Marenglen Biba

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       Ass. Prof. of Computer Science at UNYT
       Head of Computer Science Department

      Address: Department of Computer Science,
                     University of New York Tirana,
                     Rr. Komuna e Parisit, Tirana, Albania
      Telephone: +355 42273056
      Fax: +355 42723059
      Office: 520
      Email: first name last name at unyt dot edu dot al

2009 - present, Head of Computer Science Department, University of New York in Tirana, affiliated with State University of New York (SUNY)

2008 - 2009, Postdoctoral researcher in Computer Science at LACAM laboratory, Department of Computer Science, University of Bari. My supervisor was Prof. Floriana Esposito.

2005 - 2008, Ph.D. in Computer Science at LACAM laboratory, Department of Computer Science, University of Bari under the supervision of Prof. Floriana Esposito. Ph.D thesis: Integrating Logic and Probability: Algorithmic Improvements in Markov Logic Networks.

September - December 2007, I was visiting student at the Machine Learning group headed by Prof. Pedro Domingos, at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.

1999 - 2004 Laurea Degree (cum laude) in Computer Science, University of Bari under the supervision of Prof. Stefano Ferilli and Prof. Floriana Esposito. Thesis title: "Automatic acquisition of background knowledge for a multistrategic incremental learning system".

Research interests:

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Pattern Recognition, Data Mining, Computational Biology, Document Image Understanding, Information Extraction, Social Networks Analysis.

Current work:

Statistical Relational Learning: I have investigated Markov Logic Networks, a powerful formalism that integrates first-order logic and probabilistic graphical models.
Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition for Document Classification and Understanding: I am involved in the implementation of the DOMINUS system, a document processing system that uses machine learning and pattern recognition methods. It uses layout analysis algorithms from pattern recognition to extract the structure of a document and then applies an ILP system to learn classification and understanding rules.
Machine Learning for Social Networks: I'm interested in investigating the application of machine learning to social networks. My Ph.D. work has focused on the task of link prediction in social networks modeling these in SRL formalisms.

Applications of Machine Learning in Computational and Systems Biology: I am interested in investigating problems of Computational and Systems Biology by applying symbolic-statistical machine learning methods.
Combinatorial Optimization in Machine Learning: Most problems in Machine Learning require combinatorial optimization. I'm interested in investigating stochastic metaheuristics for statistical relational learning optimization.

Past work:

Inductive Logic Programming: I have been interested in combining ILP principles (such as refinement operators) with statistical learning.
Logical and Statistical Abduction: For my laurea thesis, I implemented some operators for automatically discovering abduction theories based on statistical properties of non-constraints found in a certain domain.
Scalability of ILP: I have been interested in the scalability of ILP. I have implemented some parts of the ILP system INTHELEX on partial memory.
Multistrategic Learning: Learning through multiple types of inferences. I have implemented some parts of the ILP system INTHELEX on multistrategic learning.

Research Funds:

National Project- BIOLAB: Laboratorio di Bioinformatica per la Biodiversità Molecolare. (supported by Ministero dell’Istruzione dell’Università e della Ricerca Italy)

National Project- PRIN 2006-2008 Computational Models of Multistrategy First Order Learning from sequences (financed by Ministero dell’Istruzione dell’Università e della Ricerca Italy)

Regional Project - Industrial research project DDTA (Apulian Textile-Clothing Digital District) (financed by Regione Puglia)

European Project DELOS 2 Network of Excellence on Digital Libraries (funded by the EU's Sixth Framework Programme) Technology-enhanced Learning and Access to Cultural Heritage - Contract no.: G038-507618.

Distributed Production as Innovative System (DIPIS) strategic project supported by Apulia Region "Produzione Distribuita come Sistema Innovativo, 2007-2009.

Book by Springer

I have co-edited a book with title “Learning Structure and Schemas from Documents” published in series “Studies in Computational Intelligence” by Springer, together with Prof. Fatos Xhafa (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya).

Selected Publications

Marenglen Biba, Fatos Xhafa, Floriana Esposito, Stefano Ferilli: Engineering SLS Algorithms for Statistical Relational Models. CISIS 2011: 502-507.

