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cMu’S neWS Source for faculTy & STaff 11/12 iSSue

2 T HANASSIS R IKAKIS L OOKS T O C ONNECT THE D OTS 4 S ILICON V ALLEY D EMONSTRATES Music Man C OMMUNITY A PPROACH TO D ISASTER C OMMUNICATIONS

7 M ADRIGAL D INNER P ROMISES E VENING OF M IRTH , M USIC AND M AGIC

9 NOVA P ROFILES CMU R ESEARCH Andy Awards Winners Exemplify Community, Dedication and Passion n Heidi Opdyke

One nominator summed up the sentiment of this year’s Andy Award winners best with a quote from university founder : “Do not look for approval except for the consciousness of doing your best.” President Jared L. Cohon, who praised the passion of all of the nominees, and Provost and Executive Vice President

Mark S. Kamlet announced the 2012 pHoTo by dan MoHan

Andy Award winners before a standing- a l u m n u s s t E P h E n s c h w a r t z ( a’ 6 8 ) r E c E n t ly r E t u r n E d t o c a r n E g i E m E l l o n f o r t h E s c h o o l o f d r a m a ’ s room-only crowd in McConomy “ s c h w a r t z o n s c h w a r t z ” c a b a r E t . s c h w a r t z , b E s t k n o w n f o r h i s a w a r d - w i n n i n g m u s i c a n d ly r i c s f o r Auditorium. b r o a d w a y h i t s l i k E “ g o d s P E l l , ” “ P i P P i n ” a n d “ w i c k E d , ” accomPaniEd j u n i o r m u s i c a l t h E a t r E s t u d E n t s c o n t i n u E d o n P a g E s i x w h o s a n g s o m E o f h i s c r E a t i o n s .

Volunteerism Important to United Way Campaign Bikers’ Fix n Heidi Opdyke The relationships also have been a Promise, which provides up to $40,000 for way for the two women to give back. college to students who live in the city, at- Donating money isn’t the only way to “Pat and I have been very blessed,” tend Public Schools for grades give to the United Way. Gruber said. “It’s been really great to get 9-12 with at least 90 percent attendance Being involved and volunteering is to know these youngsters better and to record, graduate with a minimum 2.5 just as important. help the kids to become more engaged in GPA, and earn admission to any accredit- Gloria Gruber and Pat Schaller have school and to work harder. We’ve seen ed public or private post-secondary school been working as co-mentors for the past results — more mentees making the honor in Pennsylvania. four years as part of the Be a 6th Grade roll, decreased suspensions and improved Mentors have a variety of activities Mentor after-school program at Pitts- attendance.” they can do with students during their burgh Allegheny Traditional Academy The program is a part of the Pittsburgh c o n t i n u E d o n P a g E E l E v E n Magnet School on the North Side. “Just last week we met our new mentee, a sixth grader,” said Gruber, who said the program is designed for mentors to stay with the same student through eighth grade. They said knowing students has been rewarding. Schaller said she ran m a i n t E n a n c E s t a t i o n s a n d n E w into a former mentee while attending an P a r k i n g s P o t s a r E a v a i l a b l E eighth grade graduation of another. f o r b i c y c l i s t s , t h a n k s t o t h E “It was nice that she remembered me g r a d u a t E s t u d E n t a s s E m b ly . and it meant something important to her,” s EE m o r E o n P a g E E i g h t . Schaller said. o n e Q&A: New Vice Provost Looks To Connect the Dots

n Pam Wigley and medical profes- sionals. I saw that Thanassis Rikakis has a penchant for building interdisciplinary teams encompassing music knowledge the disciplines of art and technology to create innovations with impact. This past and creativity could summer, he brought his skills to Carnegie Mellon, the place where no one does it be shared outside the better. concert hall through In August, Rikakis joined Carnegie Mellon as its new vice provost for design, countless conduits arts and technology. He is a full professor in the College of Fine Arts’ School of including the rehabili- Design and holds courtesy appointments in the School of Music and the College of tation clinic. [Rikakis Engineering’s Biomedical Engineering Department. He also oversees the university’s later led an interdisci- Entertainment Technology Center (ETC). plinary team spanning Since his arrival from Arizona State University, Rikakis has been meeting with rehabilitation medi- people inside and outside of the university, gathering information that will help cine, neuroscience, him to gain a better understanding of the synergies that have established Carnegie engineering, design Mellon as the world-leading university in arts and technology. and the arts that de- He says he is looking forward to working with the many individuals who have veloped rehabilitation helped to build that reputation. systems for stroke The Piper recently caught up with Rikakis to talk about his new role, the survivors. Music university and the path that led him to Pittsburgh. was a large part of patients’ you arrived in pittsburgh about are, essentially, cultural problems that rehabilitation.] three months ago. What have you need to be resolved. Resolution comes been doing? through an integrative approach — a How would you I’ve been in collection mode, and team-based discussion. describe your per- after 11 years [at Arizona State Univer- sonal philosophy? sity], it’s an interesting change … do you think students are inclined I grew up in Greece pHoTo by TiM Kaulen a good change of pace. to share that opinion? at a time when the t h a n a s s i s r i k a k i s Many students today expect to create country was in What observations do you have their own jobs for the future, and a broad turmoil, so the thus far? college preparation is critical for the 21st do you think that vision among expectation for a “normal” tomorrow There are complex societal issues century entrepreneur. The 18-year-old students is specifi c to cMu? was not always there. So my philosophy specifi c to the 21st century that needs to be at home at CMU, and I think I think the great thing about CMU is that is that we have to engage and appreciate need to be addressed. People look to today’s student fi nds a world of options its culture promotes not only these dot life today while also working for a better Carnegie Mellon to provide answers here. Some students that I have already connectors, but also people who excel in tomorrow. to those issues. The people I’ve talked met are what I call “dot connectors,” like traditional disciplines. Students seem to to confi rm that we must make sure [Mark] Zuckerberg [chairman and chief understand that you need a cross-section So what is that better tomorrow? as an organization that we recognize executive offi cer of Facebook]. of people to be successful in any venture, A tomorrow that balances effi ciency that some key issues facing us today like collaborations between interdisci- with contemplation. I believe some of What’s a “dot connector?” plinary students and disciplinary experts. the richest conversations in the next They are students who don’t fall into 10 years will be about what “quality of a linear experience. They see how to What infl uenced your own course experience” truly means. And there of study in music composition and connect knowledge across domains in is no better place than CMU, a place computer music? unexpected ways. Although the linear with expertise in experience creation, In the late ’80s, while I was at Columbia, progression of how they connect might technology and social analysis for this computing became integrated with music piper look disjointed, the aggregate of their conversation to mature. and was embraced by a diverse group Winner of a 2012 Gold point collection helps us look at the big cuppie aWard for eXcellence picture, so to speak. of people — the early computer music 11/12 iSSue scene had classical musicians but also Wall Street professionals, rock musicians P u B l i S h e r Teresa Thomas

e d i T o r m a n a g i n g e d i T o r Bruce Gerson Heidi Opdyke Research Showcase Sees a Million Downloads W r i T e r S Cindy Carroll Heidi Opdyke Dana Casto Abby Simmons n Cindy Carroll Jocelyn Duffy Chriss Swaney Bruce Gerson Pam Wigley Carnegie Mellon’s institutional repository, Research Showcase (repository.cmu.edu), has passed the milestone of a Sarah Nightingale million downloads. c onTriBuTorS Jessie Hao More than 650,000 downloads occurred within the past year, indicating the rising impact of Research Showcase, which was created in 2008 to provide open access to CMU’s scholarly output. d e S i g n e r Melissa Stoebe On Oct. 21, an undergraduate honors thesis, “Motivation in Foreign Language Learning: The Relationship between Communications Design and Photography Group Classroom Activities, Motivation, and Outcomes in a University Language-Learning Environment” (repository.cmu.edu/ P h o T o g r a P h y Ken Andreyo, Tim Kaulen hsshonors/74), by Jaclyn Bernard (DC’10), became the one-millionth Research Showcase download. Besides Bernard’s Communications Design and Photography Group thesis, more than 1,300 other Carnegie Mellon papers were downloaded on Oct. 21. To contact The Piper staff, call 412-268-2900 The most downloaded paper to date is a pre-print of a 1997 article co-authored by Institute Professor or email [email protected].

Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, David Bourne, “Design and Manufacturing of Sheet Metal Parts: Using Features to Aid Process Planning and Resolve employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, Manufacturability Problems” (repository.cmu.edu/robotics/96), which has been accessed 10,589 times (and counting) age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required since it was uploaded to Research Showcase in June 2009. not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders. Inquiries concerning the application of and compliance More than 10,500 full-text articles, dissertations and theses, technical reports and working papers authored by with this statement should be directed to the vice president for campus affairs, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Carnegie Mellon faculty, staff and students are available through Research Showcase, and the repository is continually Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412-268-2056. Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus security and fi re safety report describing the university’s security, adding content. alcohol and drug, sexual assault, and fi re safety policies and con- taining statistics about the number and type of crimes committed on the campus and the number and cause of fi res in campus Research Showcase also supports conference management and the publication of peer-reviewed open access jour- residence facilities during the preceding three years. You can ob- tain a copy by contacting the Carnegie Mellon Police Department at 412-268-2323. The annual security and fi re safety report is also nals. available online at www.cmu.edu/police/annualreports. Produced for Media Relations by The Communications Design and Photography Group, November 2012, 13-240.

T W o Q&A: New Vice Provost Looks To Connect the Dots Young Adults Experience CMU’s World t u d e n ts n Piper Staff S Pittsburgh served as a stage for One F i n d Young World in October as more than 1,300 young adults from 182 countries P a rt i c i pat i o n met to discuss global issues including business, global health, education, R e wa r d i n g sustainable development, leadership and governance, human rights and n Piper Staff social business. While Pittsburgh hosted the The event included high-profile world’s youth, some Carnegie speakers such as President Bill Clinton, Mellon students also had the former Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, celebrity chef Jamie to experience One Oliver, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner Young World. Muhammad Yunus and Twitter founder “Getting to hear Kofi Annan o by erica dilcer t speak was very moving for me,” Jack Dorsey. o h “Carnegie Mellon University is p said Lauren Murphy (TPR’13), pleased to have had the opportunity to P a r t i c i p a n t s i n a n E t c s e s s i o n l e a r n e d h o w i m p r o v e x e r c i s e s c a n l e a d t o who is pursuing her master’s n e w l e a d e r s h i p s t y l e s . partner with the Pittsburgh community degree in business administration to bring One Young World to our city,” and works at Alcoa. said Amy Burkert, vice provost for saw some of the state-of-the art group projects. That was followed by a “I’m just really excited to take education. “It was gratifying to develop technology in the Field Robotics Center, workshop on iterative design and rapid breakout sessions with campus partners learned about the role of information prototyping, and the group playtested the knowledge I gained over these and groups throughout the region to and communication technology in projects by current graduate students. three really intensive days and frame experiences to engage these international development and worked apply it to the workplace as well Sustainable Cultivation: Growing young leaders from all over the world in in teams to design and present project as share my insights with my concepts for addressing the needs of Greener Communities Across dialogue about some of the most pressing the Globe classmates at the Tepper School.” issues of our time.” people with disabilities. Stephen Lee, head of the School of Amy McCarty (HNZ’13), who Carnegie Mellon assisted with four TechBridgeWorld staff members Architecture, participated in a session is pursuing a master’s degree in sessions that included: Ermine Teves and Sarah Belousov along with graduate students Hatem Alismail at the Phipps Conservatory along with public policy and management, Technology with a Global Heart and Ronnell Perry ran the session. Melissa Bilec, an assistant professor was most impressed with her at the University of Pittsburgh; and The TechBridgeWorld research fellow delegates. members of the Phipps staff including group works closely with partners in Creative Leadership “These youth spoke about Molly Steinwald, director of science underserved communities to create Brenda Harger, an associate teaching organizations they had founded to education; Adam Haas, interpretive computing technologies designed to professor, and Chris Klug, an assistant address an observed need. I can- specialist; Melissa Hardin, science help them tackle challenges they face. teaching professor, led a session at the education specialist; and Joel Perkovich, not say who was most impressive: TechBridgeWorld hosted a breakout Entertainment Technology Center. sustainable designs and programs Catherine, who is adapting books session related to the One Young World Participants were given a hands- manager. and educational materials to be Summit’s plenary session on health on look into design and development Richard V. Piacentini, executive specific to her culture in Rwanda; issues for people with disabilities. and how to manage creativity and director of Phipps Conservatory and The One Young World delegates foster innovation in interdisciplinary Alberto, who is bringing wireless Botanical Gardens, provided welcome Internet to the primary schools in remarks and the participants divided Belize; or Pamela, who is using into smaller groups in which they decommissioned Cambodian land took guided tours of the Center for mines to make and sell jewelry.” Sustainable Landscapes and participated in discussions focusing on one of three After each One Young World themes: Energy, Water and Healthy Summit, the delegates are encour- $1.09B Living. aged to go forward with their own 11/01/2012 projects and initiatives, with the Breaking the Mold: Innovative goal of positive global change. Schools To date, almost four million Carnegie Mellon developed a session to people have been directly highlight innovative programs created by Pittsburgh public and charter schools that impacted by the work of One use research data to improve education. Young World Ambassadors. Ellen Romagni from the Gelfand Center There are currently more than was a session coordinator, and Angel 125 projects and initiatives involv- Gonzalez and Lisa Premo provided ing more than 100 countries. logistical support. McCarty concluded, “I can say The session introduced new models that I was deeply humbled to be and innovative approaches, many surrounded by so many young developed with Carnegie Mellon faculty, emerging leaders, achieving so staff and graduate students, to educating much, and I hope that I can do W E a r e m a k i n g a d i f f e r e n c e . C a r n e g i e M e l l o n h a s c r o s s e d t h e children and the process that was used to design these successful new programs. my small part to add to the global $ 1 b i l l i o n m i l e s t o n e o f o u r I n s p i r e I n n o v a t i o n c a m p a i g n . B u t w e School administrators shared information solutions needed in today’s a r e n o t d o n e y e t . T h a n k s i n p a r t t o t h e s u pp o r t o f t h e c m u about the creative features implemented connected world.” c a m p u s c o m m u n i t y , w e a r e e x pe r i e n c i n g t h e a m a z i n g i m p a c t t h e in their programs and the research that is

c a m p a i g n h a s g e n e r at e d a c r o s s t h e e n t i r e u n i v e r s i t y . V i s i t c m u . e d u / being conducted to document the impact of these features. c a m p a i g n f o r t h e l at e s t c a m p a i g n n e w s a n d p r o g r e s s , o r t o m a k e

y o u r g i f t t o d a y . P r o g r e s s s i n c e O c t o b e r 1, 2012: $10,583,221. T h r e e Nearing Completion Restoration Wraps Up on Historic Margaret Morrison

n Bruce Gerson heating systems; and making extensive The disassembly of the scaffolding reinforced concrete repairs above the along the west side of the 1914 addition vaulted Children’s School windows. to Margaret Morrison Carnegie Hall Ed Hydzik, project manager for signaled the massive restoration project Campus Design and Facility Develop- ment, said the work was done with an is nearing completion. environmental focus and with an aim to The 15-month, $3.7 million effort traversed the entire west façade, from the preserve its historic look. For example, base of the Intelligent Workplace (IW) 90 percent of the original bricks were to the concrete running along the top of used, the new energy-efficient windows were custom-made using the existing the arched basement windows. Work in- cluded replacing the terra cotta near the wooden frames; and the new mortar IW with a new multi-colored decorative was modeled after the original 1914 balustrade made of glass fiber rein- lime-based mortar. K a u l e n forced concrete; raising and installing The lead architect for the project m new third-floor windows; replacing the was Sheldon Goettel of Perfido Weis- o b y T i kopf Wagstaff + Goettel. The structural t decayed structural steel behind the brick o p H exterior with new galvanized, stain- engineer was John Snyder of Atlantic A r e s t o r a t i o n p r o j e c t h a s b ee n n e a r ly c o m p l e t e d o n t h e w e s t f a ç a d e o f less steel columns and beams; adding Engineering, and the construction man- M a r g a r e t M o r r i s o n C a r n e g i e H a l l . W o r k e r s t a k e d o w n t h e scaffolding new rainwater drainage and hot water ager was Jendoco Construction Corpo- ration. a l o n g t h e e n t i r e w e s t f a c a d e o f m m c h .

