INSIDE THIS ISSUE: PROFESSOR MARIA CHUDNOVSKY NAMED A MACARTHUR GENIUS COLUMBIA ENGINEERING

The Ultimate Matchmaker

Alvin Roth BS’71 on Winning the Nobel PRIZE and his Pioneering Research Interim Dean his issue of Columbia Engineering magazine is one to which I feel Donald Goldfarb a great personal connection. Two of the featured subjects, the Executive Director of Communications T distinguished alumnus Alvin Roth BS’71 and “genius” faculty member Margaret R. Kelly Maria Chudnovsky, are from my department, Industrial Engineering and Operations Research. Editor: Melanie A. Farmer Professor Roth, now the Craig and Susan McCaw Professor of Economics at Writers: Timothy Cross, Nicole Dyer, Holly Evarts, Janet Haney, Stanford, received what is often referred to as the Nobel Prize in economics— Cecily O’Connor the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. In a fascinating interview, Alvin shares with us his thoughts on his research, his Photo credits: page 56: Eileen Barroso; cover and pages 2, 10, 13: time at Columbia, and his future plans. Spencer Brown; page 26: Petra Cross; page 30: Michael DiVito; Professor Chudnovsky’s exceptional work has been recognized by the pages 3, 6, 14, 16, 24: Johannes Kroemer MacArthur Foundation in selecting her as a recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Design and Art Direction: Columbia Creative Award. When I learned of Maria’s groundbreaking proof of a long-standing Contributor: David Simpson open problem of graph theory, the perfect graph conjecture, it became my goal to recruit her to the faculty of the IEOR Department. My efforts were enthusiastically endorsed by the other senior department faculty and by then- Columbia Engineering is published twice a year by: dean Zvi Galil. I am delighted that she accepted the offer and has been part of the IEOR Department since the fall of 2006. Columbia University in the City of New York This issue also examines the almost overnight success of MOOCs, the The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science massive open online courses that are bringing college classes via the Internet to 500 West 120th Street, MC 4714 eager students around the world. Columbia Engineering is spearheading the New York, NY 10027 University’s entry into this fledgling market of MOOCs. I invite you to see our three courses currently being offered at Coursera.org/columbia: Financial Comments, suggestions, or address changes may be emailed to Engineering and Risk Management; MOS Transistors; and Natural Language [email protected] or sent to: Processing. Professors from other units of the University are expected to teach courses through Coursera and we are looking forward to those as well. Columbia University We also are highlighting eight SEAS alumni working in big data. These The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science alums, whose graduation years range from 1978 to 2006, are turning oceans Room 510, MC 4714 of data into useful information and using this information to construct charts 500 West 120th Street and graphs, form business models and long-range plans, provide analysis of New York, NY 10027 large-scale behaviors and trends—all in areas that extend from smart cities and education to health. For the latest news and updates about Columbia Engineering, In addition, you will read about some impressive students and alumni visit www.engineering.columbia.edu. who have created engineering start-ups—from health care to environmental sustainability—that were showcased at the School’s recent Entrepreneurship Stay Connected! Networking Night in New York City. It is always exciting to see how the engineering.columbia.edu/Facebook entrepreneurial spirit manifests itself in each new generation of our students. twitter.com/CUSEAS As we prepare for Reunion 2013, I invite alumni whose graduation years end youtube.com/ColumbiaSEAS in ’3 or ’8 to join with your College and Barnard classmates for a full weekend of nonstop events, from May 30 to June 2. I also invite all SEAS alumni to join us on Thursday, May 30, for the special Welcome Dinner and CEAA Awards Presentation, and on Saturday, June 1, for daylong activities beginning with the Dean’s Day Breakfast. Later in the day, the Magill Lecture in Science, Technology, and the Arts will be given by Mark Hansen, professor of journalism, director of the David and Helen Gurley Brown Institute for Media and Innovation, and chair of the Center for New Media in the Institute for Data Sciences and Engineering. I look forward to seeing you at these events!

Donald Goldfarb Interim Dean and Avanessians Professor of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research Spring 2013 | Volume 54, No. 2

Features Contents 4 Making Sense of MOOCs: Columbia 4 Engineering Jumps into the Market of Massive On the Cover: Open Online Courses This spring, Columbia Nobel Prize–winner Alvin Roth BS’71 University will cautiously dip its toes into the MOOC was photographed just a few days after waters when the Engineering returning from his trip to Stockholm School begins offering three online courses in partnership 14 18 where he attended the Nobel Prize Award with Coursera, a start-up Ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall. that brings higher education to the wired masses for free. Roth studied operations research as a 21 26 board chairman at Intuit, student at the Engineering School, “which 10 and Ben Horowitz ’88CC, The Ultimate Michael Idelchik Jenny Finkel is about making things work better,” BS’78 BS’02 cofounder of venture capital Matchmaker firm Andreessen Horowitz, Departments he said. “That’s what my market design Vice President Chief Software Architect Alvin Roth BS’71 talks say the New York City start- General Electric Prismatic colleagues and I are still trying to do.” about his Columbia days up scene is bubbling with 34 Letter from the Alumni and the ongoing research 22 27 activity and now’s the time Association Presidents that won him the Nobel. for budding entrepreneurs Isaac Greenbaum Shawn Edwards to throw in their hats. BS’06, MS’10 BS’90, MS’95 35 Class Notes 14 Data Scientist Chief Technology Officer The Genius behind 32 Chartbeat Bloomberg Program Notes This MacArthur Fellow In the Wake of 46 23 28 Hurricane Sandy Associate Professor Maria In Memoriam Chudnovsky is proving to Vanessa Frias-Martinez Inder Singh A portable solar array 51 be one of the best and the MS’03, PhD’08 BS’79, MS’81 designed by two Columbia brightest in graph theory. Researcher Senior Vice President Engineering graduate 56 Columbia Engineering at 150 Telefonica Research Comcast students powered a community devastated by Giving Back: 18 24 the hurricane for months. 57 Bernard Jaffe BS’38, MS’39 Data-Driven Alumni: David Elson The Faces behind BS’02, MS’05, PhD’12 Data Sciences News 33 Software Engineer School Honors Read about several SEAS Google Longtime Professor alumni who are making Morton Friedman big waves in big data. 25 30 Jordan Becker SEAS Start-Ups Take BS’84, MS’88 On NYC Tech Boom Vice President University Trustee Bill BAE Systems Campbell ’62CC, ’64TC,

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Making Sense of MOOCs

Columbia Engineering Jumps into the Market of Massive Open Online Courses

Northeastern University President Joseph Aoun calls it “the end of education as we know it.” Harvard Professor Clayton Christensen says it’s “creative destruction.” The New York Times hails it as “a grand experiment.” The antecedent, in case you missed it, is MOOCs, education’s buzziest acronym. It stands for massive open online courses and refers to the unexpected boom in online education offered free to anyone with an Internet hookup. Millions of students worldwide are now soaking up college-level courses by simply logging onto the web to watch video lectures taught by elite professors, take quizzes, and participate in online study groups. It’s college without the campus, a class without the classroom, an education without the tuition. But will it last? Will it undermine traditional higher education, or perhaps enhance it? Which online learning platforms merit the extra investment? How to deal with cheating? What’s the benefit to enrolled students? Questions abound.

4 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 5 This spring, Columbia University will cautiously dip its toes into the MOOC waters in search of answers when The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science begins offering three online courses in partnership with Coursera, the red-hot Silicon Valley start-up founded last January to bring higher traditional, accredited distance-learning education to the wired masses for free. classes at Columbia for decades. In the More than 100,000 students have 1970s, he was among the first registered so far for Columbia’s three professors to conduct video lectures at noncredit courses. The classes are the University of California at Berkeley. described more fully at Coursera.org/ But, he says, nothing compares to the columbia and include Financial mania over MOOCs. “It’s amazing,” Engineering and Risk Management, he adds, as he watches enrollment in his co-taught by Industrial Engineering course increase almost daily. “And this is and Operations Research Professors a course in a highly specialized subject.” Garud Iyengar and Martin Haugh, Sree Sreenivasan, Columbia with guest lectures by Professor University’s chief digital officer, a Emanuel Derman; MOS Transistors position newly minted last summer in by Yannis Tsividis, Batchelor Professor part to help the University navigate of Electrical Engineering; and Natural this new learning paradigm, calls the Language Processing, given by Michael response “stunning.” Education, he Collins, Vikram S. Pandit Professor points out, is traditionally a very of Computer Science. slow-moving industry. “Now things “MOOCs represent a unique are changing fast.” approach to higher education,” says One big challenge going forward Donald Goldfarb, interim dean of is figuring out how to keep pace Columbia Engineering. “We are without overcommitting to one looking forward to exploring the new learning platform. opportunities that MOOCs provide “We don’t know which technology and seeing how the School and our will prevail and where this space is students can benefit.” moving,” says Soulaymane Kachani, The demand for this new breed of vice dean for academic programs at online education has surprised everyone. Columbia Engineering. “We don’t want Tsividis, who will lead the graduate- to tie our hands or do anything that level course on transistors, has taught would prevent us from experimenting with other technologies.” That’s where the Coursera partnership comes in. The company’s nonexclusive contract leaves Columbia free to explore other MOOC partnerships, and the Coursera platform offers an enormous audience. As of early this year, nearly 2.5 million students had registered

Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science began offering three MOOC courses to bring higher education to the wired masses for free: Financial Engineering and Risk Management, MOS Transistors, and Natural Language Processing. The primary instructors are (from left to right): Michael Collins, Garud Iyengar, Yannis Tsividis, and Martin Haugh.

6 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 7 for one or more of Coursera’s 200 classes online for credit. The pilot will Goldfarb notes that the Coursera free, university-level courses offered target high school students, wait-listed partnership is just one part of a by top-tier institutions, including Columbia is no stranger students at California Community broader effort to answer that question. Princeton, Stanford, Duke, Brown, to online learning. Long Colleges, and members of the armed “This past semester, we successfully and Johns Hopkins. “It’s exciting to forces and veterans. be among those universities that will before MOOCs appeared Tsividis, for one, is thrilled to take the shape the future of this new educational global stage but worries about the lack on the Internet scene, paradigm,” says Goldfarb. of interaction with his students. Like “The Engineering School But what’s in free online education there was the pioneering most Coursera classes, his will consist for universities? For starters, it offers of a series of video lectures, possibly made perfect sense to global exposure and valuable testing Columbia Video Network. divided into 5- to 20-minute segments grounds for new teaching models. that students can watch at their own start with. It’s so far “It can enhance how we teach here on appeared on the Internet scene, there pace on their own time. The experience ahead of the rest of the campus,” says Kachani. “It can help was the pioneering Columbia Video may “lack the ‘live’ feeling of a small us learn how to use social media to Network, or CVN. Created by the class, where there is give-and-take campus when it comes augment student interactions and peer between professors and students,” he Engineering School in 1986, CVN to online learning.” review. It can showcase our programs has since let thousands of remotely says. “This may or may not prove to be and faculty to the world.” located students pursue Columbia’s an important difference depending on —Sree Sreenivasan Meanwhile, university officials fully accredited engineering courses, how interactively one conducts his or are keeping close tabs on the rest of certificates, and degree programs over her live classes. If you only lecture, and the MOOC universe. Harvard and the Internet. (Not that CVN needed the students listen passively, then there experimented with a flipped classroom MIT’s joint nonprofit venture, edX, the Internet: in the 1980s, it relied on may not be much of a difference.” in one of our MS-level graduate has registered more than 400,000 VHS tapes sent through the mail.) The Facebook generation may programs. Also, we are working on students for its free online courses. This year, CVN will enroll 600 actually prefer the impersonal digital better leveraging our distance learning Udacity, founded by former Stanford students. In many ways, MOOC is a experience. Sreenivasan sees a day unit, CVN, for our on-campus students University Professor Sebastian natural extension of what CVN has when enrolled students come to expect and for our students participating in Thrun, who set MOOC in motion been doing for years. “The Engineering MOOC-style courses in addition to study abroad programs.” School made perfect sense to start the University’s traditional brick-and- As for the risk of devaluing the with,” says Sreenivasan. “It’s so far mortar classes. campus experience, Kachani believes ahead of the rest of the campus when “When this generation gets to nothing will ever compare to the “MOOCs represent a unique approach to higher it comes to online learning.” college, they’ll ask about things like the real thing. “There’s a lot more to a Where MOOCs differ from past ‘flipped classroom,’” says Sreenivasan, Columbia education than just attending education. We are looking forward to exploring the technologies is scale. By definition, referring to a new model of education the lectures and doing homework,” in which students watch lectures online he notes. “The interaction with the new opportunities that MOOCs provide seeing how MOOC platforms welcome all, regardless of individual qualifications at home and then do homework in the faculty, the resources and research labs, the School and our students can benefit.” and commitment, and that has led to classroom. “What do you do with that? the networking with students. This is retention problems. Fewer than 10 Is our answer going to be, well, we don’t irreplaceable.” —Donald Goldfarb percent of students complete a typical know anything about that? Or is it that in December 2011 when his online MOOC class. Grading is another issue. we have a serious plan and this is how By Nicole Dyer course in artificial intelligence drew Many MOOCs rely on electronic we’ve incorporated our courses online?” more than 150,000 students, now scoring and peer grading, which can offers 15 classes in computer science create uneven results, and both systems and has enrolled nearly a half million are vulnerable to cheating. Udacity and students worldwide. Then there’s the edX are now offering proctored exams striking success of Khan Academy, a free to keep students honest, and Coursera “There’s a lot more to a Columbia education than online library of more than 3,600 video is experimenting with plagiarism- tutorials taught by MIT grad Salman detection software, but supervision will just attending the lectures and doing homework. Khan out of his basement. Since its become an increasingly thornier issue as inception in 2009, Khan Academy has MOOCs move toward accreditation. The interaction with the faculty, the resources and delivered more than 200 million lessons Udacity is already there. Earlier this research labs, the networking with students. and amassed more than 202 million year, the start-up announced a pilot views on YouTube. program with San Jose State University This is irreplaceable.” Yet Columbia is no stranger to that will allow SJSU and non-SJSU —Soulaymane Kachani online learning. Long before MOOCs students to take introductory college

8 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 9 Feature Columbia Engineering A native New Yorker, Roth attended public high school in Queens, and while a student, he was enrolled in the Columbia Science Honors Program.

