Science2007 Highlights Collaboration, Innovation Among Top Researchers by Megan Grote DDE I

INSIDE National effort mapping distant stars … 4 UPJ president installed, campus marks 80th … 5 PittNewspaper of the University of PittsburghChronicle Volume VIII • Number 27 • October 8, 2007 Science2007 Highlights Collaboration, Innovation Among Top Researchers By Megan Grote DDE I

The University’s seventh-annual expo- /C e k sition of new developments and technologies r m Bu

in science and medicine will showcase col- Ji laboration among researchers from different disciplines. From left: Larry E. Davis, dean of Pitt’s School of Social “Collaborate, Innovate, Transform” is Work; Hidenori Yamatani, associate dean for research the theme of Science2007, to be held Thurs- in the School of Social Work; and Pittsburgh Mayor day and Friday in Alumni Hall. Luke Ravenstahl. The program includes keynote lectures COL LABORATE by three of the nation’s leading scientists plus an internationally known architect Ravenstahl: More Progress acclaimed for his work in environmental design. Science2007 also features 12 spotlight Needed on City Diversity sessions featuring the work of researchers By Jason Togyer from Pitt and Carnegie Mellon University; a new technology showcase; poster sessions The region’s long-term population exploring research done by students, post- decline could be stemmed or reversed by doctoral fellows, and faculty; a symposium encouraging in-migration and making the for early-career science professionals; case I NNOVATE area more hospitable to underrepresented studies involving local scientists working populations, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Raven- in industry; and other events. stahl said Wednesday. More details, including schedules and “Pittsburgh is once again America’s registration information, can be found at most livable city, but to continue to make www.science2007.pitt.edu. progress, we must become a more partner- In addition, some of the latest labora- ship-oriented and diverse city,” he said. tory equipment and supplies used in cur- “Strong, vital cities have diverse popula- rent research will be featured at the Life tions as a rich resource.” Sciences Supplier Show from 10 a.m. to Ravenstahl spoke to more than 100 3 p.m. Wednesday. The trade show is being people, including members of the general organized by the University’s Supplier Man- public and the University community, at agement Department. More than 40 vendors TRANSFORM a lecture sponsored by the Center on Race are expected to participate in the event on and Social Problems (CRSP) in the Char- the concourse level of the Petersen Events ity Randall Theatre of the Stephen Foster Center. In addition to product exhibits, sev- Memorial. eral special presentations are planned. The mayor’s remarks were part of the Science2007’s theme of collaboration, center’s Speaker Series, now entering its innovation, and transformation “reflects SCIENCE2007 fourth year, said Larry Davis, CRSP direc- a distinct characteristic of contemporary tor and dean of the School of Social Work. science in which Pitt particularly excels— THURSDAY, 11 OCTOBER Davis invited Ravenstahl to speak collaboration among researchers from a after learning about the mayor’s initiative diversity of highly specialized fields— to increase diversity in city hiring. It was and their ability to capitalize on rapidly + FRIDAY, 12 OCTOBER the second visit to the Oakland campus in emerging findings to translate scientific less than two weeks by Ravenstahl, who is discoveries into innovations in patient care, seeking election in November to complete new product development, and new scien- the term of late Pittsburgh Mayor Bob tific tools and technologies,” said Arthur colleges and universities; physicians and faculty since 1997 and director of the O’Connor. On Sept. 18, Ravenstahl spoke S. Levine, senior vice chancellor for the other health professionals; representatives Department of Molecular Biology and with students at William Pitt Union at a health sciences and dean of the School of of the region’s pharmaceutical companies Genetics since 2003. She is a member of forum for young voters. Medicine at Pitt. and biotech firms; and leaders of economic- the National Academy of Sciences and His CRSP speech came one day after James V. Maher, Pitt provost and development agencies and philanthropic the Academy of Arts and Sciences and a three-and-a-half hour summit on racial senior vice chancellor, said Science2007 foundations. In addition, many secondary received the National Academy’s Richard equality at the Regional Enterprise Tower, showcases the Pittsburgh region’s academic school science teachers, information- Lounsberry Award in April 2003. Downtown, where Ravenstahl and Allegh- strengths in science, engineering, medicine, technology experts, and representatives of A graduate of the University of Cali- eny Chief Executive Dan Onorato were told and computation. “Not only do we celebrate law firms and venture-capital companies fornia at Santa Barbara, Greider holds a by community leaders and educators— the University of Pittsburgh’s role as a scien- are expected to attend. doctorate in molecular biology from the including John M. Wallace Jr., Pitt professor tific leader and the achievements of so many Those invited to give the plenary lec- University of California at Berkeley and of social work, and Ralph Bangs, associate investigators in academic and industrial tures are among the most highly respected began her postgraduate training in 1988 director of CRSP—that Pittsburgh is heav- settings throughout the community, but this scientists in their fields. They are engaged at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on ily segregated along racial lines. A CRSP event also highlights the collective impact in groundbreaking research on a variety of Long Island. study completed in June under Davis’ of their work on economic development topics—from new developments in genetics Her research focuses on telomerase, leadership revealed that African Ameri- and the tremendous promise that scientific and immunology to architecture and global an enzyme that maintains chromosome cans lag behind Whites and Hispanics in collaboration and innovation hold for the warming. ends and controls their length and integrity. employment, annual income, and rates of continued transformation of the entire Descriptions of the presentations and Telomerase is essential for cells that divide home ownership. region,” he said. presenters follow. indefinitely. Understanding this enzyme “We need to talk about this openly and Maher and other University leaders Dickson Prize in Medicine Lec- holds tremendous implications for the honestly,” Ravenstahl said, “and we have to said unique scientific research being done ture: “Telomerase and the Consequences growth of stem cells and cancer cells. show that we’re willing to do so at the top.” in Pittsburgh has the potential to drive the of Telomere Dysfunction,” by Carol W. The Dickson Prize is the most presti- Since taking office in September 2006, he development of innovative treatments for Greider, Daniel Nathans Professor of gious honor awarded by the University of said, his administration has tried to make disease, alternative energy sources, and Molecular Biology and Genetics, director Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Established the city’s leadership “more reflective” of its instrumentation that allows exploration of of the Department of Molecular Biology in 1969 by the estates of Joseph Z. Dickson population; in the past year, 53 percent of the cellular and molecular structures at sub- and Genetics, and professor of oncology and his wife, Agnes Fischer Dickson, it vacancies on city authorities, commissions, microscopic levels. in the Johns Hopkins University School of includes a bronze medal and $50,000 cash and boards were filled by women, while 32 All Science2007 events are free and Medicine (11 a.m. Thursday). award. percent were filled by African Americans. open to the public, but the work being Greider, winner of the 2006 Albert Mellon Lecture: “Lineage Commit- celebrated is of particular interest to fac- Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, ulty, students, and researchers from local has been a member of the Johns Hopkins Continued on Page 6 Continued on Page 6 2 • Pitt Chronicle • October 8, 2007 CRSP Lecture Will Examine Racial Profiling of Consumers By Sharon S. Blake