Marenglen Biba, Fatos Xhafa, Floriana Esposito, Stefano Ferilli: Using Machine Learning Techniques for Modelling and Simulation of Metabolic Networks. CISIS 2011: 85-92.

Stefano Ferilli, Teresa Maria Altomare Basile, Floriana Esposito, Marenglen Biba: A Contour-Based Progressive Technique for Shape Recognition. ICDAR 2011: 723-727.

Floriana Esposito, Stefano Ferilli, Nicola Di Mauro, Teresa Maria Altomare Basile, Marenglen Biba: DDTA - Digitalisation of Districts in the Textile and Clothing Sector. IRCDL 2011: 119-122.

Marenglen Biba, Fatos Xhafa, Floriana Esposito, Stefano Ferilli: Stochastic simulation and modelling of metabolic networks in a machine learning framework. Journal of Simulation Modelling, Practice and Theory 19(9): 1957-1966 (2011)

M. Biba, S. Ferilli, F. Esposito. Modelling and Searching of Combinatorial Spaces Based on Markov Logic Networks. Journal of Algorithms & Computational Technology (JACT), Multi Science Publishing, Volume 5, Number 2 / June 2011.

Marenglen Biba, Stefano Ferilli, Floriana Esposito: Protein Fold Recognition Using Markov Logic Networks. Mathematical Approaches to Polymer Sequence Analysis and Related Problems 2011: 69-85.

Marenglen Biba and Fatos Xhafa. Learning Structure and Schemas from Heterogeneous Domains in Networked Systems: A survey. International Conference on Intelligent Networking And Collaborative Systems (INCoS 2010), Thessaloniki, Greece, November 24 -26, 2010, IEEE Computer Society 2010.

M. Biba, S. Ferilli, F. Esposito. Towards Multistrategic Statistical Relational Learning. Jacek Koronacki, Zbigniew W. Ras, Slawomir T. Wierzchon, Janusz Kacprzyk (Eds.): Advances in Machine Learning II, Dedicated to the Memory of Professor Ryszard S. Michalski. Studies in Computational Intelligence Vol. 263 Springer 2010.

M. Biba, E. Ballhysa, N. Rao Vajjala, V. Raju Mullagiri. A Novel Structure Refining Algorithm for Statistical-Logical Models. 4th International Conference on Complex, Intelligent and Software Intensive Systems. February, 15th - 18th 2010, Krakow, Poland, IEEE Computer Society 2010, ISBN 978-0-7695-3967-6.

S. Ferilli, M. Biba. N. Di Mauro, T. M. A. Basile, F. Esposito Merging Structural and Taxonomic Similarity for Text Retrieval using Relational Descriptions, Communications in Computer and Information Science (CCIS) Series, Springer, to appear.

S. Ferilli, M. Biba, F. Esposito. Using Explicit Word Co-occurrences to Improve Term-based Text Retrieval. Communications in Computer and Information Science (CCIS) Series, Springer, to appear.

M. Biba, S. Ferilli, F. Esposito. Knowledge Discovery from Noisy Relational Databases with Statistical Relational Machine Learning. Ed. Jennifer R. Taylor. Relational Databases and Open Source Software Developments, Novascience, 2010, ISBN: 978-1-61668-436-5.

M. Biba, S. Ferilli, F. Esposito. Machine Reconstruction of Metabolic Networks from Metabolomic Data through Symbolic-Statistical Learning. Eds. Justin S. Knapp and William L. Cabrera. Metabolomics: Metabolites, Metabonomics, and Analytical Technologies, Novascience, 2010, ISBN: 978-1-61668-006-0.

M. Biba. Business Intelligence in Emerging Markets: The Case of Albania. Journal of International Research Publications: Economy & Business, 2010, to appear.

M .Biba. Engineering SLS Algorithms for Markov Logic Networks. In Doctoral Symposium on Engineering Stochastic Local Search Algorithms (SLS-DS 2009), Brussels, Belgium, September 3-5 2009.

