CMU’S NEWS SOURCE FOR FACULTY & STAFF 1/15 ISSUE

2 Davos 2015

7 E x p l o r i n g t h e C o s m i c D a w n

9 T o t h e M o o n , A n d y ! Shiver in the River

10 B a r k i n L e av e s P o w e r f u l , h e a lt h y L e g a c y B e h i n d

Michael Keaton Joins ETC n Kelly Saavedra

Award-winning actor Michael Keaton won’t be changing careers any time soon, but he will be going back to school on occasion. As the Entertainment Technology Center’s new visiting scholar, Keaton will be stopping by the ETC to talk to students about their projects and offer his insights on storytelling and the best ways to engage an audience. PHOTOS BY KEN ANDREYO Keaton, who won a Golden Globe T h e C M U p o l i c e d e p a r t m e n t t e a m t o o k i t s a n n u a l p l u n g e i n t h e A l l e g h e n y R i v e r l a s t m o n t h a n d r a i s e d m o r e t h a n Award for Best Actor in a Motion $ 1 2 , 9 0 0 t o s u p p o r t S p e c i a l O ly m p i c s i n P ennsylvania . T e a m m e m b e r s i n c l u d e ( l e f t t o r i g h t ) : S e c u r i t y G u a r d Picture, Musical or Comedy for his J i m M o r a n , D e t e c t i v e J o e B e r n a r d i n g , P o l i c e O f f i c e r L e a h B o e h l e r , s t u d e n t A n d r e w S c h w a r t z , S t u d e n t L i f e performance in "Birdman," first came to H o u s e f e l l o w L u c a s C h r i s ta i n , S g t . R a n d y B a u e r , S t u d e n t L i f e H o u s e f e l l o w B r y a n K o v a l a n d L t . J o s e p h M e y e r s . talk with students and faculty in the ETC ( I n s e t P h o t o ) S g t . N e l l o b r u n o ( l e f t ) a n d D e t e c t i v e B e r n a r d i n g . C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e f o u r At the Helm Jefferson Award Winner Gerry Balbier Named Army Vet’s Mom Saluted for Support of Troops Executive Director n Kelly Saavedra Operation Troop Appreciation (OTA) in my own son or daughter,” Scalese said. SM of BrainHub West Mifflin in 2012, kicking her care “I will never meet these soldiers. They As the mother of a U.S. Army veteran, package prep skills into high gear for will never know who I am. But for these Darlene Scalese has a lot of experience n Michael Yeomans hundreds of far away troops, who, like couple of moments, they belong to me.” preparing thoughtful care packages for a her son, also longed for a few comforts One project had Scalese involved in Gerry Balbier is new to Carnegie soldier overseas. from home. organizing “Welcome Home” packages Mellon, but CMU is hardly new to him. During long deployments to the “I pack for them as if each one is C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e s i x Balbier, tapped recently to be the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, items on executive director of the university’s her son’s “wish list” ranged from thirst- BrainHubSM initiative, first became quenching Kool-Aid pouches to milk familiar with the university when he chocolate candies. joined the Heinz Endowments. “My son loves Sarris chocolate- Balbier had been a legislative assis- covered pretzels,” said Scalese, assistant tant to Sen. John Heinz until his death in to the head of Carnegie Mellon’s School 1991. It was soon thereafter that he was of Design. “Obviously, I did not ship invited to Pittsburgh to help manage the them during the summer months, but I foundation’s education programming. In did send them to him at Christmas and this role he became fascinated with the Easter.” cross-disciplinary research at CMU in Driven by a deep gratitude for the cognitive psychology, machine learning, sacrifices soldiers are making for her C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e e i g h t freedom, Scalese began volunteering at O n e Davos 2015 CMU Leading Integrated Intelligence

n Greg Faist tor of CMU’s Field Robotics Center Ever since Carnegie Mellon’s Nobel and chairman and chief science officer Laureate Herbert Simon and Turing at Astrobotic, discussing robotics in Award winner Allen Newell pioneered rescue environments. the concepts of artificial intelligence and “As we integrate technology into machine learning in the 1950s, CMU has more aspects of society, we must ensure been at the forefront bridging the gulf that we attend to the cultural, social, le- between technology and humanity. gal and economic implications — as well Today, that fact is more relevant as the technical implications of those than ever. People, technology and technologies,” Cassell said. “In my own machines are becoming increasingly in- work, I pay attention to those aspects terconnected. Smart devices detect struc- of being human that are most important tural deficiencies on bridges before they to us: relationships with other people, cause injury and unaffordable repairs. interaction and a feel of rapport. I build Humans learn through apps and software technologies that highlight and preserve that were unimaginable a few years ago. Robots not only perform dangerous jobs

that keep us safe, they are also now ca- R e a d mo r e a b o u t pable of interacting autonomously, both CM U ’ s J u s t i n e C a s s e l l w i l l d i s c u s s r o b o t s a s f r i e n d s a n d c o m pa n i o n s CMU’ s i n v o lv e m e n t with people, and with each other. at t h i s y e a r ' s W o r l d E c o n o m i c F o r u m i n D a v o s , S w i t z e r l a n d . This new reality — a state of w i t h t h e W o r l d integrated intelligence — is unfolding the state of the world by engaging busi- • Justine Cassell, associate vice-provost E co n om i c F o r u m w w w . cm u . at a blinding pace, bringing vast, new ness, political and academic leaders, and for Technology Strategy and Impact e d u / w o r l d - e co n om i c - fo r u m / opportunities for governments, business, other leaders of society, to shape global, and co-coordinator of The Simon health care and education to significantly regional and industrial agendas. Initiative, discussing robots as friends improve human life. But it also intro- CMU’s leadership and expertise and companions; those aspects.” duces implications and questions about around integrated intelligence will Faculty also are presenting during • Illah Nourbakhsh, professor in the the shared future of humans, robots and continue to be highlighted beyond Davos sessions on extreme robotics (Whittaker) Robotics Institute and director of the technology that must be explored today. through a number of opportunities in and the implications of greater human- CREATE Lab speaking about human A group of CMU faculty, led by 2015, including a gathering of alumni, machine interaction (Nourbakhsh). empowerment and how robotic tech- President Subra Suresh, has been invited donors and corporate partners in San “By combining our strengths in nologies can enhance and challenge by the World Economic Forum to lead Francisco in February. sociology, design, machine learning, ro- society; discussions on integrated intelligence at botics and human-computer interaction, CMU at Davos Carnegie Mellon is demonstrating how the forum’s annual meeting in Davos, • Tony Stentz, research professor at culture, big data and massive Internet Switzerland, Jan. 21-24. The forum President Suresh will represent CMU the Robotics Institute and director of connectivity can be forged into new tools is the world’s foremost international during the annual meeting of the forum’s the National Robotics Engineering that serve humanity,” said Nourbakhsh. organization committed to improving Global University Leaders Forum —a Center, exploring robots in the work To further engage with industry and select group from 25 global institutions place; and (11 from the U.S.) — and also introduce government leaders attending Davos, the the university’s IdeasLab presentation • William (Red) Whittaker, the Fredkin university is also hosting a networking University Research Professor, direc- reception. PIPER featuring: 1/15 Issue Collective Intelligence P u b l i s h e r Ken Walters

