present within our global research community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From a wealth of highly valuable proposals, we meticulously identified those that closely align with the focal collaborative research themes of this year’s program, encompassing Societal AI, Media Foundation, and Sustainability. Additionally, we selected projects that resonate with key research areas within our labs, including AI-Driven Advancement in System and Infrastructure, Embodied AI, Large Language Models, and Healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following thorough review and evaluation, we are delighted to announce the selection of 17 exceptional scholars, listed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Societal AI<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n2. Media Foundation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Partner Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Principal Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n3. AI for Sustainability<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Senior Principal Research Manager, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Senior Researcher, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Applied Scientist, Microsoft Research Asia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nProgram Process<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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\n Name<\/th>\n University<\/th>\n Project<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \n Xu Chen<\/strong><\/td>\n Renmin University of China<\/td>\n Social Simulation with Humanoid Large Language Models<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Weiran Huang<\/strong><\/td>\n Shanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n LLM Evaluation Based on Matrix Entropy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Linus Huang<\/strong><\/td>\n Hong Kong University of Science and Technology<\/td>\n Dynamic Value Alignment: Enhancing Ethical AI through User-Centric Adaptability<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Qi Mao<\/strong><\/td>\n Communication University of China<\/td>\n Neural Codecs-Generative and Cross-modal Compression<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Xixin Wu<\/strong><\/td>\n The Chinese University of Hong Kong<\/td>\n Multimodal Large Language Model based on Shared Space<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Renhe Jiang<\/strong><\/td>\n The University of Tokyo<\/td>\n Uncertainty-Aware Machine Learning Models for Spatiotemporal Forecasting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cheng Tan<\/strong><\/td>\n Northeastern University<\/td>\n Ensuring Correctness and Reliability of Large-scale Distributed Training and Inference in the LLM Era<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Luo Mai<\/strong><\/td>\n University of Edinburgh<\/td>\n Exploring Next-Generation AI Accelerator System Stack<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Xiangyu Xu<\/strong><\/td>\n Xi’an Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Large Foundation Model for 3D Human Pose Estimation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ye Pan<\/strong><\/td>\n Shanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Stylized 3D avater generation and real time animation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Xiaohong Liu<\/strong><\/td>\n Shanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Multi-Modal Reconstruction and Quality Assessment for Neuroimaging<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Hao Wu<\/strong><\/td>\n Nanjing University<\/td>\n Synergistic Edge Intelligence Based on Retrieval-Enhanced Large Language Models<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Yujiang Wang<\/strong><\/td>\n Oxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research<\/td>\n ICU-LLM: A Multi-modal Large Language Model for Understanding Structured and Unstructured Medical Records in Intensive Care Units<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Xie Chen<\/strong><\/td>\n Shanghai Jiao Tong University<\/td>\n Multitask-oriented Speech Large Model Research<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Danfeng Shan<\/strong><\/td>\n Xi’an Jiaotong University<\/td>\n Efficient network buffer management scheme for large-scale AI clusters<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Xingyu Gao<\/strong><\/td>\n Chinese Academy of Sciences<\/td>\n Multimodal Perception and Embodied Intelligence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Jian Li<\/strong><\/td>\n Institute of Information Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences<\/td>\n Lightweight Large Language Models for Complex Reasoning Tasks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n