CMU’S NEWS SOURCE FOR FACULTY & STAFF 10/14 ISSUE

3 CNBC C e l e b r at e s 20 Y e a r s 4 “The Book of Mormon” Gives Back Victorious Veterans 5 E m p o w e r i ng I n e r v e n t i o n

10 I nn o vat i o n P a l o o z a

“It’s Incredible!” Shaw Elated With White House Honor

n Byron Spice

President Barack Obama has selected Carnegie Mellon’s Mary Shaw as a recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation — the na- tion’s highest honor for achievement in technology, innovation and invention. “It’s incredible! What a superb rec- ognition for my students and colleagues, for CMU, for engineering, as well as for me,” Shaw said. “The university has provided me with a rich and fertile intellectual environment with wonderful colleagues and students. I doubt that I could have been as success- PHOTO BY TIM KAULEN ful anywhere else.” A t t h i s y e a r ’ s A n d y A w a r d s , t w o m e m b e r s o f t h e p h y s i c s d e pa r t m e n t w e r e h o n o r e d f o r y e a r s o f s e r v i c e , d e d i c at i o n The Alan J. Perlis University Pro- a n d c i t i z e n s h i p . C h u c k G i t z e n ( l e f t ), s t o r e r o o m m a n a g e r , r e c e i v e d t h e A n d y A w a r d f o r D e d i c at i o n a n d w a s h o n o r e d f o r fessor of is a leader h i s 45 y e a r s at CMU. J o e R u d m a n ( r i g h t ), a s c i e n t i f i c p r o j e c t administrator , e a r n e d t h e A n d y A w a r d f o r U n i v e r s i t y in software engineering research. She C i t i z e n s h i p a n d w a s c e l e b r at e d f o r h i s 55 y e a r s at t h e u n i v e r s i t y . R e a d a b o u t t h e A n d y A w a r d w i n n e r s o n pa g e s 6-7. has been a member of CMU’s computer science faculty since 1971. Her work on software architecture touches everything from the anti-lock braking systems in Uplifting C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e e i g h t Tartans’ Little Captain Is Inspirational

n Lauren Butler disease significantly compromised his decided to reach out to Team IMPACT, A Hot Topic hearing. which placed him with CMU. Team captains lead by example, and Brock is legally blind with 20/200 “We were certainly skeptical at first, such is the case with Brock Kitterman, vision in his right eye and 20/400 vision but after meeting the guys from the team a 9-year-old who is the youngest Tartan in the left. He can hear without his hear- and the coaching staff, we knew we had football player and co-captain in school ing aids, but misses a lot. been paired with a great team at a great history. When his mother, Tammy, realized school,” she said. Brock, who “officially” became that he was struggling with his peers, she C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e t w o a member of the team last spring after signing a letter of intent in front of the players and staff, was paired with Carnegie Mellon by Team IMPACT, an organization that matches courageous kids facing life threatening or chronic illness with collegiate athletic teams to help lift their spirits and improve their n Bruce Gerson quality of life. At 12 weeks old, Brock’s parents Richard Caruso (above), fire safety were told he was completely blind and manager for Carnegie Mellon’s Envi- the doctors diagnosed him with Bilateral ronmental Health & Safety Department, Retinoblastoma, an incredibly rare eye conducted two mock dorm room fires cancer. During chemotherapy treatments, C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e f o u r one of the agents he received to fight the O n e Hillman Gives $5 Million Boost to BrainHubSM Initiative

n Ken Walters

Carnegie Mellon’s BrainHubSM initiative In its report, the OSTP noted CMU’s got a boost in September in the form of support of the federal effort through a $5 million gift from Pittsburgh busi- BrainHub, stating that “linking brain ness leader Henry L. Hillman and major science to behavior via the application recognition from the White House. of machine learning, statistics and The Hillman gift will provide computational modeling will be a endowment funds to help support hallmark of CMU’s efforts, along with presidential graduate fellowships in areas commercialization of new technologies broadly connected to brain research. BrainHub and applications.” And it will provide seed grants through Carnegie Mellon researchers are Carnegie Mellon’s ProSEED program recognized for their expertise in areas that for innovative research projects that will promise to pave new avenues for meth- connect faculty from disciplines across ods to measure and analyze both brain the university. activity and behavior and then to link The gift also will help support the these domains through the application of training of the next generation of brain cutting-edge computational tools. Brain- researchers on a global scale; as part of Hub will promote the dissemination and BrainHub, Carnegie Mellon scientists ciplinary culture, bringing together needed research frameworks, tools and commercialization of the most promising will work with university partners from computer science, humanities, science, technologies, and by working in close of these advances so that they are widely China, India and the United Kingdom, engineering, business, public policy and concert with the network of BrainHub used, furthering brain research, policies and the Hillman gift will be matched the arts to conduct research on the brain universities around the world. We are and practices across the globe. with other sources of BrainHub support. and the related fields of data science and deeply grateful to Henry Hillman for Carnegie Mellon’s BrainHub Carnegie Mellon established Brain- the science of learning. supporting our vision with this magnifi- connects global partners including the Hub to bring together global strategic “Understanding how the brain cent new gift.” University of Warwick, which has a con- partners from government, public, pri- works is among the great challenges The afternoon of the gift announce- centrated expertise in the field of digital vate and philanthropic sectors to develop of the 21st century, with results that ment, Carnegie Mellon scientists Nathan health; Sun Yat-sen University, whose innovative computational and techno- promise to improve human health Urban, Marlene Behrmann and Michael medical school has broad clinical exper- logical approaches for studying the links and well-being in dramatic ways,” Tarr attended an event at the White tise in Alzheimer’s and autism; Oxford between brain and behavior. This effort said Carnegie Mellon President Subra House, where CMU’s work to advance University, through its International Brain will lead to new insights into topics such Suresh. “Carnegie Mellon can make a brain research was recognized by the Mechanics and Trauma Lab; and the In- as cognition, learning and perception, unique and distinctive contribution to Office of Science and Technology Policy dian Institute of Science, which recently and will shed light on brain disorders this global effort by bringing together (OSTP) in its update on President Barack launched its own brain research center. such as autism and Parkinson’s disease. our strengths in neurobiology, computa- Obama’s BRAIN (Brain Research For more information on BrainHub, The BrainHub initiative leverages tion, data sciences, human learning and through Advancing Innovative Neuro- visit www.cmu.edu/brainhub. the university’s well-known interdis- behavioral science to create urgently technologies) Initiative.

Uplifting: Tartans’ Little Captain Is Inspirational C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e o n e

Brock has been immersed in the entire Carnegie Mellon football team PIPER experience. He attended and participated 10/14 Issue in picture day. He hangs out with his “teammates” on and off the field, and P u b l i s h e r Ken Walters helps get out the pads and pants for the