E d i to r M a n a g i n g E d i to r Online vs. Face-to-Face Teams Bruce Gerson Kelly Saavedra W r i t e r s n Mark Burd PLOS ONE. Mark Burd Jocelyn Duffy Human interactions and office team- “Our previous research was able Greg Faist to identify factors that correlate with Bruce Gerson work are increasingly taking place Shilo Rea through online communication chan- collective intelligence,” Woolley said. Kelly Saavedra “For instance, we found that having a Byron Spice nels. And just as with face-to-face Pam Wigley teams, organizations can greatly benefit lot of smart people in a group does not necessarily make the group smarter. D e s i g n & P h oto g r a p h y from the ability to predict online group Digital & Creative Services performance. However, we also found a significant correlation between the individuals’ To contact The Piper staff, call 412-268-2900 Building on her groundbreaking or email [email protected]. research on “collective intelligence,” ability to reason about the mental states Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, of others — an ability called Theory of A n i ta W o o l l e y c o i n e d t h e t e r m employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the a term she helped coin to describe a basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, Mind — and the collective intelligence “ c o l l e c t i v e i n t e l l i g e n c e ” t o age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, measure of the general effectiveness of belief, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, of the group.” d e s c r i b e t h e g e n e r a l e f f e c t i v e - Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required a group on a wide range of tasks, Anita not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or One way Theory of Mind is mea- n e s s o f a g r o u p o n a w i d e r a n g e executive orders. Woolley, assistant professor of organi- Inquiries concerning the application of and compliance sured is by a Reading of the Eyes test, o f ta s k s . with this statement should be directed to the vice president for zational behavior and theory at the Tep- campus affairs, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, in which participants read the mental Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412-268-2056. per School of Business, has conducted a Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus states of others by looking at photos allowed to communicate face-to-face. security and fire safety report describing the university’s security, new study that alcohol and drug, sexual assault, and fire safety policies and con- of their eyes. Woolley and her col- Individual participants were given taining statistics about the number and type of crimes committed demonstrates the same key factors that on the campus and the number and cause of fires in campus leagues divided study participants into a Theory of Mind test, and then the residence facilities during the preceding three years. You can ob- influence the collective intelligence in tain a copy by contacting the Carnegie Mellon Police Department 68 distinct groups, some restricted to groups performed a series of tasks at 412-268-2323. The annual security and fire safety report is also face-to-face teams also apply to online available online at www.cmu.edu/police/annualreports. communicating only online and others C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e s e v e n Produced by Marketing & Communications, January 2015, groups. The study was published by 15-262. T w o Giving Props Jon Ward Masters CMU’s Theatrical Magic n Kelly Saavedra

A glass slipper landed Cinderella her Prince Charming. A mask hid the true identity of The Phantom of the Opera. An oil can put the Tin Man in motion again. In some of drama’s most memo- rable moments, props play roles as integral to the story as the actors using them. Others have significance in their ability to lend authenticity to a scene. And while there’s no Tony Award for Best Prop, one can make or break a live performance. Just ask Jon Ward, who, as props master in the School of Drama, has the job of pulling off what- ever vision the director has in mind. “In our production of ‘Seven Gui- tars,’ we had to kill a rooster on stage every night,” Ward said. “The director, Cameron Knight, sat me down over the summer and said, ‘I don’t care what we do, I want this rooster to look real.’” Ward handed the challenge to two drama students, who worked for weeks designing a rooster body complete with circuit board, motorized wings and plastic parts they produced using the prop shop’s computer controlled cutting machine. Then, he had to be the bearer of bad news. “This thing was amazing,” Ward said. “And as so often happens in the- ater … it got cut! It was too big.” Rooster design, take two. Ward’s assistant, Kristin Ward (no relation) went to work plucking plumage from feather boas. One student molded a body cavity from paper mache, while another cast the creature’s wrinkled, rubbery feet. Ward, himself, took on the task of PHOTOS BY KELLY SAAVEDRA PHOTOS BY KELLY making the rooster’s “blood bladder,” ( T o p ) J o n W a r d l e a d s t h e t e a m t h a t c r e a t e s , b u i l d s , p r o c u r e s a n d d e s i g n s p r o p s f o r t h e S c h o o l o f D r a m a ’ s cleverly connecting an intravenous a n n u a l 3 0 + p r o j e c t s a n d s h o w s . ( a b o v e l e f t ) K r i s t i n W a r d a n d s t u d e n t s c r e a t e d t h e “ S e v e n G u i t a r s ” r o o s t e r therapy bag to a hot water bottle that b a s e d o n d i r e c t o r C a m e r o n K n i g h t ’ s v i s i o n . ( a b o v e r i g h t ) L i n d s e y S l a u g h , d r a p e r , p u t s f i n i s h i n g t o u c h e s o n a would drain out on stage in the actor’s c o s t u m e f o r “ T h e W i z . ” hand when held in the right position. “I have always found that my challenges are quite different from most winning musical from 1975 that retells led to Kristin and a team of students and balancing the total amount of proj- jobs,” Ward said, grinning. L. Frank Baum’s story of “The Wonder- hand-making the more than 500 poppies ects the team has running concurrently Most of his time is spent on a ful Wizard of Oz.” needed for the field that Dorothy, Scare- versus the immense number of items grand scavenger hunt. It’s his job to Ward reinvented Toto, Dorothy’s crow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion walk that each production requires. make sure each prop — whether he famous pup, from a pile of common through on their way to Emerald City. “It’s an exquisite ballet of materials purchases, borrows or manufactures it junk items that would be found on a “The poppies that Kristin and the flowing in and out of the Purnell Cen- right in his office — arms the audience farm. Lighted lampposts carried by students created have far more character ter,” Ward said. “With the possibility of with the information necessary to help characters along the Yellow Brick Road and story than the generic ones we could four or five productions happening at the tell the story “as all good props should are partially made of plastic soap bottles have bought,” Ward said. “By making same time, it takes a keen sense of space do.” that he stumbled on in a Target store. each poppy by hand, we have infused management to keep our hallways from “And that’s where you run into “It was imperative that we use all these props with the spirit of the student not filling up with junk. Fortunately, I challenges,” Ward said. “Is it from nonbreakable items when creating the artist who made them. They each put have been blessed with a very skilled the right time period? Will its color lampposts, and we had the hardest time their unique touch on their pieces, and crew. Things can be tight at times, but clash with the costumes? Would it be finding a plastic light bulb in the scale they can look forward to seeing them we always seem to keep things moving more affordable to build it ourselves? that we needed,” Ward said. “On a on stage. And isn’t that the real pay-off? forward while managing to offer the Thousands of questions and compro- routine trip to Target, I realized Method Pride, a sense of accomplishment and a audience a few thrills along the way.” mises must be made before items can soap bottles would work just fine, and job well done.” “The Wiz” is showing February be considered show-ready.” — bonus! — they came in yellow!” Other day-to-day challenges in- 19-23 in Philip Chosky Theater. Consider CMU’s upcoming pro- A snag in the process of getting clude coordinating their efforts with the For tickets, call the box office at duction of “The Wiz,” a Tony Award- fake flowers shipped internationally School of Drama’s costume department 412-268-2407. T h r e e Actor Michael Keaton Discusses His New Role at the ETC

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

M i c h a e l K e a t o n s a y s h i s c h a r a c t e r , R i g g a n , i n “ B i r d m a n ” w a s “ p r o b a b ly t h e r i c h e s t a n d m o s t d e m a n d i n g ” r o l e h e ’ s e v e r p l a y e d .