Black consumers face discrimination Crime and Justice: Laying the Foundations and hostility while simply shopping for basic of Sociological Criminology (Ashgate, necessities, according to a noted criminolo- 2007). BrieflyNoted Gabbidon earned his master’s degree “Big Ben” Named A contributor to Popular Communica- gist and author. tions magazine, he recently completed a Shaun Gabbidon, professor of criminal in criminal justice at the University of Bal- Honorary Member of justice at Penn State University, calls it timore and his doctorate in criminology at Swiss Room Committee book on the history of the Pennsylvania- based G.C. Murphy Co. variety store “shopping under suspicion.” Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He has served as a fellow at Harvard University’s On May 8, 2006—fresh from Gabbidon will deliver his findings in a chain. The book is scheduled for lecture from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow W. E. B. DuBois Institute for African and a Super Bowl victory and with his publication by Penn State University in Pitt’s Center on Race and Social Problems African American Research. family in tow—Steelers’ powerhouse Press in fall 2008. (CRSP), 2017 Cathedral of Learning. CRSP In 2005, the American Society of “Big Ben” Roethlisberger went abroad Togyer is a member of the Society is part of the School of Social Work. Criminology’s Division on People of Color to explore the Roethlisberger family’s of Professional Journalists. The talk, titled “Shopping Under and Crime presented him with its highest Swiss heritage. Research revealed that the Togyer succeeds Bruce Steele, who Suspicion: Consumer Racial Profiling and award, the Coramae R. Mann Award, for Roethlisberger family had emigrated from the Ben Roethlisberger served as the Pitt Chronicle editor since October Perceived Victimization,” is free and open contributions to the study of race, crime, cheese-producing Emmental village of Geissbühl 2004 and has assumed the new position of to the public and registration is not required. and justice. in Switzerland’s Canton Bern four generations ago. senior Web content editor for UMC. Lunch will be provided at the event, which For more information about the lecture, call CRSP at 412-624-7382. Roethlisberger went to Switzerland as spokesperson for —Linda K. Schmitmeyer is part of the Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney Swiss Roots, a campaign with the slogan “How Swiss 2007 Speaker Series. “For good reason, over the past decade, Are You?” intended to help Americans of Swiss origin social science researchers, police agen- COMMUNITY HONORS reconnect with the Old Country. Drue Heinz Prize Winner, Judge cies, politicians, funding agencies, and Now Roethlisberger has agreed to serve as an To Read at Writers Series citizens have centered their attention on honorary member of the University of Pittsburgh’s Swiss racial profiling that occurs in automobiles Nationality Room Committee, Heinz W. Kunz, chair of The 2007 winner of the Drue Heinz Literature Prize and during traffic stops,” Gabbidon said. the Swiss Nationality Room Committee and honorary and one of the judges in that contest will give an evening “Unfortunately, this focus has left many consul of Switzerland in Pittsburgh, has announced. reading together as part of Pitt’s Contemporary Writers unaware of another setting in which racial “His endorsements of our efforts will go a long Series. profiling is also likely to occur—retail way toward making the Swiss Nationality Room a The reading by prizewinner Kirk Nesset and judge establishments.” reality,” said Kunz, who believes that Roethlisberger’s Hilary Masters will begin at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in the Frick His presentation will argue for a Fine Arts Auditorium. paradigm shift in racial profiling research star power will be great enough to bolster support from and offer suggestions for how people who the community. Nesset has written two books of short stories, have experienced such profiling should DDE “Most of the countries in Europe are currently the Drue Heinz-winning Paradise Road (University of I

respond. ki/C represented by rooms, but Switzerland is a glaring Pittsburgh Press, 2007) and Mr. Agreeable (Mammoth Prior to his appointment at Penn State, omission, given the impact made by individuals of Swiss Press, 2006). He also has published a nonfiction study, Gabbidon served as an adjunct assistant pro- oe Kapelews origin in Pittsburgh and across the United States,” Kunz The Stories of Raymond Carver (Ohio University Press, fessor of criminal justice at the University of J added. 1995), and more than 200 stories, poems, and essays Baltimore and assistant professor of crimi- Pitt Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Robert Hill The committee hopes to make “Big Ben” as in such journals as the Pushcart Prize Anthology, The Paris nal justice at Coppin State University. accepts a Lottie P. Edwards Community Service closely identified in the popular mind with Switzerland Review, and Ploughshares. His latest book, to be published by Sage Award from Mount Ararat Community Activity Center as with the number 7. Nesset earned a BA degree in English at the Univer- Publications in spring 2008, is titled Race, Ethnicity, Crime, and Justice: An Interna- Inc. at the group’s ninth-annual Recognition Celebra- Along with Roethlisberger, the committee has sity of California at Santa Cruz. He later received MA and tional Dilemma. tion. The event was held Sept. 20 at the Pittsburgh named Ambassador Raymond Loretan, former consul PhD degrees in English from the University of California His other recent books include Crimi- Center for the Arts, located in the city’s Shadyside general of Switzerland in New York City, as an honor- at Santa Barbara. He is an associate professor of English nological Perspectives on Race and Crime neighborhood. ary member. Other members of the new committee and creative writing at Allegheny College in Meadville, (Routledge, 2007) and W.E.B. Du Bois on Others honored with Edwards Awards included include Frederick H. Carlson, vice-chair; Walter Schaller, Pa., and serves regularly as a Writer-in-Residence at the Urban League of Pittsburgh President and CEO Esther treasurer; and seven auxiliary members. Chautauqua Writer’s Conference in New York. L. Bush, KDKA-TV reporter Harold Hayes(CAS ’75), and The Nationality Classrooms are gifts to the Masters’ first published work appeared in The Quar- Highmark Foundation President Yvonne Cook(CGS ’91). University of Pittsburgh’s ethnic groups to preserve their terly Review of Literature in 1963, and he has authored Master of Ceremonies was George L. Miles Jr., presi- heritages. Each of the existing 26 rooms, built between numerous works published in both the United States and Chronicling An ongoing series highlighting dent and CEO of WQED Multimedia and a member 1938 and 2000, are designed in an architectural style Ireland. He is a professor of English and creative writing University of Pittsburgh history of the University’s board of trustees. indicative of the country for which it is named. The at Carnegie Mellon University, where he has been a Founded in 1990, the Mount Ararat center is a committee has accepted the drawings of Swiss architect faculty member for more than 20 years. The Drue Heinz nonprofit corporation that partners with community Justin Rüssli, who is credited with the design of the Literature Prize is awarded annually to a writer of short and church groups to offer educational and mentor- Swiss Ambassador’s new residence in Washington, D.C. fiction. It includes a cash award of $15,000 and publica- ing programs for children and young adults, along His plans for the classroom include a traditional Swiss tion of the writers’ work by the University of Pittsburgh with a food bank, a recreational and social network ceramic oven with other 16th-century Zurich features. Press. for senior citizens, and a computer and robotics

The Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series is ves For more information, contact Heinz W. Kunz at i training program. 412-967-9123 or [email protected]. cosponsored by Pitt’s Book Center, the Women’s Studies rch ty A — Patricia Lomando White Program, and the University of Pittsburgh Press. All i vers events in the series are free and open to the public. i Un —Anthony Moore Oct. 13, 1871—The Pittsburgh Daily Commercial New Pitt Chronicle Editor Named publishes a feature on improvements at the PittNewspaper ofChronicle the University of Pittsburgh Jason Togyer has been named editor of the Pitt Allegheny Observatory and on research work by UN Official Slates Law School Pitt Professor Samuel P. Langley, director of the Chronicle, effective Oct. 1. PUBLISHER Robert Hill Lecture on International Justice observatory from 1867 to 1890. Before joining Pitt’s official weekly newspaper, ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER John Harvith As historian Robert C. Alberts wrote in Pitt: The Togyer served as the University’s Web editor. He joined Larry D. Johnson, assistant secretary-general for EXECUTIVE EDITOR Linda K. Schmitmeyer University Marketing Communications (UMC) in 2004 legal affairs in the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs, Story of the University of Pittsburgh, 1787-1987, “Lan- EDITOR Jason Togyer to oversee and develop content for the University’s will deliver a lecture at noon Oct. 18 in the Alcoa Room at gley had begun a program of measuring distances ART DIRECTOR Gary Cravener institutional Web sites, including its home page. He also the Barco Law Building. to and between the nearby stars that was bringing STAFF WRITERS Sharon S. Blake was associate editor of Pitt Magazine, where he won a The free public lecture, presented by the School international recognition and honors to himself, the John Fedele national award for feature writing, and senior editor of of Law’s Center for International Legal Education (CILE), observatory, and the University.” Morgan Kelly Pitt Med Magazine. is titled “Advancing International Justice: The Varieties Named assistant secretary to the Smithsonian Amanda Leff in 1887, Langley for three years would divide his Anthony Moore Prior to coming to the University in September of UN-sponsored Criminal Tribunals.” Continuing Legal Patricia Lomando White 2001, Togyer was a reporter for the Tribune-Review in Education (CLE) credit is available through CILE. time between Pitt and Washington, where he was to CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Clare Collins Pittsburgh and Greensburg, the McKeesport Daily News, In his position since May 2006, Johnson is respon- become famous in 1896 for carrying out successful Megan Grote and the Washington, Pa., Observer-Reporter. sible for assisting the legal counsel in the overall direction flights with unmanned steam-powered planes and He graduated with University Honors from Carn- and management of the Office of Legal Affairs and in thus pave the way for the Wright brothers. egie Mellon University, where he received a Bachelor of coordinating legal advice and services to the United The Pitt Chronicle is published throughout the year by Arts degree in professional writing. He also is a member Nations as a whole. University News and Magazines, University of Pittsburgh, 400 Craig Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, of the Phi Beta Kappa National Honorary Fraternity. At Prior to joining the office, Johnson was a professor Phone: 412-624-1033, Fax: 412-624-4895, Carnegie Mellon, he assisted with the publication of of global affairs in New York University’s Center for E-mail: [email protected] Carnegie Mellon: A Centennial History (Carnegie Mellon Global Affairs and a visiting professor of international Web: www.chronicle.pitt.edu University Press, 2000), and did much of the research law in the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal and writing for Chapter 8, “The Mellons: Five Genera- University. opportunity institution that does not discriminate upon any tions of Family Giving.” — Patricia Lomando White basis prohibited by law. October 8, 2007 • University of Pittsburgh • 3 GSPH Professor Named President-Elect Of American College of Epidemiology By Megan Grote