E d i t o r M a n a g i n g E d i t o r team. He even gets to ride in the golf cart Bruce Gerson Kelly Saavedra used to transport equipment. W r i t e r s Outside of school and attending Emily Baskin Lauren Butler football practices, Brock enjoys spending Bruce Gerson time with his family, friends and pets. He Tara Rae Moore Shilo Rea also likes competing in triathlons, play- Erin Keane Scott ing video games, listening to books, and Kelly Saavedra Byron Spice is a rollercoaster enthusiast. Daniel Tkacik A group from the Tartan football Ken Walters team surprised him at one of his triathlon D e s i g n e r races when they arrived to cheer him on. Melissa Stoebe T a rta n c a p ta i n s F r e d B o l i o (83), T i m S wa n s o n (2), D u s t i n S c h n e i d e r (49) a n d Communications Design and Photography Group After the race was over, they again sur- A l e x a n d e r D’A n g e l o (54) s ta n d i n s o l i d a r i t y a n d s u p p o rt o f t h e i r n e w e s t c o - c a p - P h o t o g r a p h y prised Brock with a trip to Kennywood. ta i n , B r o c k K i t t e r m a n ( c e n t e r ), w h o wa s pa i r e d w i t h CMU t h r o u g h T e a m IMPACT, Ken Andreyo & Tim Kaulen “I have never let Brock go anywhere Communications Design and Photography Group a n organization t h at m at c h e s k i d s fa c i n g l i f e - threatening o r c h r o n i c i l l n e s s w i t h without me, but the guys have been so To contact The Piper staff, call 412-268-2900 at h l e t i c t e a m s t o h e l p l i f t t h e i r s p i r i t s a n d i m p r o v e t h e i r q u a l i t y o f l i f e . or email [email protected]. great and I knew they would have a Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, great time and take good care of Brock,” time he is around the team he is smiling Lackner. “I hope that our team has made employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, Tammy said. ear-to-ear is truly inspirational.” as big an impact on Brock as he has belief, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required At Kennywood, Brock rode the Players and coaches say Brock has made on us.” not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders. Inquiries concerning the application of and compliance Black Widow seven times in a row. been an incredible addition to the Carn- “Brock is an inspiration to all those with this statement should be directed to the vice president for campus affairs, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, egie Mellon football team, and they are associated with the Carnegie Mellon foot- Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412-268-2056. “He had our stomachs turning,” said Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus security and fire safety report describing the university’s security, football senior and co-captain Dustin looking forward to having him around ball team,” Lackner continued. “We are alcohol and drug, sexual assault, and fire safety policies and con- taining statistics about the number and type of crimes committed on the campus and the number and cause of fires in campus Schneider. “Brock is an amazing kid. He for many years to come. ALL blessed to have Brock in our lives.” residence facilities during the preceding three years. You can ob- tain a copy by contacting the Carnegie Mellon Police Department went through more struggles prior to his “The Carnegie Mellon football team For more about Team IMPACT, visit at 412-268-2323. The annual security and fire safety report is also available online at www.cmu.edu/police/annualreports. Produced by the Communications Design & Photography first birthday than some people experi- is thrilled to add Brock to the Tartan www.goteamimpact.org/. Group, October 2014, 15-160. T w o ence in a lifetime, and the fact that every football family,” said head coach Rich Center Focused on Brain Research Celebrates 20th Anniversary n Shilo Rea

Some marriages just get better with ments. CMU and Pittsburgh are so well time. situated to push forward in these areas.” That would describe the ongoing “N e u r o n s a n d O t h e r M e m o r i e s ” Major Milestones collaboration between Carnegie Mellon a rt o n t h e B r a i n and the University of Pittsburgh who, CNBC researchers have made an side by side, have been tackling the impact across the spectrum of neurosci- Carnegie Mellon’s Miller mysteries of the brain for 20 years ence, from understanding how neurons Gallery is featuring “Neurons through the Center for the Neural Basis behave to the discovery of the conse- and Other Memories … Work of Cognition (CNBC). quences of brain injury, diseases and In and Around the Brain” now The center got its start with a $12 disorders. through Sunday, Oct. 26. million gift from the Richard King Highlights include: Curated by Adjunct Mellon Foundation. The CNBC com- • CMU neuroscientist Alison Barth Associate Patricia bines Pitt’s strengths in bioengineering, invented a mouse model that allows Maurides in collaboration with math, psychology and neuroscience researchers to visualize, identify and the Center for the Neural Basis with Carnegie Mellon’s strengths in study individual neurons as they are of Cognition (CNBC), the psychology, computer science, biologi- activated in a living animal. These exhibition features investiga- cal sciences and statistics to investigate mice were the first fluorescent report- tions, translations and reflec- the neural mechanisms that give rise to ers of neural activity to be developed tions of neural mechanisms by human cognitive abilities. and remain widely used by neuro- artists and neuroscientists. The White House recently recog- scientists today. Barth’s model has The exhibit coincides with nized neuroscience research programs been licensed for use by every major the CNBC’s 20th anniversary at CMU and Pitt for their support of the pharmaceutical company in the U.S. celebration. federal BRAIN Initiative. and by scientists worldwide to study “To have two universities across a variety of topics including sleep, the street from each other and to have addiction, learning, memory and “ N e t G e n e r a t i o n M e m o r y P a l a c e ” them decide to collaborate rather than spinal cord injuries. b y A a r o n R e g a l , a r c h i v a l i n k j e t compete is very special,” said Peter L. p r i n t • CNBC researchers at Pitt — Andy Strick, Pitt co-director of the CNBC, Schwartz, Mike Boninger and Eliza- distinguished professor and chair of the beth Tyler-Kubera, with support from Department of Neurobiology at Pitt. Rob Kass and Valerie Ventura at The center also trains the next CMU — made a major breakthrough generation of neuroscientists through an in the field of brain-computer inter- interdisciplinary graduate and postdoc- faces when they enabled a quadriple- toral training program and fosters close gic woman to collaborations between faculty. control a robotic arm and hand, and “The CNBC has an open architec- achieve her goal of feeding herself a ture that allows interactions between chocolate bar after 11 years of nearly scientists and colleagues — regardless total paralysis. of their home institution. Students can seamlessly move between Pitt and CMU • CMU’s Byron Yu and Pitt’s Aaron labs and draw on the expertise of faculty Batista and Patrick Sadtler found for at both institutions. This cross-discipline the first time that there are limitations and cross-university atmosphere has al- on how adaptable the brain is during lowed the CNBC — and therefore CMU learning and that these restrictions and Pitt — to recruit and keep scientists are a key determinant for whether and researchers and attract the brightest a new skill will be easy or difficult students,” Strick said. to learn. Understanding the ways Marlene Behrmann, the CMU co- in which the brain’s activity can be director of the CNBC and the George A. “flexed” during learning could even- “ S ynaptogenesis ” b y G r e g D u n n , e n a m e l o n c o m p o s i t i o n g o l d l e a f and Helen Dunham Cowan Professor of tually be used to develop Cognitive Neuroscience, said that it is a better treatments for stroke and other really exciting time to be a neuroscien- brain injuries. tist — especially in Pittsburgh. The success of the CNBC has led “We have the perfect confluence of to dramatic growth since its inception. all of the building blocks — technology Programs have been added in neural developments, incredible equipment and computation, multimodal neural train- computational and theoretical advances ing, brain and behavior, and neurobiol- — along with a strong ethic of working ogy of disease. Its number of graduate collaboratively,” Behrmann said. students has increased from 11 in 1994 “I believe we really are poised to to 139 in 2014, and many alumni from continue making significant scientific this program have gone on to presti- progress,” she added, “and that progress gious positions. will begin to bear fruit for understanding the relationship between the brain and “ O n e , N o O n e a n d O n e H u n d r e d T h o u s a n d n o . 2 4 ” b y J o a n a R i c o u , behavior, and using this knowledge to m i x e d m e d i a o n w o o d improve the diagnosis and treatment of people with various brain-based impair-

T h r e e “The Book of Mormon” Gives Back to Drama

n Erin Keane Scott

Carnegie Mellon’s School of Drama has replied that it was the strong founda- given a lot of talent to the hit Broadway tion in acting theory that set School production “The Book of Mormon.” of Drama alumni apart in the musical And over the past couple of weeks, “The theater world. Book of Mormon” has been giving back. “To tell the story of the song is Since it premiered in 2011 with more important than hitting the notes,” three School of Drama grads in originat- Larsen said. “I mean, you’ve gotta hit ing principal and ensemble roles, several the notes but I would rather see a story more alumni have joined the cast. In late told.” September, when the national tour rolled Before their two weeks in Pitts- into town, the New York producers burgh were over, Larsen and Benton invited current Carnegie Mellon students made their way back to Oakland for a to attend a performance at Heinz Hall. visit to the Purnell Center for the Arts, Denee Benton (A’14), who stars as where they spoke to current School of Nabulungi in the national tour, noted that Drama students about their work in her castmates could tell how much the “The Book of Mormon.” Pittsburgh house loved her during these Many students were curious about performances. Benton’s recent transition from the Benton and her co-star, David conservatory to the professional atmo- Larsen (A’02), gave a post-performance sphere. talkback for Carnegie Mellon alumni Benton suggested to students that moderated by Professor and Head of they never get too comfortable, that they D e n e e B e n t o n ( A’ 1 4 ) a n d D a v i d L a r s e n ( A’ 0 2 ) , c o - s t a r s o f t h e B r o a d w a y the School of Drama Peter Cooke on take directorial advice with grace and h i t “ T h e B o o k o f M o r m o n , ” r e t u r n e d t o t h e i r a l m a m a t e r f o r a t a l k b a c k , Sept. 29. that they always believe in the innate m o d e r a t e d b y P e t e r C o o k e ( c e n t e r ) , h e a d o f t h e S c h o o l o f D r a m a . During the conversation Cooke gifts that helped them win the role. asked Larsen what he thought distin- Larsen also offered up some wisdom guished the School of Drama from other from his 12 years as a working actor. extra classes if you continue to apply “It’s those who stick around, it’s those conservatory training programs. Larsen “You should never need to take what you learned here,” Larsen said. that persevere, that’s who ‘makes it.’”