about three years ago, at the urging of Q: What attracted you to the po- the entertainment industry tells stories We humans don’t relate to technology in his childhood friend, Ralph Vituccio, an sition of Visiting Scholar at the and delivers them to an audience. emotional ways … or, at least, I hope we assistant teaching professor at the ETC. ETC, and what will your role be? I hope my involvement with the don’t. What we do connect with is the “How fantastic is it that he has ETC will help bring whatever insight I human ‘story.’ That’s what touches and A: I spoke to Ralph’s Visual Story agreed to come back to the ETC when- have into how you tell stories, or how moves us. And that’s what it really is all class, met with students and faculty and ever he can to work with the students you engage an audience in an experi- about, right? Technology is a tool. What checked out some of the cool projects and share his insight and wisdom with ence, or how you capture one’s attention it really comes down to, what really the students were working on. These them,” Vituccio said. “To have some- and what ways you can keep them there, matters, is honesty, truth. Meaningful kids are incredible … amazingly smart! body as incredibly talented as Mike to in the moment. exchanges will always be what makes So, my role, as Ralph and I discussed, meet with our students, play and critique great entertainment and great perfor- will be to come back to visit whenever their interactive games and provide Q: Technology has undoubtedly mances, no matter what kind of new my schedule allows. I’ll meet with the feedback is an incredible opportunity for changed the entertainment cool technologies are used. students, check out their projects and in- our students.” landscape in gaming, television teractive games and give them any kind Keaton, who attended Montour and movies, but has it changed Q: What has been your biggest of feedback or insight that I may have. High School with Vituccio in the challenge as an actor? I hope that I can be helpful. I’m not acting? If so, how? Pittsburgh suburb of McKees Rocks, that tech savvy, but these ETC students A: Well, in some ways it has changed A: The character, Riggan, I play in is perhaps best known for his roles in just blew me away. The irony to all this acting tremendously, but, really, in other “Birdman” was a huge challenge. I re- “Beetlejuice,” “Batman” and “Batman is I could’ve never, ever been admitted ways, it’s just you up there, and you’re lated less to him than almost every other Returns.” Other notable films of his in- to CMU. No way would they have ever just hoping you remembered to put character I’ve played, in terms of the clude “Night Shift,” “Mr. Mom,” “Clean admitted me as a student. So, now I’m your pants on. I don’t think any amount desperation. There were times in my life and Sober,” “Pacific Heights,” “Jackie going to be a visiting scholar. Gotta of technological effects or computer- when I felt desperate, but it was never Brown” and the just-released “Bird- love it! generated imagery can cover up a bad about this. It’s a fear-based industry, and man.” performance. Granted, it can hide a heck if you buy into it, you’re pretty screwed. “Mike and I have been friends since Q: What do you hope to achieve of lot. It can pull the ‘sleight-of-hand’ It’s probably the richest and most junior high school. We lived in Squirrel in this role? tricks so you’re paying way more at- demanding role I’ve ever played. You Hill together for a few years before he tention to spectacle rather then content. would have to go from funny to disturb- split for L.A. Even with all his success A: I really enjoyed seeing how these But, you know, bottom line, it has to ing to deeply sad back to darkly funny. and fame, Mike has always remained students are using new technologies in be honest, whatever you’re doing. If And because of the nature of how it was an honest and down-to-earth guy. That, creative ways to entertain and educate. it’s not, I don’t think technology alone shot, you didn’t have the luxury of edits, to me, is one of his greatest strengths,” This is the future. It’s where it’s all can make it better. I mean, technology where you can do 15 takes of that one Vituccio said. happening. These students are working will always drive the movie industry, line from that angle. You had to get it all The Piper caught up with Keaton to on video games to improve learning in but great storytelling will always be the in one, and be word-perfect, and in the talk about his acting career, his role at the classroom and using interactive more powerful part. right place physically to accommodate the ETC and the role technology plays technologies that will change the way the camera. in the industry.

F o u r Q: Can you talk about a few of intelligent choices. I was lucky to under- trite, but it’s true. It’s just that, having I‘ll go for it. So much of it depends on the most influential roles you stand this at the beginning of my career. a career. I think work is important for where I am right now in life in terms of played in regard to your growth I realized that after success, the lean days everyone. No matter what you do. Work my choices. Sometimes I look at if the as an actor? Has technology would come. keeps you on track; it keeps you aligned story resonates and seems popular right played a role, and if so, how? It’s important not to be a victim of with reality. now. Sometimes it’s just a simple busi- the system, not to be enchanted by all the Look, when you come from very ness decision, and other times does this A: Again, I’d have to say “Birdman.” glitter. We are human beings. There will little money and all of a sudden you can make me go, “Whoa! Can I pull this one For me, it was an intense emotional always be difficult, uncertain times. You make a good living with what you love off?” That usually wakes me up. I love a and psychological roller coaster ride have to accept that, especially we actors to do, you feel like a king. I am very challenge. this character travels within any given for whom this feeling of helplessness is grateful and very blessed. But I also If I had to do the same kind of char- scene. I mean, at the end of the day magnified a thousand times. turned down jobs that would have made acter or story over and over again … when I went home, I felt I had really The important thing for me, and me a lot of cash, too. I’d probably go out of my mind. That’s been working … hard. I don’t think I it’s what I’ve tried to teach my son, is It’s great to make your own choices, one of the reasons I wasn’t interested in felt that way in many other films. when you lose your way you have to but there’s a price to pay. I could’ve doing “Batman 3,” that, and the script The other part was the technical get back to base, find your camp, your made more money or been more fa- really sucked. And to be honest, I don’t demands in the way the director, Ale- tent and ask yourself, “What do I want mous. I could be the current groovy guy. really want to do work that doesn’t in- jandro Iñárritu, shot the scenes. There terest me. I’ve done stuff where I wasn’t were continuous, 10-minute long track- that good, and I just got tired of doing ing shots. There was no room for errors. I h op e m y i n v o lv e m e n t w i t h t h e ETC w i l l h e l p b r i n g stuff I wasn’t interested in. I just decided I mean, if you didn’t hit your lines or w h at e v e r i n s i g h t I h av e i n to h o w y o u t e l l s to r i e s , o r h o w that I won’t do a lot of things. your marks exactly, you had to do it all Financially, there were probably over again. y o u e n g a g e a n a u d i e n c e i n a n e x p e r i e n c e , o r h o w y o u parts where I could have done quite But, boy, was it worth it. I mean, c a pt u r e o n e ’ s att e n t i o n a n d w h at way s y o u c a n k e e p t h e m well, and I thought that’s not what I am. Alejandro and Emmanuel Lubezki, the It’s bull. I’m lying. I won’t do it. And director of photography, these guys are t h e r e , i n t h e mom e n t . you pay a price financially. And I go, so incredibly smart and talented. They that's okay, this one’s on me. pulled off some of the most beautiful and complex shots I’ve ever seen. Just from life?” It’s a philosophy in itself You don’t want to lose your status, but I Q: You’re a Pittsburgh native technically speaking, I think this is a that would be important for the whole of was never willing to preserve it by doing now living in Montana. How film that will be talked about for years humanity, but it’s an even more pressing things I didn’t want to do. does Big Sky Country compare to come. question for anyone in show business, to the Steel City for you? because unlike other professions, this Q: Who have been your role Q: What was the most surpris- one is basically founded on the fragility models, and why? A: I have a house in L.A., but I spend ing or unexpected thing you of a moment, on the fear of not making as much time as possible on my ranch A: I don’t think I had one specific role found when you started work- it, of not being up to it, of failure. in Montana. I like to be surrounded by model. I just always took notice of peo- ing in Hollywood? So, the question I’ve always asked nature. I love horses. I used to compete, ple who really just knocked me out, and myself is: You can focus on having a re- riding cutting horses. I like to fish. I A: I spent a lot of time pounding the that’s been a whole lot of people. Some ally big career and, you know, a life. Or, love fly fishing. I have a beautiful wild Hollywood pavement doing standup people who come to mind are Robert you can have a really good life … and a stream running through my ranch. comedy. The going was tough initially Duvall, Nicole Kidman, Glenn Close … career. Whenever I get the chance, I’m out and but then I started landing small parts in really unbelievable, incredibly talented I always wanted to have a life. about. It levels me and gives me quiet TV on shows like “Maude” and “The people. What I would glean from them and peace. Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Then “Night is really extraordinary because their Q: What has been the most sat- Pittsburgh is my alter ego. I’m a Shift” and “Mr. Mom” hit, and I was discipline, their focus, their work ethic isfying aspect of your career? Pittsburgh boy, and I really identify with doing pretty well. and attention to detail was just really the ’Burgh. This is where my roots are. In Hollywood, what you want does A: I really don’t think about being inspiring. My family is still all here. Some good not always lead you to make the most famous much. I know that may sound Jack Nicholson was someone I friends are still here, and I love coming always admired, but to work with him back. was fantastic. His professionalism was What is kind of interesting is that incredible. He’s so committed, and when there are similarities between Montana we did “Batman” he just went right at it. and Pittsburgh. I think you can make Here’s a guy who’s played all the great a lot of comparisons between Mon- roles, and he’s going to play the Joker. tana and Pittsburgh, particularly in the He never made a comment about it, people. The people [in Montana] are never was too cute about it. He totally not that much different from Pittsburgh committed to the idea. … a really strong, blue-collar work There are so many great and ethic, very pragmatic, a no-bull kind of talented people I’ve worked with, and I people. You just get things done, and can honestly say I’ve learned and taken you don’t complain about it. There’s an away something from all of them. honesty and a down-to-earth quality in

Q: Why do you think your career both places that I really cherish. But there are a few HUGE things success has spanned decades Montana doesn’t have … the Pirates, while others’ stars have burned the Penguins and the Steelers! out? What’s your recipe for success?