Roberta B. Ness, professor and chair and to address their professional concerns. of the Department of Epidemiology in the ACE sponsors scientific meetings, publica- Graduate School of Public Health, was tions, and educational activities and serves named president-elect of the American as an advocate for issues important to epi- College of Epidemiology (ACE) at the orga- demiology. nization’s 2007 annual meeting last month Ness received her medical degree from in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Cornell University and her public health “It is an honor and privilege to be master’s degree from Columbia University. chosen president-elect of the college,” Her 1999 book Health and Disease Among Ness said. “This is an organization with Women (Oxford University Press) is con- a great history that has represented the sidered to be among the first to propose a finest of epidemiology for the last quarter research paradigm of “gender-based biol- century.” ogy.” Ness—who also serves as a profes- Author of more than 200 peer-re- sor of epidemiology, medicine, and viewed publications and more than obstetrics and gynecology in the 20 federally funded grants, Ness School of Medicine—has been has explored the epidemiology a member of the ACE board of hormonal cancers; adverse COMMUNITY HONORS of directors since 2004 and pregnancy and prenatal currently serves as chair of outcomes; links between its policy committee. reproductive history and The ACE gathering was cardiovascular disease; and the organization’s 25th annual sexually transmitted bacte- meeting. In addition to the orga- rial infections. nization’s workshops, presenta- Recently, she became the tions, and regular business, special founding chair of the Joint Policy events honored past presidents and Roberta B. Ness Committee, Societies of Epidemiol- achievements in epidemiology since ogy—the first organization created the organization was founded in 1979. especially to coordinate policies among 14 As president-elect, Ness said she will epidemiology societies. continue to focus on issues affecting epide- An associate editor of the American miology research across the United States, Journal of Epidemiology, Ness also is on the including federal Health Insurance Porta- editorial boards of Annals of Epidemiology bility and Accountability Act (HIPAA) pri- and the World Health Organization’s Sexu- vacy rule regulations; conflicts of interest ally Transmitted Disease Bulletin. She is a between researchers and industry sponsor- fellow of both the ACE and the American ships; and the National Institutes of Health College of Physicians and a member of the review process for clinical research. prestigious American Society for Clini- Epidemiology—the study of the spread cal Investigation, Delta Omega Honorary of diseases among groups and popula- Society in Public Health, and the American tions—has matured into a field of its own Epidemiologic Society (AES). Ness will host over the past 30 years, ACE officials said, the annual meeting of the AES in 2008. and the last two decades have been marked Her other honors include a leadership by significant increases in the number of award from the Family Health Council and individuals who choose epidemiology as a Laureate Award from the American Col- a career or who enter epidemiology from lege of Physicians. A frequent advisor to the disciplines such as medicine, statistics, National Institutes of Health, the Centers sociology, genetics, and biology. for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Classic Play Strikes Modern Chords The American College of Epidemiol- U.S. Department of Defense, she has partici- By Sharon Blake ogy was created to develop criteria for pated in four Institute of Medicine/National professional recognition of epidemiologists Academies reports in the past two years. It’s a tale that could have been captured to swindle menfolk into military service by the hidden cameras of a TV newsmaga- and womenfolk into service of a different zine: Slick-talking recruiting officers des- sort. Considered a comic masterpiece, the perate to meet their quotas are swindling play provides all of the familiar Restoration poor country kids into joining the military. gags—cross-dressing disguises, foppish But this story is more than 300 years old. aristocrats, country bumpkins, and mixed-up The Univer- messages—but its rel- CHANCELLOR’S sity of Pittsburgh evance spans centu- DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE Repertory The- ries of recruiting offi- atre’s revival of The The University of Pittsburgh cers employing silver- Recruiting Officer tongued salesmanship AWARD 2008 by George Farquhar Repertory Theatre’s revival and empty promises to opens Wednesday of The Recruiting Officer lure the lower classes ominations are being solicited for this University-wide award that and runs through into joining up. Oct. 21 at the Henry by George Farquhar opens Though Farquhar recognizes outstanding public service contributions by members of the Heymann Theatre in wanted to expose the University of Pittsburgh faculty. Any full-time faculty member who has the Stephen Foster Wednesday and runs through abuses of these offi- served for at least three years at the University of Pittsburgh is eligible Memorial. cers, writers of the Nto be nominated for this award. Up to five awardees may be chosen. Public The Recruiting Oct. 21 at the Henry Heymann 1700s had to temper service is broadly defined as the use of University and academic resources to Officer is set in Eng- Theatre in the Stephen Foster their satire. Instead address social problems and to improve the general welfare of humankind. It land during the era of acting as a “whis- is considered a serious academic activity that provides public or community of King William III, Memorial. tleblower,” Farquhar benefit, is related to a faculty member’s academic expertise, is different from who reigned from cited abuses matter- and goes beyond traditional duties of a faculty member, and is conducted 1689 to 1702. With of-factly; contempo- outside the University. Each award consists of a cash prize of $2,000 to the the nation embroiled rary audiences were in war with France and faced with rebellions expected to read between the lines. faculty member and a grant of $3,000 to support the faculty member’s public in Ireland and Scotland, military service The production’s ensemble features service activities. was compulsory, and officers scoured the local actress Elena Alexandratos, a teaching The deadline for receipt of nomination letters is Monday, October 22, countryside in search of new recruits. artist in Pitt’s Department of Theatre Arts, 2007; letters should be sent to Dr. Andrew R. Blair, Office of the Provost, 826 “The Recruiting Officer pokes light- as well as student actors. Cathedral of Learning. hearted fun at the class system and at the Performances are Tuesdays through Additional details on this and other Chancellor’s Distinguished Awards military’s voracious cunning in recruitment Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. may be accessed at www.provost.pitt.edu/information-on/guidelines.html (go of the poor,” said director Holly Thuma, The Oct. 14 matinee includes a question-and- to “Award Nomination Guidelines”). a Pitt teaching artist. She said the revival answer session with the actors after the show. stays faithful to Farquhar’s comedic values Ticket prices are $22 for general admission; while exploring the play’s contemporary $19 for Pitt faculty, staff, alumni, and senior implications. citizens; and $12 for Pitt students. The play tells the story of Captain For additional information, contact Plume and his clever sidekick, Sergeant Sloan MacRae at 412-624-0933 or sloanm@ Kite, who breeze into a provincial town pitt.edu. 4 • Pitt Chronicle • October 8, 2007