Mock Dorm Room Fire Emphasizes Safety Open Enrollment C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e o n e Begins Nov. 3 last month on the CFA lawn to help because they can contain and control the detectors should be checked frequently to spread the word to students about the fire immediately in the room of origin, make sure the detector is in good working Plans Available with importance of smoke detectors and and often extinguish the fire before the condition. sprinkler systems. fire department arrives,” said Caruso, “There is no such thing as a ‘safe’ Highmark, UPMC, The first fire, portrayed to be in a who noted that all CMU-owned resi- city or town when it comes to avoiding HealthAmerica Carnegie Mellon-owned student resi- dence halls are equipped with smoke the risk of fire for college students. Fire dence, was quickly extinguished by the detectors and sprinkler systems. safety should be something that goes with n Emily Baskin installed sprinkler system, but the second Caruso encouraged students living you wherever you reside, particularly in Open Enrollment for 2015 benefits will fire in an off-campus facility fully in off-campus housing to investigate to off-campus housing,” Caruso said. engaged the entire dorm room within see if their residence has a fire alarm or To see a video of the mock dorm take place from Monday, Nov. 3 until a minute. sprinkler system, or that smoke alarms room fires, go to www.cmu.edu/ehs/. 5 p.m. (ET) on Monday, Nov. 17. “Fire sprinkler systems offer on every floor, at the very least, are pres- For more on the EH&S Fire Safety During this time, employees have residents an additional level of safety ent. He said the batteries in the smoke program, go to www.cmu.edu/ehs/fire/ the opportunity to review benefit op- index.html. tions and make new elections for 2015. Employees who do not elect their benefits during this period will be auto- matically enrolled in the same benefits they currently have in 2014 (except flexible spending accounts, in which employees must actively enroll each year to participate). Elections made during Open Enrollment are effective on Jan. 1, 2015, and will remain in effect for the entire calendar year. Employees can only change benefit elections during Open Enrollment, unless they experi- ence a qualified life or family status change during another time of the year. CMU will continue to offer plan options with Highmark, UPMC and HealthAmerica. Most of the contracts between Highmark and UPMC will end on Dec. 31. The state of Pennsylvania has en-

PHOTO BY KEN ANDREYO forced a “Consent Decree,” which may A m o c k d o r m r o o m f i r e w a s c o n d u c t e d o n t h e C FA l a w n t o h i g h l i g h t t h e i m p o r ta n c e o f s m o k e d e t e c t o r s a n d C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e t w e l v e s p r i n k l e r s y s t e m s . F o u r Empowering Intervention Students, Alums Tackle Sexual Assault with Mobile Technology n Kelly Saavedra

Lisa is at a party with her friend Danielle. It’s getting late, and a guy they met when they arrived now has Danielle cornered in the crowded room. He’s getting physical and trying to take her outside to his car. Two mobile apps created by gradu- ate-student teams at Carnegie Mellon’s Integrated Innovation Institute are aimed at empowering friends and bystanders, like Lisa, to intervene in situations such as this. With the “NightOwl” app, Lisa could have reported the behavior — in her own words or via the app’s prewrit- ten messages — directly to the host or other guests, and sparked action. Or, using “SPOT (A Problem),” she could have sent information about the aggressive behavior in real-time to designated risk managers at the party, who would have been alerted through a wristband that vibrates and emits light. The Carnegie Mellon graduate- student teams used their engineering, design and business backgrounds to A b o v e : ( l e f t t o r i g h t ) C m u a l u m n i develop prototypes as part of their A l a n F u ( E ’ 1 3 ) , A m a n d a Y u a n ( D C ’ 1 4 ) , capstone projects underwritten by the J a y o n W a n g ( E ’ 1 3 ) , E l i z a b e t h institute. The university has filed provi- K r a m e r ( D C ’ 1 4 ) , K a t h e r i n e Z i t t e r - sional patents on both prototypes on the b a r t ( D C ’ 9 4 ) a n d S i r i R a m o s ( E ’ 1 3 ) c o m b i n e t h e i r t a l e n t s a n d s k i l l s a t students’ behalf. L i f e S h e l , o n e o f 1 6 a l u m n i s t a r t u p s “Finding solutions to on-campus t o r e c e i v e f u n d i n g f r o m C m u ’ s O p e n sexual assaults is as complicated as the F i e l d E ntrepreneurs F u n d . issue itself and education-focused efforts need to be amplified with action-based T h e N i g h t O w l ( f a r l e f t ) a n d s p o t solutions,” said Integrated Innovation ( l e f t ) a p p s a r e d e s i g n e d t o e m p o w e r f r i e n d s a n d b y s t a n d e r s t o i n t e r v e n e Institute Co-Director Eric Anderson, an i n potentially d a n g e r o u s s i t u a t i o n s . associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and an associate professor in the School of Design. reducing the incidence of rape, on Whistl enables users who feel they are “Those emerging from among the campus and off.” in danger to send a digital cry for help affected demographic may hold the most When Carnegie Mellon alumnus to emergency responders, campus police promise to engage peers and resolve the Leah Yingling (E’13) was attacked, and a predetermined network of friends situation,” Anderson said. she wasn’t at an on-campus party. She and family. In the event of an active For many reasons that are widely was jogging on a secluded path in her shooter, or a fire, the message would debated, including the role of intoxica- hometown, a path she’d run on hundreds alert people nearby to move away from tion, fewer than one in 20 attacks are potential solutions to this nationwide of times before. She somehow managed the area. reported, according to the U.S. Depart- problem developed here at the Inte- to dial 911 on the mobile phone in her “Not only can these tools empower ment of Justice, and those that are have grated Innovation Institute,” Urban said. pocket while being held at knifepoint. the user,” said Yingling, “there is also proved difficult to prosecute. “Products such as NightOwl and SPOT An alert sounded when the dispatcher an- a potential for them to make would-be Carnegie Mellon’s Interim Provost could provide students and administra- swered and spooked the attacker, who ran attackers think twice, and I think that in Nathan Urban calls this a “critical mo- tors with tangible but simple means to off and later was apprehended by police. itself can be a very powerful thing.” ment” as universities across the country collectively reduce sexual misconduct. “What if I’d been able to discretely LifeShel is one of 16 alumni start- confront the issue. They represent an important first step activate a loud alert, a strobing light, ups this year to receive funding from “We are extremely proud to see toward changing student attitudes and a mobile response to my loved ones? CMU’s Open Field Entrepreneurs Fund, Emergency responders may have come which provides early-stage business to the scene. My family may have been financing to recent Carnegie Mellon L i f e S h e l I s M a k i n g N o i s e notified that I was in danger. Others on alumni entrepreneurs. the running trail may have been notified Peter Boatwright, a co-director of In the past six months, LifeShel has: that a distressing situation was occur- the Integrated Innovation Institute and • been endorsed by President Barack Obama; ring nearby,” Yingling said. the Carnegie Bosch Professor of Mar- • visited the Office of Science and Technology Policy to discuss strategies This kind of brainstorming with keting at the Tepper School of Business, for combatting sexual assault with a dedicated White House task force; friends led three of her fellow Carnegie said, “No single entity can solve this • hired CMU alumni to join their team; Mellon alumni — Jayon Wang (E’13), issue, but the combined efforts and skill • been awarded funding from CMU’s Open Field Entrepreneurs Fund; and Siri Ramos (E’13) and Alan Fu (E’13), sets of nonprofits, businesses, academic founders of LifeShel — to create Whistl, institutions, activists, social organiza- • had July 8 proclaimed “LifeShel Day” by Pittsburgh City Council for their efforts toward combatting sexual assault. a smartphone case with an embedded tions and others can help end sexual alarm. Currently in its testing phase, assault by addressing it from all angles.” F i v e Form and Function Andy Award Winners Are University Role Models