M. Biba. Integrating Logic and Probability: Algorithmic Improvements in Markov Logic Networks. Ph.D Thesis, University of Bari, 2009.

S. Ferilli, M. Biba, F. Esposito, T. M. A. Basile. A Distance-based Technique for non-Manhattan Layout Analysis. International Conference On Document Analysis And Recognition (ICDAR'09), Barcelona, Spain, IEEE Computer Society, to appear.

S. Ferilli, F. Esposito, M. Biba, T. M.A. Basile, N. Di Mauro. FOL Learning Techniques for Knowledge Discovery from Documents. In Handbook of Research on Machine Learning Applications and Trends: Algorithms, Methods, and Techniques. Eds: E. Soria, J.D. Martin, R. Magdalena, M.Martinez, A.J. Serrano. IGI Global Publishing, Hershey, PA, USA, 2009.

M. Biba, S. Ferilli and F. Esposito. Boosting Learning and Inference in Markov Logic through Metaheuristics. Applied Intelligence Journal, Springer US, 2009.

Marenglen Biba, Floriana Esposito, Stefano Ferilli, Matteo Accetturo, Teresa Maria Creanza, Claudia Santoro, Pietro Leo. Non Syndromic Hereditary Hearing Loss: Gene Prioritization Based on Textual Approach, Logic-based approaches in Bioinformatics, Satellite workshop of the AI*IA 2009: International Conference of the Italian Association for Artificial Intelligence 12 December 2009, Reggio Emilia (Italy).

S. Ferilli, T.M.A. Basile, M. Biba, N. Di Mauro, F. Esposito. A General Similarity Framework for Horn Clause Logic. Fundamenta Informaticae Journal, 90(1-2): 43-66, IOS Press, 2009.

S. Ferilli, M. Biba, T.M.A. Basile, F. Esposito. Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Keyword Extraction Methods with Document Layout Analysis. 5th Italian Research Conference on Digital Libraries, (IRCDL'09), DELOS: an Association for Digital Libraries 2009.

M. Biba, S. Ferilli, F. Esposito: Efficient MAP Inference for Statistical Relational Models through Hybrid Metaheuristics. Foundations of Intelligent Systems, 18th International Symposium, ISMIS 2009, Prague, Czech Republic, September 14-17, 2009. Proceedings. Lecture Notes in Computer Science 5722 Springer 2009, ISBN 978-3-642-04124-2.

Marenglen Biba, Stefano Ferilli, Floriana Esposito: High Performing Algorithms for MAP and Conditional Inference in Markov Logic. AI*IA 2009: Emergent Perspectives in Artificial Intelligence, XIth International Conference of the Italian Association for Artificial Intelligence, Reggio Emilia, Italy, December 9-12, 2009, Proceedings. Lecture Notes in Computer Science 5883 Springer 2009.

M. Biba, S. Ferilli, F. Esposito. Modelling (Bio)Logical Sequences through Markov Logic Networks. International Joint Conference Intelligent Information Systems (IIS 2009), Recent Advances in Intelligent Infomation Systems, ISBN 978-83-60434-59-8, Warsaw, 2009.

M. Biba. Integrating Logic and Statistics: Novel Algorithms in Markov Logic Networks. VDM Verlag, ISBN 978-3639122824, Saarbrucken, Germany, 2009.

S. Ferilli, M. Biba, T. M.A. Basile, N. Di Mauro, and F. Esposito. k-Nearest Neighbor Classification on First-Order Logic Descriptions . In Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop on Mining Complex Data - (MCD 2008 In conjunction with IEEE ICDM 2008).

S. Ferilli, T. M. A. Basile, M. Biba, F. Esposito. Incremental Machine Learning Techniques for Document Layout Understanding . In Proc. of 19th International Conference on Pattern Recognition (ICPR 2008), December 8-11, 2008, Tampa, FL, USA.

M. Biba, S. Ferilli, F. Esposito. Discriminative Structure Learning of Markov Logic Networks . In Proceedings of 18th International Conference on Inductive Logic Programming, (ILP 2008), LNCS 5194, (pp. 59-76), Springer, 2008. Shared Best Student Paper Award sponsored by Machine Learning Journal.