Genomics Course Gives Freshmen Hands-on Science&Technology Research Experience Pilot program created at Pitt goes Massive Mapping Project Reveals Age, nationwide next year A national network of scientists and educators is developing new methods and materials for teaching science—and Relative Location of Distant Galaxies a pilot course has already been rolled out at the University of Pittsburgh. Pitt researcher part of core group behind survey of 10 billion years of galactic development The Howard Hughes Medical Insti- tute (HHMI) on Oct. 2 announced the By Morgan Kelly creation of the Science Education Alli- ance (SEA). It will be based at HHMI’s Color images documenting the past Janelia Farm Research Campus in Vir- 10 billion years of galactic evolution ginia. were distributed online last week. One of the new programs that will be It’s the first public release of data distributed nationally next year through from a massive project to map a distant SEA was created at Pitt by Graham F. region of the universe. Nearly 100 Hatfull, the Eberly Family Professor researchers are involved from institu- and chair of biological sciences in Pitt’s tions around the world, including the School of Arts and Sciences. University of Pittsburgh. First-year Pitt students in the two- The survey focused on the Extended semester pilot course work at isolating Groth Strip, an area the width of four and characterizing previously unknown full moons near the “handle” of the Big bacteriophages—viruses that infect Dipper constellation. bacteria. Researchers in the All-wavelength Bacteriophages were chosen for Extended Groth Strip International student research because they are plenti- Survey (AEGIS) examined that region ful, highly diverse, and easily isolated using all available wavelengths of directly from nature, HHMI officials the electromagnetic spectrum—from said. They also have relatively simple and X-rays to ultraviolet, visible, infrared, small genomes. and radio waves. Students first isolate their own bac- Four color images from four dif- teriophages, then clone and sequence ferent satellite telescopes, as well as the DNA. numerous tables describing the proper- “This is one example of the kind ties of and distances to tens of thousands of innovative curricula and teaching of galaxies, are now available on both methods that the SEA will disseminate,” the AEGIS Web site and Google Sky, a said Tuajuanda C. Jordan, HHMI senior downloadable program from the devel- program officer and director of the SEA. opers of the Google search engine that Jordan was formerly associate vice allows home computer users to explore president of academic affairs at Xavier these distant galaxies up close and in University of Louisiana. sharp detail. The SEA initiative is a new direc- Pitt physics and astronomy profes- tion for HHMI, which for two decades sor Jeffrey Newman is a key member has funded science education programs of the AEGIS project’s Deep Extraga- run by faculty and teachers at institutions lactic Evolutionary Probe team, known across the United States. as “DEEP2.” That team measured the The genomics course builds on the amount of light we see on Earth of each work of two HHMI professors—Hatfull given color for 50,000 galaxies, includ- and Sarah C.R. Elgin at Washington Uni- ing 14,000 galaxies in the Extended versity in St. Louis—as well as the efforts Groth Strip. of Brad Goodner, HHMI undergraduate These spectra tie together all of the program director at Hiram College in AEGIS datasets by allowing the team to Ohio, and A. Malcolm Campbell, director determine each galaxy’s distance from of the HHMI-supported Genome Con- Earth. Once the distance is known, sortium for Active Teaching at Davidson astronomers know how far back in time College in North Carolina. light left a galaxy and, thus, its age. The All four are serving as scientific most distant galaxies in the survey are advisors to the SEA. up to 9 billion light-years away. brightness provides a measure of the rate at data release also was featured last week on The research-based laboratory Newman worked directly with which each galaxy is forming stars. Galax- the Google Earth Gallery at earth.google. course provides beginning college stu- Google’s Pittsburgh office to convert ies that contain few “young” stars or are com/gallery. To use the Sky feature, users dents with a true research experience and, data from AEGIS into color images for obscured by dust or intergalactic gas will must have the most recent version (4.2) of it is hoped, will solidify their interest in Google Sky and then share the informa- appear redder in the GALEX image. Google Earth installed. a science career, Jordan said. “We are tion with the general public. Google Sky The brightness of galaxies in the third Future AEGIS data releases will feature trying to catch students early—before users can view and explore the Groth image, taken with an infrared camera on images taken with other wavelengths such they have a chance to become bored or Strip in ultraviolet, visible, infrared, NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope, is closely as radio waves, Newman said, and a master overwhelmed,” she said. or X-ray light, or combine the perspec- related to the total amount of stars they catalog is being prepared that combines After sequencing is complete, stu- tives. “Each wavelength provides unique have formed. The colors of a galaxy as seen information from all of AEGIS’s many dents will finish, annotate, and compare information about the characteristics of through infrared eyes reveal information views of the sky. As future images are pre- the genomes of their bacteriophages distant galaxies,” Newman said. on both its contents (stars and dust) and its pared, they and the growing data catalogs against genomes sequenced by other Newman also worked on the team distance from Earth. will be linked through Google Sky. students in the SEA national network. that created the most detailed of the four- The fourth image, produced with data The AEGIS teams that contributed Faculty will be expected to publish or color images being released, a visible- from NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory, images and data for this release include the present research findings from the project light mosaic of 63 separate snapshots reveals the highly energetic X-ray radiation DEEP2 team led by Marc Davis of the Uni- and deposit final phage sequence infor- from the Hubble Space Telescope. produced when gas spirals into a massive versity of California at Berkeley and Sandra mation into public databases. It is the largest unbroken color black hole like those believed to lie at the Faber at the University of California at Santa “The outcome of their studies could mosaic ever made with Hubble images center of almost every galaxy. Many of the Cruz; the Hubble team, also led by Davis; shed light on various scientifically rel- and provides images of approximately X-ray-emitting objects lie buried within the Chandra team led by Kirpal Nandra evant issues, including virus-host interac- 50,000 faraway galaxies, including rela- otherwise normal-looking galaxies. In the of Imperial College, London; the Spitzer tions and microbial gene transfer,” said tively young galaxies just taking on their X-ray images, the bluest objects are the team led by Giovanni Fazio of the Harvard- Peter J. Bruns, HHMI vice president for mature forms, Newman said. ones most obscured by gas within their host Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; and grants and science education. AEGIS’ second image shows the galaxies. the GALEX team led by Chris Martin of the Based on the pilot-course experi- same galaxies through the ultraviolet More information about the survey, California Institute of Technology. ence, Jordan and her collaborators will eyes of NASA’s Galaxy Evolution results to date, and additional images and The National Science Foundation and develop a resource guide for the course Explorer (GALEX). Young stars produce data can be downloaded from the AEGIS NASA provided funding for the AEGIS and design a faculty training workshop ultraviolet light in abundance; GALEX Web site at aegis.ucolick.org. The AEGIS collaboration. to be held during summer 2008. October 8, 2007 • University of Pittsburgh • 5 UPJ’s Spectar Calls for Global, Local Balance New president’s installation caps campus’ 80th anniversary celebration ohnstown Above: The UPJ Choir performs under the direction of Jeff Webb, UPJ professor hotography of J of music and director of choral activi- rns P ties. At left, Nobel Peace Prize-winner