n Bruce Gerson caring and commitment,” wrote Vice Bodies in motion tend to stay in motion. President for Campus Affairs Michael Even for 100 years. Murphy in a supporting letter. “He That law of physics appropri- makes people around him better than ately rings true for two members of the they would have been, and he never Physics Department, who enjoyed the gives up on those in whom he believes. distinction of winning Andy Awards “Joe is inordinately dedicated not and Years of Service citations for their just to the tasks or responsibilities under combined 100 years at Carnegie Mellon his purview, but also to the university at this year’s staff recognition ceremony as a whole,” Murphy added. “He is ever on Sept. 30. present at university events and pro- Joe Rudman, scientific project grams, and he is a staunch advocate of administrator, earned the Andy Award the many and varied campus activities for University Citizenship and was that make this such a rich community.” celebrated for his 55 years at the univer- sity. Chuck Gitzen, storeroom manager, Dedication: received the Andy Award for Dedication Chuck Gitzen and was honored for his 45 years at CMU. Gitzen wears many hats for the Physics L e o n “ P e t e ” S m i t h ( l e f t ) a n d W i l l i a m T a y l o r , b u s d r i v e r s f o r t h e G e l f a n d Joining Rudman and Gitzen Department. He is the storeroom man- C e n t e r , w o n A n d y A w a r d s f o r C o m m u n i t y C ontributions . as 2014 Andy Award winners were ager, purchasing agent, Mr. Fix-It, Mr. Treshea Wade for Innovation; Leon Mover and the “general go-to-guy” for “His commitment to his job is like ing such remarkable growth in its first “Pete” Smith and William Taylor for more than 150 faculty members, post- no one I have ever seen before. Chuck year,” Neti wrote. “It was imperative Community Contributions; Diane Stidle doctoral researchers, graduate students possesses the attitude of ‘Let’s get ’er that we had at least one site that didn’t for Culture; and Rubab Jafry O’Connor and staff. done,’” Carr said in a supporting letter. need Port Authority … and because of for Commitment to Students. “Chuck is thoroughly committed to the flexibility of the Gelfand Center Here’s a look at this year’s honorees. serving our department. Day in and day Community Contributions: drivers, we ended up having two.” out, he just gets the job done, no matter Leon “Pete” Smith and Minnar Xie, former president of University Citizenship: what it is,” wrote his nominator Stephen William Taylor FORGE, called their services “invalu- Joe Rudman Garoff, professor and head of the Phys- able” in helping the organization to ics Department. “In everything he does, Simply put, Smith and Taylor, bus Rudman has been a valuable member of build its roster of student mentors for Chuck is committed to doing a quality drivers for the Leonard Gelfand Center the Physics Department for more than local refugees and in providing a space job.” for Service Learning and Outreach five decades, but it’s his many efforts [the bus] each week for student vol- Garoff said that although the de- for a combined 35 years, make a large outside of the department that made unteers to bond and share their experi- partment has grown significantly over percentage of the outreach and service him this year’s choice in the University ences immediately after visiting refugee the past few years, Gitzen has continued activities of CMU faculty and students Citizenship category. homes. to perform his duties at the highest level, possible. “We are so grateful for the service He has presented more than 100 while always remaining calm, profes- “These drivers go above and be- Bill and Pete have offered us, especially etiquette dinners for undergraduate sional and friendly. yond, taking care of the buses as if they in picking up our Saturday afternoon and graduate students; delivered talks “He is dedicated to his work and were their own — cleaning them and shifts,” Xie said. during Family Weekend, Homecom- performs every task with care and cre- checking mechanical elements regularly ing and Orientation; and has served ativity,” Garoff said. to ensure that passengers are transported Commitment to Students: on numerous university committees, Professor Sara Majetich recalled in safe vehicles,” wrote nominator Rubab Jafry O’Connor including the commencement student that when she arrived at CMU in 1990, Judith Hallinen, assistant vice provost speaker selection committee and the Garoff told her that Gitzen was the best for Educational Outreach. “Most service As associate director of the Under- student disciplinary committee. He has thing about the department. “[And] he’s programs take place in the evening and graduate Business program for the served as an adviser to students seeking absolutely right,” she wrote in a support- on weekends, and the drivers are flex- Tepper School, O’Connor is an adviser prestigious national scholarships and ing letter. ible to meet the needs of the users.” and confidant to business majors and fellowships. And he’s volunteered as the “In the other places I’ve been Susan Polansky, faculty liaison minors, exchange students and to vari- assistant golf coach for more than 30 there’s no equivalent. There may be for the Modern Languages Tutoring for ous business clubs. With more than 200 years. a supply room, but there’s no one to Community Outreach course, praised students in the program each year, it’s Rudman, who has a Ph.D. in promptly and reliably place the orders them for their dedication and depend- not an easy task, but her commitment to English, has taught classes as an adjunct and keep track of the paperwork. ability. students is exceptional. faculty member at the Tepper School There’s a reason that so many of my “Without fail, through rain and “She rises to the challenge and far and Dietrich College. He is an expert in grad students have acknowledged Chuck snow, very early in the day or late in the beyond, being proactive in reaching stu- authorship attribution and specializes Gitzen in their Ph.D. theses. My stu- day, they have met us at the appointed dents who may be struggling, affirming in 18th century author Daniel Defoe. dents all hope to graduate before Chuck hours and often waited for us to make those who are doing well, and urging He has given talks around the world on retires. I don’t know how we will ever the return trip to campus if the visits many to participate in program events the subject and has been cited in many replace him,” Majetich said. have been short. They have just been that help them build their professional international publications. She also noted his pleasant wonderful: punctual and congenial as development,” wrote her nominator “To Physics, he is a constant. To demeanor. well as excellent, safe drivers,” she Stephen Pajewski, director of the Un- campus, he is who you can call,” wrote “He’s always cheerful and helpful wrote in support of their nomination. dergraduate Business program. his nominator Anne Witchner, assistant to others, even when I know he’s had Satvika Neti, a member of Money- Pajewski specifically noted a dean of Student Affairs. “Joe is unique tough times in his own life. He never think, a student organization that works monthly brunch she created called and special, and Carnegie Mellon has complains — even when the rest of us with urban youth to help educate them “Waffles, Coffee and ,” which benefited greatly from his decision to would,” Majetich said. about personal finances, said Taylor and gives students the opportunity to meet remain here for 55+ years.” Physics Business Manager Patrick Smith were vital to its success. with faculty and to talk about their “Over the years, the name Joe Carr calls Gitzen’s job performance “The Gelfand drivers were abso- courses and interests; her work in plan- Rudman has been synonymous with “nothing but impeccable.” lutely essential to our organization hav- ning networking events with employers; S i x and her efforts in planning the school’s alumni communication tools, including etiquette dinner and business fashion the “Tepper Ticker” electronic news- show. letter, the Alumni Reunion Weekend He also praised her for her willing- App, the Tepper Online Magazine App, ness to help international students far and a new annual giving social media from home. campaign. “Rubab is from Pakistan, and she “An incredibly hard worker, has had advisees from Pakistan, and she has earned a reputation for her recently one exchange student from the imagination, creativity and innovative Doha campus,” Pajewski recalled. “She ideas especially related to online builds relationships with these students communication with alumni and social from her home country, making them media,” wrote her nominator John feel comfortable in Pittsburgh and at Sengenberger, executive director of CMU, and at times conversed with Alumni Relations at the Tepper School. them in their native language of Urdu. “A skilled artisan of her craft, she is On numerous occasions she has invited always learning the latest trends and has D i a n e S t i d l e , ( c e n t e r ) , b u s i n e s s a n d g r a d u a t e p r o g r a m s m a n a g e r i n t h e students to her home for a home-cooked applied the insights she is learning in M a c h i n e L e a r n i n g D e p a r t m e n t , w o n t h i s y e a r ’ s A n d y A w a r d f o r C u l t u r e . dinner.” her courses at the Heinz College to her P i c t u r e d w i t h h e r a r e D e b C a v l o v i c h a n d G e o f f G o r d o n . Student Melissa Dileo calls work in the office.” director of Individual Giving and come not only with her warm personal- O’Connor a mentor and role model. In a supporting letter, Meghan Alumni Relations for the Tepper School, ity and light-hearted sense of humor, but “She is honestly one of the most caring Bollens, director of Annual Giving for credits Wade for her work in improving also with her genuine human touch,” individuals I have ever met and con- the Tepper School, praised Wade for her communication with younger alumni. wrote Professor Christos Faloutsos in a tinues to guide me every single day, innovative approach to alumni relations “Her social media fundraising nominating letter. whether it is in schoolwork or in life,” and fundraising, her positive attitude, campaigns have enabled us to increase Since becoming the Machine wrote Dileo in a supporting letter. flexibility and creative thinking. annual support from a very key demo- Learning Department’s first staff Alysia Finger (TPR’14, A’14) said Bollens noted Wade’s work to strate- O’Connor played a critical role in her graphic that has helped us to continue to member in 1997 (it was then called the gically improve the Tepper School’s academic, professional and personal break fundraising records from year to Center for Automated Learning and LinkedIn presence, her critical role in development. year,” Powers said. Discovery), Stidle has worked to make bringing the Tepper Ticker to fruition “I know I speak for the majority of the office environment “home” to and her key role in launching a webinar business undergraduates when I say that Culture: faculty, staff, students and alumni. series. Rubab’s trust, support and mentorship Diane Stidle “Since that day she has worked “Treshea is a student of communi- have been crucial to my growth at this enthusiastically and consistently to cation, social media and marketing, and The Ph.D. students in the Machine university,” she wrote. foster a wonderfully positive and sup- she is constantly reading expert com- Learning Department fondly call Stidle portive department culture, consistently mentary, attending webinars, collabo- the “mom of the department.” Faculty Innovation: exceeding expectations along every members call her the department’s rating with colleagues from other top dimension,” wrote eight professors in a Treshea Wade “heart and soul.” schools and searching for best practices. supporting letter — Tom Mitchell, That’s why Stidle, the business Wade, assistant director of Alumni She brings this knowledge base to the William Cohen, Geoffrey Gordon, and graduate programs manager in the Communication and Online Services table, helping to shape our online strat- Robert Kass, Barnabas Poczos, Alex Machine Learning Department, is this at the Tepper School of Business, is egy with not only her expertise but the Smola, Larry Wasserman and Eric Xing. year’s Andy Award winner for Culture. being recognized for her leadership role data to back it up,” Bollens said. The professors noted her “self- “Diane makes everybody feel wel- in helping to design and launch new Ann Powers, senior executive defined role as a helper and confidant” to students and her “superb community- building skills.” They credited her for creating an engaged and loyal alumni group; for instituting weekly depart- mental teas for students, faculty and staff; for encouraging students to orga- nize retreats; and for recently organiz- ing a reunion for students, faculty and alumni at a major Machine Learning conference in Chicago. “Diane Stidle has demonstrated the highest standards of CMU, a genuine concern for every person she interacts with, and an amazing ability to foster a culture in which we all feel we belong,” they wrote. In a supporting letter signed by 33 Ph.D. students, Stidle was called “the glue that holds the department together.” “She knows us all personally, her door is always open and she receives everyone with warmth,” they said.