Disaster Management Silicon Valley Demonstrates Community Approach to Communications

n Jessie Hao layers. Through a mini social network, SSN is a part of the Silicon Valley before, during and after Hurricane Sandy As devastating disasters like Hurricane residents could report incidents and Resilient Network (SVRN), a collabora- is a sign of hope,” he said. “It shows that tion between CMUSV and the City of Sandy have shown, traditional telecom- municipal officials or emergency person- people haven’t given up on community but munications infrastructure is highly nel could send out alerts and announce- Palo Alto. Kenneth Dueker, director of that it plays a critical role in communica- vulnerable. ments, such as evacuation instructions. Emergency Services for Palo Alto, said tion during disasters.” But a new project out of Carnegie “There is great power in this social the city’s partnership with the university One of the students participating in Mellon Silicon Valley may have a solu- networking concept when it is combined is an asset to the Bay Area community. the demonstration had a personal experi- tion that uses smartphones. ence to bring to the day’s presentations. At the university’s annual Disas- Online: Check out www.cmu.edu/silicon-valley/dmi/ Stu Kennedy, a student in CMU’s Information Networking Institute, was ter Management Initiative Workshop, workshop2012/program.html for images and details stuck in New York after Hurricane Sandy “Making Smart Communities Resilient,” from this year’s workshop. Bob Iannucci and students demonstrated and experienced first-hand the difficulties the new Survivable Social Networks first responders had communicating with “Because of [Martin] Griss and his (SSN) project. with inexpensive, scalable and resilient each other during and after the disaster. leadership, CMUSV is different from The goal is to create a standalone infrastructure. We’ve created SSN such “It makes the work we’re doing on the typical academic environment where Wi-Fi “bubble” to allow members of a that it requires no installation and no SSN both practical and meaningful,“ concepts are often purely theoretical,” community and emergency personnel to training,” Iannucci said. “Our hope is Kennedy said. he said. “There’s certainly value to the communicate within a local network. For that this will become a tool that can be academic side of things but we’re trying DMI Workshop wider communication, such as between self-deployed at the neighborhood level, to find points of tangency where the two towns, individual “bubbles” could be affording community members critical The third annual DMI workshop at the needs of our practitioner world meets networked through a satellite connection. resources during a disaster and the ability Silicon Valley campus at NASA Ames academia.” The system would have several to be resources to each other.” Research Center took place in early But interest in the project expands November. even further. Mountain View Mayor “The key idea of our workshop this Mike Kasperzak acknowledged the year was to focus on interoperability significance of the project and played a actions and low cost, open source role in the demonstration. Lynn Brown, technologies to simplify communications manager of Mountain View’s Office of among citizens, first responders and Emergency Services, said that SSN was emergency vehicles,” said Martin Griss, something local community emergency DMI director. response teams should consider. The program included presentations from FEMA, American Red Cross, Mo- A Good Neighbor torola Solutions and other industry leaders. Carnegie Mellon continues to col- CMUSV Distinguished Research laborate with industry and community Fellow Steven Ray also led an Emergency members to create practical solutions to Vehicle Plugfest to collect data on measures

Silicon Valley real-world problems. of interoperability among mobile command U M C Bruce Mueller, director of Next and communication vehicles from Palo

y o f Generation Broadband Wireless Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale and s e t Research for Motorola Solutions, em- Monterey County. o u r

C phasized the importance of community M a r t i n G r i s s ( r i g h t ) a n d s t u d e n t s c o l l a b o r a t e w i t h t h e P a l o A l t o M o b i l e interaction during emergencies. Jessie Hao is a marketing coordinator E m e r g e n c y O pe r a t i o n s C e n t e r i n t h e S u r v i v a b l e S o c i a l N e t w o r k s p r o j e c t . “The response from neighbors at Carnegie Mellon Silicon Valley. F o u r A Merry Meal Madrigal Dinner Promises Evening of Mirth, Music and Magic n Heidi Opdyke You don’t have to be a king to be entertained like one. In a tradition that stretches nearly 30 years, Carnegie Mellon is celebrating the end of the semester and the start of Madrigal Dinner the holiday with a madrigal dinner. The event is sponsored by the Office of Orientation, Student Affairs, MUSIC, MAGIC, MIME, MIRTH AND MORE! Alumni Relations, Student Senate, Carnegie Mellon School of Music, C a r n e g i e M e l l o n M a d r i g a l D i n n e r 2012 Student Dormitory Council and CulinArt. “I like the event because it is S at u r d ay , D e c . 1 different and showcases the talents and 6:30 p . m . r e c e p t i o n , U n i v e r s i t y C e n t e r curiosity of our students,” said Anne Witchner, assistant dean of Student f i r s t a n d s e c o n d f l o o r s Affairs. “It also highlights for me what 7:30 p . m . d i n n e r , R a n g o s B a l l r o o m a unique place Carnegie Mellon is. I think it is wonderful to have events $10 C a r n e g i e M e l l o n S t u d e n t s a n d that faculty and staff can bring their c h i l d r e n u n d e r 12; $20 A l l O t h e r G u e s t s families to.” Veronica Kawaka (DC’11 ’12) is assisting Witchner with the festivities and transporting guests back in time. “We wanted to keep it in tune with the Scottish cultural surroundings at CMU,” she said. “We’re going to incor- event because of the diversity of talents laboratories for the Department of porate some Highland game elements via our academic programs,” Witchner Chemistry. Madrigal Dinner Bill of Fare and a Scottish court.” said. “The natural tie to the School The School of Music’s Chamber Wassail Royal twins and a case of mistaken of Music is huge and the talents of Singers, directed by Michael Van Camp, Roast Water Chestnut Salad identities will be the center of the students from all over campus who have are a featured part of the evening. Hearty Breads merriment. performed, acted in it, written the script Will Weiner, chair of the Under- Chicken Strudel (or vegetarian option) Performers at the event will be in and more makes it special.” graduate Student Senate, will serve as costume, and Witchner said guests may The evening, which is open to the master of ceremonies. Rustic Roasted Vegetables dress up as well. The event has been public, will include strolling entertain- Tickets are on sale and available held off and on since 1984, with the ers including jugglers, stilt-walkers and at the University Center Information last one in 2008. “Acts of Alchemy” from Karen Stump, Desk. For more information, call Page To Retire “Our campus lends itself to this director of undergraduate studies and 412-268-4886. The two performances in December will be Robert Page’s final holiday School of Music Celebrates Holiday Tradition concerts at CMU. Page announced his retirement at the end of this academic year after more than three decades as n Dana Casto Cantata)” by Arthur Honegger. This a member of the faculty. masterpiece works together traditional It’s a treasured Carnegie Mellon tradi- W h at : Considered by his peers as the carols sung in their native languages tion. A time to enjoy life, said Robert A n n u a l H o l i d ay C o n c e r t “Dean of American Choral Conductors,” — French, German, English and Latin. Page’s distinguished career has included Page. W h e n /W h e r e : Written in 1953, this is believed to be two Grammy Awards, the Prix Mondial “The Annual Holiday Concert is F r i d ay , D e c . 7, n o o n , just that — a celebration of the holidays, the last composition Honegger wrote de Montreux, the Grand Prix du Disque, U n i v e r s i t y C e n t e r including Christmas and Chanukah, before he died. and Pennsylvania’s “Artist of the Year” 8 p . m ., G r e at H a l l o f t h e as well as the season itself,” said Page, A variety of traditional carols award. The American Record Review C o l l e g e o f F i n e A r t s the Paul Mellon University Professor will round out the concert, including: has called Page “a national treasure” in of Music and director of choral studies. “Gloucestershire” and “Boar’s Head recognition of his extensive catalog of re- “It’s a time to leave academia for a while Carol” for choirs and brass, which was cordings with choirs and orchestras — a direct the women of the chorus and the and just enjoy life.” commissioned and recorded by River collection that spans more than 44 discs. woodwinds of the orchestra in a Mer- Under Page’s direction, the School City Brass with the Mendelssohn Choir “Maestro Page has been a promi- edith Willson favorite, “It’s Beginning of Music will present two performances of Pittsburgh; The Biebl “Ave Maria,” nent and enormously important member To Look a Lot Like Christmas.” Music of its holiday tradition on Friday, Dec. 7. a poignant a cappella setting, a long- of our faculty for much of the past 37 icons such as Perry Como, The Fontane years,” said Denis Colwell, head of the The first performance will be at noon in time favorite of choruses and a major Sisters and Bing Crosby recorded School of Music. “His contributions to the University Center’s Rangos Ball- bestseller by Chanticleer; and the late Willson’s popular holiday classic. the school are too numerous to list and room, and the second performance will Marvin Hamlisch’s popular “Chanukah Concertgoers will leave the Great the prospect of finding a suitable replace- be at 8 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Lights,” a festive song celebrating the Hall on a high note with the exultant ment for this fabulous musician and College of Fine Arts. traditional Jewish holiday with a special “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s pedagogue is daunting, to say the least. Both performances are free and dedication to Hamlisch, who was a Messiah. We will be looking for ways to honor open to the public with first-come, cherished friend of the entire Pittsburgh For those who cannot attend in Maestro Page throughout this school first-served seating. These concerts will community. person, the noon performance will be year. Please join me in congratulating showcase the combined forces of the Graduate student Alysoun Kegel broadcast live on WQED-FM 89.3. him on his impending retirement, and Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic, Concert will share the conducting duties for the For more information about the help me thank him for his sacrifices, Choir and Repertory Chorus. concerts and will conduct two of the Annual Holiday Concerts, go to contributions, and hard work on behalf This year’s program will feature dances from Tchaikovsky’s ballet, “The Nutcracker.” Michael Van Camp will http://music.cmu.edu. of generations of music students.” “Une Cantate de Noel (Christmas F i v e Andy Award Winners Exemplify Community, Dedication and Passion