He never received his high school economic engineering. diploma though and admits he was Roth’s market examinations have “sort of an unhappy high school led to the redesign of aligning kidney student.” But this bump in the road donors to patients, matching medical is all ancient history and did not deter residents with hospitals, pairing Roth from earning his bachelor’s degree students with public schools in large in operations research at Columbia urban settings, and more. Engineering, and his master’s and PhD “One way to tell my story is that I in 1973 and 1974, respectively, from started out as an operations researcher Q A Stanford University. “I had an abrupt who studied game theory. I stood break with my high school,” says Roth. my ground while the disciplinary & “People at Columbia knew me and they boundaries in operations research wrote me letters of recommendation. shifted around me,” he says. “I’m still So that was a college I could get into doing what I set out to do, but it turns without credentials, and I was very out that that makes me an economist happy to go there. Talk about life- these days.” changing experiences. Columbia threw To date, 82 Columbians—including me a lifeline.” alumni, faculty, adjunct faculty, In typical Nobel Prize fashion, Roth, researchers, and administrators—have the Craig and Susan McCaw Professor won a Nobel Prize at some point in of Economics at Stanford, got the news their careers. Within that number are via a 3:30 a.m. phone call. “By 4:30 two Columbia Engineering graduates The Ultimate Matchmaker a.m., a team of Stanford public relations who have won the Nobel Prize in staff was in our dining room,” he Economics: Robert C. Merton BS’66 recalls with a laugh. “I had 1,500 email in 1997 and now Roth in 2012, both Alvin Roth BS’71 on Winning the Nobel Prize messages that day and a lot of them from programs housed in the Industrial and His Pioneering Research were from news organizations. I would Engineering and Operations talk to someone for seven minutes and Research Department. then do it all over again.” Roth made his way back to Stanford So needless to say, when asked what just last year after having taught at Alvin Roth can be described as any of the following: it feels like to be a Nobel Prize winner, Harvard for 14 years. At Harvard, karate enthusiast, high school dropout, and most Roth simply states, “Hectic but good.” he created two new courses—Market Roth, who is also the Gund Professor Design and Experimental Economics— recently, Nobel Prize winner. An eclectic blend of Emeritus of Economics and Business that he plans to teach to Stanford Administration at Harvard, remains students. characteristics but all true of Roth, who in October consistently humble and always “When I was a student at Columbia was awarded the prestigious Sveriges Riksbank mentions “we” when referring to his … I eventually got interested in things vast accomplishments, rarely using “I.” that involve a lot of people, and that Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred While Roth and Shapley worked led me to market design,” Roth says. independently, the combination of “The same thing that was exciting as an Nobel, an honor he shares with Lloyd S. Shapley Shapley’s basic theory—the Gale- undergraduate is still exciting.” of University of California, Los Angeles. The two Shapley algorithm—and as cited by the Royal Swedish Academy, “Roth’s scholars were recognized for their contributions empirical investigations, experiments, and practical design has generated “Talk about life-changing to the theory of stable allocations and the practice a flourishing field of research and of market design. improved the performance of many experiences. Columbia markets.” The men were recognized for their outstanding example of threw me a lifeline.”

10 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 11 it means that there are kidney surgeons Q What are some of your favorite are both concerned with complicated who are pushing it forward. We help Columbia memories? systems that involve people, but she’s them. Market design is a team sport. concerned with them dealing with A My main activity at Columbia machines. I’m concerned with them Q Please explain the research that was recognized by Q When did you know that Shapley’s wasn’t academic. My most vivid dealing with markets. basic theory combined with your memories of Columbia involve being a the Nobel Committee. research would help to improve karate player. It wasn’t a varsity sport, it Q Who was with you in Stockholm some markets? was a club, but we had a team and we for the Nobel Prize ceremony? A There are two parts to that. One is the study played other clubs. I was involved in a A When I first started studying the Japanese style of karate called Shotokan A We were allowed 14 guests. of matching, which they call the study of stable markets for new doctors, I found that karate. I was only at Columbia for three Our guests were our children, some the way they had been organized in years, so it was something I did all three relatives and friends, and a bunch allocations. The other is market design. My colleagues the 1950s was closely related to the years. I also have fond memories of of colleagues on market design and I study matching markets, which are markets work the late mathematician and many of my professors, including Cyrus projects—other economists, operations economist David Gale and Shapley Derman, who convinced me to go to researchers, practitioners, two kidney where price doesn’t do all the work the way it does did in the 1960s. When I noticed that, graduate school. surgeons, an education professional, I started to understand how the work and a job market matchmaker. in commodity markets. So there are markets in which of Lloyd and his colleagues would help Q After Stanford, you set off on people on both sides of the market care who they are me understand how markets worked. an academic career. Where have Q How will you use your shared $1.2 The specific work they did on market you taught? million award money? matched to. These are some of the most important clearing algorithms has been of big practical importance in designing A I taught at the University of A I haven’t really thought about that. markets in our lives; they determine where you go to clearinghouses, and it also serves as Illinois (1974–1982), the University of school and college, what job you get, maybe even who a guide to many of the things that Pittsburgh (1982–1998), and Harvard Q Where does a Nobel Prize winner even decentralized marketplaces have (1998–2012). Illinois was my first go from here? you marry. In matching markets, you can’t just choose to accomplish. job, and I started the work on kidney matching there, and I met my wife A It’s a great honor to be chosen, what you want; you also have to be chosen. Q How do you come up with your there. Pittsburgh was a great job, and and it’s a great honor to share research ideas? we built a big center of experimental the prize with Lloyd. He was As we start to understand how these economics there. I did my first design a giant of game theory when markets work a little bit better, we can A There are times when we reach out work there. I redesigned the medical I was a graduate student. help fix them when they’re broken. and there are times when we’re reached match while I was at Pittsburgh. Going forward, I’m hoping We’ve helped to design school choice out to. New York City called me. Our children were born there. Harvard to write a book on market procedures for New York high schools, The medical marketplace called me. was great, and that helped make these design addressed to a broad Boston public schools, and, lately, a There are other markets where we’ve things into recognizable fields. Here at audience. It’s going to be number of other cities. We’ve helped approached them. We wrote about the Stanford, I’m going to be colleagues called “Who Gets What?” design labor market clearinghouses kidney exchange and sent papers to of some of my Harvard students. I’m also still deeply involved for a variety of health care professions. surgeons, and one of them followed That’s a special thing. in work on school choice and We’ve helped design kidney exchange up. That was Dr. Frank Delmonico of kidney exchange, and other protocols. A lot of what we do is make Harvard Medical School, who was one Q Is anyone in the family following in aspects of transplantation, small changes that make existing market of my guests in Stockholm. We helped your footsteps? and I’m looking forward to places run smoother. him form the New England program seeing what new projects Whenever we successfully make for kidney exchange once we had gotten A Our son Aaron graduated from materialize. a market design solution that gets his interest. I’m still doing lots of work Columbia College with a joint major implemented, there are always a lot of on kidney exchange—that’s not done. in computer science and mathematics By Janet Haney people on the ground associated with As things get established, people in 2002. He’s now a professor of that. When we design a school choice develop new strategies; the marketplace computer science at the University of system, it means that in the city where has to react a little bit. That’s an Pennsylvania. Our son Ben is a first- it succeeded there are some dedicated ongoing process of design and redesign. year PhD student in economics at MIT, educators who got excited about it and Markets have rules. That’s part of what thinking about development economics. carried it forward. When we design market design is, setting the rules of My wife Emilie has the exciting job a medical marketplace, it means that the marketplace. in the family. She’s a human factors some doctors got excited about it. engineer. She thinks about the man— When we design a kidney exchange, the person—in the system. She and I

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The Genius Behind This MacArthur Fellow

Associate Professor Maria Chudnovsky

As a young graduate student and only 25, Maria Chudnovsky coauthored a proof of a longstanding mathematical theorem on perfect graphs—a problem posed more than 40 years ago that no one could crack. With four other mathematicians, Chudnovsky’s completion of this significant proof—150 pages of mathematical complexity—gained her recognition among a tight-knit community of graph theory researchers as a scholar of unparalleled creativity and ability. Chudnovsky joined Columbia Engineering in 2006, and now as an associate professor of industrial engineering and operations research (IEOR), things just keep getting better for this extraordinary theorist.

14 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 15 pairs of points. These represent some unwavering interest in the subject “You’ll never solve every structure in the world. Basically, graphs brought her to Princeton, whose are mathematical constructs that allow Mathematics Department is strong problem in the world. you to record connections between in graph theory, to study discrete You ask yourself, ‘can I pairs of objects.” mathematics. Graphs model a range of things— After graduation, she sought out the solve this problem or not?’ the Internet as a network, an automated IEOR Department at the Engineering mapping system like a GPS, cell School. “It was a natural place for Maybe a year later you’ll phone towers, and maps of cell phone me to be,” she says. “Great location, know, maybe two years frequencies. “What I mostly do is study great university, and an excellent the abstract properties of graphs in department.” later you’ll know. If it’s order to help people develop real-world Chudnovsky is constantly thinking applications,” she says. As examples, about mathematical problems and something big like the she notes, “Graph theories can help thrives on the fact that in her field, strong perfect graph with planning things efficiently, there’s the potential to do so much fix scheduling problems, or create more. “You’ll never solve every problem theorem, then you feel Chudnovsky’s research focuses on graph theory, which involves mathematical constructs that can record connections between pairs of various timetables.” in the world. You ask yourself, ‘can I objects. She specializes in discrete mathematics. When Chudnovsky proved the solve this problem or not?’ Maybe a year pretty good. If it’s some- conjecture on perfect graphs, which are later you’ll know, maybe two years later thing small, well, you graphs roughly defined as being easy to you’ll know. And, well, if it’s something “color,” she and her colleagues showed big like the strong perfect graph still feel pretty good.” In October, Chudnovsky, 36, won a MacArthur In fact, when Chudnovsky received that only two types of defects keep a theorem, then you feel pretty good. her call from the Foundation, she If it’s something small, well, you still Foundation Fellowship, a five-year, $500,000 grant actually thought they were calling for feel pretty good.” given to the best and brightest individuals who show a recommendation for someone else. If anyone’s face can light up while From her husband, who is a musician, Chudnovsky’s completion discussing highly abstract mathematical exceptional creativity in their work and the promise to she had learned that MacArthur fellows concepts, it’s Chudnovsky’s, and hers are generally “from more well-known of the strong perfect graph does without a trace of arrogance. Even accomplish even more down the road. Often referred fields, not somebody in math or theorem gained her when she talks about the perfect graph to as a “genius grant,” MacArthur Fellowships are engineering.” It took a while for the proof, she describes that experience as news to sink in. recognition among a tight- simply, “pretty cool.” considered a great honor, a highly coveted award “It’s a really awesome feeling. Another point of pride for Suddenly somebody really believes knit community of graph Chudnovsky was being able to tackle a that gives individuals the ability to focus on any in you, really thinks you can do theory researchers as a complex problem closer to home. research project without restrictions. Recipients don’t something,” she says. And, as she put “I modeled the seating chart for my it to the officials at MacArthur, the scholar of unparalleled wedding and nobody complained,” she even know they are being considered for the award. fellowship will enable her to “work on says with a laugh. “It only took me half exactly the problems I want to work creativity and ability. a minute to do. So on my end, The Foundation contacts fellows out of the blue, on. This is important if you want it was a good one.” via a phone call. to be creative.” graph from being perfect and that all Chudnovsky specializes in discrete perfect graphs fall into a handful of By Melanie A. Farmer mathematics, and her research focuses different categories. “A graph is perfect on graph theory. She is quick to make if it behaves nicely with respect to a the distinction between the graphs she mathematical concept called coloring, studies and the graphs that come to the and our work was to describe precisely minds of most people. all perfect graphs,” says Chudnovsky. “In graph theory, a graph is not an Born and raised in Israel to parents x axis and a y axis and a curve,” she who are engineers, Chudnovsky always explains. Referring to the white board in thought she would follow in their her office riddled with graphs of various footsteps. However, a fascination with shapes, she says, “They are things that pure math sent her on a different look like that. You have points, there are path. After earning her bachelor’s and lines between some pairs of points, and master’s degrees from Technion-Israel there are no lines between some other Institute of Technology, Chudnovksy’s

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Data-Driven Alumni: The Faces behind Data Sciences With the big data deluge comes too much information. And who best to wade through this tidal wave of TMI than people who have the right talent and skill sets to capture, analyze, store, and understand data, and lots of it. A comprehensive report on big data by McKinsey Global Institute predicted that by 2018, “the United States alone could face a shortage of 140,000 to 190,000 people with deep analytical skills as well as 1.5 million managers and analysts to analyze big data and make decisions based on their findings.” Of the leading indicators for this massive data surge, McKinsey researchers highlighted the pervasiveness of digital data—from social networking sites to YouTube videos to the fact that there were five billion mobile phones in use in 2010.

