Blockchain Fundamentals

Abstract

Most people by now have heard about blockchain, and the news coverage regarding Bitcoin, Ethereum, and crypto currency in general. There are a plethora of talks, courses, and tutorials on these topics. It can be challenging to make sense of all the buzzwords, technologies, platforms, and services available. This talk will focus on the fundamental constructs and unique properties of blockchain - ledger, immutability, consensus (Proof-of-Work, and Proof-of-Stake) and smart contracts. We will also cover blockchain types (public, private/consortium), blockchain myths, and some of the most popular use-cases.

Attendees will gain intuition and a basic understanding of how blockchain’s fundamental properties are achieved, and how blockchain is being used today beyond crypto-currency applications. Blockchain is poised to transform the way we interact with the world around us. Join us and learn the fundamentals of this disruptive technology that is shaping the future of business.

Bio

Dr. Ponceleoìn is a computer scientist, information security expert and innovator. She is currently a Principal Scientist at Gilded, a fintech startup with the mission of making physical gold digital, mobile and usable everyone. At Gilded she leads Gilded’s Trust Ledger, a private permissioned blockchain that records client’s ownership of gold.  She is a former Principal Researcher at IBM Almaden Research Center where she managed the Information Security Group. In that role she was instrumental in the adoption and deployment of IBM’s broadcast encryption technology by the Advanced Access Content System (AACS). AACS is Blu-ray’s Content Protection Standards Consortium. While at Apple Computer, Inc, she contributed to QuickTime Conferencing’s video/audio compression and to the research project Piles, that would later inspire Apple’s Stacks View.

Her broad interest across different disciplines include security, blockchain, numerical analysis, and natural language processing. She holds 60+ granted patents 50+ publications. She has been recognized with prestigious IBM internal awards such as Master Inventor, Best of IBM, Corporate Award, and Member of IBM Academy of Technology. She was the recipient of YWCA of Silicon Valley Tribute to Women (TWIN) Awards, honoring women who exemplify excellence in executive positions.

Dr. Ponceleoìn earned her master’s and PhD in Computer Science from Stanford University and her BS (Cum Laude) in Computer Science from Universidad Simoìn Bolivar in Caracas, Venezuela. Recognizing the importance of a mentor, all along her career she has been passionate about encouraging and mentoring underrepresented minorities to engage in computer science.

Date, Time, and Location

Tuesday, May 2, 2023 @ 1:30 in MH 225