T r e s h e a W a d e ( l e f t ) a n d R u b a b J a f r y O ’C o n n o r w e r e t h i s y e a r ’ s r e c i p i e n t s o f t h e A n d y A w a r d s f o r I n n o v a t i o n a n d C o m m i t m e n t t o S t u d e n t s , r e s p e c t i v e ly . S e v e n Revealed Students Get Personal in Public Performance

n Bruce Gerson to work in Antarctica after earning her Her new focus led to several important bachelor’s degree from Olin College changes in her research and in her per- The backstory is often the best story. near Boston, but she ended up working sonal life. She is now studying structural That’s the premise behind The Story as a marine technician on a sea vessel monitoring of pipelines. Collider, a storytelling group that recent- off the coast of Hawaii. Her role was to Eybpoosh said making the changes ly teamed up with Carnegie Mellon’s maintain the science equipment, help the was very challenging, but she’s glad she Public Communication for Researchers, scientists on board and deploy equip- did. a graduate student group, to stage a live ment into the ocean using a pulley and “I’ve changed much for the better. show at the Rex Theater on Pittsburgh’s A-frame that extended out from the ship It’s been a life-changing experience. It South Side. over the ocean. sounds simple, but it was difficult to Titled “Reactions,” the show “[Operating the pulley and A- realize and then more difficult to make featured the humorous, triumphant, frame] was a more complicated version the changes,” she said. emotional and personal backstories of of rubbing your stomach and patting Anvesh Komuravelli, a Ph.D. five CMU grad students — four Ph.D. your head at the same time. Luckily I student in computer science, is singing candidates and one master’s degree never broke anything,” Canfield said. at Indian festivals thanks to a reality TV student. While she admits her reputation as a show and the Melody Voice Clinic in his Let the show begin. marine tech was less than stellar, it was native India. Adam Foote, a Ph.D. student in many people, unless they talked to me. her engineering skills that brought her to As a teenager, Komuravelli’s voice biology who studies evolution, told a So, now I can strike up a conversation the forefront when the Internet connec- remained at a high pitch for several tragically funny story of how a January with people, you know. I’m normal,” she tion was lost. years. It even cracked and progressed to FedEx delivery of 30 sea urchins for an said. “Some would argue that my most the point that it became difficult to pro- experiment went awry. Due to extremely Fangal said she also gained an important job was that I was in charge of nounce words, let alone full sentences. frigid temperatures, the delivery from inner strength from experiencing racial the Internet. The Internet was kind of a “It was an unusual problem and no San Diego to Pittsburgh was delayed. discrimination first-hand during a trip to big deal, because for the crew — they’re one knew what to do about it. We had no “The urchins were sitting in a box Switzerland, where her friend was badly at sea for months at a time — this is clue what was happening,” he said. in Indianapolis at temperatures that beaten. their only connection to the outside But one day, while watching a could freeze whiskey. By the time they “I went into my shell, again,” she world,” she said. reality TV show, a doctor from India’s got to me, there was absolute chaos in said. “But then I just decided I had to do During her midnight to noon shift Melody Voice Clinic told a very familiar the box. Many of the urchins were an- something about it, I had to get my life she used her Linux administration hand- story. grily shedding eggs and sperm in copi- balance back. I started to read a lot about book to figure out the code to get the “He spoke about how he had the ous amounts, covering the inside of the life … about psychology. firewall to work properly. same problem that I had. So we went to box with orange and white goo,” Foote “It’s because of my research that “It was my proudest moment on the the center to see what to do about it,” recalled. “And about five were frozen.” I went to all these places and I had all ship, because not only had I in one night Komuravelli said. After failed attempts to revive the these experiences and I know myself learned what a firewall was and how it The diagnosis was puberphonia, terribly smelly urchins, including putting better now. I know how to handle my- worked, I also fixed it. And I proved I the persistence of an adolescent high- them in a tub of warm water, washing self,” she said. was valuable … even if I made mistakes pitched voice after puberty. Komuravelli them off and giving the two that were in Matineh Eybpoosh, a Ph.D. student all the time,” she said. explained that there was a gap between the best shape — “George and Geor- in civil and environmental engineer- Vrushali Fangal, a master’s degree his vocal chords that caused air to es- gina” — cocktail shrimp, the subjects ing, had an epiphany while studying at student in computational biology, told an cape. were lost and his experiment doomed. CMU. She realized she was trying to be emotional story of how she followed her He opted for voice therapy over sur- But, Foote chalked it up to a learn- “the perfect person” to please everyone, research into neuroscience from humble gery, and over the next several months ing experience. except herself. beginnings in India to Germany, France, his voice began to improve. His voice “Since then, all of the urchins that I “When I came to CMU [from Iran] Italy, Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland, dropped in pitch and he was able to have gotten shipped to me have stayed I thought I was following my plans and Australia and now to Pittsburgh. And it’s speak clearly. alive. In death, those urchins helped dreams but this was what everyone else taken her from being timid and introvert- Komuravelli will be singing Bol- their friends and neighbors live through had in mind for me. It was all about ed to “normal,” she says smiling. lywood hits and Indian Classical tunes the shipping process. As long as it what others thought I should do. “My research took me to so many at the Diwali Indian Festival of Lights doesn't get down to -5 Fahrenheit for the “I started to see how free people places. I started interacting with people on campus later this month. high again,” he said laughing. were here. I saw their imagination, their and I changed as a person. When I was Fade to black. Casey Canfield, a Ph.D. student in ambition, their ideas. And I started to a kid I used to be alone. I did not talk to engineering and public policy, wanted focus on what I wanted to do,” she said.