A: I don’t know about any recipe for success. I don’t know if some of my M i c h a e l K e at o n a n d e t C A s s i s ta n t T e a c h i n g P r o f e s s o r R a l p h V i t u cc i o w e r e choices were always the wisest thing f r i e n d s g r o w i n g u p t o g e t h e r a n d b o t h at t e n d e d M o n t o u r H i g h S c h o o l i n t h e to do, but if a project interests me then P i t t s b u r g h s u b u r b o f M c K e e s R o c k s . F i v e Army Vet’s Mom Saluted for Support of Troops

C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e o n e filled with essential household items for a group of single soldiers returning to their base in Italy after a lengthy stay in Afghanistan. Afterward, she was asked if she’d like to organize similar Welcome Home packages for a new veterans support program in the Pittsburgh area. She accepted. “It was kind of a natural transition for me,” Scalese said. “The new program fills a gap by helping to defray the costs associated with establishing a new home, and our veterans deserve that kind of support.” With compassion, friendliness and “crazy” organizational skills, Scalese now manages the Welcome Home program, donating 30 hours per week PHOTO BY KELLY SAAVEDRA SAAVEDRA PHOTO BY KELLY

to veterans facing extreme poverty or TROOP APPRECIATION OF OPERATION PHOTO COURTESY financial hardships. L e f t : D a r l e n e S c a l e s e ’ s a c t i v e d e v o t i o n t o t h e m i l i t a r y c o mm u n i t y h a s e a r n e d h e r a 2014-2015 J e f f e r s o n Her active devotion to the military A w a r d , w h i c h h o n o r s u n s u n g h e r o e s a n d i s w i d e ly r e g a r d e d a s t h e N o b e l P r i z e f o r volunteeris m . R i g h t : community has earned her a 2014-2015 S c a l e s e p a c k s h o u s e h o l d i t e m s f o r t h e W e l c o m e H o m e p r o g r a m f o r v e t e r a n s , w h i c h s u p p o r t e d 1 4 4 f a m i l i e s Western Pennsylvania Jefferson Award. a n d 6 8 0 individuals i n t h e P i t t s b u r g h a r e a b e t w e e n J a n u a r y a n d S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 4 . The Jefferson Awards program was founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy dealing with physical challenges or post- the soldiers, sailors, airmen and ma- making noticeably fewer trips to the hair Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft Jr. and traumatic stress disorder to their doctor rines serving overseas. Working from dresser to cover the gray,” Scalese said Sam Beard to honor unsung heroes and and therapy appointments. wish lists received by the organization, with a hint of relief. “But I’m not done is widely regarded as the Nobel Prize for Between January and September Scalese rounds up favorite cereals, soups giving back to the soldiers who have volunteerism. last year, OTA’s local Welcome Home and snacks for some. Hygiene items such given up so much for our freedom.” In 1976, former Pittsburgh Post- program supported 144 families and as soaps, shampoos and hand sanitizers The connection she and the Gazette editor John Craig established a 680 individuals. also are well received, as are books, organization make with soldiers — and local Jefferson Awards program to honor “It’s such a great feeling to be able DVDs and board games, which troops the impact it has on their morale — is volunteers in Western Pennsylvania. evident in the flood of heartfelt thank you notes OTA receives from troops all Fifty winners are chosen each year from O p e r at i o n T r oop A pp r e c i at i o n h a s h e l p e d mo r e t h a n among those nominated, and one of those over the world. 140,000 m i l i ta ry m e m b e r s s i n c e 2004. T o l e a r n mo r e , 50 will be selected to represent Western “The apple sauce, socks and cookies Pennsylvania at the national Jefferson v i s i t w w w . op e r at i o n t r oopa pp r e c i at i o n . o r g . went like hot cakes,” wrote one Army Awards ceremonies in Washington, D.C., specialist. in June. “Everyone is going nuts over all Scalese continues to work closely to thank the veterans in person,” Scalese use to decompress after missions. this stuff! Thank you so much for your with caseworkers through the VA Health- said. “And when you get a hand-drawn For those in more remote locations, support!” wrote a senior airman. care for Homeless Veterans program to thank you card from a 4-year-old in Scalese fulfills requests for protein bars One Army corporal stationed in identify veterans’ needs and then coordi- appreciation for helping her family, and powders, cans of tuna and baby Kuwait said, “It was like opening pres- nate the purchase of new mattresses, bed- well, I just have so much pride in OTA, wipes, which help soldiers without ents on Christmas day, and it is a feeling ding, cookware, dishes, glasses, cleaning I could go on and on.” nearby shower facilities to refresh from I haven’t felt since I was a young man.” supplies and other useful items. She also Scalese still sets aside one Saturday the sand and sweat. OTA has supported over 140,000 arranges taxi service to transport veterans per month to make care packages for “Now that my son is retired, I am deployed troops since 2004.

CMU & Tony Awards Open Nominations for Theatre Educators

n Pam Wigley

The Tony Awards honor the best in Anyone — from students and sion. A panel of judges comprised of the will be selected to receive the Excel- Broadway theatre. This year, the spot- school administrators, to friends, American Theatre Wing, The Broadway lence in Theatre Education Award on light also will shine on the teachers neighbors and family — can nominate a League, CMU and other leaders from stage at Radio City Music Hall during behind the scenes. teacher for consideration. the theatre industry will select the final- the 69th Annual Tony Awards telecast at Now through March 31, nomina- Nominees must be current teach- ists and winner. 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 7 on CBS. tions are being accepted online for ers at an accredited K-12 institution or CMU’s School of Drama is the “This new award underscores our K-12 theatre educators to receive the recognized community theatre organi- oldest drama degree-granting program in longstanding commitment to theatre inaugural Excellence in Theatre zation in the U.S. He or she must be a the U.S. and celebrated its centennial in education,” said Heather Hitchens, ex- Education Award presented by Carnegie teacher whose position is dedicated to 2014. In the past century, CMU has pro- ecutive director of the American Theatre Mellon and the Tony Awards. and/or includes aspects of theatre educa- duced hundreds of Tony nominees and Wing, and Charlotte St. Martin, execu- “At Carnegie Mellon, I have the tion. For detailed criteria or to nominate its alumni have won 39 awards to date. tive director of The Broadway League. privilege of seeing education transform a teacher, visit cmu.edu/tony-awards or During last year’s live Tony Awards tele- “Innumerable Tony Award winners have the lives of talented young people tonyawards.com. cast, CMU alumni Zachary Quinto and thanked their teachers during acceptance every day, and then I watch as those This annual award will recognize a Matt Bomer announced the upcoming speeches. Starting this year, we’re put- students transform the world,” said K-12 theatre educator in the U.S. who educator award initiative. ting educators and their essential roles at Dan Martin, dean of the College of Fine has demonstrated monumental impact The award finalists will be center stage.” Arts at CMU, the first, exclusive higher on the lives of students and who embod- announced in the spring and each will education partner of the Tony Awards. ies the highest standards of the profes- receive an honorarium. A single winner S i x Exploring the Cosmic Dawn n Jocelyn Duffy

When most people pack their bags for a trip to an island, they pack swimsuits and sunscreen. Tabitha Voytek, a doctoral student in physics, packs … a telescope. At full size, the telescope is only a couple of meters wide and looks like a large four-petaled flower. Its petals fold up so that it fits into a container no bigger than standard-sized luggage, allowing Voytek to take it to some of the most remote locations in the world. Called Sonda Cosmologica de las Islas para la deteccion de Hidrogeno neutro, or SCI-HI for short, the telescope is a low-frequency radio telescope. SCI-HI collects information about the universe during the “Cosmic Dawn,” a period of time approximately 10 billion years ago — around 1 billion years after the Big Bang — when the first stars formed. The radio telescope finds this information in the 21-centimeter line of neutral hydrogen atoms that exist in the gas around stars PHOTO COURTESY OF MCS PHOTO COURTESY and galaxies. P h y s i c s P h .D. s t u d e n t T a b i t h a V o y t e k w o r k s w i t h SCI-HI, h e r l o w - f r e q u e n c y r a d i o t e l e s c o p e t h at c o l l e c t s i n f o r m at i o n

