CMU’S NEWS SOURCE FOR FACULTY & STAFF 9/15 ISSUE

2 G o o d A s G o l d Playfair Portraits 4 G r o w i n g P a i n s

6 A n d y A wa r d N o m i n at i o n s

11 t r o u b l e o n t h e T r a i n T r a c k s

Parents’ Perspectives A New Orientation to CMU n Abby Simmons

Anne Witchner has been leading CMU’s orientation for more than two decades, but this year, she arrived on Move-In Day with a different title: Mom. Although she could have moved in her son, David, early, Witchner and her husband, Michael Levin, opted to navi- gate through the frenzied early morning traffic with fellow first-year parents. Like Witchner, many faculty and staff across the university are seeing CMU through the eyes of parents this fall, some for the first time, and others PHOTO BY ERICA DILCER as veterans. While the tuition benefit is S e l f i e s w e r e r a m pa n t a m o n g p r o u d f i r s t - y e a r s t u d e n t s d u r i n g P l ay f a i r o n t h e C u t , w h e r e t h e C l a ss o f 2 0 1 9 c a m e attractive, parents cite numerous other t o g e t h e r a s o n e g r o u p f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e . T h i s y e a r ’ s c l a ss o f m o r e t h a n 1 , 5 0 0 s t u d e n t s h a i l s f r o m 4 0 c o u n t r i e s a n d 4 2 U . S . s tat e s . S e e t h i s y e a r ’ s c l a ss at a g l a n c e o n pa g e 5 . C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e f i v e

Gender Equity TCS Invests in CMU’s “Secret Sauce” CMU Expands n Bruce Gerson, Kelly Saavedra Title IX Efforts Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is the latest company to get a taste of Carnegie

n Kelly Saavedra Mellon’s “secret sauce.” And it wants a whole lot more. Reports of sex discrimination, sexual Millions of dollars’ worth, in fact. violence and harassment make the TCS — the fastest growing global headlines nearly every day. But many IT and consulting company with offices people affected by misconduct never in more than 46 countries and clients in report it to anyone. every major industry — is tapping into This year, the university has a the university’s recipe for success with new office with staff dedicated solely a donation of $35 million to fully fund to these areas. Located in West Wing, a new facility on CMU’s Pittsburgh PHOTO BY KEN ANDREYO P r e s i d e n t S u b r a S u r e s h a n d t c S c e o N a t a r a j a n C h a n d r a s e k a r a n Suite 102, on the Pittsburgh campus, Campus and support students through c e l e b r a t e t h e n e w p a r t n e r s h i p . the Office of Title IX Initiatives is ex- CMU’s Presidential Scholarships and panding the university’s efforts to raise Fellowships program. awareness, change mindsets, provide It’s the largest gift TCS has ever support and effectively resolve issues given to a university and CMU’s largest that are reported. corporate gift. “At Carnegie Mellon, we have The company’s CEO and manag- long been committed to providing a ing director, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, safe environment to all community said partnerships like this are critical

C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e t e n C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e e i g h t O n e P o -S h e n L o ( f a r l e f t ) p o s e s w i t h t h e i m o c h a m p i o n s h i p t e a m . T h e t i t l e w a s t h e f i r s t f o r t h e U . S . s i n c e 1 9 9 4 . Good as Gold Math Professor’s Olympiad Team Takes Home Top Medals

n Jocelyn Duffy

Every coach wants nothing more than was named the deputy team leader, and the college-level, and from college math to torics. The problems are so hard, that to see his or her team succeed. As team in 2014 he was appointed team leader — the type of math that is done in academia often the best competitors complete leader of the United States’ Internation- equivalent to the head coach — of the and industry. His hope is that he prepares only one. The difficulty is by design — al Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) team, United States’ IMO team. his students to be successful not only in the Olympiad aims to test students on Associate Professor of Mathematics As team leader, Loh brought the class or math competitions, but in their creative problem-solving, not advanced Po-Shen Loh proudly watched as his summer training program to Carnegie adult and professional lives. techniques. team achieved the ultimate success — Mellon’s Pittsburgh campus. Each sum- “Mathematics is not just about Loh and the team’s other coaches winning the IMO. mer, around 60 of the nation’s top high memorizing a bunch of formulas, but prepared the students well. At the A “mathlete” himself, Loh was a school mathematicians participate in in fact is as creative as the humanities international competition, five of the six silver medalist at the 1999 International the three-week-long boot camp where and the arts,” Loh told NPR after the high schoolers won gold medals and one Math Olympiad. His experience in the they are immersed in creative problem- competition. won silver for their individual results, realm of competitive mathematics was solving techniques. Six high school students from across and team U.S.A. was awarded first place extremely influential in his life, and The idea that math can be seen as the country are selected for each year’s overall — something that they hadn’t something he wanted to bring to other creative problem-solving is something IMO team. In July, the team traveled to accomplished since 1994. aspiring mathematicians. that Loh teaches all his students, those in Chang Mai, Thailand, to compete against “This historic result reflects an In 2002, Loh began teaching at the the Olympiad program and those at CMU. some of the world’s best teen-aged math- enormous amount of work by students, Mathematical Association of America’s He says that learning these skills will help ematicians. In the two-day competition, families, teachers and coaches, as well Mathematical Olympiad Summer Pro- students make the jump between what each student did their best to complete as an extensive national infrastructure gram, which prepares students for the they have learned in their high school six math problems in topics like algebra, for the cultivation of extraordinary international competition. In 2010, he classes and the type of math that is done at geometry, number theory and combina- mathematical talent,” Loh said.