“It’s Incredible!” Shaw Elated With White House Honor C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e o n e

cars to the international banking system. They will receive their medals at a ness, standard of living and quality of “Building the reliable software White House ceremony later this year. life through technological innovation, systems that are the bedrock of com- “These scholars and innovators and those who have made substantial merce and communication today would have expanded our understanding of the contributions to strengthening the na- not be possible without the engineer- world, made invaluable contributions to tion’s technological workforce. ing principles for large-scale software their fields, and helped improve countless Previous winners include CMU architecture pioneered by Mary and her lives,” President Obama said. “Our nation alumnus Charles Geschke, co-founder colleagues at Carnegie Mellon,” said has been enriched by their achievements, of Adobe Systems and a 1973 Ph.D. CMU President Subra Suresh. and by all the scientists and technologists graduate in computer science; the late “Her hard work as a software across America dedicated to discovery, Watts Humphrey, a fellow of CMU’s

engineer and educator has made CMU a M a r y S h a w inquiry and invention.” Software Engineering Institute; the late leader in the field,” Suresh added. “This curricula from the introductory to the The medal is awarded annually to alumna Stephanie Kwolek, the inventor national recognition for her contribu- doctoral level, including graduate pro- individuals, teams, companies or divi- of Kevlar who earned her bachelor’s de- tions to technology and society is richly grams targeted at software professionals. sions of companies for their outstanding gree in chemistry in 1946; and Gordon deserved and all of us at CMU join in “The award is a significant land- contributions to America’s economic, Bell, a renowned computer designer at congratulating her.” mark, showing that this work is going in environmental and social well-being. It Digital Equipment Corp. and Microsoft, Shaw also is an educational innova- the right direction,” Shaw said. recognizes those who have made lasting and a former computer science faculty tor who has developed computer science contributions to America’s competitive- member at CMU. E i g h t Shaw was one of eight recipients. Eyes On The Road Smart Headlights To Help Drivers in Rain and Snow n Byron Spice The research team assembled their experimental system from off-the-shelf Driving at night can be challenging, and parts and mounted the system atop the poor weather only complicates matters. hood of a pickup truck, serving as the Those behind the wheel can find their equivalent of a third headlight during visibility dangerously impaired by the street tests. The team plans to install a glare of rainwater, oncoming headlights smaller version next year in the head- or falling snow, particularly if the driv- light slot of a truck. ers are using their high beams. Though currently larger than stan- A smart headlight developed at dard headlights, Narasimhan said the Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute smart headlights could be accommodat- could make concerns like these a thing ed by trucks and buses, whose headlights of the past. During snow or rain show- are especially prone to causing glare ers, the headlight tracks individual because they are positioned high off snowflakes and raindrops in the imme- the ground. Eventually, miniaturization diate vicinity of the car and blocks the should make the smart headlights com- narrow slivers of headlight beam that patible with smaller vehicles. would otherwise illuminate the precipi- The research team includes Takeo tation and reflect back into the driver’s Kanade, professor of computer science eyes. and robotics; Anthony Rowe, assistant The headlight also can sense and research professor of electrical and track the number of oncoming drivers, computer engineering (ECE); Abhishek blacking out only the small parts of the Chugh, a master's degree student in headlight beam that would normally T h e r e s e a r c h t e a m a s s e m b l e d t h e i r experimental s y s t e m f r o m o f f - t h e - s h e l f computer science; Subhagato Dutta and shine into the driver’s eyes. pa r t s a n d m o u n t e d t h e s y s t e m at o p t h e h o o d o f a p i c k u p t r u c k , s e r v i n g a s Vinay Palakkode, both master's degree “Even after 130 years of headlight t h e e q u i v a l e n t o f a t h i r d h e a d l i g h t d u r i n g s t r e e t t e s t s . students in ECE; and Eriko Nurvitadhi development, more than half of vehicle and Mei Chen of Intel Research. crashes and deaths occur at night, ence on Computer Vision in Zurich, traffic lane — a helpful driving aid when The research was supported by despite the fact there is much less traf- Switzerland, in September. roads have unmarked lanes or edges, or Ford Motor Co., the Intel Science and fic then,” said Srinivasa Narasimhan, Instead of a standard headlight or when snow obscures lane markings. Technology Center for Embedded Com- associate professor of robotics. “With cluster of LEDs, the system designed When tied to a navigation system, puting, the Office of Naval Research our programmable system, however, by Narasimhan, Tamburo and the team the programmable headlights also can and the National Science Foundation. It we can actually make headlights that uses a DLP (Digital Light Processing) project arrows or other directional sig- is part of the Technologies for Safe and are even brighter than today’s without projector. This enables the researchers to nals to visually guide drivers. Efficient Transportation Center, a U.S. causing distractions for other drivers on divide the light into a million tiny beams, “We can do all this and more with Department of Transportation Center at the road.” each of which can be independently the same headlight,” Narasimhan said. Carnegie Mellon. Robert Tamburo, the project’s lead controlled by an onboard computer. That’s in contrast to new headlight engineer, presented findings from tests In addition to preventing glare, the systems that some automakers are of the system at the European Confer- projector can be used to highlight the installing.

Breathing New Life Into Artificial Lungs n Daniel Tkacik

Keith Cook of life, you don’t want a patient having (left) is work- to keep coming back to the hospital.” ing to extend Cook, who is collaborating with re- the life of ar- searchers from the University of Wash- tificial lungs ington, Columbia University and Al- for patients legheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, waiting for said promising initial results show a lung trans- substantial decrease in the formation of plants. blood clots inside the artificial lung, one For the last of the largest hurdles in building a reli- PHOTO COURTESY OF KEITH COOK PHOTO COURTESY