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

Outstanding Dedication: Judy Abrams, Cyert Center for Early Education

More than 1,000 CMU employees and students with children have worked with Judy Abrams during the past 38 years. Abrams is program director for the Cyert Center for Early Education. Previously she was an early childhood educator and educational coordinator. “The reputation of The Cyert Center for Early Education as a place of high quality is largely due to the dedication of Judy Abrams and her ability to look at obstacles as challenges to overcome on the path to excellence,” said Sandy Johns, an educational coordinator who nominated Abrams for the award. Johns said that Abrams has been dedicated to the staff, parents and children at the Cyert Center, and has made e n a n d r e y o contributions to the field of early childhood k o b y

education at local and national levels. t o h Gina Casalegno, dean of Student p Affairs, was one of many parents who T h i s y e a r ’ s A n d y A w a r d w i n n e r s ( f r o m l e f t ) i n c l u d e d W a r r e n “ C h u c k ” W h i t t a k e r , C h r i s t i n a C o w a n , B r i a n P a r k e r , C a r r i e C h i s h o l m , S o n y a B e l l , M a x i n e L e f f a r d a n d J u d y A b r a m s . N o t p i c t u r e d : D a n J e n k i n s , lauded Abrams. S t ep h e n C h a b a s s o l , A m a n d a B e r n e b u r g a n d J o h n P r z y b o r s k i . “I know that as a new parent ... I found my days at Cyert during the welcoming Outstanding Innovation: Outstanding Culture: Christina Outstanding University period as some of the most special and ten- The iTunes U Course Team, Cowan, Institute for Complex Citizenship: Sonya Bell, der times we spent as a family as we built including Amanda Berneburg, University Police community with all members of the Cyert Engineered Systems Stephen Chabassol, Carrie family,” Casalegno wrote. “That kind of Chisholm, Dan Jenkins, Brian Christina Cowan, special projects co- Sonya Bell, a member of University community doesn’t just happen.... That has Parker and John Przyborski ordinator and executive assistant in the Police, displays a clear passion for everything to do with Judy Abrams.” Institute for Complex Engineered Sys- serving and caring for the students at Thanks to the work of the iTunes U tems (ICES), is recognized for fostering Carnegie Mellon. Outstanding Commitment to Course Team, a new iPad Programming Her dedication has resonated so Students: Maxine Leffard, Civil a balanced and inclusive workplace. class not only allowed CMU students “Christina has been faithful to the much that 44 students wrote letters in & Environmental Engineering to learn about creating apps, but also ICES mission, being responsible for support of her Andy Award nomination. opened the Human-Computer Interac- Patrick Hogan, a student and resi- As the graduate program administrator literally connecting people with their tion Institute’s expertise to a global dent assistant, called her an energetic for Civil and Environmental Engineering physical environment,” wrote Alicia audience. member of the university community. (CEE), Maxine Leffard works with Angemeer, external relations and out- The course, co-taught by CMU “She has made all of my friends students from the application process reach coordinator. “This is an accom- Assistant Professor Niki Kittur and feel very safe and protected and watched through graduation. plishment that she executes every work top industry developers, has more out for, on a personal level. ... That She has worked to create a monthly day with her usual positive and humor- than 107,000 subscribers, and there contribution has not gone unnoticed graduate program coordinator’s meeting ous approach to practicality.” have been more than 234,000 views amongst my friends.” to discuss best practices, policy changes Cowan has initiated a number of of the lecture videos. Apple promoted Resident Assistant Colin Chad- and student issues, and is available to streamlined processes including creat- the course on the front page of the derton noted that not only is she an students 24/7. ing databases, registration systems and main iTunes U site. excellent officer but she has developed “She sincerely cares for the students event websites. Members of the Marketing and a connection between CMU Police and and their well-being,” said David A. “Having the best possible working Media Relation’s digital productions Scobell House. Dzombak, the Walter J. Blenko, Sr. Uni- environment is one of Christina’s pri- and Web groups worked with Media “For the residents in this dorm, versity Professor, who nominated Leffard. mary goals. She accomplishes this with Technologies to capture high-quality CMUPD is not some anonymous group “Maxine provides an outstanding example her enthusiasm,” wrote Rhonda Moyer, video recording of lectures with a live- of officers in police cars that show up of professional behavior and commitment administrative and financial managers mix of the camera feed and on-screen only to crack down on nonsense or for our students. She is an outstanding role for ICES. “She is constantly evaluating presentation material. escort someone to the ER, they are model in addition to being an outstanding how things could be done and strives to “The integrated iTunes U Course people like Sonya Bell who put their Graduate Program Administrator.” make the institute as successful, visual Team developed an efficient workflow heart into their work and leave positive Saurabh Taneja, a graduate research and exciting as possible.” expertise that allowed each of the 28 impacts even beyond their call of duty,” assistant, said Leffard takes the time to Cowan has taken steps to create lecture videos to be edited, closed he wrote. know each student and plans many social a more welcoming work environment captioned, compressed and posted to activities, organizes talks and provides through understanding, encouragement CMU’s iTunes U site within a week of Outstanding Community administrative and academic assistance. and education. She has been involved being captured, all while maintaining Contributions: Warren “Chuck” “I sincerely feel that Maxine loves her in many CMU committees, is a member Apple’s quality specifications for the Whittaker, job and her students and is fully committed of Staff Council, chair of the CIT Staff course,” wrote nominator Bonnie toward making sure that graduate students Awards and spearheaded a CIT cook- Cersosimo, associate vice president Warren C. Whittaker’s nominators call have a comfortable stay at CMU and in book to benefit the National Pancreas for Marketing and Media Relations. the field robotics specialist an exception- Pittsburgh during their pursuit of advanced Foundation. Kittur said “without the team’s al systems engineer who loves what he degrees,” Taneja wrote. dedication, the course would have does and inspires others with his work. Leffard has been honored with a never been able to have the impact C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e s e v e n College of Engineering Staff Award and and dissemination that it did.” S i x was an Andy Award nominee in 2008. “Chuck is greatly appreciated by Honorary Awards for Exemplary the faculty because of his always find- Service: President Jared Cohon a-way, never-say-impossible attitude. and Provost and Executive Vice Time and effort are never factors, and President Mark Kamlet we have yet to see a barrier to his de- livering on research objectives,” wrote The Andy Awards selection committee David Wettergreen, a research profes- extended honorary Andy Awards for sor in robotics. “In many ways, Chuck Exemplary Service to Jared Cohon and Whittaker is the oil that keeps the Field Mark Kamlet. Robotics Center running smoothly. He “For the past 15 years, Drs. Cohon clearly loves what he does and inspires and Kamlet have been tireless support- others with his work.” ers for the entire staff community of Whittaker is recognized for crucial Carnegie Mellon,” said Staff Council n d r e y o but often unsung contributions to major President Jeffrey Harris during the A robotics projects, including the Three- awards ceremony. “Their vision and Mile Island decontamination and leadership have enabled our staff to o b y K e n t the Pioneer built for Chernobyl. achieve more, to have greater impact on o p H He helped found RedZone Robotics and our research, students, programming,