M. Biba, S. Ferilli, F. Esposito. Structure Learning of Markov Logic Networks through Iterated Local Search . In Proceedings of 18th European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (ECAI 2008), Patras, Greece, IOS Press, 2008.

S. Ferilli, T. M. A. Basile, M. Biba, F. Esposito. Automatic Document Organization Exploiting FOL Similarity-based Techniques . Post-proceedings of the 4th Italian Research Conference on Digital Library Systems, (IRCDL 2008), (pp. 57-66). DELOS: an Association for Digital Libraries 2008.

S. Ferilli, N. Di Mauro, T. M.A. Basile, M. Biba, F. Esposito. Generalization-based Similarity for Conceptual Clustering . In Proceedings of the 3rd International Workshop on Mining Complex Data - (MCD 2007 at ECML/PKDD 2007), LNAI, Vol. 4944, 13-26, Springer, 2008.

M. Biba, F. Esposito, S. Ferilli, N. Di Mauro, and T.M.A. Basile. Unsupervised Discretization Using Kernel Density Estimation . In Proceedings of the 20th International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI07), pp. 696-701, 2007.

S. Ferilli, T.M.A. Basile, N. Di Mauro, M. Biba and F. Esposito. Similarity-Guided Clause Generalization. Artificial Intelligence and Human-Oriented Computing, 10th Congress of the Italian Association for Artificial Intelligence, AI*IA 2007, LNCS 4733, pp.278-289, Springer 2007.

S. Ferilli, T.M.A. Basile, N. Di Mauro, M. Biba, and F. Esposito. Generalizzazione di Clausole Basata Su Un Nuovo Criterio di Similarita'. In Proceedings of 22nd Italian Conference on Computational Logic, CILC 2007.

M. Biba, S. Ferilli, N. Di Mauro, T. M.A Basile. A Hybrid Symbolic-Statistical Approach to Modeling Metabolic Networks . Knowledge-Based Intelligent Information and Engineering Systems, 11th International Conference, KES 2007, LNCS 4692, pp. 132-139, Springer 2007.

M. Biba, S. Ferilli, F. Esposito, N. Di Mauro, T.M.A Basile. A Fast Partial Memory Approach to Incremental Learning through an Advanced Data Storage Framework . In Proceedings of the 15th Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems, SEBD 2007, pp.52-63, ISBN 978-88-902981-0-3.

M. Biba, F. Esposito, S. Ferilli, N. Di Mauro, T.M.A Basile. Mining Time-series Sequences of Reactions for Biologically Active Patterns in Metabolic Pathways. In Proceedings of the 15th Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems, SEBD 2007, pp. 40-51, ISBN 978-88-902981-0-3.

M. Biba, F. Esposito, S. Ferilli, T. M.A Basile, N. Di Mauro. Multi-class Protein Fold Recognition through a Symbolic-Statistical Framework. In Proceedings of CIBB 2007: 4th International Meeting on Computational Intelligence Methods for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, LNCS 4578, pp. 666-673, Springer 2007.

S. Ferilli, F. Esposito, N. Di Mauro, T.M.A Basile and M. Biba. INTHELEX system presentation: An abduction framework for handling incompleteness in first-order learning . In Proceedings of 5th Workshop on Abduction and Induction in AI and Scientific Modelling (AIAI'06) at ECAI 2006.

S. Ferilli, N. Di Mauro, T.M.A. Basile, F. Esposito and M. Biba. Automatic Topics Identification For Reviewer Assignment . In Proceedings of The 19th International Conference on Industrial, Engineering & Other Applications of Applied Intelligent Systems (IEA/AIE'06), LNAI 4031, pp. 721-730, Springer Verlag, 2006.

M. Biba, S. Ferilli, N. Di Mauro and T.M.A Basile. Intelligent Methodologies for Scientific Conference Management . In Founfations of Intelligent Systems, Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium on Methodologies for Intelligent Systems (ISMIS 2006), LNAI 4303, pp. 258-267, Springer Verlag, 2006.