18 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 19 Our data-driven y the end of 2011, the number the Henry and Gertrude Rothschild Michael Idelchik BS’78 of mobile subscriptions Professor of Computer Science at the Vice President, General Electric society is bringing B increased to six billion globally, Engineering School. The Institute, with it a wealth of job according to a study by International which plans to hold its first symposium Telecommunication Union (ITU). in April at Columbia, will focus on In 1877, a restless young genius invented the phonograph and changed opportunities at a time The ITU also noted that Internet users innovative research and education that grew by 11 percent from 2010 to 2011. will drive successful entrepreneurship, the world. Thomas Edison didn’t when jobs are scarce in By year-end, there were some 2.3 billion create new businesses, and develop stop there. He went on to invent the incandescent light bulb, the modern so many other sectors. users surfing the web. a skilled workforce that will have an Our data-driven society is bringing impact on this ever-increasing challenge. telegraph, and more than a thousand other contraptions. His company, Data-centric people with with it a wealth of job opportunities Here, Columbia Engineering magazine at a time when jobs are scarce in so profiles a sampling of the School’s General Electric, has proven equally the right training are many other sectors. Data-centric people alumni—and not just the pure data prolific over the past 130 years and today stands as the third largest poised to experience with the right training are poised to scientists—who are utilizing their experience what web developers did in interdisciplinary backgrounds in company on Earth, according to Forbes. You may recognize some of what web developers the 1990s during the dot-com boom. the arts and literature, research and “There was an explosion in development, social policy, high tech, its innovations: the radio, plastic, the did in the 1990s during hiring—companies around the world computer science, and machine learning garbage disposal, the x-ray tube, the jet engine, lasers, the MRI, CT scans. important to GE, it recently invested It turned out to be a wise decision. the dot-com boom. needed skilled employees who had to gain a foothold in the burgeoning $1 billion in a new software center in “At the time there were only 28 the expertise to create a whole new field. Suddenly, there is an absolute The list goes on. And Michael Idelchik makes sure of it. San Ramon, CA, to help clients better other people majoring in mechanical way to communicate, market, and demand for people who know their way manage sensor data built into GE engineering,” recalls Idelchik. “I could conduct business through the web,” around data, and these Engineering Idelchik is the vice president of Advanced Technologies for GE Global equipment such as jet engines, electrical easily go from department to depart- says Kathleen McKeown, the inaugural alums have found themselves knee-deep turbines, and locomotives. ment. I knew all of the professors. It was director of Columbia’s new Institute for in it, constantly learning and meeting Research, the company’s R&D division, where experimental ideas worthy of the But big data or no data, for Idelchik, an outstanding education.” Data Sciences and Engineering (IDSE). these new challenges successfully. success in engineering comes down to Success at Columbia led to success “And today the same thing is happening Edison legacy become world-changing innovations. An inventor himself who one thing. “It’s all about understanding at GE, where Idelchik signed on as in big data—there is a tremendous need engineering principles,” he says. That’s an engineer in 1978 shortly after for data science specialists who can holds 14 patents, Idelchik manages dozens of projects, spanning every something he learned at a very young graduation. A few years later, Idelchik develop and use new tools to help us Internet users grew by age from his father, who was also an earned GE’s Young Engineers award, manage this exciting new landscape.” major discipline. He’s helped innovate designs for jet engines, x-ray tubes, engineer. Idelchik loved math as a kid which recognizes exceptional talent Part of IDSE’s mission, in fact, is 11 percent from 2010 to and considered a career in it, until his among engineers under 30. His work to create a culture of translational water-recycling systems, a new breed 2011. By year-end, there of battery, wind turbines, and light- father counseled against it. on jet engines earned him the Engineer research and education that addresses of the Year award in 1988. By 1998, the unprecedented challenges and emitting diodes, to name just a few. were some 2.3 billion Of course, innovation has changed But big data or no data, he was overseeing the introduction of opportunities posed by a data-rich the world’s first multi-slice CT scanner, society, notes McKeown, who is also users surfing the web. a lot since Edison’s days. Modern machines are now equipped with for Idelchik, success in one of GE’s most prized innovations. And in 2006 GE CEO Jeff Immelt sensors and consume and emit massive engineering comes down volumes of information. The ability to awarded him the Chairman’s Award for find meaning in all that information— to one thing. “It’s all Technology Leadership. the challenge of big data—has become Idelchik credits his success to his central to Idelchik’s job as an engineer. about understanding lifelong love of learning. In his spare time you’re likely to find him watching Gone are the days of trial and error and engineering principles.” guesswork. If he and his team want to engineering tutorials online. “You test a new machine—say, a jet engine— cannot do my job without being a they turn to analytics and computer “There’s no money in it,” his father learner,” he says. modeling. Sifting through sensor data told him, jokingly. Idelchik laughs Edison may very well have agreed. can identify performance thresholds, recalling his father’s sense of humor. predict failure points, and lead the way “What he really believed is that By Nicole Dyer to design improvements. engineering is the best foundation one “Working with large data is critical can have,” he says. So when Idelchik left to understanding how equipment will his homeland of Belarus and headed for perform in the field,” Idelchik says. Columbia University, he decided In fact, big data has become so to enroll in the Engineering School.

20 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 21 “Ultimately, I didn’t want to regret missing my social media or a search engine, for example), and how often those stories Vanessa Frias-Martinez opportunity to take a bigger risk and do something have been shared, among other vitals. MS’03, PhD’08 new and untested while I was still young. The idea of When clients want a new metric, Researcher, Telefonica Research Greenbaum steps in to make it happen. starting my own company or joining one in the very Take click-through rates. Sometimes Vanessa Frias-Martinez spends hours just knowing how many clicks a early stages really appealed to me. It still does.” sifting through and analyzing huge particular link generates is not always datasets of calling records for enough, Greenbaum explains. telecommunications giant Telefonica. “Clients may want to know why a She labors over massive reams of data, particular link is attracting more clicks attempting to understand the relevance than others,” he says. Is it because and its use. For some, this may seem the link is displayed prominently on like an unappealing, overwhelming task, Isaac Greenbaum the homepage, or is the content itself but for Frias-Martinez, it is time well BS’06, MS’10 attracting attention? So he’s developed spent and an incredible opportunity to on these types of maps,” explains Frias- a geek studying computer science in Data Scientist, Chartbeat computer models that capture and affect societal change. Martinez. “Computing them, however, college, made me decide.” analyze many different datasets to find As an associate researcher at is highly expensive because it requires Frias-Martinez moved to New York Problem solving comes naturally out. “We just try to provide our clients Telefonica Research, one of Frias- hiring a large number of enumerators to City in 2001 to pursue her master’s to Isaac “Yitzi” Greenbaum. As a kid with the tools they need to make good Martinez’s main goals is to analyze and carry out personal interviews.” and doctorate in computer science growing up in Los Angeles, he and decisions,” he says. reveal large-scale behaviors and trends To overcome this issue, Frias- at the Engineering School, having his father would take long walks to Greenbaum is pleasantly surprised that might be useful to policy makers in Martinez and her colleagues have been attracted by the department’s synagogue and do math problems to find himself in the start-up scene. areas like smart cities, epidemiology, proposed a method that uses calling solid reputation. along the way. “Math is something He was sure his lifelong love of numbers or education. records to predict the socioeconomic “I was struck not only by the I’ve always done,” he says. “I was would lead to a career on Wall Street. To this end, she combines data- levels of regions instead of having to quality of the professors but also by inculcated from a very early age.” In fact, before earning his master’s mining and machine-learning techniques compute them through interviews. the departmental environment,” adds When he earned his degree in applied degree in computer science from to extract “socially significant” infor- This approach has the potential to Frias-Martinez. “Many professors have math in 2006 from The Fu Foundation the Engineering School in 2010, he mation from so-called digital traces of help public institutions cut costs and an open-door policy, which helps to School of Engineering and Applied was structuring credit derivatives at mobile and ubiquitous technologies. enhance their decision process. navigate the already daunting task of Science, he didn’t just graduate; he Citigroup. “My original intention Digital traces are trails left behind by For Frias-Martinez, it is crucial to finishing a PhD. I was very lucky to was valedictorian. was to go into finance,” he says. user interactions with different digital approach big data research as a team. learn from Professors Sal Stolfo and Greenbaum, now 29, has parlayed That changed during his master’s platforms. “Ultimately, my goal is to “We need to put a lot of effort Angelos Keromytis.” his aptitude for numbers into a thriving studies, when Applied Mathematics on creating meaningful collaborations She credits Columbia Engineering Associate Professor Chris Wiggins career in big data, a field born to Frias-Martinez credits with decision makers in institutions with giving her the tools to carry help wrangle meaning from the 2.5 introduced him to the idea of going to working toward the social good,” she out the research she conducts today. quintillion bytes of information created work for a tech start-up. Greenbaum Columbia Engineering stresses. “Only if we understand their She truly enjoys the challenges that daily. In 2010, he landed a coveted job began meeting up with entrepreneurs needs and what prevents them from come with analyzing huge sets of data. at the booming tech start-up Chartbeat, from Columbia Business School and with giving her the tools sleeping at night, will we be able to But there is also more to it than that. learning about new opportunities in enhance their processes and contribute “My geeky side likes the excitement an innovative analytics company that to carry out the research helps clients like The New York Times, the tech world. “Professor Wiggins got to social development.” attached to working with data no Gawker, and Fox News turn vast me excited about options I didn’t even she conducts today. For someone who always had a one else has worked with before,” oceans of online user data into useful know existed,” he says. love of science, a career doing applied she says. “However, what ultimately charts and graphs. So far, Greenbaum is thrilled with his provide decision makers with relevant research at a major tech firm is drives my research and excites me the As Chartbeat’s lead data scientist, career change. “Ultimately, I didn’t want information or with novel tools to essentially a dream come true. As a most is the personal goal of having an Greenbaum finds imaginative ways to to regret missing my opportunity to enhance their decision processes and kid growing up in Valladolid, Spain, impact on society. It’s the reason why improve the company’s signature tool, take a bigger risk and do something new thus help the advancement of our Frias-Martinez thrived in mathematics, I focus on big data analytics for social a browser-based dashboard that gives and untested while I was still young,” societies,” she says. physics, and biology. While studying development.” clients an at-a-glance visual reference to he says. “The idea of starting my own One way Frias-Martinez and her at Universidad de Valladolid, she had a the relative performance of individual company or joining one in the very Telefonica team are attempting to do tough time choosing between a major By Melanie A. Farmer articles on their websites. Resembling early stages really appealed to me. this is with a tool they are developing in math or computer science. Family an instrument panel in a pilot’s cockpit, It still does.” to help national statistical institutes ultimately influenced her final decision the dash can tell you in real time which trim the budgets they allocate to to pursue the latter. stories are attracting the most clicks, By Nicole Dyer compute socioeconomic maps. “Such “The fact that my dad brought home how long readers spend on each story, information is extremely relevant a Commodore 64 when I was 8,” she how readers found the stories (from because many policy decisions are based says, “and that my brother was already