“We’re trying to understand the his- a b o u t t h e u n i v e r s e w h e n t h e f i r s t s ta r s f o r m e d a p p r o x i m at e ly 10 b i l l i o n y e a r s a g o . tory of how the first stars heated up the gas around them, which will give us a example, operates right in the middle of Entertainment Technology Center and She was one of 10 women to receive picture of an historical era about which that band, at around 88 to 108 MHz. To Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Science Center the award this year. we currently have no data,” Voytek said. get unimpeded data, Voytek and other to create a planetarium show called the Voytek first joined SWE as an Voytek built the telescope in a lab 21-cm cosmologists must go to unpopu- “The Hydrogen Sky.” undergraduate engineering student at the at CMU through a joint collaboration lated areas that are free of television, She is also an active member of the University of the Pacific in California; between her adviser, Physics Professor radio and even cellphones, like Isla Society of Women Engineers (SWE). she continued her involvement after Jeffrey Peterson, and a research group Guadalupe, an uninhabited island off As part of the group, Voytek has par- coming to CMU for her graduate work from Mexico’s National Institute of the coast of Mexico’s Baja California ticipated in a number of K-12 outreach in physics. Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics. peninsula. programs, served as the society’s gradu- “A lot of the challenges I face as The telescope observes electro- To get there, Voytek’s research ate member coordinator and volunteered a female grad student in physics aren’t magnetic radiation at around 40-130 team “hitchhikes” on a Mexican naval as a collegiate leadership coach, training all that different from the challenges of MHz, which makes it impossible to ship, which is standard practice for SWE student sections on leadership the female engineering Ph.D.s,” Voytek get readings from the 21-cm line in researchers and other visitors headed to skills, among other activities. For her said. “SWE has emerged as the preemi- populated areas due to interference from the island. The group is forced to camp work, Voytek won the 2014 SWE’s nent organization advocating for women man-made radio signals. FM radio, for on the ship’s deck for two outstanding collegiate member award. in STEM.” nights with their fellow tran- sients until they reach their destination. When they arrive, Online vs. Face-to-Face Teams they bunk with local lobster C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e t w o and abalone fishermen who are stationed on the island. together to measure their collective intelligence. They have unreliable access “Our findings reveal that the same key factors predict collective intelligence to electricity and no running in both face-to-face and online teams,” Woolley said. “Theory of Mind abilities are water. But it’s all worth it for just as important to group effectiveness in online environments as they are in office the “clear” skies. environments. We hope that this insight will give organizational managers a new tool Voytek and her col- in predicting the success of online teams.” laborators are planning The study also mirrored findings from previous research that demonstrated col- their next trips that will take lective intelligence was significantly correlated to the number of women in the group; them, and the telescope, to a higher number of women raised the group’s collective intelligence. There also is a Mexico’s Isla Socorro and negative correlation associated with the number of speaking turns by group members. Isla Clarion, and South Af- Groups in which conversation was dominated by a few individuals scored lower in rica’s Marion Island, which terms of collective intelligence, as opposed to groups with more vibrant discussions is close to Antarctica. — whether these discussions took place in a room or online. When she’s not The study, titled “Reading the mind in the eyes or reading between the lines? bringing data back from a Theory of Mind predicts collective intelligence equally well online and face-to-face,” deserted island, Voytek is is co-authored by Woolley and David Engel, postdoctoral associate at MIT; bringing radio astronomy Lisa X. Jing, research assistant at MIT; Christopher F. Chabris, associate professor T a b i t h a V o y t e k ( l e f t ) wa s o n e o f 10 w o m e n to the public, conduct- of psychology and co-director of the Neuroscience Program, Union College; and t o r e c e i v e t h e S o c i e t y o f W o m e n E n g i n e e r s ’ ing public lectures on the Thomas W. Malone, director of the MIT Center for Collective Intelligence. O u t s ta n d i n g C o l l e g i at e M e m b e r A wa r d . topic and working with the S e v e n Gerry Balbier Named Executive Director of BrainHubSM

C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e o n e and musicians, compared these kinds robotics and human-computer interac- of interactions to members of a band tion that serves as the underpinnings of “riffing” on melody and collaboratively CMU’s Simon Initiative focused on the developing it into a complete song. science of learning. In his first several weeks in his “[Heinz Endowments] was the first new role, he has already convened the foundation to invest in the technology first of what he hopes to be regular transfer of the work of John Anderson,” “BrainHub Exchange” gatherings of he said, referring to the pioneering CMU BrainHub-related faculty from across professor who developed some of the the colleges and departments included earliest computer models of human in the initiative. learning, building on the work of The initial session in which faculty Herbert Simon. shared their research interests in an Balbier said that what instantly informal atmosphere has already yielded caught his eye about CMU was the three potential joint research proposals, ease with which faculty from different Balbier said. departments and disciplines coalesced “We have the talent and we have

around problems, each bringing their PHOTO BY TIM KAULEN great ideas,” he said. “We need to

own strengths and perspectives to dis- G e r r y B a l b i e r s ay s h e w a s i n s ta n t ly i m p r e s s e d w i t h C M U ’ s i n t e r d i s c i p l i n a r y catalyze new connections on campus

cover new approaches and solutions. a p p r o a c h t o s o lv i n g p r o b l e m s . and with partners like Pitt, as we have “Many institutions aspire to this successfully done with the Center for kind of multidisciplinary approach. the role at Carnegie Mellon to shepherd infinite universe than about the inner- the Neural Basis of Cognition, to CMU has achieved it,” he said. BrainHub, the university’s initiative to workings of their own minds. Balbier accelerate our progress,” he said. Balbier, who had earned a master’s accelerate research for developing new said he is excited about the brain-related Coming from the Heinz Endow- degree in public management at the tools, methods and theories for under- research at CMU and the potential for ments, Balbier has a natural appreciation Heinz College, transitioned to the standing brain function and behavior, he greater collaboration between faculty for the significant role that local foun- private sector for several years with was instantly intrigued. across the colleges, including many indi- dations play in seeding exciting new Pittsburgh-based Apangea Learning, Now that he is in the role, he is viduals who were not involved in brain research opportunities. He is quick to now Think Through Learning, a encouraged by the commitment the uni- research in the past. point out the vital role played by the fast-growing provider of “blended” versity is putting behind the initiative by In addition to his duties in working Hillman Foundation in providing support math curricula that combines intelligent advertising for seven new tenure-track with faculty to attract increased research to launch BrainHub earlier this year. tutors and one-to-one interaction with faculty positions spanning the disci- funding and visibility for CMU brain “Our foundations are of tremendous human teachers to millions of students plines within the BrainHub domain. research, Balbier says he views one of importance in supporting novel research across the country. “This recruitment effort builds on his primary roles as creating opportuni- that upon further development can He then took a role at the Jewish existing faculty strength and shows our ties for faculty interaction that can lead leverage broader support from national Healthcare Foundation to launch a commitment to moving our research in to new collaborations. funding sources, like the NSF or NIH,” learning platform for health care this domain to a new level,” he said. Balbier, who grew up inside a he said. “I can’t overstate the value our professionals. Much has been written about record store owned by his father that local foundations bring to our research When he was approached about humans understanding more about the served as a social hub for audiophiles enterprise.”