M. Biba, T.M.A Basile, S. Ferilli, and F. Esposito. Improving Scalability in ILP Incremental Systems . In Proceedings of 21st Italian Conference on Computational Logic, CILC 2006.

M. Biba, S. Ferilli, T. M.A Basile, N. Di Mauro and F. Esposito. Induction of Abstraction Theories Using Unsupervised Discretization of Continuous Attributes. In S. Muggleton, R. Otero (Eds), Short Paper Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Inductive Logic Programming. University of Corunna, 2006.

S. Ferilli, T.M.A. Basile, N. Di Mauro, M. Biba, F. Esposito. A New Similarity Measure for Guiding Generalizations Search. In S. Muggleton, R. Otero (Eds), Short Paper Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Inductive Logic Programming. University of Corunna, 2006.

Teaching

Teaching page for UNYT students

University of New York in Tirana

Fall 2011

Object-Oriented Programming with Java (undergraduate)

Data Mining (graduate)

Spring 2011

Data Structures (undergraduate)

System Analysis and Design (undergraduate)

Advanced Topics in Operating Systems (graduate)

Fall 2010

Data Mining (graduate)

Object-Oriented Programming with Java (undergraduate)

Operating Systems (undergraduate)

Spring 2010

Security Engineering (undergraduate)

Advanced Topics in Operating Systems (graduate)

Advanced Topics in Databases (graduate)

Advanced Topics in Computer Architecture (graduate)

Fall 2009

Operating Systems.

Computer Applications

Teaching Assistant at University of Bari

Academic year 2008/2009 - Artificial Intelligence course
Academic year 2007/2008 - Advanced Programming Methods course
Academic year 2007/2008 - Knowledge Representation course
Academic year 2007/2008 - Algorithms and Data Structures course
Academic year 2006/2007 - Algorithms and Data Structures course
Academic year 2006/2007 - Knowledge Representation course
Academic year 2006/2007 - Knowledge Engineering and Expert Systems course
Academic year 2006/2007 - Advanced Programming Methods course

Graduate Students

Jetmir Sadiku – Thesis title: A Novel Stemming Algorithm for Albanian in a Data Mining Approach for Document Classification

Erida Lice – Thesis title: Customizing Rational Unified Process in a Systems Integration Scenario: A Case Study

Besmir Hasanaj – Thesis title: A Part of Speech Tagging Model for Albanian.

Evis Opari - Thesis title: A Wiki System For Culture Heritage Management with Semantic Content

Erita Skendaj - Thesis title: Secure File Sharing in JXTA Using Digital Signatures

Software

I worked on MLN++, a statistical relational learning package of algorithms based on Markov Logic and built upon Alchemy .
INTHELEX
DOMINUS

Memberships

Association for Computing Machinery.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
IEEE Computer Society.
GULP - Italian Association for Logic Programming affiliated to Association for Logic Programming (ALP).

Networks of Excellence

Machine Intelligence Research Labs (MIR Labs)

Professional Service

Editor-In-Chief

International Journal of Social Network Mining (IJSNM)

Editorial Board Member

International Journal of Grid and Utility Computing (IJGUC)

Organization Activities

BASNA 2012 - Business Applications of Social Network Analysis

BASNA 2011

Track co-Chair: Data Mining And Knowledge Management For Intelligent Networking And Collaborative Systems

INCoS 2011 - International Conference on Intelligent Networking And Collaborative Systems

Track co-Chair: Artificial Intelligence and Agent Technology

CISIS 2011- The Fifth International Conference on Complex, Intelligent, and Software Intensive Systems

Session Chair:

High Performance Algorithms in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at ICSL2011

Workshop co-Organizer

MLSW 2011 - International Workshop on Machine Learning and Semantic Web Technologies. (CFP)

Organizing Committee

BIO-LOGICAL 2009: Logic-based Approaches to Bioinformatics. Reggio Emilia, in conjunction with International Conference on Artificial Intelligence organized by the Italian Association of Artificial Intelligence AIxIA, December 2009.