22 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 23 “Big data can’t be fully Jordan Becker’s lifelong passion for Internet’s core foundation for several technology got a kick start during years during the 1990s. Becker joined harnessed by computer his undergraduate years at Columbia AOL with the acquisition of ANS in scientists working in Engineering when he jumped on an 1994 and helped run that Internet opportunity to join IBM Research’s business as a subsidiary for several years. intellectual vacuums.” summer intern program. That exposure Five years later, Becker transitioned early on helped fuel a thriving career to Science Applications International in tech. Corp., another high-tech leader in “A lot of my focus has been involved R&D and builder of systems for the in building complex software systems U.S. government. He worked at Science that deal with big data,” says Becker, Applications for 12 years as senior vice who is now a vice president at security president and chief technical officer and defense giant BAE Systems Inc. for the Information Technology and The Internet certainly deals with Network Services Group. These days, class, prompting him to think about in linguistics and was a great massive amounts of data, and Becker Becker leads a workforce of 1,200 was at the forefront of this life-changing employees as vice president and general David Elson how ideas and thoughts are learned, mentor to me.” Jordan Becker organized, and stored. Elson’s work was supported, in technology due to his work at IBM. manager of the Geospatial Intelligence BS’02, MS’05, PhD’12 “If the human brain can learn part, by a fellowship awarded by BS’84, MS’88 After starting at the tech behemoth in (Intelligence, Surveillance and Software Engineer, Google to build a prosperous society and the Engineering School through the Vice President, BAE Systems 1981, Becker carried on there even after Reconnaissance) business area within create great works of art using only National Science Foundation’s GK–12 earning his master’s degree in electrical BAE Systems Intelligence & Security. When David Elson entered Columbia observation and practice—lots and lots program. As a fellow, he taught science engineering at Columbia. His initial Big data plays a pivotal role in Engineering as a computer science of it—why can’t a machine brain do the in middle schools, as well as three work at IBM was on signal processing his day-to-day functions when dealing major, he also took advantage of the same?” he says. semesters of computer science to algorithms and control systems for with agencies within the Department University’s film program and zoomed Questions such as this took on even Columbia Engineering undergraduates, scanning tunneling microscopy. of Defense and the U.S. Intelligence in on a few electives. “I led a double greater meaning when Elson was a PhD for which he received the Presidential During the early 1980s, Becker Community. “We develop software for life through high school and college as candidate in computational linguistics. Teaching Award from the Office got involved in Internet research and several of the government’s intelligence a filmmaker and programmer,” Elson He wrote his dissertation on storytelling of the Provost. development pursuits that focused his agencies,” Becker says. His group looks says. “I was the only SEAS student in and the analysis of narrative, including At Google, the literature enthusiast career for years to come. at ways to access, store, and analyze my many undergraduate film classes.” how social networks are created from has gone on to develop an even keener “I was able to work on interesting data. “It’s an area of innovation. Fusing those interests is part of conversations between characters in sense of the importance of data science. programs at IBM, including the It challenges us in terms of storage a longtime production for Elson, British novels. Through his work, he says that big replacement for the ARPAnet Internet systems, high-performance computing, whose data science expertise and At the time, he asked, “Since we data makes voice search far more backbone with the National Science and software processing technology.” computational creativity is influenced exchange stories with each other accurate than it would have been just Foundation Internet backbone,” Becker Becker adds that from a technology by the arts and literature. It also every day, shouldn’t our phones and a few years ago. “As more and more says. The Advanced Research Projects standpoint, it is a very exciting space provided him a stepping stone to his computers be able to listen to our people use it around the world, the Agency Network (ARPAnet) was the because there are a lot of unsolved current job as a software engineer in personal stories and tell us stories we system gets better.” first experimental Internet pillar. problems, and from a business Google’s speech group, where he works want to hear?” Big data’s potential—especially as “That was the big Internet program perspective, big data is an area where on natural language processing— To help answer that question, he it relates to providing society new during the ’80s, and we built the router there’s growth within the government including data-heavy projects related to created a software program that reads tools—is one of the big reasons Elson systems and management software and commercial markets. voice search—for Android. for dialogue in digitally scanned is excited to work in this field. Not to for it at IBM.” Still, in broader terms, Becker Elson, a New York City resident, novels in order to piece together social mention, there are vast opportunities IBM and MCI formed a new believes there’s much to be done in earned his bachelor’s and master’s in networking maps. to learn more about big data and use it company called Advanced Network & terms of big data. computer science from the Engineering “My thesis looked at how computers effectively to improve health, education, Systems (ANS) in 1990 that Becker “There is a lot of fundamental School. He earned a PhD from the can be better readers and better writers and many other fields, he adds. cofounded. That spin-off was sold to improvement ahead,” he says. “With Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. with practice,” he says. Elson’s adviser “Big data can’t be fully harnessed America Online (AOL) and became the increasing performance requirements, When looking back at how his big data was Kathleen McKeown, Henry and by computer scientists working in there are new challenges just preventing the legacy systems from breaking down. interest began, Elson gave a starring Gertrude Rothschild Professor of intellectual vacuums,” he says. “SEAS From a technology standpoint, big data is a very role to his middle-school English Computer Science and the inaugural buys fully into Columbia’s commitment And there are new systems required to teacher who he said ingrained in him director of Columbia’s new Institute for to interdisciplinary learning, and the exciting space because there are a lot of unsolved push the envelope to leverage the new the mantra: “Better readers make better Data Sciences and Engineering. Core Curriculum works well to give generation of powerful sensors being writers, and better writers make “Professor McKeown was receptive to engineers a broader perspective.” problems, and from a business perspective, it is an deployed to collect intelligence data. That’s the next big step.” better readers.” the idea of taking her research toward area where there’s growth within the government Elson remembered that connection literature and narrative,” Elson says. By Cecily O’Connor when he took an artificial intelligence “She provided an excellent grounding and commercial markets. By Janet Haney

24 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 25 “Software engineering is a really Jenny Finkel BS’02 creative pursuit. You’re building something, and it’s not like there’s one Chief Software Architect, way to build a program to do a task,” Prismatic Finkel observes. “There are an infinite number of possibilities of how to do it. One might say Jenny Finkel took Your goal is to think: how can I build The Springfield, MA, native a gamble when she signed on as chief this thing that’s elegant and has all Shawn Edwards had a similar awakening when he software architect at a San Francisco– these features?” transferred to Columbia Engineering based data-rich start-up. Being the chief software architect BS’90, MS’95 his sophomore year from Western Fortunately, the New Jersey native at Prismatic complements Finkel’s Chief Technology Officer, New England College—a move made has found herself knee-deep in a field background in machine learning and Bloomberg because he sought a school with greater that she felt well prepared to handle. natural language processing. Prismatic research and facilities, as well as a And it doesn’t hurt that this six-person makes and provides consumers with an By the mid-90s, Shawn Edwards had graduate-level engineering program. company just nabbed $15 million in application-based newsfeed that utilizes mapped out a career path for designing “Coming from a town like Springfield funding from heavy-hitter investors. So machine-learning algorithms to suggest and building circuits. At the time, he and going to New York City, I started far the gamble seems to be paying off. news and other content to users based was primed to pursue a PhD in the meeting people from cultures I had “When you start to get attention, it’s on their activity. But don’t think of it as field, but for various personal reasons never met before,” Edwards says. like ‘game-on,’” Finkel says. “We have a big data company. scrapped that plan and enrolled in a That transition underscores how a ton of work and we want to deliver.” “I actually don’t like the term big graduate-level software design course. Edwards’s Columbia education is At Prismatic, she gets to flex the data,” says Finkel. “I see myself as a computer science skills she developed machinery person. A lot of what I do is as a student at Columbia Engineering. data science. I don’t think anyone who The exploding volume of data that U.S. industries face “Having a solid computer science looks behind the covers would look at is amplified on Wall Street, given colossal storage needs background was great preparation for [Prismatic] and think big data since almost anything, and if it’s analytical, usually that involves where you dump of transactions and other data for access and analysis. it’s even greater preparation,” Finkel everything you possibly can into your says. “It teaches you to think precisely, database and then you have to run these really precisely. It teaches you to think big Hadoop jobs.” (Apache Hadoop is The class, Object Oriented Design important to the work he is doing today about, ‘What are the right questions I an open-source software framework for and Programming Using C++, was and ultimately helped put him at the should be asking, and how do I find the data-intensive applications.) taught by former Adjunct Computer forefront of big data opportunities. answers to them?’” Finkel credits Columbia Engineering Science Professor John Lakos and The exploding volume of data that U.S. After Finkel earned her bachelor’s Professor Kenneth Ross’s Programming opened Edwards’s eyes to the fact that industries face is amplified on Wall degree in computer science from and Problem Solving class as a big many electrical engineering fundamen- Street, given colossal storage needs of the Engineering School, she went influence on her career. Students got tals could be applied to software design. transactions and other data for access on to receive her master’s and PhD to work on open-ended research “Meeting [Lakos] changed my and analysis. in computer science from Stanford. problems that didn’t have one set view and got me into software,” says Opportunities to “work with brilliant She also did postdoctorate work at solution, and Finkel relished that Edwards, who considers the professor to people” and innovate around complex both MIT and Columbia. Finkel had problem-solving approach. be an early mentor in large-scale design market data issues are a few reasons her sights set on being a professor, but “It was the realization that I can and testing, and team management. Edwards says he enjoys his job. the tug of returning to the West Coast actually do this as a job, and I can Edwards currently serves as chief As CTO, Edwards steers Bloomberg’s and pursuing imaginative, technology actually solve puzzles and write the technology officer at Bloomberg, tech direction through its flagship quests won out. code to solve those puzzles,” she says, overseeing the tech giant’s network of Professional Services product. This plat- adding that Ross encouraged students financial data and news terminals. It’s a form, or “Terminal,” delivers real-time who liked the class to consider graduate job he’s held since 2008, although he’d market data, news, and analytics, and “Having a solid computer science background was great school and pursue research. been at Bloomberg five years before the accounts for approximately 85 percent “That class captured my imagination promotion, working in programming of Bloomberg’s annual revenue. preparation for almost anything, and if it’s analytical, in a way that propelled me onto the and research and development. Financial markets are “one of the it’s even greater preparation.” next step,” says Finkel, “and I don’t Before Bloomberg, Edwards was a original big data consumers,” says know if it would have happened managing director at Bear Stearns & Edwards, noting Bloomberg has seen otherwise.” Co.—his first foray into Wall Street— peak real-time market data rates of six where he was introduced to the million messages per second, from more By Janet Haney “challenges, problems, and complexity than 5,000 feeds linked to exchanges, of analytics,” he says. contributors, and other sources.