Workhorse Robotics. He is the driving our educational mission and to move the S t a f f C o u n c i l P r e s i d e n t J e f f r e y H a r r i s p r e s e n t s P r o v o s t a n d E x e c u t i v e force behind decades of mining robots entire institution into the 21st century. V i c e P r e s i d e n t M a r k K a m l e t a n d P r e s i d e n t J a r e d C o h o n w i t h h o n o r a r y that include automated machines, mine They have also been incredible sup- A n d y A w a r d s . mapping and rescue vehicles. porters of the Andy Awards, and have David Kohanbash, senior research demonstrated many of the same qualities Posthumous Award for presented to his sister, Maureen Twigg. programmer at the Robotics Institute, that the committee looks for in Andy Outstanding Dedication: Rich President Cohon noted his compas- wrote that “Chuck volunteers whenever Award recipients.” Lyons, copy center technician sion for others. He said Lyons once took something needs to be done.” The Andy Awards named for a PTO day to take a fellow worker to a Rich Lyons, a longtime and well-known Whittaker also mentors staff and Andrew Carnegie and Andrew Mellon, doctor’s appointment and literally gave copy center technician who died earlier students, and the CMU “Girls of Steel” are a tribute to the of teamwork a University of Pittsburgh shirt off his this year, received a posthumous Andy FIRST (For Inspiration in Science and and dedication embodied by the staff at back to a colleague who was a Pitt fan. Award for Dedication. The award was Technology) Robotics Team. Carnegie Mellon.

Office of Admission Travels Far and Wide n Abby Simmons with the Carnegie Mellon Admission In a university first, road warriors from Council direct students to connect with A ss i sta n c e f o r H u r r i c a n e the Office of Undergraduate Admission the office online. a n d y i c t i m s are visiting all 50 states this fall. Jason Nevinger, associate direc- S V tor of admission, said social media has Mike Steidel, director of admission, In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Carnegie Mellon’s Office of is making inaugural visits to Great Plains become an essential part of the team’s Admission, like many other admission offices across the country, states such as Montana, South Dakota engagement strategy for students “be- pushed back the traditional deadline for early admission to Nov. 5. and Wyoming in addition to his annual cause that’s the environment they are trip to New England. He discussed some living in.” The vast majority of phone Director of Undergraduate Admission Mike Steidel said additional of his department’s recruitment efforts calls and emails his office receives come accommodations for early applicants needing more time will be by phone while waiting for a flight at from parents. considered. Although technology has changed Boston’s Logan Airport. “We’re trying to be as flexible and as accommodating as we the way prospective students and parents “We targeted areas this year that we possibly can,” Steidel said in an interview with USA Today. “If communicate with admission profes- haven’t been as successful at recruiting they’re applying for early decision here, they’re basically saying, sionals, the types of questions they ask from in the past,” Steidel said. “We want ‘Carnegie Mellon is my first choice.’ So we definitely want to be our student body to be as representative have remained consistent — they often flexible for students that really want to be here.” as possible.” focus on academic quality and afford- As the university’s reputation has ability. “Students today seem to be more grown and technology has evolved, the and the Middle East. Forbidden City.” anxious about their chances for admis- team has elected to participate in fewer UAA admission staff hold collec- More than 17,000 domestic and sion and making sure the school they college fairs. Staff members continue tive information sessions that include a international students applied for under- choose is a good fit,” Steidel said. to visit individual public and private five-to-ten-minute introduction to each graduate admission for fall 2012. schools, although their most popular Global Awareness school followed by a traditional college “It’s a challenge to manage all of events are evening information sessions fair. In some instances, they host a gen- this interest and still work to the indi- in targeted cities. The CMU-focused While expanding the geographical reach eral question-and-answer session about vidual student,” Nevinger said. “Some events typically attract 50 to 300 of U.S. visits, the Office of Under- applying to competitive U.S. universi- of our peer institutions no longer con- prospective students and parents. graduate Admission continues to recruit ties. duct interviews or set aside the month of CMU was one of the first admis- abroad. Nevinger traveled to China, “We are constantly on the go during April like we do to focus on our yield. sion departments in the country to move Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, these trips,” Nevinger said. “I see the We want students to say, ‘CMU cares away from using “inquiry cards,” an Taiwan and Thailand, with recruiters insides of the hotels, the schools and the about me.’” industry standard for collecting prospec- representing other University Athletic airport. I’ve made four or five trips to For more information about CMU tive students’ contact information. Association (UAA) schools in Septem- Beijing, and I was thankful to have an admission events visit http://admission. Admission staff and alumni volunteers ber. In previous years, he’s visited India afternoon off this year to see the enrollment.cmu.edu/events.

S e v e n Pedal and Park Cyclists Have Added Options on Campus Thanks to Graduate Student Assembly

n Bruce Gerson

There’s a lot more parking on campus these days. And it’s free, if you’re riding a bicycle. The new, free parking for bicyclists comes courtesy of the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA), which recently purchased and installed 11 bicycle racks and four maintenance stations around campus. Eight of the 11 are stainless steel racks for outdoor use. Three have been placed indoors, two in the Gates Garage and one in Mellon Institute, down the hallway to the right off the Bellefield Street entrance. The maintenance stations include a hanger to elevate and hold the bicycle steady while making repairs, an air pump and basic tools needed to make minor adjustments — from repairing a flat tire to adjusting brakes. A committee of GSA officers and Carnegie Mellon staff members selected the locations (see below) for the racks and repair stations. Staff members included Director of Parking and Transportation Services Michelle Porter, Fitness Operations Manager Pattye K a u l e n

Stragar, Environmental Coordinator m Barb Kviz and Facilities Management o b y T i

Services Associate Director for Client t o

Services Kyle Tomer. p H Carolyn Norwood, a Ph.D. candi- G r a c e H e c k m a n n , p r e s i d e n t o f t h e G r a d u a t e S t u d e n t A s s e m b ly , s h o w s s o m e o f t h e m a i n t e n a n c e s t a t i o n ’ s t o o l s . date in the Materials Science and Engi- neering Department and vice president “In addition, in the process of scout- transportation to and from campus. additional locales for racks and repair of communications for the GSA, said ing out locations for new racks, we saw Last month Parking and Transporta- stations. the nearly $30,000 in equipment was a lot of them were in a state of disrepair, tion hosted a Bike Community Forum Last April, CMU’s Mechanical funded by the GSA’s capital reserves, some corroded and rusted to the point in which representatives from Bike Pgh Engineering Department was honored which had built up over the past few of falling over. Due to the popularity of spoke about bike safety and the many as a bicycle-friendly workplace by the years. She said the capital reserve must biking to campus as well as our large bike trails in the area. League of American Bicyclists for its be used for projects that benefit graduate capital reserves, GSA decided to invest “We also spoke about building repair stop and racks near Scaife Hall students over the long term. in high-quality stainless steel bike racks a communication network for CMU and, for helping to launch “Heels on “After soliciting input from the and maintenance stands. We expect that bicyclists, like a d-list or list-serv, safety Wheels,” a program aimed at encourag- graduate student body about potential this investment will serve the greater issues, particularly at the intersection ing students, faculty and staff to bike to capital investments, GSA received campus community for many years to of Forbes and Morewood, and holding work. overwhelming feedback about the bike come,” Norwood said. events such as ‘Car-Free Fridays’ and To celebrate National Bike to Work rack situation on campus,” Norwood Norwood and Porter hope the a transportation fair with a focus on Day, CMU has partnered with Bike Pgh said. “We looked into this potential bicycle-friendly enhancements continue bicycles,” Porter said. to host a Bike to Work Breakfast. The need and found that, indeed, many of to promote biking as a healthy, environ- She said Parking and Transporta- next National Bike to Work Day is the current bike racks were consistently mentally friendly alternative mode of tion and FMS are looking to identify May 17, 2013. overcrowded.