rtesy Bu Desmond Tutu congratulates Spectar u via videotape. ll photos co A

extracurricular activities, and upgrading UPJ’s facilities after benchmarking them against peer institutions. Befitting Spectar’s global vision, congratulatory messages were received from college and university presidents and world From left: Jem Spectar, newly installed president of UPJ; Pitt Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor James V. Maher; and Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg. leaders, including former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Liberian President Ellen John- By Jason Togyer son Sirleaf, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu. The University of Pittsburgh at John- Tutu, the Anglican archbishop emeri- stown combines the academic and research tus of Cape Town, South Africa, who was strengths of its parent institution with a leader of that nation’s struggle against the resiliency of its host community, the apartheid, delivered his congratulations to campus’ newly installed president said Spectar in a videotaped speech shown to the Sept. 28. audience. “One of the most valuable exports “We believe the University and the city from Africa are her people,” he said. “You are yoked together, their joint and several will find them in universities across the fortunes rising with the tides, their harvest globe where they are making a distinguished a shared bounty of hopes and dreams ful- contribution to academia.” filled,” said Jem Spectar during his inau- After congratulating UPJ on its 80th gural address at Pasquerilla Performing anniversary, Tutu predicted that students Arts Center. under Spectar’s guidance “will make a Spectar, whose previous academic posts substantial and positive difference to the have included provost of Western Oregon world.” University and associate provost of aca- When it was founded in 1927, Pitt’s demic affairs at the University of Scranton, “Johnstown Junior College” occupied a became Pitt-Johnstown’s fifth president on few rooms in the west wing of Johnstown July 1. His formal installation before faculty, Senior High School. In 1946, the University students, alumni, and invited guests was the of Pittsburgh at Johnstown moved to its highlight of a weeklong celebration of the Many floats and students participated in the Homecoming parade Sept. 29. first permanent home at the former Cypress campus’ 80th anniversary. Avenue Elementary School (students nick- Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg of Maryland Law School, and an MA degree will be living in an exponentially altered named it “the asphalt campus” because of joined Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor in politics and a PhD in political science world tomorrow,” Spectar said. UPJ gradu- the lack of traditional “ivy-covered” college James V. Maher, E. Jeanne Gleason of the from Claremont Graduate University in ates must be “globally literate and inter- buildings). It remained there until relocating University’s board of trustees, and other California. culturally competent,” he said, adding that to its present 635-acre campus in suburban academic leaders Spectar is a widely the campus’ “scholars, learners, and leaders” Richland Township in 1967. at the inauguration. published scholar in the are “duty-bound” to create what he called Today, Pitt-Johnstown is the larg- Nordenberg called Befitting Spectar’s global fields of international a “more distinctive interdisciplinary com- est employer in Cambria County. A fully Spectar a “man of the law, jurisprudence, legal munity of inquiry” in Johnstown. accredited institution granting a wide range world” with a “locally vision, congratulatory research, and the politics of “We will purposefully and actively con- of four-year degrees, UPJ has 2,700 full-time focused” leadership HIV/AIDS education and nect traditional arts and sciences education students, 450 part-time students, 70 student style. messages were received treatment in Africa. While to the unfolding exigencies of a changing organizations, 143 faculty members, and “Our new presi- teaching at the University world, beginning with our city, our com- 17,000 alumni. dent is a person who is from college and univer- of La Verne’s College of munity, and beyond,” Spectar said. The anniversary celebration coincided committed to ensur- Law, he was named Profes- This global focus, he said, must be with UPJ’s Homecoming, which included ing that this campus sity presidents and world sor of the Year in 1995 and balanced with improvements to UPJ’s the traditional parade and crowning of the realizes its even received the Professor of infrastructure and a renewed effort to con- Homecoming queen. Special events to mark greater potential,” leaders, including former Distinction award in 1998. nect the campus to the Johnstown region. the 80th anniversary included the unveiling Nordenberg said. I n h i s i n a u g u r a l Pitt-Johnstown is a “robust catalyst” for eco- of the “Memory Lane” historical exhibit in A native of Cam- U.S. President Bill Clinton, address, Spectar laid out nomic development that can help strengthen the Student Union, a community picnic in eroon, West Africa, Liberian President Ellen his vision for what he called central Pennsylvania by filling the need for Johnstown’s Central Park, and luncheons for Spectar holds a BA a “New Dimension of qualified professionals in health care, edu- business leaders, retired faculty and staff, degree in interna- Johnson Sirleaf, and Excellence” that will keep cation, science, technology, and business, and alumni. tional studies from Pitt-Johnstown competitive Spectar said. On Sept. 30, five alumni were inaugu- the University of La Nobel Peace Prize winner in the global economy and “We will foster a service-oriented rated into UPJ’s new Athletics Hall of Fame Verne in California, ensure that graduating stu- ethos where concern for the fundamental at the Living/Learning Center. The 2007 an MBA degree from Desmond Tutu. dents are equipped to meet long-term interests of students—and best hall-of-famers are Lisa Britt ’80, women’s Frostburg State Uni- worldwide challenges such practices—are paramount,” he said, adding basketball; Sean Isgan ’82, wrestling; Carl versity in Maryland, as pandemics, terrorism, that among his goals are increased support Sax ’58, men’s basketball; Edward Sherlock an MA degree from George Washington and climate change. for job placement, “more effective” fresh- ’61, men’s basketball and athletic director; University, a JD degree from the University “Our young men and women today man advising, improved residential and and James Wilkes ’54, men’s basketball. 6 • Pitt Chronicle • October 8, 2007

INDABA Science2007 Highlights Collaboration, Innovation Newly inducted Black Action Society (BAS) President Sheila Isong (left) and Continued from Page 1 guest speaker Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Civil Rights leader Malcolm X, pose for ment in the Immune System,” by Laurie H. construction. Author of numerous technical Glimcher, Irene Heinz Given Professor of a picture after the annual BAS Indaba papers and The Passive Solar Energy Book Immunology at the Harvard School of Public (Rodale Press), Mazria has taught archi- ceremony Sept. 16. During the ceremony, Health and professor of med- tecture at the University of Shabazz delivered the keynote address icine in Harvard Medical New Mexico, University of and the 2007-08 BAS Steering Commit- School (4 p.m. Friday). Oregon, University of Colo- tee members were sworn in. After the A 1972 graduate of Har- rado at Denver, University ceremony, Shabazz signed copies of her vard University, Glimcher of California at Los Ange- book, Growing Up X (Ballatine Publishers, earned her MD at Harvard les, and the University of 2002). BAS hosted a joint cookout the fol- Medical School in 1976 Nebraska at Lincoln. lowing day with the Pitt student organiza- and has become one of the Symposium Sessions: tion FOCUS, Facilitating Opportunities and nation’s leading experts in In addition to the plenary immunology. lectures, 12 symposium

Climate for Underrepresented Students, to ety i Her work explores the sessions will feature the introduce to incoming freshmen programs oc molecular pathways that Carol W. Greider research of Pitt and Car- on S i

that were geared toward African American ct regulate the development of negie Mellon faculty. The students. k A lac T helper cells in the immune Science2007 schedule also B system and govern the behav- includes “Science at Work” ior of the human body’s sessions on leveraging uni- natural defenses. Examining versity research into market- this behavior is crucial to able products, the Pittsburgh INTERCULTURAL HOUSE OPEN HOUSE understanding autoimmune Life Sciences Greenhouse, diseases. the “anatomy of a licensing Klaus Hofmann Lec- transaction,” and how it’s ture: “Modeling Human “getting easier to be green.” Disease in the Mouse: From Laurie H. Glimcher The complete schedule of Cancer to Neuropsychiatric these sessions can be found at Disorders,” by Mario R. the Science2007 Web site. Capecchi, distinguished pro- Technology Showcase: fessor of human genetics and The Science2007 Technol- biology and Howard Hughes ogy Showcase, a special Medical Institute investiga- display of new technologies tor at the University of Utah recently developed by Pitt (11 a.m. Friday). researchers, will be held in A native of Verona, conjunction with the open- Italy, Capecchi received his ing night reception at 5 p.m. BS degree from Antioch Thursday in the lower lounge College in 1961 and his PhD Mario R. Capecchi of the William Pitt Union. degree in biophysics from The showcase, organized by Harvard University in 1967. Pitt’s Office of Enterprise DDE I

/C His thesis was completed Development and Office of ent under the guidance of James Technology Management, ane B D. Watson, one of the co- features technologies now ary J