26 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 27 Bloomberg also aggregates, stores, and But a new focus for the next five identifying predictive patterns that, classifies more than one million news Inder Singh BS’79, MS’81 years, he says, will be looking closely at Singh says, explain the future. We want stories from over 100,000 sources daily. relationships across unstructured data, to “use data to improve and deliver In addition, just about everything Senior Vice President, information that’s more difficult to services that consumers want the most; Edwards’s team of 50 tech professionals Comcast organize: “This is where understanding and to offer them more choices than touches has a low-latency element to they have ever had in the past, we need it, meaning Bloomberg clients need Inder Singh is onto something, Turning this ever- to bring a sharp focus on understanding speedy data access to respond to market though he can’t yet tell us what. “I evolving consumer preferences and events faster than the competition to have to be careful here because we’re increasing data tidal integrating these insights into our increase profitability. business model.” on the cutting edge of doing some very wave into business To that end, Edwards spends a great cool things at Comcast, with big data From his job at American Express in deal of time working on predictive definitely in mind.” insights means identifying the 1990s, one of the first companies analytics, which he considers the “next As the senior vice president for strat- to use big data to understand promise” for data sciences since it’s egy, finance, and business intelligence predictive patterns that consumers, to his positions at AT&T, aimed at better understanding and Prudential Financial, Lehman Brothers, at the cable and communications giant, explain the future. pushing forward relevant information Singh works with big data every day. Cisco, and now Comcast, Singh has had to traders. Of his many responsibilities at We want to “use data a passion for innovation and building “These are the things that excite me Comcast, Singh manages its cable new things, for figuring out new [about the job] … incredibly hard business strategy, a $40 billion to improve and deliver businesses and markets. problems, volumes of data that’s in- Singh graduated from Columbia operation, incubates new businesses, services that consumers creasing, timelines and immediacy, and and oversees the $2 billion product Engineering with both a BS and an MS pressing up against the boundaries of marketing finance operations. All of want the most.” in mechanical engineering, and then what computers can do.” these priorities are driven by big data— got his MBA at NYU. He credits SEAS by the company’s need to collect and and the University’s Core Curriculum By Cecily O’Connor manage information and to acquire changing customer preferences is with giving him a strong foundation in what Singh calls “business intelligence.” key, knowing where they watch their “appreciating not only the engineering logic-based building blocks you need to “As a media company,” he explains, content, how they like to consume side of things but also the arts, the appreciate the power of big data.” “we handle lots of data as part of our it (on a big screen in their living sciences, and math.” Singh is excited that Columbia has launched an innovative new Institute Edwards spends a great deal of time working on normal course of business, whether room or on the move on a tablet) and “The unique thing that Columbia it’s the network we run and how we developing the entertainment solutions provides is the fact that you can major/ for Data Sciences and Engineering and predictive analytics, which he considers the “next optimize it or the types of content, like that consumers want—giving them minor in multiple areas both within and says the University is on the right track multichannel TV and video-on-demand the chance to personalize, and also a outside engineering,” he adds. “Those in making critical investments in big promise” for data sciences since it’s aimed at that we deliver to consumers. We have wider array of entertainment options data research, in training students, and especially in allowing them to custom- better understanding and pushing forward a plethora of structured data that we’ve to enjoy, from sports to news to the “The underlying been looking at for years; it’s a part of top-rated shows.” tailor their curriculum so they can relevant information to traders. the DNA of our company.” The big quest for Singh and his team foundation that SEAS become the specialists that businesses at Comcast is how best to continue will need while providing them that to optimize Comcast’s products, provided was for the core foundation. “You don’t want to maintain the technologies, and offerings in a way quantitative, algorithmic, that takes into account all of that rigidity of a set way of doing things more personalized information, and logic-based building because the world is rapidly changing,” examining customer patterns and concludes Singh. “Moving innovation insights. The big drivers of this trend, blocks you need to forward at the speed of Moore’s law is no longer sufficient. Big data is core to Singh says, are increasing user mobility, appreciate the power the proliferation of social networking, almost every business, and I think the and new offerings like TV Everywhere. of big data.” Institute will really set Columbia on the “A lot of the infrastructure behind this, leading edge of this revolutionary new a lot of the content and programming several years at Columbia really laid the capability that will unfold over the next we put on it, a lot of the network foundation for understanding diverse decade and transform virtually every operations and technologies all create, things, whether in finance, marketing, aspect of winning in business.” as well as depend on, huge amounts— engineering, or for that matter, in petabytes—of data.” handling big data. The underlying By Holly Evarts Turning this ever-increasing data foundation that SEAS provided was tidal wave into business insights means for the quantitative, algorithmic, and

28 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 29 News than a tenth of the power that normal Engineering Start-Up Aims to sensors require; and Lumiode, which SEAS Start-Ups is developing a new microdisplay Prevent Maternal Deaths Take on NYC Tech Boom platform that is 30 times brighter and in Developing Nations 5 to 10 times more efficient than what is currently on the market. Led by a team of biomedical engineering alumni, biotech start-up Jibon Health Promoting and supporting Technologies Inc. took first place at Columbia Engineering’s annual Fast Pitch entrepreneurship is a major part of Competition held in the fall, beating out nearly 30 other competitors. Jibon Health’s the School’s mission. One of its most low-cost, low-tech device aims to reduce postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in mothers popular minors is entrepreneurship delivering in rural communities and developing countries where PPH is the leading and innovation. The School often hosts cause of maternal death. networking events that put start-up Fast Pitch, the Engineering School’s elevator pitch competition, gives start-ups a founders in the same room with heavy- chance to sell their ideas to a panel of judges, comprised mainly of Columbia alumni hitting VCs and Columbia alumni who and student entrepreneurs. Each team had just 60 seconds to deliver their pitches. have had much success leading their This proved to be a winning one-minute for the team at Jibon Health. From left to right: Ben Horowitz ’88CC, cofounder of VC firm Andreessen Horowitz, and University Trustee Bill Campbell ’62CC, ’64TC own businesses. Jibon CEO Mikail Kamal BS’12 and fellow alumni Anmol Gupta BS’12, John Lumiode founder and CEO Esau BS’12, Marissa Dreyer BS’12, and Xin Zhang BS’12 are the co-inventors of the Vincent Lee MS’09, PhD’12 said, company’s first product, Tampostat. They developed Tampostat for their senior year “Networking events like the Columbia design project and won the Biomedical Engineering Capstone Award for best design. Entrepreneurship Night are very Tampostat is an emergency obstetric device that stops postpartum hemorrhage in wo of the most powerful figures just what they look for in start-ups but important to us at this stage. We need as patients, giving them enough time to get to a hospital for treatment. in Silicon Valley imparted also what founders should look for in much feedback as we can get … and the “As a junior I came across Professor Samuel Sia’s lab-on-a-chip design that allows words of wisdom to a packed an investor. Simply put, said Campbell, T only way to get this feedback is to talk for cheap and rapid diagnosis of many diseases in places where fancy lab equipment is audience at Columbia Engineering’s “You find someone you can call in to as many people as possible.” unavailable,” says Kamal. “This really inspired me to think outside of the box.” Entrepreneurship Networking Night the middle of the night and who will Cosponsored with the Columbia Kamal and his teammates knew immediately that they wanted to focus on global held at the Metropolitan Pavilion answer the phone.” Alumni Association, the School’s health. They chose postpartum hemorrhage after learning it was the leading cause in New York. Campbell also said that one of Entrepreneurship Networking Nights of maternal death worldwide. In Bangladesh, where Kamal was born and raised, the In a lively exchange, University the most critical things to do when are ongoing and bicoastal. Last summer, majority of pregnant women still prefer to give birth at home with a midwife. Trustee Bill Campbell ’62CC, ’64TC, you’re starting a new company—and Campbell and Horowitz were joined “Just in Bangladesh, we learned 15,000 women die from postpartum hemorrhage board chairman at software giant Intuit, also one of the most challenging—is by Steve Chiang BS’93, president each year, and more than 100,000 suffer from it,” he says. “We wanted to come up and Ben Horowitz ’88CC, cofounder to hire the right people for the right of games at Zynga, at the School’s with a solution to this problem.” and general partner at venture capital job. “It’s never too early to get good entrepreneurship networking event Though devices similar to Tampostat are available on the market, only trained firm Andreessen Horowitz, agreed that people on your team,” he said. Another held in Mountain View, CA. Visit doctors are able to administer them, and they are expensive (averaging around $250). the start-up scene in New York City big challenge the two underscored: entrepreneurship.columbia.edu to find Tampostat costs $10 to manufacture and its simple design makes it user-friendly, says is bubbling with activity, and now’s recruiting engineers. The second half out more about upcoming events. Kamal. The design pairs a common male condom with simple bulb pumps to inflate the time for budding entrepreneurs of the evening’s program proved that the condom once the device is inserted against the cervix. The inflated condom to throw in their hats. It is especially Columbia Engineering is certainly minimizes blood loss by applying pressure on the uterine wall. Early product testing promising for skilled engineers and doing its part to chip away at using a uterine model has demonstrated that Tampostat can successfully reduce talented computer scientists, they noted. that problem. blood loss by as much as 53 percent. Campbell and Horowitz spoke Ten start-ups recently launched by Since graduation, it has been quite a ride for the founders of Jibon Health. energetically about the “tech boom” Columbia students and alumni got the Kamal credits the Engineering School for supporting entrepreneurship and for in New York City, stressing that the chance to demonstrate their innovative hosting key networking events that give student-led start-ups the help they Columbia Engineering Entrepreneurship Engineering School plays a key role in ideas to more than 350 people who Night in NYC attracted more than 350 immediately need, like connecting them with alumni mentors. giving the City top-tier engineers and attended the event. Four of the 10 were alumni, students, faculty, and friends to “The chance to present our invention to these distinguished individuals and talented computer scientists who can ideas brought to life at the Engineering network and learn about the bubbling successful entrepreneurs and to get firsthand advice on how to succeed was NYC start-up industry. tackle this burgeoning market. School, including Radiator Labs, the invaluable,” he says of the School’s entrepreneurship event in New York City. Said Horowitz, “It is important developer of an after-market product In January, Jibon COO Jason Rosenberg visited the hospitals in Dhaka, to keep in mind that all the start-up for steam-heated buildings that could Bangladesh, where they plan to hold clinical trials soon, and met with the country’s successes have been in technology, reduce carbon emissions by more than health minister to discuss future collaborations. Jibon Health also was recently chosen and all the tech successes have been in six million tons per year; Jibon Health, Jibon Health cofounders, from left to right: for the Bio and Health Tech NYC Entrepreneurship Lab, a six-month training computer science. . . . The emphasis on whose low-cost, low-tech device aims Jason Rosenberg (COO), Anthony Elder and mentorship program for the City’s life sciences and health care technology computer science is very, very critical.” to reduce postpartum hemorrhage (creative director), Mikail Kamal BS’12 (CEO, community, sponsored by the NYCEDC (Economic Development Corporation). As two of the highest-profile investors in women in developing countries; president), John Esau BS’12 (vice president of technology), Marissa Dreyer BS’12 “It’s a different day each day,” says Kamal of launching a start-up. “It’s an in the tech world, Horowitz and Udacomm, maker of an ultrasonic (vice president of marketing) emotional roller coaster but it’s exciting.” Campbell enjoyed talking about not environmental sensor that requires less

­­ 30 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 31 “Maybe even more important to us the scenes—what would make people last fall in Pennsylvania and also as is that we want to make people aware appreciate more the perks they have participants in the Driving Congress of the resources they’re using,” said from living in this era and perhaps Green event last year. Down the road, Van Haaren. “Nowadays, people are prevent the unnecessary idling of car Van Haaren and Fitzgerald have plans completely disconnected from the engines, cooling of unoccupied rooms, to build a smaller, portable solar backup primary resources they use and what and the use of wasteful plastic and system—one that people can use to happens to the waste they produce. paper bags.” run their refrigerators, lights, phones, We believe that more public insight The two already demonstrated their and laptops. is needed about what goes on behind solar panels at the Farm Aid Concert

School Honors Longtime Professor, Senior Vice Dean Emeritus

n recognition for his unwavering Economics: Robert C. Merton BS’66, dedication to The Fu Foundation in 1997, and Alvin E. Roth BS’71, who I School of Engineering and Applied received the honor just this past year. Science, the School has renamed the “Mort was reluctant to be in the Dean’s Conference Room, located on limelight, but we told him it was a the fifth floor of the Seeley W. Mudd requirement and he must show up,” said SEAS Students Building, the Morton B. Friedman Goldfarb at the event. “Being the kind Morton B. Friedman PROVIDE Power in Wake of Hurricane Sandy Conference Room. Morton Friedman of guy that he is, he agreed. And that’s (Mort) is a longtime professor of civil what he’s been doing his whole career— engineering and engineering mechanics, putting the best interest of the School in Among his many achievements at and of applied physics and applied front of his own.” the School, Friedman enhanced wo Columbia Engineering country raising awareness about electric not even that far from here—parts were mathematics, and is senior vice Friedman was honored by the special engineering education in the first-year graduate students brought vehicles and solar power. They intended really destroyed.” dean emeritus. recognition. “It’s more than I expected, curriculum with project-based design positive energy to a community to start their so-called “solar journey” Added Fitzgerald, “We set out on At the School’s annual Faculty frankly, because I’ve enjoyed being here and with discipline-specific professional T Excellence Celebration held in the fall, at Columbia,” said Friedman. “It’s been courses; he created a minors program devastated by Hurricane Sandy, where this summer, but until then, had this project to promote the use of solar many residents were without power for been storing the array in a facility in panels and electric vehicles with a focus Interim Dean Donald Goldfarb paid a wonderful experience. . . . I’m proud in more than 20 liberal arts subjects; several months. New Jersey. on education outreach. We’re really tribute to Friedman and thanked him to say I played an important role in the and he encouraged research opportu- Rob van Haaren and Garrett “We immediately thought about happy that what we’ve developed for his commitment and devotion to the process of hiring and tenuring faculty. nities with junior and senior faculty. Fitzgerald, both doctoral candidates in doing something to help after Hurricane had a direct impact on people’s lives School. Dean Goldfarb, who has known Thank you.” He served as chair of the Department earth and environmental engineering, Sandy but didn’t have a contact,” said after Sandy.” and worked with Friedman for 30 years, In addition to having the conference of Civil Engineering and Engineering have co-designed and built a portable Van Haaren. “The panels were just Van Haaren and Fitzgerald met said he is grateful for the wise counsel room named after him, Friedman was Mechanics from 1981 to 1995; and solar array. Days after the hurricane, sitting in New Jersey not being used. at the Engineering School in 2008 Friedman provided him throughout presented with a calligraphic citation from 1980 to 1991, he also held the the duo set it up at St. Gertrude’s So why not put them to work?” as master’s students in the Earth his own career at SEAS as a professor, that enumerated his many significant post of associate dean for instruction Church and Youth Center in Rockaway The two eventually connected and Environmental Engineering department chair, and as interim dean, contributions to the School. Goldfarb and research. Beach, Queens. The church operated with David Gibbs, an expert in solar Department. Their planned trip across twice now. When Goldfarb first served shared an excerpt from the citation with Friedman received his BS, MS, and as a volunteering center where donated photovoltaic (PV) systems and a the United States includes stops in as interim dean in 1994, Friedman was the faculty, students, staff, and friends EngScD degrees from New York goods and hot meals were being consultant on their Solar Journey 25 cities with Berkeley, CA, as the senior vice dean. who attended the event; it resonated University. In 1956, he joined Columbia distributed to Rockaway residents. project, who connected them to St. final destination. The plan is to travel In the mid-1960s, Friedman founded with many who know Friedman well. as an assistant professor of civil The solar array provided power to Gertrude’s. They kept the solar array approximately 180 miles a day, which the Division of Mathematical Methods Goldfarb read: “You have become a engineering and engineering mechanics. lights, refrigerators, phone chargers, stationed there for several weeks in is as far as they can go before having to and Operations Research, and Goldfarb trusted adviser and friend to all with In 1966, he was appointed full professor, computers, and a temporary medical November and December. recharge the electric car. Their sponsors credits him with keeping the operations the wisdom to seek you out. How many a position he still holds. In 1995, clinic housed inside the church. “It was really awesome to be in the include First Solar, Outback Power, research discipline alive and thriving at crises have been averted, problems Friedman was named vice dean, and Consisting of 72 solar panels that Rockaways and see just how many Global Environment Fund, Columbia’s the School through the years. Among solved, and hazy ideas brought into then senior vice dean in 2010, and in measure about 20 feet by 60 feet, the people were coming to volunteer,” said Center for Life Cycle Analysis, and the first students in that division are focus because someone had the good 2012, senior vice dean emeritus. portable charging station was originally Van Haaren. “In Manhattan, things Columbia’s Earth Engineering Center. two winners of the Sveriges Riksbank sense to utter three simple words: designed by Fitzgerald and Van Haaren went back to normal for the most part They are still hoping to receive a Prize in Economic Sciences, commonly Let’s ask Mort.” to power an electric car and travel cross- fairly quickly, but out there—and it is sponsored electric car to use for the trip. referred to as the Nobel Prize in