New Bicycle Racks: Google Bikes • Hamburg Hall (right of the high bay door) • Doherty Hall (back entrance) Google is gearing up for a new personal transportation option for its employ- • Hammerschlag Hall (side entrance) - 2 racks ees and associates between its offices at Bakery Square and Carnegie Mellon. • Porter Hall (Frew Street side entrance) While a shuttle already exists, this new ride-sharing program would • Tepper School (near Frew Street overhang) feature the bright orange bicycles docked behind Hamburg Hall. • Purnell Center (porch area, Warner Hall Side) - 2 racks When up and running, Google affiliates will be able to sign up for a • Gates Garage (first floor) - 2 racks key to access the bikes from docks at CMU and Bakery Square between • Mellon Institute (down the hallway to the right off the Bellefield Street 6 a.m. and midnight. entrance) For additional information or questions, contact the Parking & Transportation Services at 412-268-6278. New Maintenance Stations: • East Campus Garage - 2 stations • Gates Garage (first floor) • Mellon Institute

E i g h t NOVA Profiles CMU Research

The Nov. 14 episode of PBS/NOVA scienceNOW, “What Will the Future Look Like,” featured two Carnegie Mellon research projects. The episode is available online at www.pbs.org/ wgbh/nova/sciencenow/.

Reporter Challenge to Just, Mitchell Leads to Mind Reading 2.0 n Shilo Rea

Carnegie Mellon professors Marcel Just i l o r e a and Tom Mitchell shocked the world sh

in 2008 with their thought identifica- o b y t o

tion research, using a brain scanner to p H demonstrate, for the first time, the ability T o m M i t c h e l l ( l e f t ) , D a v i d P o g u e a n d M a r c e l J u s t p u s h e d s c i e n c e f o r w a r d w h i l e f i l m i n g a s e g m e n t f o r to read people’s minds. P b s / n o va s c i e n c e n o w. They did this by applying machine- learning techniques to brain imaging Professor of Psychology in the Dietrich Treuille’s EteRNA Taps Into Online Game Play data to identify an individual’s thoughts College and director of CMU’s Center of concrete objects. A demonstration for Cognitive Brain Imaging. “But the n Byron Spice of how the process works — from one theory said it should be possible.” computer displaying a labeled picture Mitchell, the E. Fredkin University The same NOVA ScienceNOW episode also included a profile of Adrien Treuille, of a concrete object (e.g. hammer) to a Professor of Machine Learning in the assistant professor of computer science and robotics, and featured EteRNA, his person in the MRI scanner, to a separate School of Computer Science, added, “I unique research project that taps online game play to explore RNA design. computer analyzing the resulting brain always tell my students not to mess with EteRNA was the first online game to tap the wisdom of the crowd and test the image to determine which object was a computer demonstration that works.” results in a wet lab. Players use the latest computer modeling programs to create shown — was featured on The team constructed a new experi- possible solutions to RNA design challenges. The best of their virtual designs are 60 Minutes. ment on the fly, and Pogue went back then synthesized in a biochemistry lab at Stanford University and evaluated to see Since the initial discovery, Just and into the scanner. This time, nothing if they work in real life. Mitchell have been working to identify was presented on the screen. Instead, Treuille leads the project with Rhiju Das, an assistant professor of biochemistry other types of thoughts besides concrete he could choose between two objects, a at Stanford, and Jeehyung Lee, a Carnegie Mellon Ph.D. student in computer science. objects — from numbers to emotions skyscraper or a strawberry. Over a series The game already has engaged more than 30,000 citizen-scientists in the study to social interactions — all involving a of 10 trials, he thought about a word and of RNA design. Treuille says it has helped identify a number of people, some without visual stimulus (usually a printed word) then wrote it down. formal science training, who display a strong aptitude for RNA design and are for the person inside the brain scanner to When the scan was complete, Just, generating important scientific insights. think about. Mitchell, Pogue and the video crew Filming of the ScienceNOW episode occurred this summer in California, where That was, until recently. anxiously waited to see whether the Treuille is spending a leave of absence. EteRNA was featured in The New York Times In August, a PBS/NOVA science- brain analysis computer could correctly when it launched last year and was the subject of a Wired magazine article this summer. NOW media crew visited CMU’s Scien- identify Pogue’s thoughts, despite no tific Imaging and Brain Research (SIBR) explicit instruction of which word he Center. Host David Pogue, who served should think of, and that the computer as the research subject, was shown 10 had never seen a person’s fMRI data for Two Recognized for pairs of objects two times while in the the two words, “strawberry” and “sky- fMRI. With the cameras rolling, the scraper.” Research in Qatar brain analysis computer then correctly With the cameras rolling, the analy- identified each object that Pogue had sis computer issued the correct identifi- n Sarah Nightingale been thinking about. cation all 10 times. It was a 100 percent Khaled Harras, an assistant professor Information Technology Research Pogue was impressed but unsatis- match and a major scientific experiment of computer science at Carnegie Program of the Year for OPERETTA: fied. As an amateur magician, he said he producing a fascinating new finding, Mellon in Qatar, and Carnegie An Optimal Deployable Energy found it disquieting that the computer done in the context of a demo for a sci- Mellon Qatar computer science 2012 Efficient Bandwidth Aggregation that presented the words “knew” what ence documentary. graduate Dania Abed Rabbou were System. The award comes with a he would be thinking about. He was “We were all nervous about trying among a group of 12 researchers $100,000 cash prize for use in future concerned that the presentation computer this experiment for the first time with the and students that received awards research. and the brain analysis computer could cameras rolling,” Mitchell said. “But, for their groundbreaking discoveries Rabbou’s senior thesis last year, have been in cahoots with each other. we had seen before that our computer at the Qatar Foundation’s Annual “SCOUT: Extending the Research He challenged the research team to model had successfully predicted neural Research Forum. of Social-Based Context-Aware find some way to cut the presentation representations for new words, and that The awards aim to inspire Ubiquitous Systems,” received the computer out of the loop, so that only he, these neural representations are remark- collaboration for future research and award for Best Student Computing Pogue, knew what he had been thinking ably similar across different people.” advance the nation’s developmental and Information Technology about at any given time. Just added, “It’s exciting to know goals. Research of the Year. Harras and The team accepted the challenge. that it is possible to identify internally Harras, in collaboration with computer science post-doctoral “We had never tried anything generated thoughts, and something we Egypt-Japan University of Science associate Abderrahmen Mtibaa were like this before in the lab, let alone on will follow up on more formally in our and Technology in Egypt, was Rabbou’s advisers. The award came national TV,” said Just, the D.O. Hebb future studies.” awarded Best Computing and with a cash prize of about $5,500.

N i n e ECE Celebrates New Partnership with Portuguese Business School

n Chriss Swaney Carnegie Mellon’s Department of Elec- degree in electrical and computer en- “This new program builds on the We expect to observe here the formation trical and Computer Engineering and the gineering from Carnegie Mellon and a longstanding relationship developed of a new breed of top engineers that are University of Porto’s Business School master’s degree in business administra- with the successful ICTI program (Infor- able to understand the language and prac- in Porto, Portugal, have embarked on a tion (“The Magellan MBA”) from Porto mation and Communication Technology tices of business and to effectively use new double-degree graduate program in Business School. Institute) in which Carnegie Mellon has soft skills such as communication, team engineering and business. Over the past decade, increasing partnered with a number of leading Por- management, negotiation or leadership A special event celebrated the numbers of engineering students have tuguese universities,” Schlesinger said. to help companies achieve success in the program launch in Portugal. CMU’s Ed found career opportunities from startup “Bringing together engineering and marketplace in very complex organiza- Schlesinger and James Hoe joined Nuno companies to venerable consulting business in this double-degree program tional settings,” Farinha said. de Sousa Pereira, dean of the Porto Busi- firms and Wall Street. Industry analysts will be a major step toward preparing For additional information about the ness School; Jorge Farinha, vice dean and recruiters report that engineering the next generation of highly skilled in- double degree see https://www.ece.cmu. of the Porto Business School; Sebastião students find unique opportunities in dividuals that will be able to handle the edu/programs-admissions/study-abroad/ Feyo de Azevedo director of the faculty business because of their sharply honed most advanced technologies and related graduate.html. of engineering of the University of Porto; technology skills and team building products while keeping at all times a Carlos Oliveira, Portugal’s secretary of experience. business and managerial perspective. state for Entrepreneurship and Innova- tion; and Allan Katz, U.S. ambassador to Portugal, at a program that included a panel discussion about “Technology, Gittis Was Named Finalist for Eppendorf Entrepreneurship and Management Education.” Representatives from several & Science Prize for Neurobiology national and international IT companies and entrepreneurs also participated. n Jocelyn Duffy Disorders?” describes her research on a of how neural circuits are organized in “We have our first students enrolled group of neurons located in a brain region the basal ganglia brings us closer to the Aryn Gittis, an assistant professor in the in the new program, and we expect the called the striatum that show abnormali- ability to develop better treatments for Department of Biological Sciences and initiative to grow as more companies ties in both the rate and timing of their fir- a broad spectrum of human diseases,” the Center for the Neural Basis of Cogni- globally seek the problem-solving, ing in patients with movement disorders. said Gittis, who joined the Department tion, was a finalist in the competition managerial and technical skills acquired The striatum is the largest part of the of Biological Sciences in August 2012. for The Eppendorf & Science Prize for through engineering and business stud- Neurobiology. basal ganglia, a primary motor control Gittis and fellow finalist Bertrand ies provided by this double MS MBA This international prize encourages system of the brain. Gittis’s research Coste from the Research Center of experience,” said Schlesinger, the David the work of promising young neurobiolo- interests focus on the organization and Neurobiology-Neurophysiology of Edward Schramm Memorial Professor gists by providing support in the early function of neural circuits in this area. Marseilles, France, and this year’s win- and head of CMU’s Electrical and stages of their careers. It is awarded an- A wide range of diseases are associated ner of The Eppendorf & Science Prize Computer Engineering Department. nually for the most outstanding neurobio- with dysfunction of the basal ganglia, for Neurobiology, Marlene Cohen, who The two-year program gives logical research by a young scientist, as including movement disorders such is also a member of the Center for the participants the opportunity of studying described in a 1,000-word essay based on as Parkinson’s disease and dystonia, Neural Basis of Cognition and a faculty one year in Portugal at the University research performed during the past three psychiatric disorders such as obsessive- member at the University of Pittsburgh, of Porto and another year in the U.S. at years. Published in the Oct. 5 issue of compulsive disorder and depression, and were recognized at the annual meeting Carnegie Mellon. Students are required Science, Gittis’s essay, “Striatal Inter- various forms of addiction. of the Society for Neuroscience in to meet academic requirements from neurons: Causes or Cures for Movement “Developing a better understanding mid-October in New Orleans. both universities to receive a master’s

