Stacy L. Tantum

Research Interests

Physics-based statistical signal processing • Context-aware machine learning • Domain-informed data science
Explainable/interpretable machine learning • Privacy-aware machine learning • Bias in machine learning
Neuroscience-informed teaching • Metacognition • Cognitive load theory • Mindset-aware learning

Bio

Stacy Tantum received the B.S.E.E. degree in Electrical Engineering and Economics from Tufts University in 1994, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering, both from Duke University in 1996 and 1998, respectively.  During the summer of 1996 she was a Summer Research Assistant at SACLANT Undersea Research Center in La Spezia, Italy, where she collaborated on her PhD research on passive sonar with an international team of research scientists. Dr. Tantum is currently an Associate Professor of the Practice in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University, where she is also the Faculty Director of the 360 Coaching Program for first-year advising in the Pratt School of Engineering.

Her current research interests are in the areas of domain-informed data science and context-aware machine learning, in which notions of privacy, bias, and making data science and machine learning decisions understandable and interpretable are at the forefront. She translates these interests to her efforts to improve student educational experiences by incorporating mindset-aware learning and neuroscience-informed teaching practices, such as metacognition and cognitive load, into the learning experiences she designs.

Education

• B.S.E.E. Tufts University, 1994
• M.S. Duke University, 1996
• Ph.D. Duke University, 1998

Positions

• Bell-Rhodes Associate Professor of the Practice of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Associate Professor of the Practice in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Courses Taught

• EGR 101L: Engineering Design and Communication
• ECE 580: Introduction to Machine Learning
• ECE 487: System Design for Machine Learning and Signal Processing
• ECE 480: Applied Probability for Statistical Learning
• ECE 391: Projects in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Publications