32 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 33 Letter from the Alumni Association Presidents Class Notes

Class Notes: Undergraduate Alumni

Dear Columbia Engineering Alumni, Family, and Friends, 1942 engineer in 1948. I went to work for what is now called Domino Class Correspondent: pring has come again to Morningside Heights and with it, a sense of renewal and Sugar upon graduating and stayed Arthur Graham with them for 43 years, retiring rejuvenation. As alumni, it is important for us to take this time to renew our connection [email protected] in 1991 as chief engineer and vice S with the School and with one another. president of engineering. I relocated What does this renewal look like? Last year, the Columbia Alumni Association issued the to Sharon, CT, with my then wife, “Columbia Challenge” to challenge alumni to “do one new Columbia thing” in 2012. While 2012 1943 Helen Woolsey Hall, who died Filippo Galluppi has come and gone, we would like to reissue this challenge to all Engineering alumni for 2013. 70th Reunion two years ago. Building a house in a very rural part of Connecticut, I Find a new way to renew your connection with the School like never before: go to an alumni To take an active role in your Class have spent the happiest years of my event; contact your roommate; submit a Class Note to Columbia Engineering magazine; interview Reunion activities, please contact 1953 life here. In good health at 86, I Beth Manchester at em2702@ an applicant to the School. Do one Columbia Engineering thing you haven’t done before and have three children and three grand- 60th Reunion find out what the alumni experience can mean to you. columbia.edu or 212-854-4472. children. I have been a volunteer To take an active role in your Class Regardless of your career, major, age, interests, or location, there is a way for you to engage member of the Sharon Sewer and Frank Brandt, 91, continues on the Reunion activities, please contact with the Columbia Engineering community that will be significant and meaningful. Visit Water Commission for 20 years crusade to point out that the unreli- Beth Manchester at em2702@ and have been director of the local engineering.columbia.edu/get-involved to find out more. We have a feeling you’ll find it very able energy sources, wind and solar columbia.edu or 212-854-4472. Duplicate Bridge Club for about 15 rewarding—we certainly do! are not appropriate for generating years. I would like to make contact While there are a multitude of Columbia Engineering events throughout the year, we would commercial electricity while nuclear Class Correspondent: with former classmates: Ray Rice, energy is appropriate. He writes, Don Ross like to extend a special invitation to you and your guests to join us for the official welcome Al Dawson, Larry Weiland, and “This is a continuation of the [email protected] dinner at Engineering Reunion Weekend on the evening of Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Low Roy Fisher. My roommate and message taught at the CU School Memorial Library. As part of celebrating our tradition of excellence, the Columbia Engineering best friend, Ted Brockmeier, died of Engineering back in the early several years ago.” Alumni Association (CEAA) will honor Michael Abrahams BS’63, MS’64 and Donald Ferguson 1940s that hydro energy always had 1955 MS’86, PhD’89, ’82CC with the prestigious Egleston Medal for Distinguished Engineering to be backed up by steam plants Class Correspondent: Achievement. For more information or to make a reservation, you can contact Cliff Massey at because it was unreliable.” Frank 1950 Leo Cirino, [email protected] [email protected] or 212-854-2317. writes letters to the California We would be proud to have you join us in celebrating Columbia Engineering ingenuity and Energy Commission with that mes- Class Correspondent: Joe Alvarado achievement. Be sure to visit the Columbia Engineering website and check your email for sage. California has mandated that 1956 33 percent of the state’s electrical [email protected] updates on the many opportunities to connect with other Engineering alumni in the months to Class Correspondent: consumption be produced with come. In the meantime, join our conversation on Facebook (facebook.com/myceaa) and Twitter Lou Hemmerdinger non-reliable energy sources, which [email protected] (@myceya), and tell us: what will your “one new thing” be this year? will be disastrous to the citizens of 1951 the state, says Frank. Class Correspondent: Lou Hemmerdinger MS’58 writes, Ted Borri “Our Class of ’56 yearly winter [email protected] luncheon in Florida has developed 1945 into a successful annual event to which year-rounders, snowbirds, Class Correspondent: and vacationing classmates alike Gloria Reinish 1952 all look forward. Past get-togethers [email protected] Russell Baccaglini ’63, Jonathan Lung ’06 Class Correspondent: have elicited near universal positive ’64 MS, ’72 ProfDeg President Peter Mauzey, [email protected] response, particularly from wives President Columbia Engineering 1948 Filippo Galluppi has recently written and companions, who generally Columbia Engineering Young Alumni a book, The Missing Human Factor, don’t come to the New York City Alumni Association 65th Reunion in which he includes a number of lunches, saying how much they To take an active role in your Class experiences and observations of his liked getting together in an infor- Reunion activities, please contact 60 some odd years of engineering and mal atmosphere. management. Of particular interest, “This season the time and date Columbia | Engineering Beth Manchester at em2702@ columbia.edu or 212-854-4472. he writes, “may be found on pages has been set for February 26, Young Alumni 130 to 135 in which I congratu- and Ed Botwinick BS’58, ’56CC Harry Hall writes, “I received a late the education given to me by has graciously offered to host a BNS degree in 1947 (Bachelor of Columbia University, where I invested barbeque on the grounds of his Naval Science, due to the Navy an extra year using Columbia’s profes- waterfront property on the St. V-12 College Officer Training sional option courses that eventually Lucie River in Stuart. The venue Program) and a BS as an electrical helped me write the book.” will permit much more mingling

­­ 34 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 35 Class Notes Class Notes

and enable easy interaction among PhD adviser and a good friend. Yalta, and Odessa, and returned convince him to pursue engineer- and accordingly, had my five 1963 us compared to previous occasions, This year we also lost Bob Finn, my via Athens. Istanbul brought back ing) is a Juno Project Scientist at minutes of fame on TV, news- when we were limited to being seat- Cornell MS adviser and also a dear memories of two weeks working JPL. Thirty-two of us attended the papers, radio! An unexpected 50th Reunion ed at tables inside a restaurant or friend. Our Philadelphia trip was there on a U.S. government AID August 2011 launch at Canaveral. highlight resulted when one of To take an active role in your Class country club.” immediately after Hurricane Sandy Project. We passed by the old office “I married my second wife 15 my term papers evolved into a full Reunion activities, please contact Harold Reisman PhD’65 writes, and prior to the next big storm. building as well as Topkapi Palace years ago. We greatly enjoy our book: A Creole Lexicon, Architecture, Star Sawyer at [email protected] “Since graduation from Columbia We were glad to return to our and major mosques often seen house, which is on 2½ rural acres Landscape, People, published by or 212-851-2402. with a BS in 1956 and PhD in California paradise. in tourist advertising for Turkey. in the high desert. We have great LSU Press and available in most 1965 in chemical engineering and “Our son, Joe (BS Yale, MS Yalta was also of particular inter- views, light snow a time or two book stores.” Class Correspondent: an MS from Cornell in between, and PhD in chemistry, UCSD, and est, as we had the opportunity to per year, and plenty of areas for Chuck Cole, [email protected] I’ve lived across the country. In LLB Bolt Hall, UC), his wife, Sara visit Livadia Palace where FDR, the dog to explore. My wife says Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New (MS in Public Health, SDSU), and Churchill, and Stalin met in 1945. that, during their morning walks, 1962 Jersey with Merck, in California and their three children, ages 10 to 16, At the end of October, Hurricane he often chases the coyotes. He’s Class Correspondent: 1964 Connecticut with Stauffer Chemical are among the many reasons for our Sandy brought many here days of smarter than that behavior might Marshal (Mickey) Greenblatt Class Correspondent: Company, and in Massachusetts move to Carlsbad, CA. Being close no power and heat and/or loss of indicate. Best to all!” [email protected] Tom Magnani with Organogenisis. My work was to one set of grandchildren and homes and basic communication. [email protected] in fermentation and pharmaceutical traveling to visit the others is the By December, signs of recovery Pravin Banker’s new novel will be Pravin Banker has completed a research, tissue engineering, and as best of both worlds.” appeared. The situation improve- published this spring. 1959 novel, The House of Shah. This story Larry Kuznetz MS’65 writes, a business executive. In retirement ment allowed us to have personal of his forefathers will be told in a Class Correspondent: “Other than a 10-year stint at UC for the past 16 years with some con- family (and Columbia!) reunions series of three books, The Patriarch, Betsey Altman Berkeley teaching Mars-related sulting to keep my hand in and my with brother, Dr. Morris Drucker The Sinai Conspiracy, and The Money 1957 [email protected] courses, I’ve been with NASA or knowledge in the field up to speed, ’67CC in Hilton Head Island, SC, Trail, and traces the roots of a Robert Paaswell ’56CC gave its contractors since the Apollo era, Miriam (my wife) and I travel the son Dr. Michael Drucker BS’88 in family across generations. The first an invited presentation on the when I was a wet-behind-the-ears globe, including many times in Italy Winston Salem, NC, and locally, of the series will be available on “Impacts of Hurricane Sandy on 1960 member of the metabolic assessment to recall our 1960–61 Fulbright year daughters Ellen (Drucker) Albert Amazon in March. After graduating Regional Transportation” at a team for the lunar surface EVAs. in Rome, but most often to Israel, ’82BC and Dr. Beverly Drucker At a recent event hosted by the from Columbia, Pravin joined IBM Transport Conference held at the Some of my projects at the NASA which is our destination biannually. ’94PS. Grandson Brian Albert Columbia University Club of where he spent almost two decades. Conservatoire National des Artes et Johnson, Kennedy and Ames We visit our daughter, Jocelyn (BS BS’10 continues graduate work Sarasota, attendees sang “Happy During a stint as head of Treasury Metiers in Paris on November 13. Research Space Centers have Stanford), her husband, Dan (MD at MIT.” Birthday” to Robert Mendelson, Operations for IBM World Trade, Robert’s wife, Roz ’59BC, joined included being part of the ‘build Yale), and their 8 children, ages 6 Laurence H. (Larry) Levin who turned 80. He and his wife, and as senior treasury consultant him for a “delightful several days team’ that constructed space shuttle to 27. In early 2011, our grand- writes, “After 15 years in the field, Marion, drove from Venice to to the IBM treasurer, he had the exploring the cafes and patisseries Columbia; designing talking, ‘intel- daughter’s marriage, near Tel Aviv, I left aerospace, opened a real estate celebrate his birthday with fellow chance to travel through all of and other attractions of this city ligent’ spacesuits; investigating was a highlight, with 500 guests in office (mostly small investment alumni. Other engineering alumni Latin America and South East Asia. which we know so well.” water and life on Mars; and celebration. The Israelis are doing properties) in Santa Monica, CA. in the audience included Ed Fenton He writes, “While visiting Buenos education outreach programs for well and we are always comfortable In 1990, I moved/semiretired to BS’48, MS’49, Milton Kruk BS’49, Aires in 1976, I witnessed the middle schools to universities. there, despite the tensions reported. the north slope of San Gabriel MS’50, George Ruhl BS’67, Junta, led by Air Force General 1958 My publication list, though centered Prayer helps. mountains, 4,100 feet above sea ’70BUS, and local Club President Jorge Videla, place Isabelita Perón on human body heat transfer, also “With the Middle East twists 55th Reunion level, in northern Los Angeles Lee-En Chung BS’88, who emceed on an Iberia flight to Madrid. includes two peer-reviewed papers and turns, I’ve been studying Sharia county. Location is about 25 miles the luncheon. The Argentina episode was chron- To take an active role in your Class about water on Mars (including and the Koran to better understand due south of Edwards Air Force icled in an article published in the Reunion activities, please contact the first to show that liquid water what makes Israel’s neighbors and Base, so I get to see/hear lots of Harvard Business Review in March Beth Manchester at em2702@ could be stable on the surface); a the world tick. It’s been eye opening interesting aircraft. 1961 of 1983.” After leaving IBM, Pravin columbia.edu or 212-854-4472. novel and film treatment; Mars for to me. The Third Choice by Mark “I serve (and have served) on formed his own company, Pravin Luigi Giamundo has become a Dummies; and a children’s spacesuit Durie is an incisive, intelligent, and several Los Angeles County boards/ Banker Associates Ltd, gaining Robert Drucker writes, “Events grandfather for the seventh time! book. I’ve also spent considerable well-documented book on the topic commissions. Most recently, I was notoriety when it successfully sued for 2012 were a combination of Vittoria Maria was born November time lecturing or appearing in pub- and I recommend it. appointed to—prepare yourself— Alberto Fujimori and the Republic history, some nostalgia, and the 29 and Luigi writes, “is a very lic venues such as The Tonight Show “On our most recent trip to the Alternative Technology Advisory of Peru in 1993, the success hinging tragic consequences of Hurricane pretty little girl with a lot of dark and Good Morning America. Israel we visited the new wing of the Subcommittee of the Los Angeles on the support of then Deputy Sandy in the New York area. A visit hair and blue eyes.” “In October 2010 I left the space Tel Aviv Art Museum. The archi- County Solid Waste Management Treasury Secretary Dr. Lawrence to Honolulu earlier this year struck Nicolas Kariouk spent his agency to join public enrichment tecture is a fine work of art itself. Committee/Integrated Waste Summers before the Second Circuit an emotional/patriotic chord at professional career in the nuclear programs aboard cruise ships, where Reviewing the archaeological finds Management Task Force. The length Court of Appeals. Pravin lives in the USS Arizona and battleship field designing nuclear submarines, I now give lectures on a variety of of the late Vendyl Jones with of the name is proportionate to the Greenwich, CT, with his wife and “Big Mo.” The U.S. Navy used the nuclear power plants, etc. He writes, topics related to space exploration James Long, author of Riddle of size of the waste disposal problem they have two children. He has Classic Royal Hawaiian Hotel (aka “Upon my retirement in 1995, I that covers everything from ISS, to the Exodus, was a new look into in Los Angeles County. I hope had numerous articles published the Pink Palace) for R&R in World became frustrated on account of Mars, and beyond. Most recently I a subject we will never know whatever remains of my Columbia at various times over the last 30 War II. Its historical value is some- curtailed activity. As such, I was involved in a last ditch attempt to completion. Engineering (and subsequent RPI) years, including in the Harvard what diminished now as its location enrolled as a full-time student at to save the space shuttle program, “In the fall we visited friends and experience will allow me to contrib- Business Review, The New York is surrounded by shopping centers. the Louisiana State University and which is now under consideration family in New York, New Jersey, ute to solving the problem. Times, The Wall Street Journal, and On the European side of the world, earned a master’s degree in anthro- for a documentary and film. I feel Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, “On the more personal side, Financial Times of London. we cruised from Venice into the pology, specializing in linguistics especially grateful and privileged to among them some Columbia alum- I have three successful kids, seven Black Sea area, which brought us and cultural anthropology. At age have participated in and been part ni. We were saddened by the passing grandkids, all living on the West to the Greek Islands of Mykonos 70, I was the oldest graduate on the of all of these exciting projects. of Elmer Gaden, my Columbia and Santorini, Olympia, Istanbul, Side of LA. The physicist (couldn’t LSU Commencement stage