N e ws B r i e f s

Alumni Association Seeks Abel Named Learning and Murray Named BXA CMU’s Alcohol and Service Award Nominations, Development Director Director Drug Policies Online New Board Members Kim Abel, director of Housing & Dining Ser- M. Stephanie Murray has been named The university’s annual alcohol and drug The Alumni Association is accepting nomi- vices since 2007, has been named director director and academic adviser of the BXA policies brochure, compiled as a resource nations in the service categories for alumni of Learning & Development within Human Intercollege Degree Programs, part of the by staff in the Office of the Dean of Student and students through Dec. 1, to be awarded Resources, effective Feb. 1. As director of College of Fine Arts. Murray also serves as Affairs, is now available on the Student Affairs at the 2013 Alumni Awards. An online L&D, Abel will run the university’s staff adjunct assistant professor at CMU. website. Carnegie Mellon takes seriously its nomination form, list of current and previous development and education programs. In her new role, Murray will increase obligation to ensure community members award recipients, and descriptions of the “Kim’s proven leadership and teach- her involvement in the administration of understand Pennsylvania law and the uni- award categories can be found at www. ing capabilities, her passion, creativity and the BXA programs, working with affiliated versity’s policies and expectations regarding alumni.cmu.edu/awards. If you are unable strong work ethic, her deep and abiding departments, schools and colleges that are alcohol and other drugs. Additionally, the to submit your packet before the deadline, commitment to the university, and her keen part of this cross-disciplinary experience. university seeks to provide information on it will be filed for the 2014 award selections. ability to identify and fulfill customer needs The three BXA bachelor’s degree the support available for anyone in need. For For more information, please contact the will be important foundations as she builds a programs offer students the opportunity to more information, questions or comments, Alumni Association at 1-800-226-8258 or program that furthers the university’s mission combine fine arts and other areas of study call 412-268-2075. [email protected]. and also solidifies CMU as an employer of for “integrated degrees” that are increasingly The Alumni Association also is seeking choice,” wrote Dianne Kenney, associate popular — not only among students, but Six Faculty Named Fellows nominations for new board members for vice president for Human Resources, and also among companies recruiting graduates of Mathematical Society Michael Murphy, vice president for Campus who are both academically and creatively its 2013 class. Five new members will be Lenore Blum, Irene Fonseca, Alan Frieze, Affairs, in an email announcement. accomplished. elected to serve four-year terms beginning David Kinderlehrer, Walter Noll and Dana S. Kenney and Murphy praised Abel for “We’re confident that Stephanie’s leader- July 1, 2013. To view the Alumni Associa- Scott have been selected to the first class of shepherding “profound improvements in the ship will be key to helping the BXA programs tion Board Frequently Asked Questions fellows named by the American Mathematical university’s residential housing throughout continue to flourish and grow,” said Dan and access the AAB Nomination Form, visit Society. A total of 1,119 people representing the campus and community,” and for putting Martin, dean of the College of Fine Arts. http://alumni.cmu.edu/s/1410/alumni/index. more than 600 institutions are in this initial dining “on a path of continuous improve- “We’re seeing more students investigating aspx?sid=1410&gid=1&pgid=375. class. ment.” where a BXA degree can take them, and Questions? Contact Lynn DeFabio The AMS Fellows designation recognizes Stephanie will help them craft a plan.” at [email protected]. The deadline for members who have made outstanding nominations is Nov. 30.

T e n Volunteerism A Part of United Way Army Grant Aims To Improve C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e o n e

45-minute weekly sessions. partnerships with local government, Control of Prosthetic Limbs “We are provided a structured corporations, schools and agencies. workbook, which centers around values According to a 2007 study commis- New Device Could Translate Thoughts and encourages discussion on topics sioned by the United Way of Allegheny of Wounded Soldiers Into Motion such as respect, commitment, careers and County, more than a third of all fifth volunteerism. We can graders in the county n Chriss Swaney help with homework, cannot adequately read, or we can play games and in many of the high Carnegie Mellon’s Christopher T. chemistry have allowed us to make that build teamwork, it’s schools, one in two Bettinger and Krzysztof Matyjaszewski smarter, more durable materials. We pretty open. The program students drop out. have received $1.6 million for the have been able to create materials also brings in speakers and provides field But it’s not just youth who benefit next four years from the U.S. Army to with great potential in a variety of trips,” Schaller said. “There are usually from United Way agencies. Financially improve the use of prosthetic devices. applications. It’s exciting to see if we can three or four mentor sessions going on struggling families, seniors, young adults “This is very exciting research make something that will help those who in each classroom, as well as the people at risk and more are aided by the many as we work to create devices that can wear prostheses,” Matyjaszewski said. overseeing it. We have support.” health and service organizations that translate neural activity of a patient into The researchers also noted that the Communities in Schools, a United receive assistance. instructions to move robotic limbs or project has broad impact on wounded Way organization, oversees the program Megan Worbs, administrative as- other prosthetic devices,” said Bettinger, warriors by providing amputees with at the school. But the mentor relation- sistant for Equal Opportunity Services an assistant professor in the departments better control of prosthetic limbs. ship goes beyond the classroom. One of at CMU, said that Carnegie Mellon’s of Materials Science and Engineering American soldiers walking combat their mentees was invited to participate United Way site is promoting an and Biomedical Engineering. patrols in Afghanistan have suffered a in a math camp over the summer, and she “Agency of the Week” throughout the One of the researchers key surge of gruesome injuries, losing one invited Gruber and Schaller to visit. campaign, with the idea of informing the challenges is designing brain-machine or both legs. interfaces for long-term reliability “It is imperative that we develop CMU C a m pa i g n C a n A i d H u r r i c a n e V i c t i m s because the signal-to-noise ratio in these pioneering tools and devices to better Hurricane Sandy has affected millions, and millions more are stepping materials typically decays as the body help our wounded warriors recover from up to help. You can, too, through Carnegie Mellon’s 2012 United Way campaign reacts to the implant and tries to ward such traumatic injuries,” Bettinger said. through Dec. 21. off foreign material. united Way Worldwide has created a Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund that is The project, led by Bettinger In related news, the Pittsburgh Tissue being managed by United Way of New York City. You can give directly to the and Matyjaszewski, the J.C. Warner Engineering Initiative (PTEI), of which fund by making your pledge through the CMU campaign using code 11059086. Professor of Natural Sciences at the Carnegie Mellon is a partner, sponsored All contributions, no matter the amount, will help to make a significant impact. Mellon College of Science, along with its annual Run for the Wounded Warrior, Make your pledge today at www.cmu.edu/hr/unitedway/ Kacey Marra, a collaborator at the a 5K/5-Mile Run/Walk on Nov. 3. University Now in its third year, the race “I think it meant a lot to her to have university community of the work that of Pittsburgh, aims to engineer has raised more than $100,000, which us visit and hear about the program, and different nonprofits are involved in. autologous tissues using mechanically benefits the Wounded Warrior Project see a presentation that she had worked on Last year, the university community compliant electrically conducting (WWP) and the National Association with her classmates,” Gruber said. raised $182,000 for United Way and the polymeric materials. on Disability (NOD). The WWP aims to The United Way of Allegheny organizations that United Way supports “The tissue constructs are designed raise awareness of the needs of severely County is committed to helping children in our region. This year’s campaign runs to make stable long-term connections injured service members and provide succeed in school through its Be One In until Dec. 21. between nerves in the peripheral nervous them with unique, direct programs A Million initiative. With opportunities To donate and track the university’s system by mimicking the native tissue and services. The NOD helps service for tutors and mentors, the United Way’s progress, visit www.cmu.edu/hr/united- areas,” Bettinger said. members connect with and sustain goal is to recruit 4,000 volunteers through way. “New techniques in polymer careers.