M discoverers of the structure available for licensing. of DNA. Capecchi joined Poster Sessions: Stu- InterCultural House (ICH) of Pittsburgh, located on North Dithridge Street near the Oakland campus, hosted an open house the faculty of the University dents, postdoctoral fellows, on Sept. 15. Founded in 1969, ICH provides a place for Black and White college students to live together cooperatively in of Utah in 1973 and has and faculty members will roughly equal numbers in an effort for them to learn and appreciate each other’s attitudes and values. ICH Vice President been affiliated with HHMI present posters highlight- Michele Tyler said many board members are present or past students, faculty, or staff of the University of Pittsburgh. Guests since 1988. He is a member ing their recent research at the open house included several members of the first ICH in 1970. of the National Academy of Edward Mazria on cell biology, energy and Sciences and the European efficiency, fuels of today In the back row, from left, are Bernard Mack, earliest resident of the house; current resident Eliada Nwosu; William Tiga Tita, Academy of Sciences. and tomorrow, metabolism, first resident director; former resident Richard Utley; Linda Lane, deputy superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools; current Capecchi is best proteins and pro- resident director Selasi Blavo; ICH board member Michael Gunzenhauser, a visiting professor in Pitt’s School of Education; known for pioneering the teomics, the senses, ICH founder John Tyler; ICH board members Gretchen Generett, Robert Morris University education professor; and Robert Hill, technology that allows sci- Students, postdoctoral bacteria and viruses, Pitt vice chancellor for public affairs. Current residents include, center row, from left, Peace Ike, Eunice Park, Nancy Taylor, entists to create mice with computation, genes and Julie Nagashima; and front row, Jamar Thrasher, current ICH program director Carla Cummings, Catherine Balsamo, Frank mutations in any desired fellows, and faculty mem- and genomes, immu- Lee, Kavin Paulraj, Christopher Fleissner, Laurel Friend, and Paige Carlson. gene by choosing which nology, modeling gene to mutate and how bers will present posters disease, and regen- to mutate it. As a result, erative medicine. his work has helped pro- highlighting their recent Medical students duce mouse-based models research on cell biology; will present post- Ravenstahl: More Progress Needed on City Diversity for numerous important ers on their summer human diseases. energy and efficiency; fuels research projects. The Continued from Page 1 Provost Lecture: schedule of poster “Nation Under Siege,” by of today and tomorrow; sessions, including In addition, both the fire chief and police poorer residents who can’t afford to live Edward Mazria, senior the hours that post- chief are Black for the first time in Pitts- in the neighborhoods being rehabilitated. principal at the architec- metabolism; proteins and ers will be available burgh’s history, Ravenstahl said. Ravenstahl agreed that redevelopment must ture and planning firm for viewing, can be Each of the appointments was made on include building affordable replacement Mazria Inc. of Santa Fe, proteomics; the senses; bac- found on the Sci- merit, not to fill quotas, he said. housing before old housing is torn down. N.M. (4 p.m. Thursday). teria and viruses; computa- ence2007 Web site. But several speakers at Wednesday’s The redevelopment of the Lower Hill, Mazria is a 1963 Career Work- event questioned whether the city has including the demolition of Mellon Arena, graduate of Pratt Institute tion; genes and genomes; shop: At 8:30 a.m. actively encouraged qualified applicants will give Pittsburgh an opportunity to right and spent two years as Friday, Trevor M. to seek employment in agencies like the a decades-old wrong, he said. an architect in the Peace immunology; modeling Penning, professor Pittsburgh police bureau, where most of the “Forty years ago, we tore down a neigh- Corps in Peru. His build- of phar macology trainees remain White males, or in the public borhood to build an arena,” Ravenstahl said. ings emphasize “healthy disease; and regenerative at the University of works department. “Now we have a chance to tear down an interaction” between Pennsylvania School Ravenstahl said 24 percent of contracts arena and build a neighborhood.” buildings and their envi- medicine. of Medicine, will administered by the city Urban Redevel- The series is sponsored by the local law ronment and have been present a practical opment Authority have been awarded to firms of Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney PC featured in Architecture, approach to finding women- or minority-owned businesses, and Reed Smith LLC. Progressive Architecture, job opportunities. He but admitted that the rank-and-file doesn’t Andrew J. Cherlin, a professor of public Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Jour- will be joined by a variety of professionals always reflect that diversity. policy at Johns Hopkins University, is the nal, and The New York Times. His most from science-related fields who will lead The city held 12 neighborhood meetings next scheduled speaker. His Nov. 15 lecture recent undertaking, Architecture 2030, is roundtable discussions about career pros- about job training and opportunities, he said, will discuss postwelfare outcomes for Afri- described as “a global challenge to reduce pects. The workshop will be presented by the and sponsored a career fair at the David L. can Americans and Hispanics. fossil fuel consumption in architectural Office of Academic Career Development, Lawrence Convention Center that attracted Community activist and former Pitts- design and building construction.” Pitt’s schools of the health sciences, and 4,500 people. burgh City Councilman Sala Udin is sched- Another initiative, The 2010 Impera- the University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Others, like George Moses, a Point uled to speak Dec. 3. tive: A Global Emergency Teach-In, brought Association. Breeze resident and chair of the National Both events are free and will be held in together 250 million people from 49 coun- Pitt Chronicle Editor Jason Togyer Low Income Housing Coalition, said the Social Work Conference Center, 2017 tries to discuss the science behind global cli- contributed to this story. gentrification efforts are chasing away Cathedral of Learning. mate change and its relationship to building October 8, 2007 • University of Pittsburgh • 7

Adoption and Culture, Pitt Department of English, www.english.pitt.edu.

Miscellaneous Down Under in the District: The 2007 Happenings Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Gala, 6 p.m. Oct. 10, Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St., Downtown, 412-456-1350, www.pgharts. org. Circus Oz, Oct. 10-14, Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St., Downtown, Pittsburgh Dance Council, 412-456-1350, www. BRARY SYSTEM

I circusoz.com. TY L I e-Commerce Summit, the University of VERS I

N Pittsburgh at Bradford’s Entrepreneurship U Program, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Oct. 12, Frame-Westerberg Commons, Pitt-Brad- ford, www.upb.pitt.edu. Outside Looking In: Transracial Adop- I PEYTON JOHNSON/

