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The campus community biweekly March 7, 2002, vol. 2, no. 5 No love lost here Sally Ride Caltech author festival coming publishes novel to Caltech "Once her dying got underway, Anna could not really complain about the way the process moved along." So begins Girls of the world (with a love of science), Anna in the Afterlife, the latest novel by unite! Girls between the sixth and eighth Caltech lecturer in creative writing Merrill grades will have a rare opportunity to get Joan Gerber. together with other aspiring scientists on Anna in the Afterlife is a novel about Saturday, March 23, the day that Sally an acerbic, 90-year-old woman ("a tough Ride, the first American woman in space, cookie," as she calls herself) who, upon brings the Sally Ride Science Festival for her death, is finally freed from the restric­ Girls to Caltech. tions of her mortal life. During the four The morning's events get a kickoff days between her death and burial, with a keynote address by Ride, after Anna, "infinitely present, never dead, which the science-related workshops never stupid, and never done with it all," begin. A street fair replete with exhibits observes the preparations for her own and food vendors will cap off the festival. funeral, finds out the true nature of her The hour-long workshops-there are sister's suicide attempt, and learns of her 20 in all-touch on topics ranging from own sexual abuse by her half-brother. the geology of Antarctica's ocean floor, to She considers the origins of her bigotry the planets in our solar system, to the and her reluctant capitulation to romantic science and the women behind weather and physical love. In her final moments forecasting. of consciousness, Anna has the last word ~ The goal of science festivals like these about her own secrets and crimes before is to stoke the natural curiosity about taking the first step into eternity. science that every girl has. As girls grow "Most of my work comes from the close older, the proportion of them interested observation of family life," says Gerber, in pursuing science-related careers who has taught at Caltech since 1989. "Of shrinks dramatically. Ride, who is also a course, life is chaotic, and in fiction, you Caltech trustee, aims to retain this inter­ take control of the material and shape it, est by providing budding scientists with The "fantastical Spaniard" Armado (played by Caltech alumnus Fred Farina, MS '92) in a fit of pique redesign it, to give it meaning." attacks his page, Mote (senior Teodora Beloreshka), in TACIT's production of Shakespeare's Love's mentor and peer support. Anna follows the earlier publication of Labour's Lost. The play runs through March 9 in Ramo Auditorium. "The festivals came about because we Anna in Chains, a book of short stories thought it would be fun and important about Anna as an elderly widow, who for girls to know they're not alone in their first struggles to maintain her indepen­ Joyce Campbell, GPS lwan awarded interests," said Bear Ride, Sally's sister dence in the Fairfax area of Los Angeles, and an organizer of the festival circuit. staffer, passes away Alquist Medal see Gerber, page 6 "The festivals are geared to girls who are already interested in math, science, and Caltech professor of applied mechanics Joyce Campbell, a longtime Institute technology, but who are reaching that Wilfred lwan has been named the 2002 employee, died on February 27 after a age where often, due to social pressure, recipient of the California Earthquake battle with cancer. She was 52. they are discouraged from following Safety Foundation's Alquist Medal. Campbell started at Caltech in 1987 in those interests and dreams." lwan, who is also director of Caltech's travel audit and in September 1999 trans­ One such girl is Amber. According to Earthquake Engineering Research Labo­ ferred to planetary science. She had been her mother, the sixth-grader from ratory, was chosen in honor of "his life­ on leave since last June, said Irma Black, Pasadena's Chandler School is looking time of service to the profession of her supervisor. forward to the event. structural engineering and its application "Having Joyce on the team was like "Although science is not Amber's to the safety of the people of California having our own travel specialist," Black favorite subject, when she saw the vari­ and the world." The award was pre­ said. "We continue to use the procedures ety of workshops, she got very excited," sented February 7 in Long Beach at the she refined. Joyce was also assistant to said Deborah Williams-Hedges, a Caltech Major gifts director annual meeting of the Earthquake Engi­ Professors Ingersoll, Stevenson, and staff member in the public relations of­ neering Research Institute. Albee. We are grateful for the support fice. Her eleven-year-old chose to attend to join Caltech lwan, a Caltech alumnus, has been a and contributions she made over the the Computer Ani maniacs and Crime Lab member of the faculty since 1964. His years to the planetary science depart­ workshops, both of which touch on June Thames Poust has been appointed research interests include the theory of ment." Amber's interests. the new director of principal and major vibrations, the modeling of structural Patti Croke, who worked at the Insti­ "Learning should be fun, and kids gifts in Caltech's Office of Development, systems, the earthquake response of tute for 23 years, said, "I met Joyce 15 need to know that science can be inter­ the organization in charge of the Institute's structures as well as nonstructural com­ years ago, when she started working at esting and fun, too," Williams-Hedges fund-raising activities. She will join the ponents such as piping, and offshore Caltech. As all of her friends would said. "These seminars will provide an development team in late March. engineering for better seismic design. agree, she was a very special human excellent opportunity for girls to explore "We are pleased that June Poust In addition, lwan has been involved in being-always eager to lend a helping the world of science and see where their has decided to come to Caltech," said the development of national and interna­ hand or sympathetic ear. She had a sharp interests lie." William Jenkins, executive vice president sense of humor, which could make me tional strategies for the deployment of The intriguingly titled workshops in­ for administration. "She not only has sig­ strong-motion earthquake instruments, laugh for hours. clude "Hot and Cold: Viewing Earth from nificant major gift experience, but also including real-time monitoring and early­ "We loved her so much and thank her Space," "Optical Illusions: Lightwaves," recently has been a key leader in a sub­ warning systems. He introduced the for all of her years of dedication to both and "Mind, Heart, and Hands-Being a stantial capital campaign. In addition to concept of "drift demand spectrum" travel audit and the Division of Geological Woman Physician." Several of the pre­ her campaign experience, June's energy as a means of measuring the damage and Planetary Sciences. I know that we sentations will be conducted by Caltech and focus will be a great asset to Caltech." see Campbell, page 6 see /wan, page 6 see Ride, page 2 see Poust, page 6 2 Caltech 336, March 7, 2002