20 years, artificial bridge lungs have able long-term device. K e i t h C o o k s ay s t h e d e s i g n o f t h e d e v i c e a n d t h e c o at i n g s o n t h e s u r f a c e s lasted days to a couple weeks before “Anytime blood comes in contact a r e c r i t i c a l b e c a u s e t h e y c a n h e l p s t o p t h e f o r m at i o n o f b l o o d c l o t s . failure and require close monitoring in- with artificial materials, it starts to clot,” side a hospital. Cook, now supported by Cook explained. thinks it may have lasted up to a month believes the longevity of the artificial a four-year, $2.4 million grant from the One way in which Cook’s team if the team had lengthened its testing lung can increase to three months. National Institutes of Health, is looking was able to decrease blood clots was period. Cook believes that patients could be to extend the life of the artificial lung through the design of the device. The Coatings on the device’s artificial using one of these artificial lungs in the to three months and make it so patients fact that design was critical occurred surfaces also can help fight clotting, and next five to 10 years. can use it in the comfort of their own to him about a year ago, when his team this will be Cook’s focus under the NIH “It was completely unheard of a few home. developed a novel design that prevented grant. To do this, the team must combine years ago, and there are people who will “That’s the holy grail — three blood from pooling and forming clots. several coating techniques that mimic tell you it’s unheard of now. I think it months,” said Cook, an associate pro- That device reached his team’s goal of what human blood vessel cells — called will happen, and I want to be the guy to fessor of biomedical engineering. “Two lasting two weeks without forming sig- endothelial cells — are doing to prevent do it,” he said. is probably acceptable, but for quality nificant amounts of clotting, but Cook blood clots. Once this is perfected, Cook N i n e From The Trenches History Course Inspires Alumnus To Reproduce Great-Grandfather’s World War I Photo Album

n Shilo Rea instrumental in bringing this album to life,” said Putney, who majored in the When Carnegie Mellon graduate Dean Dietrich College’s Information Systems Putney (DC’11) saw his family for Program and is now a software engi- Thanksgiving in 2011, his mother neering consultant for large publishing showed him his great-grandfather’s old websites like Boing Boing and Reddit. World War I photo album that had been “Without her class, I wouldn’t have hiding in his grandmother’s closet. felt that this was unusual or that people Walter Koessler was a lieutenant would care about it.” in the German army during World War Putney reached out to Benedict- I and had carried a camera throughout Jones, adjunct professor of history and his service. Looking at the album he’d curator of photography at the Carnegie made after the war, Putney recalled what Museum of Art, for her input and ex- he learned in his History of Photography pertise. Benedict-Jones was fascinated class at CMU and knew it was some- with it because it represented a unique, thing special. one-of-a-kind object. Now, as the world marks the 100th “There’s something so rich in this anniversary of “the war to end all wars,” story — a CMU student studying infor- Putney has reproduced his great-grand- mation systems, who happens to take father’s album into a book, “Walter A b o v e i s a n a c t u a l p h o t o ta k e n d u r i n g w w i b y W a lt e r K o e s s l e r . an elective in the history of photogra- Koessler 1914-1918: The personal photo phy, had his eyes open and knew what journal of a German officer in World his grandmother found was something Benedict-Jones gave Putney general photographs. The photos candidly show War I.” A corresponding exhibit, “Pho- important,” said Benedict-Jones, who advice on how to remain as faithful as Koessler and his comrades as they faced tography in the Trenches, 1914-1918,” is wrote the foreword in the book. “It possible to the album’s original contents long stretches of inactivity coupled with running at the Carnegie Museum of Art became a passionate project for him, and and how to convey scale and authentic- bursts of violence. through December 2014. it’s wonderful that Carnegie Museum of ity in a book. Putney took it from there Adam Ryan, curatorial assistant for “Taking Linda Benedict-Jones’ Art is the first to exhibit these photo- and began researching the photographs. the art museum’s photography depart- class on the history of photography was graphs.” To support the project, Putney ment, worked with Putney to develop the created a Kickstarter campaign with exhibit. Housed in the museum’s space a $50,000 goal. He ended up raising dedicated to 1860-1920, the photos pro- F o r m o r e i n f o r m at i o n o n t h e b o o k , “W a lt e r K o e s s l e r nearly $115,000, making it one of the vide an aesthetic alternative to the fine 1914-1918: T h e p e r s o n a l p h o t o j o u r n a l o f a G e r m a n most-funded publishing projects on art displays. Twenty-three of the album’s Kickstarter. pages are showcased. o f f i c e r i n W o r l d W a r I,” v i s i t h t t p :// walterkoessler . c o m /. “With WWI’s centennial coming “The album itself is remarkable — up, people were really interested in it,” it contains very early examples of aerial F o r m o r e i n f o r m at i o n o n t h e C a r n e g i e M u s e u m o f A rt Putney said. “It became a topic of con- surveillance photographs taken of a e x h i b i t , “P h o t o g r a p h y i n t h e T r e n c h e s , 1914-1918,” versation.” battlefield,” Ryan said. “It also includes The end product is a book contain- formal portraits of officers but most are v i s i t w w w . c m o a . o r g /. ing 107 pages and approximately 670 spontaneous snapshots.”

Innovation Palooza — who does a background check, so Engineering Students Offer Solutions for the Homeless there’s a great degree of confidence that the people in your house are reputable n Tara Rae Moore into portable homes to outdoor shelters reminded us, ‘Don’t forget about cost!’ people that don’t have any problems,” that can be folded up and carried like a and I would ask, ‘Mechanically, does said Michael Richardson, a graduate Forecasts of another particularly cold backpack during the day. this work?’ and Raj would say, ‘But the student in human-computer interaction winter have raised concerns about space “The most difficult part was trying fabric!’” (HCI) whose team included fellow in Pittsburgh’s homeless shelters, which HCI students Katarina Shaw (CS’15), to grasp the problem in such a short The students presented their solu- contain only 375 beds. There are an Jason Azares (CS’15), Ron Kim time,” said Rajlakshmee, who is work- tions to judges, who determined which estimated 1,500 homeless individuals in (CS’15), Jim Martin (CS’15) and elec- ing on her master’s degree at CMU’s teams would receive the three prizes. the city. trical and computer engineering student Integrated Innovation Institute. “We had The third-place prize of $400 went Carnegie Mellon students addressed Joseph Carlos (E’15). to go from understanding the problem to to Porchlight, the truly innovative idea this concern by putting their technical The second-place team developed building the prototype in five days.” of not building shelters at all. After care- and creative skills to good use. Their re- a product called a Satellite Shelter. The The teams were required to have ful research, the group discovered that a sults were on display during the College structure is flat when folded, but it can at least one engineering student, but major hurdle for many of the individuals of Engineering’s Impact-a-Thon, part of be laid on the ground and opens into a many were interdisciplinary groups with in need is the stigma of homelessness. the Innovation Palooza event that took tent-like sleeping bag. It is insulated students from across the university, like They also found that it is very hard to place in early October. with Mylar, an affordable polyester ma- Rajlakshmee’s team, which won second open new shelters, but that 68 percent Student teams that participated in terial used in space blankets, and has a place and $600 in the competition with of the people they surveyed said they the competition were given less than a waterproof layer with ventilation. Wool week to research the problem and come members Alex Surasky-Ysasi from the would harbor those in need in their own blankets also keep occupants warm and up with temporary and economically vi- Integrated Innovation Institute; Priya homes. Based on this information, the make the space more comfortable. able shelters that could be erected during Ganadas from the School of Architec- team developed a third-party service that Green Residence won $1,000 for cold weather. ture; and Linh Thi Do from the Tepper would match up willing hosts with those first place. The team included graduate Each group approached the chal- School of Business. needing a place to stay. students Wei-Hsun Chen (CMU’15), lenge in a unique way, with ideas that “You need the diversity of perspec- “We introduced the concept of Fan Sai Kuok (CMU’15), Vanessa Li ranged from converting old public buses tives,” said Surasky-Ysasi. “Linh Thi having a third party — a caseworker (CMU’15), Hongqiao Lu (CMU’15) T e n Cohon University Center A New Name, Now a New Beginning n Bruce Gerson