AR tion in America, K film by Phil Bertelsen, 8 p.m. Oct. 13, 125 Frick Fine Arts This summer, Pitt alumnus Marc Selvaggio (BA ’75, MA ’79), a Berkeley, Calif., book dealer, pre- Building, Encountering New Worlds of sented to the University Library System’s Special Collections department a rare copy of Watermark Adoption: 2nd International Conference on Adoption and Culture, Pitt Department of by Nobel-Prize winning Russian-American poet Joseph Brodsky. The book, valued at $6,000, is one English, www.english.pitt.edu. of only 50 copies handprinted in Venice in 2006. Selvaggio’s donation honors Charles Aston Jr., head of Special Collections, a close friend of Selvaggio and his late wife, Donnis de Camp; as well Strides Against ViolencE (SAVE) Walk, as of the late Walter and Martha Leuba, who established the University’s collection of late-19th- and 11 a.m. Oct. 14, Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park, Victim’s Services Network, www. early-20th-century books that bears their names. From left are Selvaggio; Michael Dabrishus, assistant crisiscenternorth.org. University librarian for archives, special collections, and preservation; and Aston. Americans for the Arts Creative Con- versation, annual forum of emerging arts leaders, 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 15, Cabaret at Concerts Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave., downtown, 412-471-6079. Music Monday: Informal Recitals Cancer Journey, featuring 50 works of by Pitt Music Students, 8 p.m. today, art by cancer survivors and their loved Farmers’ Market, 3:30-6:30 p.m. every Bellefield Hall Auditorium, Department ones, through Oct. 12, main lobby and Friday through Nov. 16, Sennott Street of Music, 412-624-4125, www.music.pitt. throughout the hospital, 300 Halket St., between Atwood Street and Meyran edu. Oakland. criminal justice at Penn State University, Queens University, Ontario, 4 p.m. Oct. Avenue, Oakland Business Improvement noon-1:30 p.m. Oct. 9, 2017 Cathedral of 10, 3703 Posvar Hall, Pitt Department of District, 412-683-6243, www.onlyinoak- The Sirius String Quartet, 8 p.m. KOA Art Gallery, “Rocket Science: An Learning, Pitt’s Center on Race and Social History and Women’s Studies Program, land.org. Oct. 11, Bellefield Hall Auditorium, Pitt’s Exhibition of Paintings by Heather Levy,” Problems, 412-624-7382, www.crsp.pitt. www.pitt.edu/~wstudies. Music on the Edge Series, 412-624-4125, Oct. 12 through Nov. 16, Blaisdell Hall, edu. www.music.pitt.edu. Pitt-Bradford, www.upb.pitt.edu. “Great Decisions 2007: Mexico,” Pitt PhD “Research in Egypt,” Tony Gaskew, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10, Rivers Club, One Contralto Susan Shafer, performing art Frick Art and Historical Center, In the assistant professor of criminal justice at Oxford Centre, 301 Grant St., Downtown, Dissertation Defenses songs by Strauss, Mahler, Poulenc, and Studios of Paris: William Bouguereau and Pitt-Bradford, 7 p.m. Oct. 9, Mukaiyama World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, www. Fine with pianist Russell Miller, His American Students, through Oct. 14, University Room, Frame-Westerberg Com- worldaffairspittsburgh.org. Diane F. Hunker, School of Nursing, 8 p.m. Oct. 12, Calvary Episcopal 7227 Reynolds St., Point Breeze, 412-697- mons, Pitt-Bradford, www.upb.pitt.edu. “Effects of Adverse Birth Events on Mater- Church, 315 Shady Ave., Walnut Street, 0938, http://frickart.org. “Neural Basis of Reach Preparation nal Mood, Maternal Functional Status and Shadyside, Music at Calvary, 412-661- “Pulmonary Host Defense and Pneu- and Communication Prostheses,” Infant Care,” 10 a.m. Oct. 15, 446 Victoria 0120, www.calvarypgh.org. Carnegie Museum of Art, Forum 60: monia,” Claire M. Doerschuk, professor Krishna V. Shenoy, assistant professor of Building. Rivane Neuenschwander, through Oct. 28; of pediatrics, pathology, and biomedical electrical engineering and neurosciences Beethoven Symphony No. 5, Pittsburgh Design to Be Lit, through Feb. 10; 4400 engineering at Case Western Reserve Uni- program at Stanford University, 4-5 p.m. Tara Tagmyer, School of Medicine’s Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rafael Forbes Ave., Oakland, 412-441-9786 ext. versity, 10 a.m. Oct. 9, 1105AB Confer- Oct. 11, Pitt’s McGowan Institute for Molecular Virology and Microbiology Frühbeck de Burgos, also performing 224, www.cmoa.org. ence Center, Scaife Hall, Pitt Department Regenerative Medicine Seminar Series, Graduate Program, “Envelope Determi- music by Wagner, 8 p.m. Oct. 12, also of Pathology Seminar Series, 412-648- Scaife Hall, Auditorium 5, www.mirm. nants of EIAV Vaccine Protection and the 2:30 p.m. Oct. 13, Heinz Hall, 600 Penn 1260, http://path.upmc.edu. pitt.edu. Effects of Sequence Variation on Immune Ave., downtown, Mellon Grand Classics Lectures/Seminars/ Recognition,” 10 a.m. Oct. 15, 1295 Bio- Series, 412-392-4900, www.pittsburgh- “Histologic Subtypes of Hepato- Overview of Transnational Advocacy medical Science Tower. symphony.org. Readings blastoma Are Characterized by Networks, Issuecrawler, and Govcom. Differential Canonical WNT and Notch org, Richard Rogers, head of new media Arnon Tonmakayakul, School of Infor- East Meets West, Japanese Taiko Orhan Pamuk, writer, 7:30 p.m. today, Pathway,” Dolores Lopez-Terrada, at the University of Amsterdam, 10- mation Sciences, “An Agent-based Model drumming performance, 8 p.m. Oct. 13, Carnegie Music Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave., director of molecular pathology/molecular- 11:30 a.m. Oct. 11, 501 Information Sci- for Secondary Use of Radio Spectrum,” William Pitt Union’s Assembly Room, Oakland, Drue Heinz Lecture Series, 412- oncology and hermatopathology at Baylor ences Building, www.sis.pitt.edu. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 15, 522 Information 412-648-7370, Pitt Asian Studies Center, 624-4187, www.pittsburghlectures.org. College of Medicine, noon Oct. 10, Pitt Sciences Building. www.ucis.pitt.edu/asc/news/taiko.html. Department of Pathology Seminar Series, “Unseasonal Winds of Love: Prostitu- “Feminizing the Soviet Social Body: 1105 BC Conference Center, Scaife Hall, tion in Early Modern Nagasaki,” Take the Fifth, The Southern Tier Sym- From Chapaev to ‘Girlfriends of the 412-648-1260, http://path.upmc.edu. Martha Chaiklin, assistant professor of Theater/Opera/Dance phony, 3 p.m. Oct. 14, Bromeley Family Revolution’,” Anne Eakin Moss, Mellon history, noon Oct. 11, 4130 Posvar Hall, Theater, Pitt-Bradford, www.ubp.pitt.edu. postdoctoral fellow in the humanities at Robert Young Pelton, writer, 7 p.m. Pitt’s Asia Over Lunch Lecture Series, In Service, Authentic Narrative From Johns Hopkins University, 1 p.m. Oct. 10, Pasquerilla Performing Arts 412-648-7371, www.ucis.pitt.edu/asc/ Iraq to Pittsburgh, film and live perfor- Choral Evensong and Buxtehude Oct. 8, 4130 Posvar Hall, Pitt Film Studies Center, Frank J. and Sylvia T. Pasquerilla news/overlunch.html. mance, through Oct. 14, Harris Theater, Tercentenary Recital, Calvary Choir Program, www.pitt.edu/~filmst. Lecture Series, Pitt-Johnstown, www.upj. 809 Liberty Ave., downtown, 412-471- sings music by John Blow, Bernard Rose, pitt.edu/ArtsCenter. “&HPS1 Conference in Integrated His- 9548, www.aiapgh.org. Thomas Tomkins, and Maurice Greene; “Careers at Research Universities,” tory and Philosophy of Science,” Oct. Alan Lewis, organist performing music Alan Sved, professor and chair in Pitt’s Sam Hamill, Charity Randall Awardee 11-14, Center for Philosophy of Science, Therese Raquin by Emile Zola, through by Dietrich Buxtehude; 5 p.m. Oct. 14, Department of Neuroscience, and author, 8 p.m. Oct. 10, Carnegie various times and locations, www.pitt. Oct. 14, Braddock Carnegie Library swim- Calvary Episcopal Church, 315 Shady noon-1:30 p.m. Oct. 9, S100 Biomedi- Lecture Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave., Interna- edu/~pittcntr; to register, [email protected]. ming pool, 419 Library St., Braddock, Ave., Walnut Street, Shadyside, Music cal Science Tower 2, Brown Bag Lunch tional Poetry Forum, 412-621-9893, www. Quantum Theatre, 412-697-2929, www. at Calvary, 412-661-0120, www.calvary. Series, 412-578-3716, www.survival.pitt. thepoetryforum.org. “Against the Classical Norm: How quantumtheatre.com. pgh.org. edu. Exhibition Helped Shape American “Exploring the Ancient Greek City: Film Style or Why Did Communists Mother Teresa Is Dead by Helen Songs in the Autumn Dark by Chuck “God’s Transcendent Activity—On- Excavations at Azoria on Crete,” Mar- Go to the Music Hall?” William Paul, Edmundson, 8 p.m. through Oct. 28, City Owston, balladeer accompanied by guitar totheology in Metaphysics,” Markus garet Mook, director of classic studies and professor of film and media studies at Theatre Company, 1300 Bingham St., and octave mandolin, 2-3 p.m. Oct. 14, Gabriel, University of Heidelberg, noon associate professor of foreign languages Washington University in St. Louis, noon South Side, 412-431-2489, www.citythe- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 4400 Oct. 9, 817R Cathedral of Learning, Pitt and literatures, Iowa State University, Oct. 12, 501 Cathedral of Learning, atrecompany.org. Forbes Ave., Sunday Afternoon Music Department of Classics, www.classics. 4:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 239 Cathedral of Learn- Pitt Film Studies Program, www.pitt. Series, 412-622-3151, www.carnegieli- pitt.edu. ing, Pitt Department edu/~filmst. Always…Patsy Cline, by Ted Swindley, brary.org. of Classics, www. through Oct. 31, Theater Square 655 Penn “Acadian-Alleghanian classics.pitt.edu. “Special Luncheon: Fuelling the U.S. Ave., Downtown, Pittsburgh Civic Light Heinz Chapel Choir Fall Concert, Orogenesis as Revealed Navy’s and America’s Global Role,” Opera, 412-456-6666. 3 p.m. Oct. 14, Heinz Chapel, 412-624- by Fracturing Within the “Madamemoiselle Admiral Kirk Donald, director of Naval 4125, www.music.pitt.edu. Appalachian Foreland,” and Publishers’ Propulsion, noon-1:45 p.m. Oct. 12, The Comedy of Errors by William Shake- Terry Engelder, professor of Designs,” Janet Duquesne Club, 325 Sixth Ave., Down- speare, through Nov. 4, O’Reilly Theater, Tribute to the Cannonball Adderly geosciences. Penn State Uni- Eldred, associate town, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, 621 Penn Ave., Downtown, Pittsburgh Quintet, jazz performance, 5 p.m. versity, 4-5 p.m. Oct. 9, professor of English, www.worldaffairspittsburgh.org. Public Theater, 412-316-1600, www.ppt. Oct. 14, Blakey Program Center, 1908 11 Thaw Hall, Pitt Depart- University of Ken- org. Wylie Ave., Hill District, 412-392-3148, ment of Geology and Plan- tucky, noon “Tacitus and the Mentality of the www.hillhouse.org. etary Sciences, www.geology. Oct. 10, 2201 Posvar Roman Soldier of His Time,” Jaime The Recruiting Officer by George pitt.edu/colloquium.html. Hall, Pitt Depart- Gómez de Caso Zuriaga, professor in Farquhar, Oct. 10-21, Stephen Foster ment of English ancient history, University of Alcalá, Memorial’s Henry Heymann Theatre, Pitt Exhibitions “On the Self That Can Be and Women Studies Meco, Madrid, 4 p.m. Oct. 12, 244A Repertory Theatre, 412-624-PLAY, www. Self-Deceived,” Graham Program, www.pitt. Cathedral of Learning, Pitt Department of play.pitt.edu. Audubon Exhibitions/Hillman Hubbs, graduate student edu/~wstudies. Classics, www.classics.pitt.edu. Library, Brown-headed Nuthatch, in Pitt’s Department of Nora Chipaumire Residency Dance Per- through Oct. 22; Audubon exhibition Philosophy, 5 p.m. Oct. 9, “The Science “An Evening of Adoption Memoir, formance, 8 p.m. Oct. 12, New Hazlett case, Hillman Library’s ground floor, 1001B Cathedral of Learning, of Silence: How Poetry, and Film,” readings by and dis- Theater, 6 Allegheny Square, North Side, 412-648-8190. 412-624-5768. Same-Sex Trans- cussion with M.C. Emily Hipchen, Nancy Dance Alloy Theater, 412-258-2700, www. mission of HIV McCabe, Jennifer Kwon Dobbs, Jeanne dancealloy.org. Hillman Library, Rare Book Exhibition, “Shopping Under Sus- Became Invisible Marie Laskas, Jean Strauss, Sheila Ganz, through Oct. 31, 412-648-8191. picion: Consumer Racial in Africa,” Mar Jan Beatty, and Mary Ann Cohen; Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini, Profiling and Perceived Brown-headed Nuthatch, Epprecht, associate 8 p.m. Oct. 12, Frick Fine Arts Audi- 8 p.m. Oct. 13-21, Benedum Center, Pitts- Magee-Womens Hospital, Oncology Victimization,” Shaun Hillman Library professor of history torium; Encountering New Worlds of burgh Opera, 801 Liberty Ave., Downtown, on Canvas: Expressions of a Woman’s L. Gabbidon, professor of Through Oct. 22 and development at Adoption: 2nd International Conference on 412-281-0912, www.pittsburghopera.org.