Ride, from page 1 faculty and staff, including Ruddock Professor of Biology Marianne Bronner­ NewsBriefs Fraser-"Tumble Through Time: The Development of the Brain"-and Visiting Associate in Geophysics Lucy Jones- Media minute " Shake, Rattle and Roll: Living with Earthquakes in Southern California." In "Film is toast. Carver Mead killed it" addition, JPL staff will lead a workshop Moore Professor of Engineering and Applied on the Mars Exploration Rover project. Science, Emeritus, Carver Mead was featured in The festival is one of several commu­ the New York Times (February 11) and in Forbes magazine (March) for his work on digital photo­ nity science festivals inaugurated last graphy sensors and how they will make film an year by Ride and her company, Imagi­ endangered species. "Film is toast. Carver Mead nary Lines, Inc. They are designed to killed it," the Forbes article says (www.forbes.com/ provide girls across the country the op­ forbes/2002/0318/039.html). Mead's company, portunity for contacts with other science­ Foveon, has made a new type of digital image sensor that is now available in Sigma cameras for minded girls and with female role $3,000. The sensor, which could also become models. available early next year in less expensive, more "We look for workshop presenters popular camera brands, has a resolution of 7 who are respected and known in their million pixels. fields and who share Sally's interest in keeping girls' interests alive," Bear Ride Sutherland lauds Koonin findings John Sutherland, visiting professor of literature added. "Different venues provide differ­ at Caltech, wrote in the British newspaper The ent opportunities for workshop leaders­ Guardian on March 4 about Provost Steve Caltech and JPL have been terrific." Koonin's lecture last fall on ways to combat bio­ In anticipation of the science festival, terrorism. In "The Up-side of Terror," Sutherland Ride will make an appearance on Satur­ writes that though a biological attack is unlikely, Koonin shows how to productively channel "the day, March 9, at Vroman's Bookstore on anxiety generated by the bio-terrorist nightmare" Colorado Boulevard to sign copies of her toward creating an effective response system. The books, including To Space and Back and article can be found on line at www.guardian.co. her latest, The Mystery of Mars. The uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4366992,00.html. signing begins at 11 a.m. To register for Culick to emulate Orville and Wilbur the festival and for more information, next year visit www.sallyridefestivals.com. Infor­ Caltech's Hayman Professor of Mechanical Engi­ mation about the Sally Ride Club, an neering and professor of jet propulsion Fred online forum for girls to chat with other Culick was featured in a February 17 Washington girls about science-related topics, is With pomp and circumstance, Pasadena's new Fire Station 34 held its grand opening on February 28. Post article on next year's centennial of the Wright available at www.imaginarylinesinc.com. Festivities included a ribbon cutting by Provost Steve Koonin and Councilman Sid Tyler, and tacos­ brothers' historic first flight. A member of one of traditional department far~repared by retired firefighters Paul Gedigian, 78, and his brother Harry, 79. four teams attempting to recreate a working • version of the Wrights' Kitty Hawk Flyer, Culick will pilot the West Coast Flyer, which is similarly built of cloth, wood, and wire. "Sure, it's dangerous," Culick is quoted as saying. The article also ran in Stirring young the Chicago Tribune on March 3 and can be viewed Retirements Personals at www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/ scientists' curiosity chi-0203030 100mar03.story. Mary Sexton has retired after 15 years at Welcome to Caltech Did you know that, according to the Caltech. She was a departmental assistant in the Morgan feted in magazine issue Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. National Science Foundation, only In a special Morgan festschrift, the February 2002 January about 50 percent of Americans know issue of the American Chemical Society's Environ­ Deaths mental Science & Technology magazine pays that humans didn't live at the time of the Benjamin Gudlewski, research assistant I, homage to Jim Morgan, Caltech's Goldberger dinosaurs? No wonder, then, that Caltech condensed-matter physics, and John Wendel, Robert Harkey, a former safety technician in Professor of Environmental Science and Engineer­ faculty and researchers saw the need to research aide A, chemistry. business services, died on February 5; he was 82. ing, Emeritus. Morgan is "widely revered in envi­ launch a precollege science outreach Hired in 1967, he had retired in 1981 . He is sur· ronmental circles as a scientist, engineer, and February program in the mid-1980s, a program vived by his wife, Anita. teacher extraordinaire," the magazine says, citing him for his "groundbreaking research as well as that's been going strong ever since. Charles Anderson, gardener, Physical Plant; Frank Ostrander died on January 17; he was 76. his achievements as teacher and mentor to a That effort has now been boosted Gillermina Barragan, lab helper A, biology; A supervisor in biology, he had retired in 1990 generation of students." The issue is available on Matthew Brewer, associate director of business by a $1 million Annenberg Foundation after nearly 42 years at Caltech. He is survived by line at http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/ and accounting services, Financial Services; grant