After receiving a new name and months The current fitness center will be of preparation and anticipation, the Jared transformed into meeting space and the L. Cohon University Center addition will existing exercise studio will remain as soon begin in earnest. The start is tenta- such and will be shared by Athletics and tively scheduled for late November Student Activities. The squash court that with completion anticipated in late Spring has been filled with cardio equipment is 2016. expected to revert back to being a squash The 62,000 square feet of space court. being added to the CUC will bring new A balcony with about 120 seats will fitness facilities, swimming pool en- be added above the swimming pool. The hancements, a new studio theater for stu- pool area also will be renovated with dent performance groups and a stunning HVAC upgrades. T h e r e n o v at i o n w i l l b r i n g a s t u n n i n g u n i v e r s i t y p r e s e n c e t o F o r b e s A v e n u e . university presence along Forbes Avenue. “When the pool area closes for At a town hall meeting about the renovations in early spring 2015, we’re project, Bob Reppe, director of design making arrangements with Chatham for Campus Design and Facility Devel- University, the Jewish Community Cen- opment, explained that the front door ter in Squirrel Hill and Club One in East and lobby area to the CUC will sit along Liberty to accommodate our recreational Forbes in front of the current loading swimmers,” Centor said. dock and service area. The current turn- He noted that while the current around will be removed to allow for new locker rooms will close in early spring, construction. locker facilities would be available in Reppe said the lobby would be easy Skibo Gym. to navigate with plenty of natural light Vaughan said the studio theater and a main hallway, or “spine,” that will would be a “highly functional, multipur- lead you by the bookstore to McConomy pose space that will answer the prayers Auditorium and the Information Desk. of many of our students.” The theater will feature a “tension The addition also will cause the Director of Athletics Josh Centor and The theater will be used by CMU wire grid” for greater safety and flexibility East Campus Garage entrance/exit to be Director of Student Activities Elizabeth student performance groups, including in lighting, a control booth, conventional reconfigured. A new driveway to and from Vaughan gave a preview of the new fit- Scotch’n’Soda, the All University and LED light fixtures, and user-friendly Forbes to the garage with single lanes for ness and studio theater components. Orchestra, the Kiltie Band and several in-room technology, such as plug-ins to entry and exit will be constructed across Centor said the new facilities would dance organizations. play music from iPods. from Devon Road. Once completed, all include a weight room with heavy and Vaughan said the theater will be Vaughan said the project will also permit holders will be required to exit the light free weights, a service area and equipped with 100 seats in a “telescopic provide “shell space” on the lower level garage from Beeler Street during the rush locker room on the first level. The second format.” She said the theater would be and third level. She said the third floor hour, between 4 and 6 p.m. floor will feature a large area with 70-75 easily reconfigured to accommodate space might be used for a graduate student Cannon Design of New York City is pieces of technology-equipped cardio- various types of performances. lounge and for undergraduate needs to be the architectural firm leading the project vascular machines, a personal training For example, she said one full side determined by Student Senate. The lower and the construction manager is Mosites and fitness area, two exercise studios for of the theater will be lined with mirrors level space will be used by the bookstore, Construction. Adam Homer of Campus group exercise classes and a dedicated for dance groups. But, when musical copy center, dining services and CUC Design and Facility Development is the cycling, or spinning classroom. groups are performing soundproof cur- operations. project manager. tains can be pulled across the mirrors.

and Ruyao Wu (CMU’15), all from the ing Professor Phil LeDuc and Chemistry Integrated Innovation Institute. Their Professor Subha Das. project was a structure that could be set The Palooza also showcased demos up in Pittsburgh’s parks. and lightning talks from industry leaders, During the day, the structure folds such as Merline Saintil, head of opera- up into a billboard, which the team tions for mobile and emerging products proposed selling for $100 per month to at Yahoo! and Bill Fuller of Big Burrito, cover maintenance costs. Homeless indi- who put an innovative spin on mealtime viduals can reserve one of these struc- by making Asian-style lobster tacos with tures after 8 p.m., using an ID system wasabi guacamole. that tells them which units are available The College of Engineering plans to and swiping the ID card to open the tem- host the Innovation Palooza and Impact-a- porary residence. Inside, there is a heat- Thon annually, something that teams said ing element and fan that can be plugged will help them immensely as they move into the city’s lampposts. The ID system forward in their careers. also assists homeless individuals with “The biggest value of this project job placement. was that, rather than just designing a The Impact-a-Thon was part of solution, we went out and talked to a larger College of Engineering event people. We got a survey, and we were called the Innovation Palooza, which able to get a good sense for what people highlighted faculty research such as cared about and what the issues actually 3-D bioprinting from Adam Feinberg, are by talking to people in those situa-

R a j l a k s h m e e ( E ’ 1 5 ) , a m a s t e r ’ s d e g r e e s t u d e n t i n t h e I n t e g r at e d professor of biomedical engineering tions,” Richardson said.

I n n o v at i o n I n s t i t u t e , demonstrates h e r t e a m ’ s p r o j e c t , t h e S at e l l i t e and materials science and engineering, “That makes our opportunities in

S h e lt e r , w h i c h i s d e s i g n e d t o k e e p t h e h o m e l e s s w a r m . and included a lesson on how to make industry much better because decisions butter from heavy whipping cream using informed by research have good results.” mechanics from Mechanical Engineer- E l e v e n #HashtagInventor Alum’s Idea Now A Cultural Icon All Smiles!

n Kelly Saavedra

The hashtag. developed over time, but the relevance Love it or loathe it, the little pound to spreading news was there from the sign is preceding words and phrases outset,” he said. everywhere. By turning any words that Messina argues one of the most directly follow it into a clickable link, important aspects of the hashtag is that hashtags initially made it possible for it can be used both humorously and Twitter users to organize content, track for purposes where life and death are discussions and easily follow topics of concerned, such as when a child goes interest. missing.

M e s s i n a ’ s t w e e t s u g g e s t i n g f i r s t u s e o f t h e h a s h ta g , A u g . 23, 2007. PHOTO BY KELLY SAAVEDRA PHOTO BY KELLY

The Smiley , another cultural icon with CMU roots, turned 32 this year. Scott Fahlman (above), a professor of computer science, first proposed Since then, the hashtag has ex- “It means the hashtag can’t be the marker to convey humorous content in discussions. ploded. People are using it to advertise, owned or tamed by anyone. It is an carry out social movements around the artifact of digital communication that world and frequently convey humor. needed to exist, and now it does,” he Its popularity once prompted late night said. talk show host Jimmy Fallon to parody Messina also feels the life that the its use — and misuse — for laughs in a hashtag has taken on is a reflection of our increasing dependence on digital sketch with singer Justin Timberlake. media and mobile devices. “I thought that sketch was awe- “It’s really something of the post-PC some,” said hashtag creator Chris era. When you no longer have a key- Messina, who earned a bachelor’s board to type out sentences, everything degree in communication design from is about brevity and efficiency. And the Carnegie Mellon in 2003. “Here are hashtag is, quite frankly, about as con- these Hollywood types making fun of an densed as you can get,” he said. o o d r i v e idea some geek had in Silicon Valley. It Nonetheless, Messina still admits to F D just shows how much cultural relevancy be taken aback when he sees a hashtag Carnegie Mellon’s 21st annual food us geeks now wield in the world.” where he wouldn’t have thought of put- drive, sponsored by Staff Council, Looking back on the trajectory the ting one. begins Monday, Nov. 3 and runs through hashtag has taken — from organiza- “I wouldn’t have expected the Friday, Nov. 14. Look for the collection tional tool to cultural icon — Messina hashtag to show up on taxi cabs, containers across campus. Bring dona- says the uses we see today echo its very billboards or album artwork,” Messina tions to the “One Day, One Can” event first uses, just on a much broader and said. “A lot of people complained it was during the Benefits and Fitness Fairon  widespread level. ugly, but now it connotes hipness and Nov. 5 in Rangos Hall, Cohon Universi- “The tongue-in-cheek usage modernism.” ty Center, or to the annual “Cans Across the Cut” event on Nov. 17.

Open Enrollment Begins Nov. 3 C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e f o u r

protect UPMC in-network access for Medical plan changes for 2015 Upcoming Events SEI Open Enrollment Presentation some Highmark members. More include changes to the PPO 1 and Staff Council's Benefits Open Monday, Nov. 10 information can be found online at PPO 2 plans and the elimination of the Forum 10-11 a.m. http://stayinformed.pa.gov/. Employees PPO 3 plan. Tuesday, Oct. 28 SEI Building, A.J. Auditorium with concerns about network access Detailed plan information and rates Noon-1 p.m. in 2015 should contact the health plan are available to view at www.cmu. McConomy Auditorium, Cohon Benefits and fitness vendors are avail- provider directly. edu/hr/benefits/OE. Questions can be University Center able to answer your questions. The fair directed to the HR Benefits Office at also includes fitness demonstrations, free 412-268-2047 or [email protected]. 2014 Benefits & Fitness Fair health screenings and flu shots, raffles Wednesday, Nov. 5 and giveaways. For more information, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. visit www.cmu.edu/hr/benefits/fair.html. Rangos Ballroom, Cohon University

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