• Wang Y, Gupta A, Tushar FI, Riley B, Wang A, Tailor TD, et al. Concordance-based Predictive Uncertainty (CPU)-Index: Proof-of-concept with application towards improved specificity of lung cancers on low dose screening CT. Artif Intell Med. 2025 Feb;160:103055.
• Santillan ST, Franzoni LP, Tantum SL. Work in Progress: Evaluation of 360 Coaching to Support Whole-Student Advising in the First-Year. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2023.
• Tantum S, Santillan ST, Temiquel-McMillian L, Ganley J. WIP - 360 Coaching to Support Whole-Student Advising in the First-Year. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2022.
• Cunningham P, Matusovich HM, Carrico C, Ellestad RMC, Tantum S, Santillan ST, et al. Supporting Students' Skillful Learning: Lessons Learned from a Faculty Development Workshop. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2021.
• Czarnek N, Morton K, Collins L, Tantum S, Throckmorton C. The impact of time on seizure prediction performance in the FSPEEG database. Epilepsy & behavioru202f: E&B. 2015 Jul;48:79u201382.
• Knox M, Tantum S, Collins L. Target detection and identification using synthetic aperture acoustics. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2014.
• Tantum SL, Scott WR, Morton KD, Collins LM, Torrione PA. Target classification and identification using sparse model representations of frequency-domain electromagnetic induction sensor data. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing. 2013 Jan 1;51(5):2689u2013706.
• Tantum SL, Colwell KA, Scott WR, Torrione PA, Collins LM, Morton KD. Sparse model inversion and processing of spatial frequency-domain electromagnetic induction sensor array data for improved landmine discrimination. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2013.
• Tantum SL, Colwell KA, Morton KD, Scott WR, Collins LM, Torrione PA. Feature extraction and processing of spatial frequency-domain electromagnetic induction sensor data for improved landmine discrimination. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2012.
• Tantum SL, Morton KD, Collins LM, Torrione PA. Investigation of the effects of operator technique on handheld sensor data for landmine detection. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2012.
• Tantum SL, Morton KD, Collins LM, Torrione PA. Frequency-domain electromagnetic induction sensor data feature extraction and processing for improved landmine detection. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2011.
• Tantum SL, Torrione PA, Collins LM. Sparse model representations of target signatures for improved landmine detection using frequency-domain electromagnetic induction sensors. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2010.
• Tantum SL, Zhu Q, Torrione PA, Collins LM. Modeling position error probability density functions for statistical inversions using a Goff-Jordan rough surface model. Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment. 2009 Jan 1;23(2):155u201367.
• Remus JJ, Morton KD, Torrione PA, Tantum SL, Collins LM. Comparison of a distance-based likelihood ratio test and k-nearest neighbor classification methods. In: Proceedings of the 2008 IEEE Workshop on Machine Learning for Signal Processing, MLSP 2008. 2008. p. 362u20137.
• Tantum SL, Yu Y, Collins LM. Bayesian mitigation of sensor position errors to improve unexploded ordnance detection. IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters. 2008 Jan 1;5(1):103u20137.
• Throckmorton CS, Tantum SL, Tan Y, Collins LM. Independent component analysis for UXO detection in highly cluttered environments. Journal of Applied Geophysics. 2007 Mar 19;61(3u20134):304u201317.
• Tantum SL, Tan Y, Collins LM. Kalman filtering for weak signal detection in remote sensing. In: Signal Processing for Remote Sensing. 2007. p. 127u201350.
• Tantum SL, Tan Y, Collins LM. Kalman filtering for weak signal detection in remote sensing. In: Signal and Image Processing for Remote Sensing. 2006. p. 129u201352.
• Tantum SL, Wang YQ, Collins LM. Statistical and adaptive signal processing for UXO discrimination for next-generation sensor data. In: PIERS 2006 Cambridge - Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium, Proceedings. 2006. p. 302u20135.
• Tan Y, Tantum SL, Collins LM. Kalman filtering for enhanced landmine detection using quadrupole resonance. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing. 2005 Jul 1;43(7):1507u201316.
• Tan Y, Tantum SL, Collins LM. Uxo discrimination using blind source separation. In: Proceedings of the Symposium on the Application of Geophyics to Engineering and Environmental Problems, SAGEEP. 2005. p. 1306u201317.
• Borgonovi GM, Holslin DT, Collins LM, Tantum SL. Data analysis for classification of UXO filler using pulsed neutron techniques. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2004. p. 502u20139.
• Tan Y, Tantum SL, Collins LM. Signal processing for improved explosives detection using quadrupole resonance. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2004. p. 822u201333.
• Hu W, Tantum SL, Collins LM. EMI-based classification of multiple closely spaced subsurface objects via independent component analysis. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing. 2004 Nov 1;42(11):2544u201354.
• Tan Y, Tantum SL, Collins LM. Cramer-Rao lower bound for estimating quadrupole resonance signals in non-Gaussian noise. IEEE Signal Processing Letters. 2004 May 1;11(5):490u20133.
• Tantum SL, Collins LM, Khadr N, Barrow BJ. Correcting GPS Measurement Errors Induced by System Motion over Uneven Terrain. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2003. p. 1105u201315.
• Tantum SL, Collins LM. Performance bounds and a parameter transformation for decay rate estimation. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing. 2003 Oct 1;41(10 PART I):2224u201331.
• Tan Y, Huettel LG, Tantum SL, Collins LM. Enhanced auditory displays for improved landmine detection using EMI sensors. Subsurface Sensing Technologies and Applications. 2003 Jul;4(3):263u201384.
• Tantum SL, Nolte LW, Krolik JL, Harmanci K. The performance of matched-field track-before-detect methods using shallow-water Pacific data. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 2002 Jul;112(1):119u201327.
• Collins LM, Huettel LG, Simpson WA, Tantum SL. Sensor fusion of EMI and GPR data for improved landmine detection. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2002. p. 872u20139.
• Tantum SL, Collins LM. A parameter transformation for improved decay rate estimation. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2002. p. 812u201320.
• Tantum SL, Wei Y, Munshi VS, Collins LM. A comparison of algorithms for landmine detection and discrimination using ground penetrating radar. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2002. p. 728u201335.
• Tantum SL, Collins LM. A parameter transformation and cramu00e9r-rao bounds for estimating decay rates from exponential signals. In: International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS). 2002. p. 2568u201371.
• Tan Y, Tantum SL, Collins LM. Landmine detection with nuclear quadrupole resonance. In: International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS). 2002. p. 1575u20138.
• Tan Y, Tantum S, Collins L. Enhanced signal and auditory processing for landmine detection using EMI sensors. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2001. p. 852u20138.
• Collins L, Gao P, Tantum S. Model-based statistical signal processing using electromagnetic induction data for landmine detection and classification. In: IEEE Workshop on Statistical Signal Processing Proceedings. 2001. p. 162u20135.
• Tantum SL, Collins LM. A comparison of algorithms for subsurface target detection and identification using time-domain electromagnetic induction data. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing. 2001 Jun 1;39(6):1299u2013306.
• Chiang PJ, Tantum SL, Collins LM. Signal processing of ground penetrating radar data for subsurface object detection. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2001. p. 470u20135.
• Tantum SL, Collins LM. Performance bounds for target identification using decay rates estimates from EMI measurements. In: International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS). 2000. p. 2278u201380.
• Tantum SL, Nolte LW. On array design for matched-field processing. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 2000 Apr;107(4):2101u201311.
• Tantum S, Collins L. Physics-based statistical signal processing for improved landmine detection and classification via decay rate estimation. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2000. p. 36u201344.
• Collins L, Tantum S, Gao P, Moulton J, Makowsky L, Reidy D, et al. Improved detection of low-metallic content landmines using EMI data. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2000. p. 14u201324.
• Collins L, Tantum S, Gao P, Moulton J, Makowsky L, Reidy D, et al. Improved detection of low-metallic content landmines using EMI data. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2000.
• Tantum S, Collins L. Detection and classification of landmine-like targets in a non-Gaussian noise environment. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2000.
• Tantum S, Collins L. Physics-based statistical signal processing for improved landmine detection and classification via decay rate estimation. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2000.
• Liu F, Tantum S, Collins L, Carin L. Statistical signal processing for detection of buried landmines using quadrupole resonance. In: DETECTION AND REMEDIATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR MINES AND MINELIKE TARGETS V, PTS 1 AND 2. 2000. p. 572u20137.
• Tantum S, Collins L. Detection and classification of landmine-like targets in a non-Gaussian noise environment. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2000. p. 900u20139.
• Gao P, Tantum S, Collins L, Weaver D, Moulton J, Makowsky L, et al. Statistical signal processing techniques for the detection of low-metal landmines using EMI and GPR sensors (topic area: E.1). In: International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS). 1999. p. 2465u20137.
• Rasimas JG, Tantum SL, Nolte LW. Bayesian signal detection for multiple aspect targets with an uncertain look angle. Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 1999 Jan 1;3710(I):718u201326.
• Gao P, Tantum S, Collins L. Single sensor processing and sensor fusion of GPR and EMI data for landmine detection. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 1999. p. 1139u201348.
• Tantum S, Collins L, Carin L, Gorodnitsky I, Hibbs A, Walsh D, et al. Signal processing for NQR discrimination of buried landmines. In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. 1999. p. 474u201382.
• Tantum SL, Nolte LW. Effects of signal-to-noise ratio mismatch on Bayesian matched-field source localization performance. ICASSP, IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing - Proceedings. 1999 Jan 1;5:2777u201380.
• Tantum SL, Nolte LW. Tracking and localizing a moving source in an uncertain shallow water environment. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 1998 Jan 1;103(1):362u201373.

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