for two Caltech programs that his wife, Mary. esthag-a/36/i03/toc/toc_i03.html. Martin Burgdorf, staff scientist, Space Infrared share a common goal: to improve the Telescope Facility (SIRTF); Sandra Castro, re­ kindergarten-through-grade-12 learning Ervin Ramsay has died. He had retired in 1973, Caltech cheerleaders in the spotlight search scientist, Infrared Process and Analysis after 10 years at Caltech. He is survived by his The Caltech Cheer Squad was featured in the experience. Center (I PAC); Judy De La Torre, department wife, Margaret. clerk B, basic applied physics; Silvia Delker, Pasadena Star-News on February 24. Under­ The Caltech Precollege Science graduate physics major Erica Nicole Eber Initiative (CAPSI), a K-12 program that research assistant I, biology; Olga Donah, senior Mary Emma Shevlin, a tabulator operator in revived the team in 2000 (the original cheerleading department clerk, Physical Plant; Rich Fagen, data processing who had retired in 1983 after collaborates with the Pasadena Unified squad dissolved years ago along with the football director of ITS software support services, Infor­ more than 20 years at Caltech, died on December School District, serves as a national team). hoping for an outlet to the grind of mation Technology Services; Donald Ferguson, 20; she was 80. She is survived by her sons, studying and to raise campus spirits. Members model for science-education reform. financial asset accounting supervisor, Financial Robert, Thomas, and Christopher; her daughters, practiced on their own for a year and then raised Utilizing hands-on experimentation, the Services; Joel Garcia, lead cook, Dining Ser­ Alice Benson and Mary Emma Jr.; and her sister, funds for a coach and uniforms. "I think at the elementary-school program is based on vices; Brian Johnson, research assistant, engi­ Mary O'Boyle. neering; Mark Larson, service mechanic, beginning everyone laughed at us," Eber said, the assumption that children are natu­ but the squad was vindicated last March when Physical Plant; Shaunt Mangioglu, general Tobias Starn, who was a manager in the patent rally curious and thus are natural scien­ they took first place in their category at the Cheer­ clerk, Public Relations; David Mayo, associate office and assistant to the general counsel, died leaders of America West Coast Open Champion­ tists. The secondary-school curriculum director, Sponsored Research; Edriss Merchant, on January 20; he was 88. Hired in 1965, he had ship competition. The 13 cheerleaders, who do builds on the same philosophy, getting information engineer, biology; Miguel Ramos, retired in 1983. He is survived by a son, Wayne. host, Dining Services; Paul Rasmussen, me­ their thing at basketball games and other campus students involved in substantial hands­ events, are also gaining recognition for their chanical engineer, Owens Valley Radio Observa­ John Willemsen, who worked for Physical Plant on science over time. Krispy Kreme doughnut fund raisers on campus. tory; Daylyn Shaw, gardener, Physical Plant; from 1961 to 1978, died on January 11 ; he was " The Annenberg grant will support IIana Smith, immigration specialist, Human 85. He is survived by his wife, Jeannette. what is now a critically important effort Resources; Helene Tolliver, lab assistant, geol­ ogy; San Van, IT generalist associate, Informa­ to improve secondary science education tion Technology Services; Anneline Van Gray's research inspires for all children," says Jerry Pine, Caltech Bentherm-Weil, project manager, Physical Plant; Honors and awards new cocktail professor of physics and a CAPSI Quoc Vu, senior application developer, Interfer­ founder. " Equal opportunities and an ometry Science Center; M. Elizabeth Welsh, John Eiler, assistant professor of geochemistry, Beckman Professor of Chemistry Harry Gray informed citizenry are our goals, now senior department clerk, materials science. has been selected by the American Geophysical recently spoke at a Caltech business and finance unmet." team meeting about his efforts to help end the Union (AGU) to receive the 2002 James B. Educating teachers is another key Macelwane Medal, in recognition of his scientific energy crisis, including research on rubipy, a accomplishments. The medal, which honors phosphorescent red chemical promising to be factor in the program. Too many significant contributions to the society by out· a key part of the solution. In honor of Gray's elementary-school teachers know little standing young scientists, will be presented at research, the Athenaeum has created its own science when they begin their careers, Rubipy-a drink made of vodka, Cointreau, the AGU's spring or fall meeting. notes Pine. Developing techniques for watermelon schnapps, and melon liqueur. Says Crystal Thomas, general manager of the improving teachers' skills has been a Athenaeum, " On your next visit to the Club, major part of the K-6 CAPS I project and ask ... for the Rubipy Cocktail and see how it will be critical for further secondary-level glows. We promise this will power and energize reforms to succeed. you just like the original 'Rubipy."' see CAPS/, page 6 the acad em ic week at ca It ec h is a printed version of selected events from the online @Caltech calendar, http://atcaltech.caltech.edu/calendar/. To publish events online, register as an event planner on the @Caltech calendar. If unable to submit electronically, please call (626) 395-3630. For further information or a schedule of deadlines, call (626) 395-3630, fax (626) 449-2159, write 336 Calendar, 1-71, California

Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, or e-mail [email protected].

March 11-March 17,2002

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Monday, March 11 Environmental Science and Von Karman Lecture Series Engineering Seminar von Karman Auditorium, JPL, 7 p.m.­ Aeronautics Seminar 142 Keck, 4 p.m.-"Why Do Diatoms " Autonomous Navigation for Urban 101 Guggenheim Lab, Lees-Kubota Precipitate Silica?", Professor Francois Robots," Larry Matthies, supervisor, Lecture Hall, 1 p.m.-"The Impact of Morel, department of geosciences, machine vision group, JPL, and Robert Rocket-Engine Emission on Stratospheric Princeton University. Refreshments, Hogg, staff engineer, machine vision Ozone," Marty Ross, Aerospace Corpora­ Keck lobby, 3:40p.m. Information: group, JPL. Admission is free. Informa­ tion. Information: www.galcit.caltech. www.ese.caltech.edu/seminars.html. tion: www.jpl.nasa.gov/lecture/. edu/seminars.shtml. NIMH Silvio Conte Research Center Inorganic-Electrochemistry Seminar for Neuroscience Seminar Friday, March 15 147 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, 24 Beckman Labs, 4 p.m.-"Mechanisms 4 p.m.-" Recognition of Single-Stranded Regulating Synaptic Strength in C. Caltech/JPL Association for DNA at Telomeres," Deborah Wuttke, elegans," Josh Kaplan, associate profes­ Gravitational-Wave Research assistant professor, department of chem­ sor of cell and developmental biology, Seminar Series istry and biochemistry, University of UC Berkeley. 155 Arms, Robert Sharp Lecture Hall, Colorado, Boulder. 4 p.m.-"LIGO Data Analysis," Albert Organic Chemistry Seminar Lazzarini, member of the professional 147 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, staff, LIGO Laboratory, Caltech. Tuesday, March 12 4 p.m.-" Can We Communicate with Single Molecules?", Professor David N. Everhart Lecture Series Caltech Library System Presents: Reinhoudt, University of Twente, the Beckman Institute auditorium, 4 p.m.­ Patents Netherlands. "Toward the Origin of Gamma-Ray Sherman Fairchild Library, multimedia Bursts, the Biggest Bangs in the Uni­ conference room, noon to 1:30 p.m.- verse," Joshua Bloom, graduate student A quick review of the patenting process, Thursday, Marcll14 in astronomy, Caltech. Refreshments, searching for patents and patent equiva­ 3:45p.m. lents, legal status issues, and current Ulric B. and Evelyn L. Bray Seminar awareness techniques. Registration: 25 Baxter, 4 p.m.-"Social Assets," lnorganic-Organometallics Seminar http://li brary.caltech.edu/ learning/ Andrew Postlewaite, visiting professor 151 Crellin, 4 p.m.-" Better Metathesis form.htm. Open to Caltech community of economics, Caltech. Refreshments. Catalysts through Mechanistic Analysis," members only. Jennifer Love, postdoctoral scholar in Chemical Engineering Seminar chemistry, Caltech. Carnegie Observatories Colloquium 106 Spalding Lab, Hartley Memorial Series Seminar Room, 4 p.m.- "When Kellogg Seminar William T. Golden Auditorium, 813 Like Charges Attract: Fluctuation, Con­ Lauritsen Library, 4 p.m.-"The Electron­ Santa Barbara Street, 4 p.m.-"Struc­ densation, or Depletion?", Professor ion Collider (EIC): A New Microscope to tural Parameters of High-Redshift Cluster Jianzhong Wu, department of chemical Study Hadron Structure," Richard Galaxies," Dr. Luc Simard, Herzberg and environmental engineering, Milner, professor of physics and director Institute of Astrophysics. Refreshments, UC Riverside. Refreshments, 113 of the Bates Linear Accelerator Center, 3:30p.m. Spalding Lab, 3:30p.m. Information: MIT. www.cheme.caltech.edu/seminars/ seminars.html. Von Karman Lecture Series Wednesday, March 13 Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado, General Biology Seminar the Vosloh Forum (south of Colorado on Mathematical Physics Seminar 101 Kerckhoff, 4 p.m.-Topic to be Bonnie), 7 p.m.-" Autonomous Naviga­ 351 Sloan, noon-" A Simple Proof of announced. lain Fraser, senior research tion for Urban Robots," Larry Matthies, the Equality of Bulk and Edge Hall Con­ fellow in biology, Caltech. supervisor, machine vision group, JPL, ductances," Gian Michele Graf, associate and Robert Hogg, staff engineer, ma­ professor of theoretical physics, ETH Geoclub Seminar chine vision group, JPL. Admission is Zurich. Information: www.math.caltech. 151 Arms, Buwalda Room, 4 p.m.­ free. Information: www.jpl.nasa.gov/ edu/events/mathphys.html. Topic to be announced. Craig Manning, lecture/. associate professor of geology and Bioengineering Seminar geochemistry, UCLA. Refreshments, Lecture by Stephen Hawking 101 Guggenheim Lab, Lees-Kubota 3:45p.m. Information: www.gps.caltech. Beckman Auditorium, 8 p.m.-"Brane Lecture Hall, 3 p.m.-"Designer Gene edu. New World," Stephen Hawking, Networks: De Novo Constructs, In Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, Numero Descriptions," Dr. Jeff Hasty, Physics Research Conference Cambridge. Tickets and information: department of biomedical engineering, 201 E. Bridge, 4 p.m.-"The World 395-4652, 1 (888) 2CALTECH, or events@ Boston University. Refreshments, Smells Different to Each Nostril: An caltech.edu. Individuals with a disability: 2:30p.m. Information: www.be.caltech. fMRI and Psychophysical Study of 395-4688 (voice) or 395-3700 (TDD). Visit edu/seminars.html. Human Olfaction," Noam Sobel, Public Events at www.events.caltech.edu. assistant professor, Helen Wills Astronomy Colloquium Neuroscience Institute, UC Berkeley. 155 Arms, Robert Sharp Lecture Hall, Refreshments, 108 E. Bridge, 3:45p.m. 4 p.m.- Topic to be announced. Liese Information: www.pma.caltech.edu/ van Zee, assistant professor of astron­ -physcoii/PhysColl.html. omy, Indiana University, Bloomington. Information: http://astro.caltech.edu/-jlc/ colloquia.html. the acad em ic week at ca It ec h is a printed version of selected events from the online @Caltech calendar, http://atcaltech.caltech.edu/calendar/. To publish events online, register as an event planner on the @Caltech calendar. If unable to submit electronically,

