Research Seminars @ Illinois

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Tailored for undergraduate researchers, this calendar is a curated list of research seminars at the University of Illinois. Explore the diverse world of research and expand your knowledge through engaging sessions designed to inspire and enlighten.

To have your events added or removed from this calendar, please contact OUR at ugresearch@illinois.edu

MS Thesis Defense by Qi Liu

Event Type
Other
Sponsor
Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Location
W-121 Turner Hall
Date
Jul 24, 2025   2:30 pm  
Contact
NRES
E-Mail
nres@illinois.edu
Phone
217-333-2770
Originating Calendar
NRES Seminars

KGML-N: a knowledge guided machine learning modeling framework for efficient simulation of N-yield response

Applying the right amount of nitrogen (N) fertilizer in corn farming is a major challenge. Current process-based models (PBMs) meet efficiency bottlenecks in large scale applications, while data driven models’ reliability are questioned as they are not interpretable. This thesis presents a solution that combines the best of both worlds by developing a knowledge guided machine learning (KGML) surrogate model—an efficient and interpretable machine learning tool to model N-yield response. Our model KGML-N was well designed to include necessary intermediate variables (IMVs) for N-yield response modeling, and then trained to mimic an advanced PBM ecosys. We then tested our model to see if it could capture environmental impacts on N-yield response and maintain consistency with empirical knowledge under out of distribution scenarios. This work validates our surrogate model as a powerful, fast, and scientifically sound tool for developing more precise nitrogen management recommendations.

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