­­ 36 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 37 Class Notes Class Notes

“I’ve also been writing a novel, me! Instead, I do some consulting activities across the agency. He has to do something like this for the 1969 1970 CASI’s Guess, since 1989, when for pay but invest more of my time developed, organized, and taught profession. They are opening a new the story came to me in a vision doing pro bono work for arts and courses on quantitative risk assess- PTO San Jose office. With the new Class Correspondent: Geoffrey Akers MS’70, MS’71 was following the return to flight of the education organizations. Modern ment and risk-informed decision patent law, the America Invents Ron Mangione accepted to a tier 1 law school in shuttle program in the aftermath of dance lessons in my 60s convinced for managers and practitioners. Act, the new PTAB will have greatly [email protected] Chicago with a partial merit schol- the Challenger accident. While the me that a career in dance was not to He has lectured throughout NASA expanded jurisdiction for trials on Mankind Project New England, arship. He anticipates study this first draft was completed rather be, at least in this lifetime. But I and to universities and govern- important patent validity issues.” part of a global nonprofit that year for patent law. quickly, it’s taken all these interven- could apply my marketing and ment and industrial organizations. Jerome Wasserman writes, “To offers men’s programs, has named Chester Lee ’74BUS happily reports that his son, Douglas Lee ing years to actually learn how to finance skills at the local ballet Michael is author or coauthor of anyone visiting the Fort Lauderdale Ron Goldman as its 2012 Ron write and give the characters life. company, with an arts-in-education more than 100 technical papers and area any time between November Hering Mission of Service Award BS’06, got married to Kiki Sung on All I can say is, whew! It’s now on nonprofit, reading to kids, and reports. He is coauthor of: “NASA and May, please email me at winner. Ron Goldman’s mission November 17 in Jamaica. Several Amazon, where it’s getting good teaching financial literacy to visually Procedures Guide for Probabilistic [email protected] if you’d like to is to create a more peaceful and SEAS and Columbia alumni reviews. CASI’s Guess is about impaired teens as well as to adults Risk Assessment,” “NASA Fault go for a day sail on my sailboat!” loving world by raising awareness attended! Chester’s oldest son, the first human mission to Mars. living in shelters. My theory is that Tree Handbook,” “NASA Risk about the unrecognized pain and Michael (a Penn graduate) and wife There are of course, films and education can solve most of the Management Handbook,” and harm experienced by children Grace are parents to a baby boy books galore about Mars, but problems in the world, and it’s best “NASA Accident Precursor Analysis born January 17, 2013. Larry Kuznetz tested spacesuits due to specific American cultural at NASA, Johnson Space Center. CASI’s Guess is not just another to start with young kids. Handbook.” He is also coauthor of beliefs and practices. Ron worked Mars novel. It’s an environmental “I also have had the good fortune two book chapters on probabilistic as a consulting engineer for various thriller combining the forewarning to continue to enjoy theater and risk assessment. firms before starting his own 1972 of An Inconvenient Truth with the dance, the library, jogging, the consulting company. He also sings Dr. Slade Gellin is a professor aura of 2001: A Space Odyssey. company of several good friends, and plays guitar professionally. of mechanical engineering at SUNY They are all packaged together in a red wine, and occasional travel to 1965 Jerome Wasserman His interest in psychology came Buffalo State. He is married (for good old-fashioned love story with places requiring a passport and After graduating from Columbia, later, and he returned to school 36 years!) and has five children a host of characters that includes a inoculations to avoid dread diseases. George Libman worked 3 years in order to pursue his mission. and six grandchildren. He met claustrophobic lesbian, a sexually I often thank my late parents for as an engineer for, but not in, the 1967 Ron is a researcher, speaker, with Professor Mort Friedman last repressed physician, a sultry mission giving me a generous helping from Army. He writes, “then I spent 8 Bill Quirk was elected to the writer, counselor, and founder February and writes that it was navigator, a hard-drinking Russian the deep end of the gene pool. years as a patent examiner (during California State Assembly on of the Circumcision Resource “so good to see that he is active commander, etc., in physical settings For a kid whose grandparents came which time I attended evening law November 6 and was sworn in on Center, a nonprofit educational and doing well.” as diverse and spectacular as Mars, over on the boat, in steerage, I’ve school after work for 4 years— December 3. Bill hopes to use his organization that raises awareness Antarctica, and Biosphere 2 in the been incredibly fortunate. The edu- a drag but not as difficult as engi- science and engineering education about the harm of circumcision Arizona desert. You can read more cation I received at Columbia was neering school), and 28 years as to develop policy to make it easier and facilitates healing. He has 1973 about it on Amazon. Whatever your part of that good fortune. Life is a government/corporate patent to integrate renewable energy into a PhD in psychology and is the vocation, inclination, or position good, and the beat goes on.” 40th Reunion attorney, mostly working with the electrical grid. Additionally, author of Circumcision: The Hidden in the space-time continuum, we Joel R. Schiff reports that all is creative people at Sandia National Bill is concerned about better Trauma, endorsed by dozens of To take an active role in your Class all occupy a special spot in the uni- well. Joel and his wife are enjoy- Labs in Albuquerque, NM. In 2004, funding of education, support for professionals in mental health, Reunion activities, please contact verse. I hope CASI’s Guess enhances ing retirement in Williamsburg, my wife and I retired to Tucson, police and firefighters, and making medicine, and social science. His Star Sawyer at ss3858@columbia that experience at a minimum. At a VA. They spent a beautiful AZ, where I do absolutely nothing it easier to start, grow, and keep work is internationally known and .edu or 212-851-2402. maximum, well I suppose the sky’s Thanksgiving with their daughter with patent law, but I do play a business in California. published in newspapers, magazines, the limit, no pun intended.” and her boyfriend and other friends. either saxophone or clarinet in symposia proceedings, textbooks, Neil Marmor MS’67, PhD’69 They plan to sell their existing four musical groups. I had played and medical journals. Ron teaches 1974 writes, “I stopped working full time home and downsize to a smaller that human problems often start both instruments with the Thomas M. Giusto ’75JRN just for pay about six years ago. It was townhome in the same city in James 1968 Columbia band, then did not at the beginning of life and can completed 30 years working as my choice. It took a year or so to City County. Joel writes, “Wishing 45th Reunion play either for 15 years.” be connected to limiting cultural a producer for ABC News in get used to living [more frugally] off well for the New Year to all my To take an active role in your Class attitudes toward infants. He writes, Washington, DC. He writes, “Last my accumulated capital. It also gave classmates and their families!” Reunion activities, please contact “Consequently, ‘normal’ medical year was an exceptional year of me the opportunity to decide what Michael Stamatelatos MS’65, 1966 Star Sawyer at ss3858@columbia and childcare practices may cause foreign travel highlighted by two I wanted to do with what remains EngScD’70 has been director of the .edu or 212-851-2402. unrecognized trauma. A serious trips around the world covering of my life. I quickly decided there Safety and Assurance Requirements Neil A. Smith ’65CC, ’69LAW has result of early trauma is disruption former Secretary of State Hillary wasn’t enough time left to simply Division in the Office of Safety been appointed by the U.S. Patent John P. White ’71GSAS drove his of the mother-child bond, and Rodham Clinton. In July we spend it. If I really wanted to do and Mission Assurance at NASA and Trademark Office/Department coach and team of four horses to a this generally affects future social embarked on the most grueling trip something, I would, instead, invest Headquarters since October 2003. of Commerce to serve as an admin- second-place ribbon at the recent behavior. Avoiding early trauma even she has ever taken; 27,000 my time. Having been trained as an Michael is a recognized expert in istrative patent judge on the new Royal Horse Show in Toronto. is an essential part of creating a miles, 14 cities, and 12 coun- engineer several eons ago, I decided risk and reliability assessment. Patent Trial and Appeal Board The horse show portion of the more peaceful and loving society. tries all in 12 days: Paris, France; to develop a project plan. I knew I He joined NASA in 2000 as (PTAB), which will hold hearings Royal Agricultural Winter Fair was My ideas challenge us to question Kabul, Afghanistan; Tokyo, Japan; didn’t want to wake up in a year’s manager of risk assessment in and decide important patent valid- attended by an audience of 6,500 certain beliefs and rediscover Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Hanoi, time and wonder where 12 months the Office of Safety and Mission ity and related issues. Neil writes, fans. This was John’s third time what is natural, consistent with Vietnam; Vientiane, Laos; Phnom of my life had gone. Assurance. In that position, he was “This is a great opportunity for me participating. John, who has a farm our instincts, and satisfies Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia; “The word retirement had responsible for the development to serve the profession. I clerked for in Stillwater, NJ, competed in the children’s needs.” Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt; and connotations from my folks’ genera- and application of probabilistic risk a judge on the predecessor to the show with his mixed team of gray Jerusalem, Israel. Plus, refueling tion: sit on the beach, read The New assessment (PRA) policy as well as Federal Circuit Court of Appeals Czech Kladrubers and Andalusians. stops in Almaty, Kazakhstan; Abu York Times, get sand in my shorts, for coordinating, overseeing, and in my early years (Giles S. Rich, Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and and accumulate skin cancer. Not for integrating PRA programs and Columbia Law) and have wanted Shannon, Ireland. Each day on