please call (626) 395-3630. For further information or a schedule of deadlines, call (626) 395-3630, fax (626) 449-2159, write 336 Calendar, 1-71, California

Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, or e-mail [email protected].

March 18-24, 2002

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Monday, March 18 Wednesday, March 20

Computation and Neural Systems Mathematical Physics Seminar Seminar 351 Sloan, noon-" Inverse Spectral 24 Beckman Labs, 4 p.m.-"lmage­ Theory for One-Dimensional Based Object Recognition in Man and Schrodinger Operators," Christian Machines," Professor Heinrich H. Remling, Universitiit Osnabruck. Infor­ Bulthoff, director of the Max Planck mation: www.math.caltech.edu/events/ Institute for Biological Cybernetics, mathphys.html. Tubingen, Germany. Molecular Mechanisms of Disease Geology and Planetary Sciences Seminar Seminar 24 Beckman Labs, 2 p.m.-"Nuclear 155 Arms, Robert Sharp Lecture Hall, Receptor Signaling Pathways in Lipid 4 p.m.-"Ciosing In on lo's Heat Flow," Metabolism and Disease," Peter John Spencer, astronomer, Lowell Tontonoz, assistant professor, depart­ Observatory. Information: www.gps. ment of pathology and laboratory of caltech.edu. medicine, UCLA.

Applied and Computational NIHM Silvio Conte Research Center Mathematics Colloquium for Neuroscience Seminar 101 Guggenheim Lab, Lees-Kubota 24 Beckman Labs, 4 p.m.- Topic to be Lecture Hall, 4:15p.m.-Topic to be announced. Shelley Halpain, associate announced. Demetri Terzopoulos, Lucy professor, department of cell biology, and Henry Moses Professor of Computer Scripps Research Institute. Jupiter's moon lo, as imaged from NASA's Galileo spacecraft, shows the crater Science and Mathematics, NYU-Courant Tupan Patera as a hot spot of volcanic activity. The red area in the image includes a small amount of infrared energy. lo's heat flow will be the topic of Institute. Refreshments, 3:45p.m. Thursday, March 21 the March 18 GPS seminar.

Tuesday, March 19 Special Mechanical Engineering/ Solid Mechanics Seminar Carnegie Observatories Colloquium 206 Thomas, 2 p.m.-"Theoretical Study Series of the Possibility of Reversible First- William T. Golden Auditorium, 813 Santa Order Transformation between Ferro- Barbara Street. 4 p.m.-"New Results on magnetic and Ferroelectric Phases," the Lowest Luminosity Active Galaxies," Rick James, professor of aerospace Joseph Shields, associate professor, engineering and mechanics, University department of physics and astronomy, of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Information: Ohio University. Refreshments, 3:30 p.m. www.me.caltech.edu/seminars.html.