Libraries Launches “#OpenCMU” PIPER Campaign To Benefit Researchers 9/15 Issue P u b l i s h e r n Denise Troll Covey Attempts to replicate research new topic, describing what it is, why Ken Walters findings often fail, eroding the public’s it’s important, how it will benefit University Libraries is hoping to E d i t o r M a n a g i n g E d i t o r trust. But making research data openly you, CMU’s position on it and what Bruce Gerson Kelly Saavedra engage CMU researchers in practices available could facilitate reproducibility, University Libraries is doing about it. W r i t e r s that will enhance the discovery, use Denise Troll Covey Kelly Saavedra deter research misconduct and accel- The topics will include discussion and impact of their work. Jocelyn Duffy Erin Keane Scott erate the pace of scientific discovery. of ORCID IDs, CMU’s Research Bruce Gerson Abby Simmons With that goal in mind they Ken Walters Open licenses granting designated usage Showcase, publishing, copyright, Lisa Kulick have launched #OpenCMU, aimed rights also could speed things up, as author’s rights and licenses, and more. D e s i g n e r at getting people to “open up” about Melissa Stoebe would-be users wouldn’t have to seek Followers of the campaign openness. It’s a university-wide Communications Design and Photography Group out copyright owners and ask and wait on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ campaign emphasizing the many P h o t o g r a p h y for permission. cmulibraries and Facebook at www. Ken Andreyo & Tim Kaulen ways in which open access, open Communications Design and Photography Group Most importantly, openness is just facebook.com/CMULibraries will find data, open licenses and open peer To contact The Piper staff, call 412-268-2900 plain good for researchers. information disseminated in bite-sized review can benefit them. or email [email protected]. “More access means more users, bits — quick to consume, and easy to Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, “Some people don’t have access employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the more citations, greater impact and digest. basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, to expensive books and journals, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, enhanced recognition,” Webster said. To learn more about #OpenCMU, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required which hampers research worldwide, not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or Throughout the fall semester, go to http://goo.gl/30GYAS. To executive orders. impedes the application of research Inquiries concerning the application of and compliance #OpenCMU will teach researchers how schedule a presentation or Q&A for with this statement should be directed to the vice president for campus affairs, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, findings and slows the pace of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412-268-2056. to increase access to their work as well your department or class, contact Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus innovation,” said Keith Webster, security and fire safety report describing the university’s security, as how to get credit for their work. Denise Troll Covey, Scholarly alcohol and drug, sexual assault, and fire safety policies and dean of University Libraries. containing statistics about the number and type of crimes committed on the campus and the number and cause of fires in Every couple of weeks, the Libraries Communications Librarian, at troll@ campus residence facilities during the preceding three years. You “Making the literature available with can obtain a copy by contacting the Carnegie will tweet and post information on a andrew.cmu.edu or 412-268-8599. Mellon Police Department at 412-268-2323. The annual security open access can turn these tides.” and fire safety report is also available online at www.cmu.edu/police/annualreports. Produced for Media Relations by The Communications Design and Photography Group, September 2015, 16-105. T w o CMU to the OR, STAT!

FDA Clears CMU Robot for Surgery n Ken Walters and CEO of Medrobotics. “The mini- A robot developed at Carnegie Mellon mally invasive system enables surgical soon will be working in an operating access and visualization in hard-to-reach room near you. locations through a single site. Doc- CMU spinoff company Medrobotics tors can then complete procedures that Corp. received clearance from the U.S. might otherwise be difficult, or even Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to impossible, to perform due to inability to market its Flex® Robotic System, which visualize or access the site.” is based on the research of CMU Robot- For the surgical device, Choset and ics Institute Professor Howie Choset. his research team designed a probe that A flexible endoscopic system that could bend, but remain rigid. It thus enables surgeons to access and visualize combines the features of a laparoscope hard-to-reach anatomical locations, the — a rigid, straight viewing device often system extends the benefits of minimally used in minimally invasive surgery — invasive surgery — shorter hospital stays with an endoscope, which is a flexible, and recovery times — to a broader popu- non-rigid device for peering inside the P r o f e ss o r H o w i e C h o s e t ’ s w o r k l e d t o t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e lation of patients. Medrobotics initially body. F l e x R o b o t i c S y s t e m , w h i c h e n a b l e s s u r g e o n s t o a c c e ss a n d v i s u a l i z e has targeted the system for use in head Physicians can use a joystick to h a r d - t o - r e a c h l o c a t i o n s t h r o u g h t h e m o u t h . and neck surgery, operating through the steer the system around organs or other mouth. obstructions. It employs a “follow-the- The FDA clearance marks another ment support from the business com- Harvard Medical School. Choset, Wolf leader” technique so that as the device is high point for Carnegie Mellon and munity,” Choset said. “In particular, we and Zenati co-founded Medrobotics as a extended into the body, the mechanical its successful entrepreneurial culture. received great initial support and vision Carnegie Mellon spinoff in 2005. linkages that follow behind automatically Startup activity among the university’s from Jim Jordan at Pittsburgh Life Sci- Today, the company is based in conform to anatomical curves. faculty, students and alumni has led to ences Greenhouse, which was essential Raynham, Mass. It received European The head of the device features a the creation of more than 215 companies in bringing the system to market.” CE mark clearance in March 2014, high-definition video camera. Ports on since 2008. Choset serves as the com- Choset developed the surgical robot which allowed for a limited commercial either side of the camera can accommo- pany’s acting chief technology officer in collaboration with Dr. Alon Wolf, launch of the Flex® Robotic System in date tools for cutting or grasping tissue. and a partial owner. then an adjunct faculty member with the select European markets. Though initially developed and tested “Pittsburgh is the ideal starting point Robotics Institute and now a profes- “The Flex® Robotic System is the for heart procedures, Medrobotics has for this technology, with the combination sor at the Technion-Israel Institute of first and only robot-assisted surgical focused its marketing on head-and-neck of our robotics expertise at CMU, the Technology, and Dr. Marco Zenati, then platform with a flexible scope cleared surgeries accessed through the mouth. medical knowledge at the University of a professor of surgery at the University by FDA for use during transoral proce- Pittsburgh, and the economic develop- of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, now at dures,” said Samuel Straface, president

“Intelligent” Training Tool To Improve Cancer Treatment n Lisa Kulick

Researchers at CMU have developed a to the American Cancer Society, which new approach to improve training for predicts that one in seven men will be cryosurgery, a procedure used to treat diagnosed with the disease during his prostate cancer by freezing and destroy- lifetime and one in 38 will die from the ing the diseased tissues. disease. The new approach will shorten the “As engineers, we can take advan- learning curve for surgeons and improve tage of recent developments in computer the quality of the minimally invasive hardware and computation techniques to treatment for patients by reducing com- help doctors develop education methods plications, shortening recovery times and for minimally invasive thermal surgery,” lowering health care costs. Rabin said. Yoed Rabin, a professor of mechani- In a recent article published in cal engineering and a board member of Technology in Cancer Research & Treat- the American College of Cryosurgery, ment, Rabin’s team demonstrated how has led the development of this first its intelligent tutoring approach could computerized training tool. This intel- shorten the learning curve of surgical ligent training tool provides feedback to residents. The computerized system, the trainee and offers advice on how to which runs about 100 times faster than T h e t r a i n i n g t o o l p r o v i d e s f e e d b a c k a n d a d v i c e f o r s u r g e o n s . maximize the freezing of cancer tumors the actual cryosurgery procedure, uses while preserving the healthy tissues novel algorithms to create 3-D thermal “Cryogenic technology today is far collaborate, we can improve the quality surrounding the site. images of tumors in patients in a variety more advanced than the surgical treat- of the applied methods and advance the Prostate cancer is the second leading of scenarios. This allows the trainees to ment methods used by surgeons,” Rabin widespread use of cryotherapy.” cause of cancer death in men according see firsthand the effects of the tissue they explained. “As engineers and surgeons are freezing.