contributions to the creation, exposition, range of career and learning opportunities the Department of Civil and Environmental new multi-space pay by license plate advancement, communication and use of that Carnegie Mellon can offer them. Each Engineering, has agreed to serve as Interim meters. Visit the Oakland Transportation mathematics. A goal of the program is to activity or presentation will be visited by Vice Provost of Sponsored Programs. Management Association website, create an enlarged class of mathematicians two groups of about 25-30 students for a Reporting to Provost Mark Kamlet, www.otma-pgh.org, to take the survey. recognized by their peers for their repeating 20-minute presentation. The total Dzombak will oversee the Office of Spon- The new system has been installed in contributions to the profession and to time commitment is approximately 1 and sored Programs (OSP) as well as the uni- Oakland, the South Side and North Shore, honor excellence. ½ hours. If you would like more information versity’s research compliance operations. with installation downtown slated in a “The new AMS Fellows Program rec- or would like to be included as a possible In addition he will chair the recently few weeks. For more information, please ognizes some of the most accomplished presenter or volunteer in 2013, please con- established search committee for the next contact Anthony Boule at 412-560-2514 mathematicians — AMS members who tact Alicia Angemeer at adbrown@andrew. director of the OSP. The previous head of or [email protected]. have contributed to our understanding of cmu.edu. the OSP, Susan Burkett, retired last June. deep and important mathematical ques- In 2010, Dzombak became a University Interim Deputy Chief tions, to applications throughout the scien- Send FMS Requests to Professor, the highest academic rank at Financial Officer Appointed tific world, and to educational excellence,” Carnegie Mellon. Among his many internal [email protected] Elizabeth (Liz) A. Milavec has been ap- said Eric M. Friedlander, president of the roles, he serves as the director of the The e-mail address for Facilities pointed interim deputy chief financial officer 30,000-member AMS. Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Management Services has changed and will assume the day-to-day oversight Education and Research, and has been the to [email protected]. Use Fix it for of the department heads in the Finance Associate Dean for Graduate and Faculty Presenters Needed for questions or work order requests. For Division, except for Internal Audit, which, Affairs for CIT and chair of the Faculty Sen- Daughters and Sons To urgent service requests call 412-268-2910. as previously announced, will report directly ate. While serving as interim vice provost, Work Day For more information, contact Kyle Tomer at to the president. Milavec also will continue Dzombak will continue his current duties Staff Council is looking for individuals and 412-268-6332 or [email protected]. with her ongoing responsibilities as control- and activities in the College of Engineering. groups who would like to present or lead ler. Milavec joined CMU in 2004 as director an activity at Take Our Daughters and Dzombak Named Interim of financial reporting and taxation. She City Parking Authority Sons to Work Day on Thursday, April 25, Vice Provost of became controller in 2006. Prior to coming Seeks Your Feedback 2013. This annual program gives staff Sponsored Programs to CMU, Milavec was senior manager at and faculty children between the ages of The Pittsburgh Parking Authority is KPMG. She became a certified public David Dzombak, the Walter J. Blenko Sr. 8 and 15 an opportunity to see the wide interested in your feedback on the accountant in 1994. Professor of Environmental Engineering in

E l e v e n Send in the Bots Hall of Fame, Robots were in the news throughout last month as Research Initiatives, Carnegie Mellon announced the latest inductees New Products Made into the Robot Hall of Fame, helped host the October a Month To RoboBusiness 2012 Leadership Summit, added a new additional undergraduate major and celebrated Remember research and spinoff innovations. pHoTo by TiM Kaulen

Guy Zinman, a project scientist in the Lane Center for Computational Biology, accepts a treat from CoBot as the pumpkin-garbed robot handed out candy for Halloween in the halls of the Gates and Hillman centers. The is a project of Manuela Veloso, professor of computer science, and her research group.

pHoTo courTeSy of boSSa noVa Bossa Nova Robotics, a company founded by Robotics Institute Ph.D. alumnus Sarjoun Skaff, announced that it is producing mObi, the fi rst commercially available robot that uses a unique locomotion technology pioneered by the Robotics Institute’s Ralph Hollis in his Ballbot robot. pHoTo by Ken andreyo Unveiled in 2006, Ballbot remains an active research project. Robotics Ph.D. student Heather Knight and Like Ballbot, mObi has no wheels or legs, but balances and moves atop a her robot, Data, performed a standup comedy large sphere, similar in size to a bowling ball. The robot balances dynamically, routine at the Oct. 23 Robot Hall of Fame induction enabling the robot to be made tall and slim. Its size, about 5 feet tall, combined ceremony at in Pittsburgh. with the ability to move omnidirectionally, makes it particularly suitable for Four robots were chosen for the fi rst time by a popular maneuvering in human environments. vote — Aldebaran Robotics’ NAO humanoid, iRobot’s “MObi is the pre-cursor for the future of personal robots,” said Martin Hitch, PackBot bomb disposal robot, ’ CEO of San Francisco-based Bossa Nova. four-legged BigDog and WALL-E, the fi ctional robot of the namesake Pixar movie. Major addition Students can now opt for an additional undergraduate major in robotics. Students pursuing computer science, engineering or other undergraduate degrees have the option to include an additional major in robotics in addition to its established minor, master’s and Ph.D. programs. Current CMU students interested in the additional major should plan to apply for the program Carnegie by Feb. 1 of their freshman year, though sophomores also are welcome to apply. High school students Mellon and other non-CMU students must fi rst apply and be accepted as undergraduates by Carnegie Mellon roboticists will before applying for the additional major in robotics. For more information, visit Carnegie Mellon’s fi eld two teams Additional Major in Robotics website at http://addlmajor.ri.cmu.edu/. in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotics Challenge, a Carnegie Mellon spinoff competition in which robots Astrobotic Technology Inc. has will perform complex, unveiled a prototype of Polaris, a physically challenging solar-powered robot that will search tasks as they respond to for deposits of water and ice at the pHoTo courTeSy of nrec disaster scenarios in moon’s northern pole. human-engineered William “Red” Whittaker, environments, such Astrobotic CEO and founder of as nuclear power plants. CMU’s Field Robotics Center, said DARPA offi cials announced that it had Polaris is the fi rst rover developed selected “Tartan Rescue Team,” headed by Tony specifi cally for drilling lunar ice. Stentz, director of the National Robotics Engineering It can accommodate a drill to bore Center (NREC) and research professor of robotics, one meter into the lunar surface and and “Team Steel,” led by Christopher Atkeson, can operate in regions characterized professor in the Robotics Institute and Human- by dark, long shadows and a sun Computer Interaction Institute, to receive funding that hugs the horizon. in the competition. A team from a Robotics Institute The robot would launch from spinoff company, RE2 Inc. of Pittsburgh, also was Cape Canaveral atop a SpaceX selected. pHoTo courTeSy of aSTroboTic Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Astrobotic, A rendering of Tartan Rescue Team’s in partnership with CMU, seeks to submission is shown. win the Google Lunar X Prize of more than $20 million.

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