Chemical Physics Seminar 147 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, Friday, March 22 4 p.m.-Topic to be announced. Tim Zwier, professor of chemistry, Purdue lnorganic-Organometallics Seminar University. 151 Crellin, 4 p.m.-"The Aqueous Chemistry of Diimine-Supported Alkyl­ General Biology Seminar Platinum Complexes," Christoph 119 Kerckhoff, 4 p.m.-"Signaling Balzarek, postdoctoral scholar in Machinery at the Postsynaptic Mem­ chemistry, Caltech. brane," Mary Kennedy, professor of biology, Caltech. Saturday, March 23

Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum Registration and dinner, Chandler Dining Hall, 5 p.m.; program, Baxter Lecture Hall, 7 to 9 p.m.-" Biotech." Presenter and panelist information pending. Mod­ erator, Dan Kimbell, Christie Parker & Hale, LLP. Registration and information: 395-3916, [email protected], or www.entforum.caltech.edu. Caltech 336, March 7, 2002 5 CampusEvents

Monday, March 11 Wednesday, March 13 Monday, March 18 Saturday, March 23

Baby Furniture and Household Equipment Baby Furniture and Household Equipment Baby Furniture and Household Equipment Track and Field Pool Pool Pool La Verne Invitational, at University of La Verne, 234 S. Catalina, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.-Loans of 234 S. Catalina, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.-Loans of 234 S. Catalina, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.-Loans of 11 a.m. kitchen and household necessities and baby kitchen and household necessities and baby kitchen and household necessities and baby furniture are made to members of the Caltech furniture are made to members of the Caltech furniture are made to members of the Caltech Folk Music Society Presents Steve Gillette community. Information: 584-9773. community. Information: 584-9773. community. Information: 584-9773. and Cindy Mangsen Dabney Lounge, 8 p.m.-Gillette and Mangsen Men's Golf Wednesdays in the Park use their low-key charm and humor to blend at University of Redlands, 1 p.m. Tournament Park, 10 a.m. to noon-Conversation together a diverse set of original and contempo­ and coffee for parents and caregivers, and Tuesday, March 19 rary songs, with some traditional pieces as well. Women's Tennis playtime and snacks for children. Information: Admission is $12 for adults and $4 for children vs. Vassar College, 3 p.m. 744-9919 or [email protected]. Preschool Playgroup and Caltech students. Tickets and information: Tournament Park, 10 a.m. to noon-Song and 395-4652, 1 (888) 2CALTECH, or events@caltech. Ballroom Dance Club Laboratory Safety 101 storytime, crafts and free play for toddlers and edu. Individuals with a disability: 395-4688 (voice) Winnett lounge, 7:30 p.m.-Nightclub two-step Keith Spalding Building, room 118, 3 p.m.­ preschoolers (from walking to age 4). Informa­ or 395-3700 (TOO). Visit Public Events at www. for beginners, taught by a professional instructor. This course is designed to prepare incoming tion: (323) 550-8075 or [email protected]. events.caltech .edu. This is the final class of a five-week series run­ researchers to work in a laboratory at the Insti­ ning on Mondays. Fee: $6 per lesson for Caltech tute. Issues include laboratory organization, Video Editing and DV Overview Wofa! Percussion and Dance from Guinea, students, $8 for others. No partner required. emergencies, injuries, general laboratory safety, New Media Classroom, 363 S. Hill Avenue, West Africa Refreshments and a half-hour practice period and more. Reservations: 395-6727. 10 a.m. to noon-A two-day workshop covering Beckman Auditorium, 8 p.m.- Ten young, follow. the basics of video capture and editing using energetic performers will astound you with Men's Tennis Adobe Premiere. The second class will be held their electricity, blend of ancient rituals, and Ballroom Dance Mini Party vs. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, 3 p.m. on Thursday of this week. Information: http:// contemporary vision. Wofa, which means Winnett lounge, 9 p.m.-Open dancing; make twing.caltech.edu/workshops. Open to Caltech/ "come together" in the Guinean Sousou dialect, requests or bring your own music. No partner is Ballroom Dance Club JPL community members only. is a nonstop explosion of drumming, dancing, required. Refreshments. First half-hour coincides Winnett lounge, 7:30 p.m.-Ceroc for beginners, and chanting. Tickets and information: 395-4652, with the nightclub two-step practice session. amateur-taught. This is the final lesson of a five­ Caltech Tai Chi Club 1 (888) 2CALTECH, or [email protected]. week series. Fee: $1 per lesson; free for freshmen Winnett lounge, 7:15 p.m.