Program Committee

SIMULTECH 2012 - 1st International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications.

GrC 2012 - 2012 IEEE International Conference on Granular Computing (GrC)

SCA-2012 - International Conference on Social Computing and Applications.

ISMIS-2012 - 20th International Symposium on Methodologies for Intelligent Systems

ANT-2012 - 3rd International Conference on Ambient Systems, Networks and Technologies

ECML PKDD 2011 - European Conference on Machine Learning and Principles and Practice of Knowledge Discovery in Databases

SCA2011 - International Conference on Social Computing and Applications, Dec. 12-14, 2011, Melbourne, Australia

SIMULTECH 2011 - 1st International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications.

GrC 2011 - 2011 IEEE International Conference on Granular Computing (GrC)

ISMIS 2011 - The 19th International Symposium on Methodologies for Intelligent Systems

ANT 2001 - International Conference on Ambient Systems, Networks and Technologies

SocialComNet-2011 - 2011 Workshop on Social Computing, Network, and Services.

ICSL2011- Intelligent Computing In Large-Scale Systems 2011

ECMS2011- 25th European Conference on Modelling and Simulation

ASONAM 2011 - International Conference on Advances in Social Network Analysis and Mining

AICCSA-2010 - ACS/IEEE International Conference on Computer Systems and Applications 2010.

PPSN-2010 - 11th International Conference on Parallel Problem Solving From Nature, 2010.

Guest Editor

Special Issue on "Modelling and Simulation of Intelligent Large-Scale Systems

". LNCS "Transactions on Computational Collective Intelligence" Journal in LNCS Springer Series

Previous and current work as reviewer:
International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI'07).

National Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI’10).

European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (ECAI'06, ECAI'08).

European Conference of Machine Learning/Knowledge Discovery in Databases (ECML/PKDD'06, ECML/PKDD'07, ECML/PKDD'08, ECML/PKDD'09).

ACM SIGKDD conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDD'09).

International Conference on Inductive Logic Programming (ILP'06, ILP'07, ILP'08).

Workshop on Multi-Relational Data Mining (MRDM'07).

IEEE International Conference on Data Mining (ICDM'06, ICDM'08,ICDM’10).

IEEE Symposium on Computational Intelligence and Data Mining (CIDM'07, CIDM'09).

International Conference on Advanced Data Mining and Applications (ADMA'09).

International Workshop on Mining Complex Data. (MCD'07, MCD'08)

International Conference on Pattern Recognition (ICPR'08)

International Conference On Document Analysis And Recognition (ICDAR'07)

Italian Association for Arti_cial Intelligence (AI*IA'07)

International Symposium on Methodologies for Intelligent Systems (ISMIS'06,ISMIS'08)

International Joint Conference Intelligent Information Systems (IIS'09).

International Conference on Advanced Intelligence (ICAI'08).

International Conference on Industrial,Engineering & Other Applications of Applied Intelligent Systems (IEA/AIE'07,IEA/AIE'08,IEA/AIE'09).

International Meeting on Computational Intelligence Methods for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics (CIBB'07, CIBB'08, CIBB'09).

The Pacific-Asia Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (PAKDD'09).

International Uncertainty Reasoning Workshop at ISCW 2008 (URSW'08).

International Conference on Knowledge-Based and Intelligent Information & Engineering Systems (KES'07, KES'08, KES'09).

European Conference on Research and Advanced Technology for Digital Libraries (ECDL'06, ECDL'07, ECDL'08, ECDL'09).

IEEE International Conference on Document Image Analysis for Libraries (DIAL'06).

International Conference on Agents and Arti_cial Intelligence (ICAART'09)

Prestigious Applications of Intelligent Systems. (PAIS'08).

The Eleventh IASTED International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Applications (AIA 2011)

International Journal on Knowledge and Information Systems.

Neurocomputing Journal.

Neural Networks Journal.

International Journal of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science

Recent Trends in Information Reuse and Integration. Özyer, Tansel, Mehr, Keivan Kian, Tan, Mehmet 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-3-7091-0737-9. Springer 2011.