T h r e e Growing Pains Entrepreneurs’ Drone Could Help Struggling Aussie Farmers

n Kelly Saavedra

In their never-ending battle with harsh crop health and identifying in real-time ogy industry grows rapidly, much faster alongside Adelaide growers to track climates, farmers in Australia’s Wine anomalies within the field. than the agriculture industry — and the growth from the first bud break to Country deploy a variety of technologies, “The term that gets tossed around is plants, for that matter. harvest. such as automated irrigation systems and precision agriculture,” Laney explained. “It takes a full growing season be- “This will allow us to compare our soil sensors, to combat the hot and dry “It’s the ability to take your large farm, fore the benefit of new agriculture tech- results to the previous harvests and show summers of the growing seasons. segregate it and isolate different areas, nology like ours can be measured. Many the benefits that Aero Laboratories can But without a lot of real-time data and target the specific areas that may growers and producers already have a provide,” Laney said. tracking on which to base their decision- be lagging or experiencing crop stress. difficult time managing their crops and Del Duca finished his Master of making, problems often aren’t being de- Then, you can try to fix just those areas the technology they have already. They Public Policy and Management degree tected until after the damage has already versus applying a general treatment to are hesitant to commit to a new technol- in Australia and is heading up Aero been done. High costs and low returns the whole area.” ogy that has yet to prove itself in the Laboratories’ operations there, while have caused some growers to reduce op- For starters, this could mean less industry,” Laney said. “It hasn’t been Baumgartner and Laney are in Pitts- erations, while others have been forced money spent on water and fertilizer. easy to break this barrier to entry.” burgh to finish up their coursework. to shut down altogether. VADAR also fuses existing infield That being said, the months of This fall, the team is hoping to James Laney, Constantin Baumgart- data into the digital maps and displays September and October mark the begin- recruit a few of their fellow CMU ner and Daniel Del Duca, former the information in a report through an ning of the Adelaide’s grape growing students to be part of their spring cap- classmates at CMU’s Heinz College in easy-to-use, interactive mobile platform season, and plans are underway to work stone project and soon-to-be business. Adelaide, just might have the answer for or desktop app. these farmers with their research project “VADAR will help farmers analyze that involves an unmanned aerial vehicle how various factors in the field cor- (UAV) and Big Data analytics. respond to plant health, and over time, “In Australia, the laws allow you provide predictive modeling that may to operate a UAV as a service, which is lead to better crop management strate- something that you currently can’t do in gies,” Laney said. “Ultimately, we the United States without obtaining the believe our system will help produce a highly sought after FAA 333 exemption,” more intimate growing strategy where Laney said. “So we were trying to come crops are monitored on a plant-by-plant up with any and every excuse to build a basis versus block-by-block or acre-by- business model around one during our acre strategies.” time in Adelaide and while the FAA Laney says their biggest challenge figured things out in the U.S.” so far has been the fact that the technol- They zeroed in on the agriculture in- dustry, one of the few civilian industries that can really capitalize on the benefits of having autonomous systems, Laney said. Through their research group, Aero Laboratories, the trio has begun gather- ing data and input from local Australian grape farmers. Equipped with the VADAR engine they are developing — the acronym stands for Vegetation Analy- sis and Data Regression — the drone surveys the farmland capturing real-time J a m e s L a n e y t e s t s t h e i r images, and turning the raw images d r o n e p l a t f o r m w h i l e into digital maps. These maps provide a h e l p i n g l o c a l f a r m e r s way of summarizing and approximating m a n a g e t h e i r a ss e t s

a n d p l a n f o r t h e n e x t

g r o w i n g s e a s o n .

F o u r Parents’ Perspectives C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e o n e reasons why their children decided to enroll here. Witchner encouraged her son to explore options beyond CMU, and he applied to three schools. “What sealed the deal was David’s experience with the Pre-College Pro- gram. He got a sense of what it is like to be here. He studied music but lived in a residence hall with athletes and scien- tists,” Witchner said. David, who is pursuing a degree at the Tepper School of Business, grew up attending campus events like Greek Sing and Martin Luther King Jr. Day lectures, and many of his role models have been CMU students. “I’m interested to see what will surprise him,” Witchner said. The Pre-College experience also PHOTO BY ERICA DILCER was a contributor to first-year Dietrich R i g h t : A n n e W i t c h n e r , h e r College student Silvia Giampapa’s h u s b a n d , M i c h a e l L e v i n , a n d s o n , decision to attend CMU. D a v i d , t a k e a b r e a k o n M o v e - I n “While the challenge seemed D a y . A b o v e , W i t c h n e r ( c e n t e r ) daunting at first, Silvia demonstrated to j o i n s t h e C l a ss o f 2 0 1 9 a n d herself that she could work at the level orientation c o u n s e l o r s a t P l a y f a i r . CMU requires. She enjoyed the rapport with the professors and studying and hanging out with smart, motivated and first-year student, benefited from ambitious classmates,” said Giampapa’s conversations with Steidel, as well parents, Anna Maria Berta, a project as professors in the Mellon College manager at the Software Engineering of Science. Institute, and Joseph Giampapa, a senior Mauricio and his older brother, project scientist at the Robotics Institute. Agustin, were attracted to CMU for its Although Berta and Giampapa had interdisciplinary approach to education worked on projects with students and and multicultural community. Agustin, taught courses, interacting with students a junior biological sciences major, plans on a campus tour and attending admis- to apply for a study abroad experience PHOTO BY ERICA DILCER sion presentations were enlightening. to immerse himself in the Japanese “We enjoyed their comments and language and culture. their perspectives and started to appre- Faculty and staff parents say that F i r s t -Y e a r C l a s s at a G l a n c e ciate more of the ‘CMU experience.’ setting expectations about how they will CMU is a rich world that contains many interact with their children while they Number of Students: 1,590 realities,” Berta said. are enrolled at CMU is important. Deci- Men: 857 (54 percent) Joe Mertz, a professor at the sions can be based on a variety of fac- Dietrich and Heinz colleges, has two tors — from individual preferences and Women: 733 (46 percent; most women in past six years) kids at CMU now. His daughter, Mag- cultural backgrounds to logistics, such International Students: 326 (20.5 percent) as living on campus versus commuting gie, is a first-year modern languages Minority Students: 251 (16 percent) major, and his son, Joe, is a junior drama from home. Countries Represented: 40 (China is tops with 168 students) major. He said his children’s academic “Our experience may be different pursuits have inspired him to explore from that of other families,” Silva said, American States Represented: 42 (excluded are Arkansas, new disciplines. noting that her sons welcome opportuni- Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, “My wife and I have enjoyed ties to interact with their parents while West Virginia and Wyoming; California is tops with 217 students) learning more about drama and have on campus. had season subscriptions the past two While the Gil-Silvas will continue QATAR CAMPUS years. It is especially interesting to see to interact frequently, the Mertz family Number of Students: 110 the cutting-edge of how technology can is taking a different approach. Men: 44 (40 percent) add to theater. I look forward to learn- “We have learned that while I work ing more about modern languages as my on campus, and we live within 25 min- Women: 66 (60 percent) daughter begins her study,” Mertz said. utes, our children prefer my wife and me Nationalities Represented: 20 Conversations with Mike Steidel, to treat it as if they were in college far director of admission, also were helpful away. No stalking, no surprise visits, no FUN FACTS to students and parents. hovering,” Mertz said. Mertz said that Steidel helped his Witchner agrees that an away-from- Students with Perfect SAT Scores: 20 son re-think how he could pursue his home college experience while still Highest Average SAT Scores Since 2009: interests in video and media design at living “in their families’ backyards” may Verbal 700; Math 740; Writing 710 CMU. The outcome of that conversation be a desirable option for many students. Most Freshman Engineering Students Since 2009: 513 set him on a path completely different Wearing her Student Affairs hat, she of- Most Popular Men’s Names: David and Alexander from what he and his family had fers parents this advice: anticipated. “Encourage your children to stay on Most Popular Women's Names: Emily and Sarah Chemistry professors Gloria Silva campus during the weekends. And make Youngest Freshman: 15 years old and Roberto Gil said their son Mauricio, a them do their own laundry.” Oldest Freshman: 21 years old