Touching Discovery

n Jocelyn Duffy Somatosensation, which is another active than others. Using the fos-GFP word for our sense of touch, occurs in mouse, a transgenic mouse model Barth Our sense of touch is one we often take a number of forms, like feeling texture, created to study activity in live neurons, for granted, until our leg falls asleep temperature, pressure, pain or vibra- she and her colleagues set out to see and we aren’t able to stand, or when tion. It’s responsible for proprioception, if these neurons were generally more we experience acute pain. The sense of which helps us know where we are excitable, or if they responded specifi- touch also has been taken for granted within our environment. It tells us if cally to one tactile stimulus. They found in neuroscience, where it’s the sense our feet are firmly planted on the floor, that these neurons reacted much more scientists know the least about. or if we’re holding a paper cup tightly quickly and strongly when a puff of air An international group of research- enough that it won’t slip out of our was directed at the mouse’s whiskers, ers, including Carnegie Mellon’s Alison hand, but loosely enough that we don’t while other neurons had little or no Barth, is changing that. For the first crush the cup. Scientists know a good response. time researchers have linked a group of deal about the molecular receptors that “This is the first time we’ve been neurons to a specific type of somatosen- mediate the different types of somato- able to visualize neurons in the somato-

sation, a finding that can open the door PHOTO BY TIM KAULEN sensation, but they know little about how sensory cortex that ‘like’ a specific for a heightened understanding about F o r t h e f i r s t t i m e , r e s e a r c h e r s , touch is represented in the brain. tactile stimulus,” Barth said. “It shows our sense of touch. The research was i n c l u d i n g C a r n e g i e M e l l o n ’ s A l i s o n “When someone gets pricked by a that neurons are individuals. They have published in the Dec. 3 issue of Neuron. B a r t h , h a v e m a d e a d i s c o v e r y t h a t pin, we know how information about different jobs to do in the cortex. In this “Somatosensation is critical. You c o u l d l e a d t o a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d - that sensation travels from the skin to case these neurons had a special feature: can somewhat overcome losing your i n g o f h o w t o u c h i s represented i n the spinal cord. But what happens in they responded when all of the mouse’s sense of smell, sight, taste or hearing. t h e b r a i n . the brain has been much less clear — it whiskers moved at once.” But if you lose your sense of touch, seems like all different sorts of touch They also found that the neurons in “Now that we have isolated the neu- you wouldn’t be able to sit up or walk. information get jumbled together,” said question received direct synaptic input ral underpinnings of a certain feature, You wouldn’t be able to feel pain,” said Barth, who also is a member of the joint from the posteromedial nucleus of the we can try to manipulate and change the Barth, a professor of biological sciences Carnegie Mellon/University of Pitts- brain’s thalamus. This shows that the interactions between cells. Can we train and a member of Carnegie Mellon’s burgh Center for the Neural Basis of neurons that react to the puff-of-air the mouse and strengthen the connec- BrainHubSM research initiative. “We Cognition (CNBC). stimulus have a dedicated, unique sub- tions between neurons? What happens know less about the features that make It was a jumble — until now. network of connections that enable them to perception if we remove the connec- up our rich tactile experience than we In previous studies, Barth had dis- to communicate with one another and tions? It’s really the frontier of truly do about any other sense, yet it’s such a covered that certain groups of neurons in amplify the information they are receiv- understanding somatosensory function,” critical sense.” the brain’s neocortex were reliably more ing from the stimulus. E i g h t Barth said. To the Moon, Andy! CMU Rover Ahead of Pack, Takes $500K Milestone Prize n Byron Spice

Tough little guy, that Andy. The four-wheeled robot is designed to scramble up steep slopes and survive temperature swings and high radiation when it explores caves, pits and polar ice on the moon. In the $20 million Google Lunar XPRIZE competition, Andy was the first and only rover to meet development benchmarks for flight readiness, which led judges to give the CMU team the contest's Mobility Milestone Prize. The prize includes a $500,000 cash award that the team will use to further Andy's development. “This is the culmination of lots of work by lots of people and is the next step toward Carnegie Mellon becoming a spacefaring university,” said William “Red” Whittaker, professor of robotics PHOTOS BY DYLAN VITONE W i l l i a m “ R e d ” W h i t ta k e r , p r o f e s s o r o f r o b o t i c s a n d d i r e c t o r o f t h e F i e l d R o b o t i c s C e n t e r , p o s e s w i t h C M U ' s and director of the Field Robotics l u n a r r o v e r , A n d y . Center. Deriving its moniker from univer- discovered, steep-sided holes created by softest footprint and greatest strength- faults and switching between compo- sity namesakes Andrew Carnegie and the collapse of underground voids. to-weight ratio of any space rover to nents as necessary. Andrew Mellon, Andy was developed “These pits are astounding and date. The rover has strong pulling power Joe Bartels, a Ph.D. student in robot- by a largely student workforce, drawing unexplored; it will be like coming upon and a novel suspension for transferring ics, explained that a spare component on expertise and resources from across the Grand Canyon,” Whittaker said. that power to the ground. can take over operations permanently the university including the School of “Some pits might be entrances to caves. Extraterrestrial robots encounter if its twin is fatally damaged, or tem- Computer Science, the College of Engi- You can’t explore caves from a satellite; radiation levels that can burn ordi- porarily if its twin can be recovered by neering, the College of Fine Arts and the you’ve got to be there, on the ground, so nary electronics. Before flight, some rebooting after a failure. Mellon College of Science. robots are the next big step.” The robot is Carnegie Mellon’s Andy’s wide stance, low center- contribution to an effort led by CMU of-gravity and high belly clearance M o r e i n fo r m at i o n a b o u t A n d y a n d C a r n e g i e M e l l o n ’ s spinoff Astrobotic Technology to land a combine for unprecedented stability, L u n a r E x p l o r at i o n I n i t i at i v e i s ava i l a b l e o n l i n e at robot on the moon and win the Google slope-climbing and straddling of rocks. w w w . cm u . e d u / g oo g l e - l u n a r - x /. Lunar XPRIZE. Whittaker noted that Andy achieves its But, it also represents a larger ambi- superb mobility with very wide wheels tion. and light weight. Andy’s wheels are a of Andy’s electronics will be further Curtis Boirum, a master’s degree “We don’t do anything just to win a foot in diameter, which is exceptional upgraded with space-certified parts, student in robotics, said Andy also in- prize,” Whittaker said. “If we’re on the for a three-foot rover. Its weight on the but Andy’s team has already achieved corporates a new method for combining moon anyway, we’re going to do some- moon will be less than 10 pounds. notable reliability and space tolerance landing imagery with 3-D path recon- thing while we’re up there.” Jon Anderson, a master’s degree stu- using high-reliability terrestrial parts, struction data to plan and document its And exploring lunar pits is at the dent in robotics, led the mobility team. multiples of some critical components, exploration route. top of their list. These are giant, newly The team’s innovations gave Andy the and innovative software for detecting About 50 students, faculty and staff members contributed long hours to Andy’s development, with key team members including Nate Otten and Heather Jones, both Ph.D. students in robotics; Luke Metro, a sophomore elec- trical and computer engineering major; John Mann, a junior computer science major; and Jay Jasper, a master’s degree student in mechanical engineering. In addition to scientific exploration, Andy will accommodate a number of artistic payloads coordinated by Lowry Burgess, professor of art, and Mark Baskinger, associate professor of design. Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute has led the development of a number of planetary robotic technologies for NASA, including walking robots for ex- ploring active volcanoes, robots designed for extraterrestrial drilling and advanced wheel development. Autonomous driving software origi- nated at Carnegie Mellon is the basis of J u n i o r c o m p u t e r s c i e n c e m a j o r J o h n M a n n ( p i c t u r e d a b o v e ) d e v e l o p e d s o f t w a r e f o r A n d y , a f o u r - w h e e l e d navigation and safeguarding for NASA’s r o b o t d e s i g n e d t o s c r a m b l e u p s t e e p s l o p e s a n d s u r v i v e t h e t e m p e r a t u r e s w i n g s a n d h i g h r a d i a t i o n e n c o u n t e r e d Mars’ rovers. w h i l e e x p l o r i n g t h e m o o n ’ s p i t s , c a v e s a n d p o l a r i c e .