-Meets Tuesdays and Individuals with a disability: 395-4688 (voice) or those taking it for PE credit. No partner Fridays weekly. Sessions are free. Information: or 395-3700 (TOO). Visit Public Events at www. required. Refreshments and a half-hour practice www.its.caltech.edu/-taichi/. events.caltech.edu. Tuesday, March 12 period follow. Caltech Folk-Dancing Club Photoshop for Researchers Dabney Lounge, 7:30 p.m.-Meets every Tuesday New Media Classroom, 363 S. Hill Avenue, until midnight. Drop-ins are welcome. Donations 10 a.m. to noon-This two-day workshop Thursday, March 14 accepted. teaches practical techniques to researchers who use Photoshop: image enhancement, resolution, Photoshop for Researchers layout, preparing work for publication, and file New Media Classroom, 363 S. Hill Avenue, formats. The second class is on March 14. Infor­ 10 a.m. to noon-The second day of a two-day Wednesday, March 20 mation: http://twi ng.caltech .edu/workshops. workshop teaching practical techniques to Open to Caltech/JPL community members only. researchers using Photoshop. Information: Baby Furniture and Household Equipment http://twing.ca ltech.edu/workshops. Pool Preschool Playgroup 234 S. Catalina, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.-Loans of Tournament Park, 10 a.m. to noon-Song and Track and Field kitchen and household necessities and baby storytime, crafts and free play for toddlers and Occidental Heptathlon/Decathlon, at Occidental furniture are made to members of the Caltech preschoolers (from walking to age 4). Informa­ College, 10 a.m. community. Information: 584-9773. tion: (323) 550-8075 or [email protected]. Women's Water Polo Wednesdays in the Park Women in Engineering, Science, and vs. University of Texas, 4:30p.m. Tournament Park, 10 a.m. to noon-Conversation Technology and coffee for parents and caregivers, and Steele House (carriage house). noon-Female playtime and snacks for children. Information: students are invited to attend an informal lunch 744-9919 or [email protected]. Wofa! will dance to their mix of drums and with Caltech professors Fiona Harrison and Mary Friday, March 15 chants on Saturday, March 23, at Beckman Kennedy to learn about their individual pathways Hazard Communication Training Auditorium. to success, current research projects, and thoughts Track and Field Keith Spalding Building, room 118, 3 p.m.- on women in science. RSVP westclub@caltech. Occidental Heptathlon/Decathlon, at Occidental This course presents the different aspects of edu. College, 10 a.m. the Institute's hazard communication plan, with concentrated discussions of labeling, material Caltech Tai Chi Club Track and Field safety data sheets (MSDSs). waste management, Winnett lounge, 7:15 p.m.-Meets Tuesdays and Occidental Distance Carnival, at Occidental and chemical storage. Reservations: 395-6727. Einstein and Marie Fridays weekly. Sessions are free. Information: College, 3 p.m. www.its.caltech.edu/-taichi/. in love Women's Water Polo Amnesty International Letter Writing vs. University of Notre Dame, at Cal State Thursday, March 21 The Caltech Women's Center will Athenaeum Rathskeller, 7:30 p.m.-An informal San Bernardino, 4 p.m. sponsor a staged reading of "Albert meeting at which we write letters on human­ Video Editing and DV Overview rights abuses around the world. All are welcome. Caltech Tai Chi Club New Media Classroom, 363 S. Hill Avenue, Einstein and Mileva Marie: The Love Information: (818) 354-4461 or [email protected]. Winnett lounge, 7 p.m.-Meets Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to noon-The second day of a two-day Letters" on Friday, March 8, at 7 nasa.gov. Fridays weekly. Sessions are free. Information: workshop covering the basics of video capture p.m. in the Beckman Institute audi­ www.its.caltech.edu/-taichi/. and editing using Adobe Premiere. Information: torium. Introduced by Diana Kormos Caltech Folk-Dancing Club http://twing.caltech.edu/workshops. Buchwald, director of the Einstein Dabney Lounge, 7:30 p.m.-Meets every Tuesday until midnight. Drop-ins are welcome. Donations Papers Project, the reading provides accepted. Saturday, March 16 an intriguing glimpse into the life of Friday, March 22 Einstein and particularly into that of Caltech Y Community Service-Union Marie, his first wife and a promising Station Caltech Tai Chi Club young scientist "who pushed the 6 to 9 p.m.-Caltech Y volunteers will help Winnett lounge, 7 p.m.-Meets Tuesdays and prepare and serve meals for homeless men, Fridays weekly. Sessions are free. Information: boundaries of tradition and reminds women, and children at the Union Station www.its.caltech.edu/-taichi/. us of the extraordinary women who Shelter in Pasadena. Information: 395-6163, have paved the way for all women [email protected], or www.caltechy.org. in science." For more information, contact the Women's Center at ext. 3221 or [email protected]. Sunday, March 17