F i v e Celebrating Staff

Twenty-three Carnegie Mellon staff members and five teams Contributions, Spirit, and Teamwork and Collaboration. THE have been nominated this year by their co-workers for an The Andy Awards ceremony takes place at noon, Sept. 21 ANDY Andy Award, a special honor that recognizes superior in McConomy Auditorium. A light reception in Rangos Hall performance and commitment to the university community. will follow the ceremony. The campus community is invited AWARDS Awards are given in five categories: Commitment to to attend. Excellence, Commitment to Students, Innovative and Creative And the nominees are: “ M y h e a r t i s i n t h e w o r k .”

Commitment to Excellence

S h a r o n B l a z e v i c h D o n C a m p b e l l D o n o r a c r a i g h e a d L e i g h E d l e m a n A m y F a b e r J e n n i f e r F r i c k I n s t i t u t e f o r U n i v e r s i t y P o l i c e A c a d e m i c D e v e l o p m e n t U ndergraduate F i n a n c e D i v i s i o n Career and Professional S o f t w a r e R e s e a r c h A d m i ss i o n D e v e l o p m e n t C e n t e r

B r u c e G r a f t o n D a n i e l K e n n e d y S c a r l e t t T o w n s e n d D e b o r a h W i l t D e b o r a h H . Z a l e w s k i E m m a Z i n k , I n t e g r at e d F a c i l i t i e s M a n a g e m e n t C a m p u s A f f a i r s (d c 1 9 9 3 ) , H u n t S c h o o l o f D e s i g n R o b o t i c s I n s t i t u t e I n n o vat i o n I n s t i t u t e S e r v i c e s S y s t e m s I n s t i t u t e f o r B o ta n i c a l D ocumentation

Commitment to Students Innovative and Creative Contributions

B r i a n F e r n a n d e s W e n d y F o n g S u z i e L a u r i c h -M c I n t y r e J a n e t P e t e r s E n r o l l m e n t S e r v i c e s I n f o r m at i o n O f f i c e o f t h e V i c e E l e c t r i c a l a n d N e t w o r k i n g I n s t i t u t e P r o v o s t f o r G r a d u at e C o m p u t e r E n g i n e e r i n g K e l ly D e l a n e y R h o n d a K l o ss E d u c at i o n (d c 2 0 0 9 ) , i d e AT e S p o n s o r e d P r o j e c t s A c c o u n t i n g Spirit

P a u l a M a r t i n U n i v e r s i t y H e a l t h S e r v i c e s P a u l G e r l a c h M i c h a e l N e e M i k e P a p u g a P a t t y e S t r a g a r (A 1 9 6 7 , 1 9 6 8 , 1 9 7 2 ) , H u m a n R e s o u r c e s F a c i l i t i e s M a n a g e m e n t A t h l e t i c s a n d O f f i c e o f S t u d e n t S e r v i c e s P h y s i c a l E d u c a t i o n S i x A f f a i r s Celebrating Staff Teamwork and Collaboration P r e - a w a r d P r o c e s s

S tandardization T e a m ,

C o ll e g e o f E n g i n e e r i n g

F r o n t r o w , f r o m l e f t t o r i g h t :

A n g e l a P u s a t e r i , B e t h H o c k e n -

b e r r y ( h n z 2 0 1 5 ) , D a v i d D e L o ( E 1982, 1994, 1996; t p r

1 9 8 4 ) , T o n y a B o r d o n a r o ( h n z 2 0 1 5 )

B a c k r o w , f r o m l e f t t o r i g h t :

A n i t a C o n n e l ly , B a r b a r a

B u g o s h , M e i g h a n H a r d i n g ,

C h a r l o t t e A m b r a ss ( h n z

2 0 1 5 ) , M i c h a e l B a l d e r s o n ( A 2 0 0 5 ; h n z 2 0 1 5 ) ,

N a t h a n K o t e c k i ( h n z 2 0 1 5 ) ,

C a t h y S c h a e f e r , M e l i ss a H y z y ( h n z 2 0 1 5 )

N o t p i c t u r e d : K e r i B a k e r ,

A n i ss a G r e e n f i e l d

E C E W e b T e a m , E l e c t r i c a l a n d C o mpu t e r E n g i n e e r i n g

l e f t t o r i g h t : C h a d H i l t o n , D a v e D e c k e r , S t e v e E l g e r s m a , A y d a e n L y n c h

CMUW o r k s P r o j e c t L e a d e r s h i p T e a m , H um a n R e s o u r c e s r e p r e s e n t e d b y