Pitt Chronicle University News and Magazines University of Pittsburgh 400 Craig Hall 200 South Craig Street Pittsburgh, PA 15260

8 • Pitt Chronicle • October 8, 2007

SLIM’s Success: Pitt Students Helping to Improve Health Care in Malawi By Amanda Leff

Many people hear about health crises ate on little or no regular funding, SLIM in Africa and wonder how they can help. members found. When they do receive A Pitt undergraduate organization called funding, CBOs often must use it to meet Student Leaders in International Medicine short-term needs such as providing food for (SLIM) is taking action by working with orphans rather than investing the money in community-based organizations (CBOs) in income-generating activities or long-term Malawi, a country in southeastern Africa agricultural development projects to sustain where the average life expectancy is 41 years their programs, according to Riley. and where 14 percent of the population is CBOs, created and led by local people infected with HIV/AIDS. to care for the citizens of their towns and SLIM members spent four weeks in villages, are the gateways to rural communi- Malawi this past summer, investigating ties, which are where HIV is most prevalent, how the group could help the CBOs in their said Riley. Not only do CBO volunteers efforts to combat HIV/AIDS by empower- speak the native language, but they are expe- ing Malawians to avoid high-risk activities, rienced with HIV/AIDS issues in Malawi assisting those who are infected to obtain and understand cultural differences between treatment, and caring for orphaned chil- Westerners and Malawians, he added. dren. Because of the competition for lim- “Malawi is a pretty it e d r e s ou r c e s , overwhelming place when CBOs hesitate to you first arrive, because “Malawi is a pretty over- share ideas, fail- there is nothing there,” ures, and successes said Nathan Riley, a found- whelming place when you with one another, Above, from ing member of SLIM and a first arrive, because there is even though they left: Pitt School of Arts senior School of Arts and all share the same and Sciences senior Nathan Sciences Spanish major nothing there. The cities are goals, said Riley. Riley and junior Julie Dodos; a local school who was among the group An example of this master; and freelance HIV educator Charles Mponda, who that traveled to Malawi’s few and far between, and attitude is evident in was the translator for much of the Pitt trip to Malawi. capital city, Lilongwe, Paradiso’s recipe for Right, AIDS orphans cared for by Mchenga, a community- to meet with locally led villagers must travel great “Power Drink,” a CBOs. “The cities are home remedy made based organization in Maliri, a community just outside of few and far between,” distances to reach HIV/AIDS with garlic, ginger, Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. and villagers must travel clinics.” lemon juice, and m great distances to reach honey. The CBO i HIV/AIDS clinics, Riley —Nathan Riley claimed the concoc- a nutritious diet, he added. l rtesy S noted, adding that a single tion helped to boost SLIM looks forward to more victories u o clinic may serve as many the immune system in the future, thanks to promising proposals C as 100,000 people and therefore struggles of people with HIV/AIDS, enabling them to being drafted by CBOs in their network, to treat everyone who walks through the seek treatment, Riley said. Unfortunately, Riley said. All five CBOs in Mpaluti have door. Paradiso has kept the recipe secret in order submitted proposals to SLIM outlining The students’ networking efforts prior to better compete against other CBOs for income-generating projects for which they PUBLICATION NOTICE The next edition of Pitt to their trip led them to Paradiso Home- limited funds, according to Riley. need seed funding. SLIM members will Chronicle will be published Oct.15. The dead- Based Care, a Malawian CBO that provides SLIM’s solution to this lack of coopera- continue to pursue funding for these projects line for submitting information is 5 p.m. Oct.10. HIV education, home-based AIDS care, and tion was to form a network named Mpaluti throughout the school year. Items for publication in the newspaper’s care for orphans and vulnerable children. comprising the five CBOs with which they Riley said SLIM members will return Happenings events calendar (see page 7) Paradiso put SLIM in touch with four other were working. The network’s success would to Malawi next summer to continue their should be submitted to [email protected]. CBOs, whose directors met with SLIM rely upon individual CBOs’ willingness work with the CBOs. Happenings items should include the fol- members. to share information—maximizing their Founded in August 2006, SLIM raised lowing information: title of the event, name “One of the major problems surround- resources and promoting teamwork. and title of speaker(s), date, time, location, all funding for its Project Malawi from sponsor(s), and a phone number and Web ing HIV/AIDS in Malawi is stigma,” Riley One of SLIM’s first victories was con- private donors and through fundraising site for additional information. Items may said. “You can’t have anyone find out that vincing Paradiso to share its Power Drink activities that included a 5K run/walk and be faxed to 412-624-4895 or sent by campus you are HIV-positive. If you do, you are recipe with the other four CBOs, said Riley. photo exhibition. mail to 422 Craig Hall. For more informa- completely rejected by society and even by SLIM’s work with the Mpaluti network also For more information on SLIM and tion, call 412-624-1033. family, in extreme cases.” led to ideas for better managing gardens and Project Malawi, contact Program Director Even the most successful CBOs oper- educating villagers about the importance of Nathan Riley at [email protected].