Amnesty International Book Discussion Group Vroman's Museum Collection, 340 S. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, 6:30p.m.-This month's book is Unspeakable Acts, Ordinary People: The Dynamics of Torture, by John Conroy. It is not necessary to have read the book to attend. Information: (818) 354-4461 or [email protected]. nasa.gov. 6 Caltech 336, March 7, 2002

Poust from page 1 Gerber. from page 1 Bob O'Rourke, vice president for pub­ then reluctantly makes the transition to a lic relations and interim vice president for retirement home, and eventually moves development and alumni relations, said, into a nursing home. NewsExtras "June Poust brings to the Institute a long "In some ways, I was forced to con­ Professor of Astronomy and distinguished career in fund-raising front this subject," says Gerber. "My own Richard Ellis, left, in the Chicago area, and her success with mother lived in a nursing home for seven describes the spiral a major campaign bodes well for fund­ years, paralyzed and on a feeding tube, galaxy Messier 51 to raising efforts at Caltech." desperate to die. It was an impossible Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com and the The director of major gifts at the existence for her and a wrenching experi­ new Blue Operations, Illinois Institute of Technology since 1998, ence for the family. It made me under­ LLC, a company Poust directed and managed a $250 mil­ stand what horrors are visited upon us as interested in the lion university-wide campaign for facili­ we age." commercialization of ties and scholarship endowment. She Gerber urges her Caltech students to space. Caltech's Office of Corporate Relations had previously headed her own consult­ examine the dynamics of family life in their hosted Bezos's recent ing firm for nonprofit fund-raising and own search for a subject. "My students visit and presented him marketing, served as director of develop­ don't write 'genre' fiction in class-we with the picture as a gift. ment for the Schools of Music and don't discuss science fiction or romance or Speech at Northwestern University, and action thrillers," she says. "I urge my stu­ been a development officer at both the dents to consider the 'hot spots' in their Newberry Library and the Field Museum lives, the issues that interest them in family of Natural History. relationships or their personal friendships "It is a privilege to become a member or their love affairs-ideas they return to of the Caltech community," Poust said. thinking about frequently." Beckman Professor of Noting the beauty of the campus, the Every family has its peculiarities, Gerber Chemistry Harry Gray quality of the student body, and the out­ says, and she often suggests to her students discussed alternative fuel standing reputation of the Institute's that, to find a story, they go home at Thanks­ sources with high school and junior college faculty, she added that she is "looking giving and look around the dinner table. students in the second forward to advancing the mission of While her fiction class is an elective Congressional Science Caltech at this important time in its within the Division of the Humanities and Scholar Forum in history." Social Sciences, Gerber says it is well February. Sponsored by attended, mostly by juniors and seniors . Congressman Adam • Schiff and Caltech, Gray's As writers, she says, she finds her stu­ talk will air on Charter dents to be bright and perceptive. "Most Communications' Channel of them have been focused on science /wan from page 1 25 (Burbank, Glendale, La during their entire academic careers, and Canada, La Crescenta) on potential of strong earthquake ground given the chance to explore other areas March 16, 23, and 30 at 2 motions, and has worked toward improv­ p.m. and 8 p.m. and on of their lives, they find they have a good ing both seismic instrument design and March 17, 24, and 31 at deal to say." the interpretation of data. 2:30 p.m. Air times for Anna in the Afterlife is Gerber's sev­ He has been involved with the Cali­ Channel 56 (Pasadena, enth novel; others include King of the Alhambra, San Gabriel) fornia Seismic Safety Commission in World, which won the Pushcart Press will be forthcoming. developing a comprehensive earthquake Editors' Book Award for an "important risk-reduction plan for California. and unusual book of literary distinction," lwan has served on a number of CAPS/, from page 2 and The Kingdom of Brooklyn, winner of commissions and boards, including the The Chemistry Animation Project was trying to explain to them from the the Ribalow Award from Hadassah Maga­ National Research Council's Board on (CAP) is similar to CAPS I in aiming to drawings on the board. There was a clear zine for "the best English-language book Natural Disasters, the evaluation panel of revolutionize the way students learn. communication gap that I, and most of fiction on a Jewish theme." Her short Japan's National Research Institute for "We're trying to stimulate the thoughts other instructors, had with even basic stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, and curiosity of teenagers," says project material of this type. So I decided to do The Atlantic, Mademoiselle, and Redbook, the U.S. Department of Energy's New director Nate Lewis, a Caltech professor something about it and started CAP." and in many literary magazines. Her short Production Reactors Senior External of chemistry who began CAP in 1992. For more information, visit the CAPS I story, "I Don't Believe This," won an Events Review Group, the U.S. Nuclear Lewis's idea was to take the artistry Web site at www.capsi.caltech.edu. 0. Henry Prize Award in 1986. Regulatory Commission's Review Panel and technology of Hollywood movie • Gerber earned her master's in English for Seismic Criteria for Nuclear Plant special effects and apply them to teaching from Brandeis University and was Piping Systems, and the Consortium of science. Using teams of students, faculty, awarded a Wallace Stegner Fiction Fel­ Universities for Research in Earthquake and outside film professionals, the project Campbell, from page 1 lowship to Stanford University. She lives Engineering, of which he is a director and has produced eight animated 3-D instruc­ in Sierra Madre with her husband, who will all miss her very much-she touched founding president. tional units to help students visualize recently retired as a professor at Pasa­ us all and will continue to touch us." He holds several patents, and is au­ concepts in chemistry and biochemistry. dena City College. Gerber has three Campbell is survived by her husband, thor or coauthor of numerous publica­ One unit, for instance, features colorful daughters and two grandsons. Colin, of Covina. tions on earthquake engineering and animations of molecules carrying out Anna in the Afterlife was published in Funeral services will take place in seismology. the processes that underlie health and January by Syracuse University Press . Campbell's home state of Ohio, where disease. The Annen berg grant will help • The author can be reached at mjgerber@ she will be buried. A memorial service is CAP produce seven more videos. caltech.edu or via her Web page at also being planned for Pasadena, with "Why write a textbook when you can details to be forthcoming. www.its.caltech.edu/- mjgerber. do something really unique?" asks Lewis. • • "I've had many students who were ca­ pable but simply couldn't 'see' what I Caltech 336 ......

The campus community biweekly California Institute of Technology March 7, 2002, vol. 2, no. 5 Pasadena, California 91125

Ed itor: Daryn Kobata ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED (626) 395-6240; [email protected] Ass istant Editor: Javier Marquez (626) 395-6624; [email protected] Calendar Administrator: Debbie Bradbury (626) 395-3630; [email protected] Graphic Artist: Doug Cummings Ph otographer: Bob Paz Published by the Office of Public Relations