F r o n t r o w , f r o m l e f t t o r i g h t : L i n d a S c h m i d t , B o b R i d d l e B a c k r o w , f r o m l e f t t o r i g h t : D e a n n e W e a v e r , J e f f H o u s e r , K i m A b e l N o t p i c t u r e d : K a r e n E c k

A cc e l e r a t e L e a d e r s h i p C e n t e r T e a m , T e pp e r S c h o o l o f B u s i n e s s M o d e r n L a n g u a g e s S t a f f T e a m , M o d e r n L a n g u a g e s

l e f t t o r i g h t : L a u r a M a x w e l l , J a r r e d L a z e a r , M i c h e l l e S t o n e r l e f t t o r i g h t : N a n c y M o n d a , C h r i s t i n e H u c k o , S u e C o n n e l ly , V e r a L a m p l e y N o t p i c t u r e d : M a r c S i s k i n

S e v e n Tata Consultancy Services Invests in CMU’s “Secret Sauce”

C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e o n e

in today’s world of rapid technological advances, and CMU researchers would give TCS great opportunities to tackle many industry problems. “CMU is known for the best in education and research in machine learn- ing, robotics, driverless cars, statistics, information management and other disciplines, and how these technologies can impact businesses,” Chandrasekaran said. The facility that will bear the TCS name will focus on education and research and provide collaborative space for faculty, students and TCS staff. It will be built along the Forbes Avenue cor- ridor — between Morewood Avenue and Craig Street — that also will feature the new Tepper Quad and a new mixed-use facility across the hollow from the Rob- ert Mehrabian Collaborative Innovation Center. “Whether you’re running a univer- sity or a global company, you want to find the best and the brightest people to do cutting-edge things,” said CMU PHOTO BY KEN ANDREYO President Subra Suresh. TCS’ s N ata r a j a n C h a n d r a s e k a r a n , G o v e r n o r T o m W o l f , P r o v o s t F a r n a m J a h a n i a n , D i e t r i c h C o l l e g e D e a n R i c h a r d “With our shared commitment to S c h e i n e s , J e l e n a K o v acˇ e v i c´ a n d J ay W h i ta c r e ( r - l ) l i s t e n t o r e m a r k s b y P r e s i d e n t S u b r a S u r e s h d u r i n g t h e c e r e m o n y education and research in areas that help a n n o u n c i n g t h e g i f t a n d pa r t n e r s h i p . address many challenges of our time, TCS’ support of Carnegie Mellon is both ties in the world; on TCS, one of the most Scheines led CMU professors and His company, Aquion Energy, is now natural and extraordinarily promising,” distinguished companies in the world; and entrepreneurs Jay Whitacre and Jelena producing clean and sustainable saltwa- he said. “Together, our two organizations on Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania.” Kova cˇevi´c, and TCS’s Chandrasekaran ter batteries that outperform traditional have the capabilities to make break- Wolf called CMU a “magnet” and in a discussion about partnerships. Topics batteries and shipping them around the through discoveries and the capacity to a “catalyst” for leading businesses and included what role government should world. make societal impact on a global scale.” organizations “that want to feast at play, intellectual property, culture and “It’s a dance to find the shortest path Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf CMU’s academic table.” He predicted engaging students. between invention and product,” Whita- attended the official announcement cer- that the partnership will foster ideas, Kova cˇevi´c, who is working with cre said. “The key thing was recruiting emony, held in late August, with several products and services that will transform UPMC Children’s Hospital to develop the best possible teammates to move local government officials, including the world. mathematical models and software that to Pittsburgh and make this happen, Congressman Mike Doyle, Allegheny Following the announcement, can be used to diagnose middle ear and continuing to garner the interplay County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Dietrich College Dean Richard Scheines infections, said industry-academic part- between the stuff coming out of the Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto. moderated a panel discussion on nerships provide a mutually beneficial university, the stuff happening at the Wolf said the partnership “reflects “Industry-Academic Partnerships: experience. research and development lab, and the well on CMU, one of the premier universi- A New Global Era.” “Partnerships provide an opportu- stuff happening at the factory.” nity for companies to President Suresh echoed this team get access to top talent sentiment when he called innovation a and for faculty to get “contact sport.” funding for research. “[If] you increase contact, you It’s a symbiotic rela- increase innovation, and diversity brings tionship,” she said. different vantage points. Innovation is Whitacre said he enriched and enhanced by diverse per- left his job at NASA’s spectives,” Suresh said. Jet Propulsion Lab TCS joins a growing group of major to come to CMU technology companies moving to the because he wanted to Pittsburgh region in recent years. More work on something than 350 companies now have partner- that had more of an ships with CMU. immediate impact on Among the nation’s major research society. In just six and universities, Carnegie Mellon ranks first a half years, he grew in startups per research dollar, according his idea for manufac- to the Association of University Tech- turing sustainable en- nology Managers. Since 2008, CMU ergy storage systems faculty, students and alumni have created into a multinational 215 new companies. organization with 160 “With highly talented faculty, highly employees. talented students, and with right condi- tions and resources, magic happens,” Suresh said. “That’s our secret sauce.” PHOTO BY KEN ANDREYO

J e l e n a K o v acˇ e v i c´ ( c e n t e r ) m a k e s a p o i n t d u r i n g t h e pa n e l d i s c u ss i o n t h at f o l l o w e d t h e c e r e m o n y . A t r i g h t i s TCS CEO N ata r a j a n C h a n d r a s e k a r a n a n d at l e f t i s CMU’ s J ay W h i ta c r e .

E i g h t Alumna Changes the World On “Sesame Street” n Erin Keane Scott

When Sonia Manzano left Carnegie Mellon in the late ’60s to star in Ste- phen Schwartz’ (A’68) off-Broadway production “Godspell” in New York, she knew she wanted to change the world with her art but wasn’t yet sure how to make that happen. As a child growing up in the Bronx with parents from Puerto Rico, Manzano says she remembers watch- ing television and never seeing her life experience reflected in the shows of the time, offering “Leave It to Beaver” as an example.