N i n e Barkin Leaves Powerful, Healthy Legacy Behind

n Bruce Gerson

You could call Anita Barkin the Florence Nightingale of Carnegie Mellon. But then you might be selling her short. After all, she once diagnosed Vice President for Campus Affairs Michael Murphy with a collapsed lung from across the table during a meeting in Warner Hall — without an exam and so much as a stethoscope. “Every clinician knows the most critical way you diagnose illness is to be listening carefully to the patient, what they’re feeling, what they’re experiencing. And then you plug in the demographics. From that point on, I was golden,” Barkin said laughing. But, she was really golden from day one. Taking the helm with just two PHOTOS BY TIM KAULEN nurses, a secretary and a physician for A n i ta B a r k i n h u g s o n e o f t h e m a n y f r i e n d s a n d c o l l e a g u e s w h o at t e n d e d h e r f a r e w e l l t r i b u t e i n m i d - D e c e m b e r . A f t e r a few hours in the afternoons, Barkin 2 8 y e a r s a s C M U’ s d i r e c t o r o f U n i v e r s i t y H e a lt h S e r v i c e s , B a r k i n h a s m o v e d t o G e o r g i a t o b e c l o s e r t o f a m i ly . developed the university’s health care operation into a fully accredited model instrumental in starting the Healthy that colleagues were discussing this on tions in the ACHA, including president for colleges and universities around the Campus Task Force in 2005, initially a the list-serve. I approached the ACHA from 2011 to 2012. world. student-focused effort that has expanded president. I said we did some work at As ACHA chair of the Affordable Once providing the bare minimum to include faculty and staff, and in help- CMU and I’m happy to share what we Care Act Transitional Issues Task Force of primary care service, today the 24 ing to host the “Exploring Health, Dis- know and what we’re learning. So I from 2012 to 2014, Barkin had the op- staff members of University Health covering Wellness” program in February became head of the pandemic planning portunity to co-author new regulations Services offer immunizations, health 2014. task force for the ACHA, which became relating to student health insurance care screenings, treatment of illness and She also authored and managed the Emerging Public Health Threats and plans. injury, contraceptive services, wellness CMU’s highly popular student insurance Emergency Response Coalition,” Barkin “Having an opportunity to interact exams, nutrition counseling, smoking program, an Affordable Care Act-com- recalled. with Health & Human Services and cessation programs, allergy injections, pliant, benefit-rich, cost-effective pro- Following the Avian Flu came out- provide testimony to the Senate in D.C. massage therapy and more. gram in which more than 7,000 students breaks of SARS, the Swine Flu, various and New York was really an interesting “I always tell people we’re like are enrolled today. neuroviruses and most recently, Ebola. journey,” she said. your family doctor and a little bit more,” Barkin has made her mark nation- “If you have a good emergency A year ago she was invited to at- Barkin said reflecting on her 28-year ally as well as a pioneering pandemic response plan for a pandemic, you can tend and present at a Japanese Univer- CMU tenure just days before leaving planner for colleges and universities in pretty much tweak it to apply to any sity Health Association Conference to the university to be closer to family in the American College Health Associa- infectious disease process,” said Barkin, share some of her expertise and experi- Georgia. “We’re almost like an urgent tion (ACHA). When cases of the Avian who has held various high-level posi- C o n t i n u e d o n pa g e e l e v e n care center. None of these things were Flu, or bird flu, were reported on cam- here when I came.” pus in 2006, Barkin and Environmental In addition to the tremendous Health & Safety Director Madelyn Kotarski Named growth on the clinical side, Barkin Miller went to work creating an emer- developed health education and outreach gency response plan. programs to promote healthy habits “Watching what was happening Chief Health Officer and well-being across campus. She was across the country in the ACHA, I saw Beth Kotarski will succeed Anita Barkin as director of University Health Services, effec- tive March 16. Kotarski comes to CMU from Swarthmore College, where since 2007 she served as director of Student Health and Wellness Services. Previously, she was associate director of Health Services and Women’s/Reproductive Health Coordinator at Haverford College. “Beth was the unanimous choice of the students, faculty and staff who served on the search committee,” said Vice President for Campus Affairs Michael Murphy. “Beyond her demonstrated leadership and clinical skills, Beth’s articulation of her vision for the health and welfare of all members of the campus community is quite compelling. Having served two of the nation’s finest liberal arts colleges, she has a clear understanding of and commitment to an intense and energizing university environment.” Kotarski holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from West

D i a n e D a w s o n ( l e f t ) p r e s e n t e d A n i ta B a r k i n ( c e n t e r ) w i t h a f r a m e d p h o t o Chester University, a master’s degree in nursing from the University

c o l l a g e at h e r f a r e w e l l pa r t y . D a w s o n w i l l b e s e r v i n g a s i n t e r i m d i r e c t o r of Pennsylvania and a post-master’s degree certificate as a family

o f U n i v e r s i t y H e a lt h S e r v i c e s u n t i l B e t h K o ta r s k i ( s e e s i d e b a r ) j o i n s t h e nurse practitioner from Widener University.

s ta f f i n M a r c h . A l s o i n t h e p h o t o a r e E n v i r o n m e n ta l H e a lt h & S a f e t y

T e n D i r e c t o r M a d e ly n M i l l e r a n d C M U P o l i c e L t . J o s e p h M e y e r s . Big Brother is Watching

C o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e t e n Students Take Concerns, Suggestions To City Council ences and her thoughts on the future of health care in higher education. Undoubtedly, Barkin, who plans to continue to work in health care in Georgia, has served CMU and the ACHA well with her astute knowl- edge and expertise. However, it’s her personal touch that has seemed to make the biggest impression among her colleagues, faculty, staff and students. At a farewell gathering for Barkin, Deborah Mathis, women’s health administrative chief at the University of Pennsylvania, called her a gifted leader and mentor. Marian Vanek, director of Student Health Services at Pitt, praised her for her great ability to create syner- gies, alliances and collaborations. Dick Tucker, the Paul Mellon Uni- versity Professor of Applied Linguis- PHOTO BY TIM KAULEN tics, recalled Barkin’s compassion in S t u d e n t s s i t i n o n a p r i v at e b r i e f i n g w i t h P i t t s b u r g h ' s n e w p o l i c e c h i e f C a m e r o n M c L ay ( s ta n d i n g ) b e f o r e e n t e r i n g caring for a seriously ill Ph.D. student c o u n c i l c h a m b e r s t o g i v e t h e i r r e c o mm e n d at i o n s o n s u r v e i l l a n c e p o l i c y . of his from 2001-2003. He said she was n Shilo Rea always there to assist as a surrogate — perhaps contributing to the recent U.S. the course of a single semester and then mother in a 24/7 mode. Tucker named Red light cameras are designed to Department of Justice report that revealed offer meaningful policy suggestions to Barkin an honorary member of the enforce traffic laws, but what about the a high-level of distrust among Cleveland relevant stakeholders. This group took Modern Languages Department. other footage they capture? residents for the police department. things to a new level though, and of- Dean of Student Affairs Gina Using surveillance technologies “The public needs to understand how fered highly specific recommendations Casalegno called her a friend, men- raises serious legal and ethical questions, new surveillance technology will be used, about wording changes in the city’s tor, confidant, incident commander, and cities across the U.S. are tasked with and they need to be given the chance to Code of Ordinances that would better public health guru and personal health figuring out how to balance public safety give feedback on its current use,” Shaffer protect individual privacy and freedom consultant. “She’s an exemplar of the with protecting privacy rights. said. “City officials must also pay particu- of expression. They also suggested best of CMU; she’s compassionate, a To help Pittsburgh officials under- lar attention to the needs and concerns of ways to ensure a productive and posi- real-world problem solver, innovative stand the issues and develop effective the most disenfranchised and vulnerable tive relationship between the police and and collaborative. She’s a role model policies, City Councilman Dan Gilman residents of the city.” the public as surveillance technologies to me and so many others.” (DC’04) turned to Chief McLay called the suggestion become increasing integrated into Diane Dawson, who is succeeding Carnegie Mellon’s the fabric of Barkin as interim director of Univer- Ethics, History T o r e a d t h e f u l l r e po rt , v i s i t w w w . cm u . e d u / h s s / e h pp / the city.” sity Health Services until newly hired and Public Policy d oc u m e n t s /2014-C i t y -S u r v e i l l a n c e -P o l i c y . p d f Gilman, Beth Kotarski comes on board in (EHPP) seniors. impressed with March, said her heart was broken. “You The 10 students how much work worked so hard to mold us as better spent the semester researching the “music to my ears.” was accomplished in only four months, human beings,” she said. Dawson said history of surveillance technology, “When I walked in the door, I said promised their report would Barkin challenged her staff to live the analyzing how similar cities have that I wanted to do internal and external be put to good use. words of philosopher Cornel West: implemented different tools and policies surveys because we, the police, need to “The City will not only review the “Don’t be successful, be great.” and developing recommendations for know what the safety needs are, neighbor- recommendations and determine which Michael Murphy praised Barkin Pittsburgh. They recently presented their hood to neighborhood,” he said. “I’m a can be implemented locally, but we for having a transformative impact on findings to City Council, Debra Lam, big believer in moving policing into the will continue the dialogue and further the health and welfare of the university director of the city’s Department of 21st century by leveraging technology engage the students in an ongoing community. “This is a very different Innovation and Performance, and and academic research.” policy conversation,” he said. place since when you arrived and you Pittsburgh’s new chief of police, The students examined some of Chief McLay also expressed deserve a tremendous amount of credit Cameron McLay. the newest tools being used, such as interest in having the students continue for that.” “It is always helpful to have a fresh mobile observation towers and drones, their work by helping the police force Murphy said her impact has not set of eyes look at city policy. In this and pointed out the ethical, technical and with public engagement. just been in better immediate care for case, it is particularly helpful to have privacy issues that each raises. They also In addition to Shaffer, the student students, but in the focus on living a a younger perspective look at a timely offered ways Pittsburgh could implement participants were Marie Avilez, Cath- healthy lifestyle. “Anita has created issue of great national concern,” said their use within the city’s current legal erine Ciriello, Christophe Combemale, a powerful legacy that will continue Gilman, an EHPP alumnus who credits structure. Latif Elam, Michelle Kung, Emily beyond her time here.” the research skills he learned at Carnegie Jay D. Aronson, associate professor LaRosa, Cameron Low, Madison Barkin, whose daughters Jennifer Mellon as a critical component of how of history and the faculty director of Nagle and Rachel Ratzlaff Shriver. (DC’97) and Rebecca (DC’01) traveled he approaches his work in city govern- EHPP, called the surveillance project the CMU’s EHPP major prepares to Pittsburgh for the reception, said, ment. standard by which future senior capstone students for leadership positions in “CMU will always be in the fabric of One key recommendation the projects will be measured. law, public policy, ethics and advocacy my being. students made centered on community “These students did an extraordinary by providing them with a rigorous, “I feel like I’m the luckiest person engagement. Colin Shaffer explained job of integrating historical and ethical interdisciplinary humanistic and social- on the planet … I have been blessed in how Cleveland, which uses a variety of concerns into their policy analysis, and scientific education. It is jointly admin- this community. Even when we didn’t surveillance technologies from CCTV they offered recommendations that were istered by the departments of History always agree, I knew that there was a to a Police Aviation Unit, attempted to both forward-thinking and practical,” and Philosophy in the Dietrich College mutual respect and affection. You are collect and use public opinion, but fell Aronson said. “It’s very challenging to of Humanities and Social Sciences. all such wonderful people,” she said. short of capturing the complete picture learn about a complex policy issue over E l e v e n MLK Jr. Writing Awards Students Share Personal Reflections in Prose and Poetry