“I had never seen any people of S o n i a M a n z a n o s ta r r e d i n t h e color on television, and on some level, o r i g i n a l O f f - B r o a d w ay p r o d u c t i o n o f

I used to watch and wonder where I " G o d s p e l l , " c r e at e d b y f e l l o w c m u M a n z a n o s ta r t e d o n S e s a m e S t r e e t a s a p e r f o r m e r a n d w e n t o n t o w i n was going to fit into this world where g r a d u at e S t e p h e n S c h w a r t z . 1 5 E m m y A w a r d s a s pa r t o f t h e s h o w ’ s w r i t i n g s ta f f . I didn’t see myself represented,” she said. The two were a match on many levels. “Sesame Street was an instrument her acting, it appears her writing pursuits One gloomy day in Pittsburgh “Sesame Street was one of my of social change. The goal was to close will continue. Manzano has published while in Carnegie Mellon’s Skibo first auditions in the city. I was com- the education gap and eliminate racism,” four books since 2004, including her Café, she saw “Sesame Street” for ing of age at the time. It was the ’60s. I she said. memoir, “Becoming Maria: Love and the first time. The sight of James Earl wanted to change the world, and so did While she started on the show Chaos in the South Bronx,” which was Jones reading the alphabet to children Sesame Street. I had an idealistic fervor, as a performer, her work evolved and released on Aug. 25. intrigued her. Eventually, she saw the and I was lucky to find a platform that she soon began writing scripts for the Manzano’s best advice for young characters of Gordon, a schoolteacher, embraced that and wanted to change the program. She won 15 Emmy Awards as people upon her retirement: and his wife Susan, a nurse, African- lives of children.” a member of the show’s writing staff. “I would say to be flexible. I didn’t Americans living in an urban atmo- Manzano’s work over the past four “I feel like I blinked and the years know I was going to end up on TV on a sphere, and she found herself relating and a half decades has been tirelessly have gone by,” Manzano said. children’s show. I always thought I’d try for the first time. focused on this mission of bringing She recently announced her retire- to do regional theater,” she said. She auditioned for the role of differing perspectives and views of the ment from the show after 44 years. And “You have to be flexible with your Maria and went home with the job. world to children. while she may be closing a chapter on talents.”

Be Our Guest Patrick Wilson Returns To Direct “The Full Monty” n Erin Keane Scott in-hand with these wonderful guest ing’s “Lord of the Flies,” adapted for “Jet of Blood” by Antonin Artaud directors,” said Professor Peter Cooke, the stage by Nigel Williams and directed and “Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl. The School of Drama has announced its head of the School of Drama. “That by Caden Manson, a faculty member 2015-2016 season, featuring guest direc- The New Works Series continues in the John Wells Directing Program, tors Patrick Wilson (A’95) and Sasha combination offers our students an to develop the innovative work of the Nov. 19-Dec. 5. Illiev. incredible benefit, one that will enrich Master of Fine Arts dramatic writing Wilson, who has found success Wilson will be directing “The Full their education and experience, and students, showcasing three new plays in on stage, screen and television, will Monty,” in which he starred on Broad- best prepare them for careers beyond October and three new plays in April by direct “The Full Monty,” with book by way, and Illiev will direct a devised Carnegie Mellon.” playwrights Eugenie Carabatsos, Karina Terrence McNally and music and lyrics Commedia dell’Arte piece based on Fla- The Subscriber Series will open Cochran, Amy Gijsbers van Wijk, Mora by David Yazbek, Feb. 18-27. Faculty minio Scala’s “The Plague in Venice.” with William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado V. Harris, Levi Jelks and Joe Necessary. members Thomas Douglas and Tomé “We’re thrilled to announce our About Nothing,” directed by faculty Additionally, the Horizons Reading Cousin will music direct and choreo- coming season, particularly because our member Anthony McKay, Oct. 8 - 17. Series will continue next season in De- graph, respectively. The season will own talented faculty will work hand- The school will present William Gold- cember and February. Horizons, which finish with Illiev’s adaptation of “The features new voices in a staged reading Plague in Venice,” April 7-23. setting, provides community access to Students in The John Wells plays that may not fit into the school’s Directing Program, named for Holly- annual season; its aim is to broaden wood producer John Wells (A’79), understandings of the range of theatri- will direct the following productions: cal writing, subject matter and stylistic • An adaptation of Shakespeare’s form. “Antony and Cleopatra,” directed For package options or to place a by Fellow Eleanor Bishop; subscription order, call the box office • “Milk Like Sugar,” the Obie Award- at 412-268-2407 between noon and winning play by Kirsten Greenidge, 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Special directed by Fellow Terrence Mosley; discounts are available to all Carnegie Mellon alumni. • “Bob and Dave and Ren” adapted and All Subscriber Series performances directed by Fellow Ben Gansky; and are at 8 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, • The Director Series, featuring and 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays in CMU’s

P at r i c k W i l s o n ( r i g h t ) s ta r s o n FX’ s “F a r g o ” t h i s fa l l . “Cloud Tectonics” by José Rivera, Purnell Center for the Arts. N i n e Be S.A.F.E. Campus Police Offer Women Two-Hour Safety Awareness Class

n Kelly Saavedra

The signs are all over campus: there’s a The program’s purpose is two-fold: Participants of S.A.F.E. can expect: is one of three CMU police officers new crime prevention initiative in town. to prevent crimes of sexual violence in • a dynamic, super-graphic 13-piece who have been certified as S.A.F.E. Campus police are well aware that the community through education and full color folio packed with safety instructors. CMU faculty, staff and students have a training, and to educate women about information every woman should “There are a number of reasons lot of demands on their time, but they realistic options that will help them know; why I am glad I am able to take part also want to be sure women are edu- avoid, escape and survive assaults if • a 17-minute motivational video in the S.A.F.E. course,” Williams cated about safety. they do occur. shown as part of every program, said. “The main reason that I believe So starting this fall, they’re offer- “The advantage of this class over narrated by Emmy Award-winning the course is so important is that it ing a two-hour safety awareness class, R.A.D. is that R.A.D. is a 12-hour actress Sharon Gless, who starred empowers women to take a stand for called “S.A.F.E.,” as an alternative to class,” said Lieutenant Joseph Meyers. in “Cagney & Lacey” and “Burn themselves.” their well-attended Rape Aggression “Although R.A.D. is a popular choice Notice”; and Williams said women are often Defense (R.A.D.) class, which requires for many on campus, we feel that a two- viewed as the weaker sex in any much more of a time commitment. hour class would be more attractive for • a 1-1/2 hour familiarization with culture, and therefore are preyed physical self-defense. upon more than men. “A lt h o u g h R.A.D. i s a p o p u l a r c h o i c e f o r m a n y o n c a m p u s , Meyers says this particular program “The S.A.F.E. course arms wom- has been very successful at other en with some of the necessary tools w e f e e l t h at a t w o - h o u r c l a s s w o u l d b e m o r e att r a c t i v e f o r universities. to avoid harm and protect themselves a g o o d p o rt i o n o f o u r s t u d e n t s , fa c u lt y a n d s ta f f , a n d w e “In just two short hours, the in many different situations.” wa n t t o r e a c h a s m a n y p e o p l e a s w e c a n w i t h t h i s i m p o rta n t S.A.F.E. class provides women with Police Officer Stacey Griffin solid, public safety awareness infor- and Security Officer Jim Moran also s a f e t y i n f o r m at i o n t o e d u c at e t h e m .” — L t . J o s e p h M e y e r s mation they can incorporate into their are certified to teach the class. Police everyday lives,” Meyers said. “It’s officers Don Campbell and Leah The S.A.F.E. program — an a good portion of our students, faculty based on the premise that 90 percent Boehler and Security Officer Erick acronym for Self-defense Awareness and staff, and we want to reach as many of self-defense is awareness, risk Canizales will assist the instructors and Familiarization Exchange — is an people as we can with this important reduction and avoiding confronta- in their presentations. award-winning awareness and preven- safety information to educate them.” tion. Only 10 percent of self-defense If you would like to schedule tion program that provides women with The S.A.F.E. class essentially fo- is physical. The focus of the class a S.A.F.E. class for your campus information that may reduce their risk of cuses on three components: avoidance, is on ensuring that people are both group or department, contact the exposure to violence and introduce them escape and survival of physical attacks, mentally and physically prepared.” CMU Police Department at to the physical aspects of self-defense. particularly those of a sexual nature. Security Officer Mikki Williams [email protected].

Gender Equity C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e o n e

members and a culture that does not Serving alongside Hippensteel tolerate discrimination of any kind,” said is alumna Jamie Edwards (DC’07), Holly Hippensteel, who was appointed assistant director of Title IX Initiatives. part-time interim director of Title IX Murphy said Edwards has established Initiatives and Title IX Coordinator. herself as “a rising leader in the field, “That said, there is always more that can demonstrating an enviable blend of be done.” a sharp analytical mind with strong Hippensteel has worked closely interpersonal skills and a collaborative with many individuals committed to spirit.” Title IX and gender equity issues at To Edwards, Title IX means Carnegie Mellon over the years, and ensuring that community members says she was more than happy to take are not being discriminated against, up the charge of building on the strong harassed, excluded or otherwise harmed foundation that already exists. because of their gender. “I know how passionately folks “I want everyone to feel supported at Carnegie Mellon are working to and to know that they have equal access raise awareness, and I hope that our and support,” she said. new office is able to channel all of the Edwards is looking forward to

positive initiatives already happening implementing impactful prevention H o l ly H i p p e n s t e e l ( l e f t ) a n d J a m i e E d w a r d s g a v e p r e s e n t a t i o n s o n g e n d e r

while also taking advantage of the programs; connecting individuals with e q u a l i t y t o s t u d e n t s d u r i n g O r i e n t a t i o n W e e k . fact that we now have staff members the support and resources they need; dedicated solely to these areas so that and ensuring a fair and just process for priorities include the creation and launch update our protocols and determine we can build and grow our efforts,” handling all claims of misconduct. of a comprehensive web-based resource how our office can best support the Hippensteel said. “Perhaps somewhat counter- and a focus on high-quality community work being done by others in units In his announcement of the new intuitively, I expect that an increase in education. She said Murphy; Gina such as University Police, University office to the campus community, Vice the number of reports over the next few Casalegno, Lucas Christain and Jess Health Services, and Counseling and President of Campus Affairs Michael years will tell us we are doing our job,” Klein from Student Affairs; Dan Munsch Psychological Services,” Hippensteel Murphy praised Hippensteel for her Edwards said. “If we see an increase and Jim Mercolini from Legal Affairs; said. exceptional contributions as a deputy in reporting, we will know that more and Everett Tademy and Dan McNulty “Lastly, we are trying to just get the Title IX coordinator. He described her as people are aware of the university’s from Human Resources have been word out about our office so that folks being “deeply committed to building a efforts in the Title IX space, and that instrumental in helping her and Edwards understand who we are, how to contact supportive climate in which each of our they have faith in the process.” establish goals for the coming year. us ([email protected]) and when we might be community members can thrive.” Hippensteel says the office’s top “We are taking lots of input as we helpful. This is very important work.” T e n Trouble on the Train Tracks Drill Brings Staff Together for Emergency Response n Bruce Gerson

At 3 p.m., Aug. 10, a train pulling tanker cars of liquefied petroleum gas and other hazardous materials abruptly screeched to a halt and caught fire on the tracks under the bridge over Forbes Avenue near the Robert Mehrabian Collaborative Innovation Center (CIC). Thick black smoke billowed into the air and Pittsburgh Emergency Management ordered University Police to evacuate the campus to a quarter mile from the area. Several sports camps and pre- college classes were in progress, and an international cybersecurity conference was in session at the CIC. CMU’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) sprung into action at the direction of Environmental Health and Safety Director Madelyn Miller, who was conducting her 10th annual Emergency Response Desktop Drill. At tables spread throughout Rangos 1, more than 45 staff members from across campus representing the EOC’s Executive Policy Group, Unified Com- mand, and Communications, Opera- tions, Safety/Security, and Planning and Risk Assessment teams huddled and began to map out their emergency response strategies and activities. A CMU-Alert message was drafted and sent to the campus community c m u ’ s a n n u a l E m e r g e n c y R e s p o n s e D e s k t o p D r i l l f e a t u r e d a t r a i n c a t c h i n g o n f i r e u n d e r t h e b r i d g e n e a r t h e asking those in the affected zone to R o b e r t M e h r a b i a n C o l l a b o r a t i v e I n n o v a t i o n C e n t e r . evacuate to their home or convene at the assembly area nearest them. Facilities in addition to raising issues and concerns. staff members in the room. General Counsel Mary Jo Dively of the Management Services moved to shut After round one, new developments The drill included staff from Athlet- Executive Policy Group. down air handling intake units in nearby building on the existing scenario were ics, Computing Services, Conference “As in every one of these that I’ve buildings. The Student Health, Housing introduced, followed by more team and Event Services, Environmental attended in a decade, I learned new and Dining, and Safety and Security planning, group discussion and debate. Health and Safety, FMS, Housing and things that we can do better. They’re teams activated to accommodate for Representatives from the City of Dining Services, Marketing & Com- always valuable.” faculty, staff and students as well as the Pittsburgh, George Washington Uni- munications, Risk Management, Student The 10th annual drill was a first for visiting campers, pre-college students versity and the University of Maryland, Affairs, University Health Services and Vice Provost for Research Gary Fedder. and conference attendees. Baltimore County (UMBC), where a University Police. “It’s always useful to bring people After 15 minutes of planning each train pulling hazardous materials really “What was impressive about this together from across the university to group gave an overview of what they did catch fire, attended the drill and were was the number of groups what were at think about these types of things that discussed and what actions were taken, surprised by the involvement of so many the table to bring up all the things that otherwise we wouldn’t necessarily take you don’t normally think about in an the time to think about, and to learn emergency,” said Patrick Wolf, assistant of all the different connections we can R e g i s t e r f o r CMU-A l e rt director of Environmental Health & make,” Fedder said. Safety at UMBC. George Nunez, director of Emer- “With any emergency response gency Management at George Washing- Faculty and staff are encouraged to register for CMU-Alert, the university’s emergency notification service. In the event of a campus you’re never going to have all the ton, said being able to assess what you emergency, CMU-Alert sends voice and text messages to your answers. The question is do you have can’t do is just as important as assessing registered phone number. the ability to communicate within your what you can do. group to start talking about these issues “Any institution or organization Your contact information will be treated confiden- ahead of time. This is what planning is needs to recognize what resources it has tially. You will be contacted by the CMU-Alert service only if there is an incident or event (including severe all about,” Wolf said. to be able to handle incidents and emer- weather) that threatens public safety, or during tests Jonathan Henry, an emergency gencies, but also when we don’t have the of the system in the spring and fall semesters. management specialist for the City of resources we must look outward to our Pittsburgh, said he normally doesn’t see colleague institutions, across the county Note that the text and voice options may carry a nominal fee for recipients, depending on your mobile participation from so many university or nationally for help,” he said. phone carrier and mobile phone plan. Questions components at desktop exercises. Miller said it was heartening to or concerns about the service can be emailed to “I was pleased to see the acknowl- see so many people participating and [email protected]. edgement from Mr. Henry as to the communicating. More information on registering for CMU-Alert is available on the turnout from the many different depart- “You can’t respond to a complex Environmental Health & Safety website. ments. I think that shows the seriousness emergency if you don’t get people with which we take emergency response together,” she said. Register for CMU-Alert today! and planning,” said Vice President and