n Shilo Rea

From violence to discrimination, teenagers and young adults are not im- mune to the ugly side of humanity. For some, writing provides a creative outlet that can help them explore their feelings and put them on a path toward healing. For the 16th year, Carnegie Mellon invited Pittsburgh-area high school and college students to submit poetry and prose pieces about their personal experi- ences with race, discrimination and other obstacles as part of the university’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing Awards. Here are three winning pieces.

First Place, High School Poetry Third Place, College Poetry Third Place, College Prose Alexis Payne Joshua Brown Michelle Mathew Pittsburgh CAPA Freshman in the Dietrich College Junior psychology and creative writing major

Strange Fruit When I was Born, I Came out Swinging Excerpt from “Fair and Lovely” You wonder what ‘strange fruit’ tastes like

as you swing ashy legs from the hips of your father’s When I was born, I came out swinging. I’m eleven years old. My aunt is brushing my hair. reclining chair. when you ask his face I spanked the nurse, and he tried wringing She’s going to brush it all the way back and tie it up in contorts into a shadow, cheeks pressing air My little neck. a ponytail. The brush pulls hard at my hair and I know it’s probably going to hurt when she ties it up tight at from the edges of his jawbones, I spanked the doctor, and she cried while bringing eyes hollowing. the end. I don’t like the way my forehead looks when My bassinet. she brushes the hair back. Now I can clearly see my you are watching his hands curve eyebrows — bushy, like my mom’s, who at least gets into fists — red blisters, stitches, When I was born, I came out singing. to pluck hers into nice, clean arches. I always hated hard knuckles pressing into working skin… I tried harmonizing, desperately clinging having my hair tied up in a ponytail. When my aunt finishes brushing my hair I want to and in the place beneath your tongue, To the hope that I would emerge to find you are imagining the soft flesh of a mango run away — I’ve been standing here for half an hour. I A world willing to embrace the differing want to go downstairs and play with my cousins before pulp of an orange Pitch of my discordant heart strings. we have to go to church. I’ll bet the ceremony will be tart bursting body of a strawberry. like the one at my last uncle’s wedding. They’re always when you ask him again, he is silent When I was born, I came out swinging, long, but I never know exactly how long because the and pressing his fingers against the temples Prepared to beat back the savage stinging priest speaks like he’s shouting, into a microphone, in of his head, imagining asphyxiation Malayalam, and I don’t speak much Malayalam, so I Of this world’s brutal preoccupation can never tell what part of the ceremony we’re at. suffocation…toes dangling and shadows With my private passions. But I’m not allowed to leave yet. She takes out a in woods. plastic container of powder, the same kind she’s been you are not his daughter here. When I was born, I came out singing putting on her face. The powder is sort pinkish. I didn’t here you are Emmet’s sister, The praises of doves, gracefully winging know I had to wear it too. “Close your eyes.” She tells me. I close my eyes Evers’ daughter, little brown Across my future's love-torn horizon, church girl lifting her skirt and pinch my mouth shut while she rubs the powder Rebuking Cardinals for their bloody all over my face. She rubs it so hard that for a second to use the bathroom… Prejudice. I’m scared I can’t breathe. When I open my eyes she the face of Jesus, turns me around to the mirror and smiles. a hollow, jagged shadow. My heart never stops tingling “There. Now your skin looks nice and fair.” Fair. She doesn’t mean it the way teachers say it he is swallowing and searching With love for lovely men and women, for what strange fruit tastes at school, when they talk about treating other people This part of me, ceaselessly ringing like you would want to be treated. When she says like in the back of his throat, With rage for mankind's withheld “fair,” she means “not tanned.” like maybe he can recall from his taste buds, Kindness. Downstairs, the rest of my cousins are waiting to pull it out from the silence leave. Mithun, who is three years younger than me, between his lips, When I was born, I came out. takes one look at me and starts laughing like I’m the like strange fruit has been caught funniest thing he’s seen all day. Wasn’t once enough? “Meesha penna!” he yells. Mustache girl. between his teeth I run all the way back to my grandmother’s room or is hiding, resting on his gums. with my hand covering my mouth, crying. I beg my aunt to let me take the powder off. It’s making the fine wherever it is, you decide hair on my upper lip show through. I don’t want to go that he hasn’t swallowed it yet to church looking like this. and you imagine it sputtering onto the carpet “You look beautiful.” She tells me. “No I don’t.” I sob, “I have a mustache.” in a burst of ebony vomit. I can’t remember if we argue over this in English or Malayalam. I would like to think it was in Malayalam, years later, when it dries and you’ve grown… because her English is sort of choppy — not broken, you scrape it up with your nails and you watch but not fluent either. Maybe I spoke in English and as the black turns to she responded in Malayalam. That’s the way a lot of dialogue between me and my relatives goes. I go to red, church with my face still pinkish. I look fair. My other then white, aunts tell me I look lovely. They think I look better, in a country where so many people are naturally tanned then blue. and wishing they weren’t. I’m eleven years old and I don’t understand.

T w e l v e