E l e v e n Professor Puts Talents on Ice Ventura Joins Penguins as Analytics Consultant

n Bruce Gerson

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed Carnegie Mel- lon’s Sam Ventura. He’s not a play-making forward, a hard-hitting defenseman or a lightning quick goaltender, but the 27-year-old junior faculty member in the Statistics De- partment is hoping to make a big impact nonetheless. Ventura is among the growing breed of statistical analysts in professional sports, an industry proliferated by Moneyball, the book and subsequent movie, about the Oakland Athletics’ reliance on data analytics to build a successful baseball team. Last year, Karim Kassam, a former CMU professor of social and decision sciences, joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as their analytics and research coordinator. “In any field, if you can objectively back up your decision with data, you’re doing yourself a favor,” said Ventura, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s S a m V e n t u r a i s a m o n g t h e g r o w i n g b r e e d o f s t a t i s t i c a l a n a ly s t s i n p r o f e ss i o n a l s p o r t s . degrees and Ph.D. in statistics at CMU. A Pittsburgh native and lifelong hockey player and enthusiast, Ventura’s Enter War-on-Ice.com, a compre- Ventura said another big predic- that area.” appointment as a consultant with the hensive visually appealing website that tor is the total number of shots a team Ventura said areas in which quan- Penguins stems from his senior year at Ventura and Thomas co-developed to takes during a game, even the ones that titative analysis could provide value CMU and Andrew Thomas, a profes- introduce fans to more statistical metrics. are blocked and not officially logged as include research about which players sor who taught a class about applying WAR is an acronym that stands for Wins shots on goal. play well with each other and against statistical methods to the sporting world. Above Replacement, which measures “The idea is that the more shots a each other, and if it’s advantageous to Ventura said he and Thomas, how many wins a player helps a team team takes, the more puck possession play your starting goaltender in games a native of Toronto, had a mutual achieve over someone who would be his time they have. That’s a good predictor on consecutive days. interest in hockey. They put their heads replacement. of wins and losses and future success,” This fall, Ventura will juggle his together on a project rating players While fans can go to NHL.com for Ventura said. consultant duties with his responsibili- in the National Hockey League that ties at CMU. As a freshly minted Ph.D. incorporated statistical properties that and visiting faculty member, he’ll be “W e ’ r e e x c i t e d t o a d d s o m e o n e o f S a m ’ s ta l e n t t o o u r went beyond the standard plus-minus teaching Probability Theory and Ran- rating, which assigns a value to a player o r g a n i z at i o n . A d va n c e s tat s d ata c o n t i n u e s t o e m e r g e a n d dom Processes, an introductory course aimed at computer science and engi- based on the total number of goals his e v o lv e d a i ly , a n d S a m w i l l b e i n s t r u m e n ta l i n h e l p i n g u s team scores and the opponent scores neering students. i n t e r p r e t n e w f i n d i n g s i n t h at a r e a .” while that player is on the ice. He’s also a faculty co-adviser for The project led to a paper that was — J a s o n K a r m a n o s , P e n g u i n s ’ VP o f H o c k e y O p e r at i o n s the undergraduate Sports Analytics published in The Annals of Applied Club at CMU, and will be assuming Statistics and a panel discussion at the player and team statistics, Ventura says Ventura feels the website and the his role behind the bench as an assis- Joint Statistical Meetings, the annual War-on-Ice.com is different in two ways. Pittsburgh Hockey Analytics Workshop, tant coach for the CMU Hockey Club. major statistics conference. Ventura was “War-on-Ice is geared to the more hosted by War-on-Ice and the Statistics Last year he helped the Tartans win its a panelist for “Advances in Methods for advanced fan, who is interested in stats Department at CMU last November, league championship. the Analysis of Ice Hockey.” that are good descriptors of what hap- piqued the Penguins’ interest in him. “I only scored one goal and was “It was a good discussion with a big pened in the past but also good predic- “We’re excited to add someone of injured. But I helped the team in other Q&A with the audience. The conclu- tors of what will happen in the future,” Sam’s talent to our organization,” said ways. sion was we thought our work was very Ventura explained. Jason Karmanos, the Penguins’ vice “That’s what statistical analysis is good, but the common and advanced “That’s what’s behind the core tenet president of hockey operations. “Ad- all about. You have to find niches where fans didn’t have access to it. There was of modern hockey stats. We like to pres- vance stats data continues to emerge and you can provide value,” he said. no public presentation of our results,” ent the metrics that are predictors, like evolve daily, and Sam will be instrumen- The Penguins are counting on it. Ventura said. WAR.” tal in helping us interpret new findings in

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