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Class Correspondents: represent third parties in preparing clumping together in railcars in He started his career in operating Larry Chung patent applications, prosecuting cold weather, as coal can contain jobs at AT&T after graduating [email protected] patents, performing due diligence, about 10 percent moisture that from Columbia and after graduate and using his MBA (UCLA), will will crystallize in freezing weather. school at MIT. Peter Luccarelli perform patent valuations as well as The softened ice crystals will break, [email protected] negotiate license deals. Bob also was allowing the coal to be transferred awarded his own U.S. patent (2011) in cold weather. My invention 1985 Al McGovern celebrated 30 years as an inventor for a Traumatic Brain rapidly became the coal industry Thomas Giusto with then Robert Petrelli MS’86 writes of happy marriage to Mary Jo Injury (TBI) Biomarker Diagnostic standard and is used ubiquitously Secretary of State Clinton that he’s a “proud father of Alexa (Moriarty) McGovern. He and his field kit enabling combat medics to about the Appalachian coal region Petrelli ’12CC [who majored in wife reside in Naperville, IL, and diagnose TBI on the battlefield. of the United States. Crude glycerin average, we logged the equivalent biochemistry]. Anyone need a Al is the director of mechanical William Bradley O’Connor has also prevents dust generation from of flying across the United States. bright, hardworking biochemist?!” The mornings were early, the eve- engineering for Shure Incorporated. just published his first book, Stealth mining activities.” Bo has more nings late, and sleep was the most Their son is engaged to be married Fighter: A Year in the Life of an recent patents related to grinding precious commodity. The adventure this year in Cleveland, their mid- F-117 Pilot (Zenith Press). William, clinkers (limestones and clay) in 1987 was an unforgettable mix of cul- dle daughter is a nurse in Denver, a Lt. Col., USAF (ret.), began his cement production. He writes, CO, and their youngest daughter Stanley Chao has written a new tures, countries, and time zones. F-117 training in May 1998, and Lt. Col. William Bradley O’Connor “Grinding operation at cement There were moments that took your will graduate this spring from the his book focuses on the following plants consume substantial energy. book, Selling to China: A Guide breath away, and moments when Fashion Institute of Technology year of his life as he completes his the National Register of Historic My invention reduces power to Doing Business for Small- and you wanted to take someone else’s in New York City. training and enters combat when Places. I continue to be involved consumption by improving clinker Medium-Sized Companies, published breath away. From planes to palaces continuing turmoil in the former in the Columbia University grinding efficiency and cement in November. The book is based we sped off in motorcades. We had republics of Yugoslavia leads to Amateur Radio Club, which is handling. A major multinational on Chao’s 20 years of experience to dodge flying fruit thrown by a NATO bombing campaign. now sporting some new antennas cement manufacturer is currently working and living in China, and demonstrators in Alexandria, and He recently completed a 26-year on the roof of Mudd.” running tests employing my consulting on more than 100 we were saved by a pair of pajama career as an aviator in the U.S. James Reda sold his consult- invention.” Even in his spare time, China-related projects. Chao gives bottoms that covered forbidden Air Force and completed tours of ing firm to Arthur J. Gallagher Bo enjoys inventing. He recently real-life, down-to-earth advice for blue jeans in Mongolia. For the duty flying eight different types (NYSE:AJG) in February 2011. filed a patent application on pre- business people on how to conduct tireless Mrs. Clinton it was just of jets, including assignments as He is still working on a three-year venting gout attack using himself business in China, containing many Al McGovern and wife, Mary Jo another diplomatic jaunt. She never an exchange officer to both the employment agreement and is based as the guinea pig. He remains an anecdotes and stories of his own

broke a sweat.” Egyptian Air Force and the U.S. in Times Square in New York City. active alumnus, participating in business successes and failures. Navy. He flew 79 combat sorties He invites classmates to come by activities in the Chicago area. The book disproves many of the 1979 over Iraq during the “no fly-zone” and say hello! Last summer, he welcomed the oversimplified and exaggerated 1975 Class Correspondent: years before being selected to join Class of 2016 (Engineering and conventional wisdoms about Stewart Levy, [email protected] the cadre of F-117 Stealth Fighter College) from the Midwest. He was China and offers alternative Billie Tekel Elias writes, “My son pilots at Holloman AFB, NM. 1982 the alumnus speaker at the event, solutions to or descriptions of is enjoying his freshman year at His final active-duty assignment was held at the Latin School (Chicago, what is really happening. MIT. He is working on a research Class Correspondent: 1980 to Sheppard AFB, TX, where he IL). Bo is married to Joan Lynch, project at the Media Lab called Dan Libby, [email protected] was an instructor pilot and the U.S. MD. They live with their two CrowdCounsel: Crowd-Powered Jim DeFilippis MS’90 writes, senior national representative to the Bo L. Hung Tran MS’83 is the children, William and Siobhan, in Emotion Regulation. I have been “This has been a year of change. NATO fighter pilot training pro- product manager in the Global an 1891 Chicago brownstone that investigating my genealogical past Working on the London Olympics gram for almost five years. William Mining and Mineral Processing he rehabbed. This year, Bo plans to and have learned of distant rela- as part of the host 3-D channel amassed 6,077 jet flight hours as Unit of Nalco Company in apply for the Engineering School’s tives who lived in Nagasaki and delivering more than 12 hours of a fighter, test, and instructor pilot Naperville, IL. He holds more Egleston Medal. Shanghai, circa 1900.” live 3-D coverage, finishing up 15 than 20 patents and patent-pending years at the FOX Technology Group before retiring. He currently lives in North Texas. inventions related to mining and developing new technology for use mineral processing. Most of his 1983 1976 by FOX Television, and in October, inventions revolve around using receiving the David Sarnoff Medal green chemistry derived from 30th Reunion Robert J. Osterman writes, from the Society of Motion Picture 1981 “I retired from Ford Motor Co. renewable resources. He has several To take an active role in your Class and Television Engineers (SMPTE). Class Correspondent: patented/patent-pending inventions Reunion activities, please contact in 2007. I am currently living Looking forward to consulting in James F. Reda, [email protected] related to mineral beneficiation. Star Sawyer at ss3858@columbia in warm, sunny Mississippi. the television and media sector. Alan Crosswell MS’85 writes, “I’m He writes, “The inventions enhance .edu or 212-851-2402. You Yankees don’t know what I’m the proud father of two chil- still working at Columbia as I have differences in hydrophobicity of the you’re missing!” dren, Jacob, a sophomore at UC been since I was an undergraduate. minerals, aiding in their separation Stanley Chao’s new book was Santa Cruz studying physics, and published in November 2012. I recently joined the board of direc- and concentration. My inventions 1984 Juliana, a junior in high school. are applied at mines globally. 1978 tors of the Armstrong Memorial In June of 2012, Chris Kalish My wife, Maggie, has been my Other patented inventions allow James Pastoriza is the managing Research Foundation, which serves completed the closeout of the 35th Reunion steadfast companion over the last coal to be handled in freezing partner at TDF, a venture capital to memorialize the genius of Edwin General Electric edgelab, where he 20-plus years.” weather, utilizing crude glycerin, fund in Washington, DC, focused To take an active role in your Class Howard Armstrong, whose bust is served as the director for close to Bob Eisler MS’81 passed the a green by-product from biodiesel on the communications sector. Reunion activities, please contact on the 13th floor of Mudd, right 12 years. As a GE academic research Patent Bar Exam and will be a regis- production, to soften ice crystals. Before TDF, James was a partner at Star Sawyer at ss3858@columbia next to Michael I. Pupin’s, and facility, the lab served as a center tered practitioner at the U.S. Patent When applied onto coal, crude JPMorgan Capital in San Francisco .edu or 212-851-2402. whose lab in Philosophy Hall is on of excellence for new product and Trademark Office. He will glycerin will prevent coal from and a partner at AT&T Ventures.

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introductions, econometrics/ 1991 1996 accelerating the widespread adop- financial modeling, and data tion of integrated cybersecurity analytics. The lab toured close to Class Correspondent: Class Correspondent: tools and technologies. 2,000 visitors per year, showcasing Radhi Majmudar Enrico Marini Fichera Viktoriya Sokolova MS’03 emerging technologies and [email protected] [email protected] and husband, Oleg, welcomed modeling techniques to academics, Pavanjit Singh Dhingra writes, Frank A. Y. Wang MS’96 started their firstborn, a son, Daniel H. industry partners, and technology “Columbia is very close to my Athena Capital Management in Zeltser, on November 5, 2012. enthusiasts. It even served as the heart. I found the love of my life Taiwan in September 2012 focusing Viktoriya writes that they had Carolyn Wang-Yong and host for the 2010 Connecticut Viktoriya Sokolova with baby David Yong MS’97 with their there—my wife, Alda ’91CC. on undervalued, under-researched Daniel “right in between the tail Daniel and husband, Oleg two children gubernatorial technology debate. I rowed on the crew team, helped companies in Taiwan. Frank has end of Hurricane Sandy and the Currently a management consultant found the Cricket Club, and continued to raise new funds and snow storm. Since the NYU at TJX Companies, Chris chairs became the person I am. Alda and I make new investments as he finds hospital, which we were assigned the Connecticut Technology are proud that our son Amar Singh good opportunity. He looks to to, remained closed, I delivered Council and lives in Westchester Dhingra joined SEAS this year for institutionalize an overlooked pub- at Lenox Hill. The baby is doing County, New York, with his twin the undergraduate Class of 2016. lic equity market in Taiwan. He can great, but the mother and father teenage children. Chris is still active We had the opportunity to partici- be reached by former classmates at are somewhat sleep deprived!” with Columbia ARC (Alumni pate at the Convocation and it was [email protected]. SEAS alumni reunited for Steven Tommasini’s wedding last July. Steven and his Steven Tommasini writes, Representative Committee) and amazing. The campus is revitalized, bride, Lynn, pictured in the center. “In July, I married Lynn Copes does interviews and college fairs and Morningside Heights is so Sara Kim BS’02 and Stephen ’05CC in Battery Park, New York for Columbia. much better than what I remember. 1997 In 2008, Carolyn Wang-Yong Muench BS’02 welcomed their City! Sharing in the celebration baby boy, Aiden Liam Muench, Alda and I run India’s largest corpo- MS’99 and husband, David Yong Class Correspondent: were several classmates and on September 22, 2012. rate insurance brokering company MS’97, moved to Singapore, where Kelly Lenz, [email protected] Columbians. We are currently called Prudent. We are lucky that they are happily raising two won- living in New Haven, where Lynn we get to work together and share derful kids, Maggie, age five, and is teaching anatomy to first-year Michael Chung’s daughter, that part of our life. It also allows us 1998 Matias, age three. Isabella to travel together internationally on medical students at Yale, and work, which is great. Our daughter, 15th Reunion I am an assistant professor in orthopaedics at the Med School.” Sana Kaur Dhingra, 17, started To take an active role in your Class 2000 Chris Kalish and his twins in NYC 12th grade in January. She will be Reunion activities, please contact Class Correspondent: applying for college during the next Cliff Massey at cam2171@columbia Daisy Chow year as well. We live in Gurgaon .edu or 212-854-2317. [email protected] 2002 1988 (part of the Delhi National Capital Class Correspondent: Michael Chung and wife Audrey Region) in North India and greatly John Morris 25th Reunion Class Correspondent: Lee ’00BC welcomed their daugh- enjoy it here.” [email protected] To take an active role in your Class Pak Li ter, Isabella Lee Chung, on July 13, Nate Lesser and family Reunion activities, please contact [email protected] 2011. They reside on the Upper Aylin Kim with her family West Side in New York City and Star Sawyer at ss3858@columbia 1992 Ebony Love has recently authored .edu or 212-851-2402. two nonfiction books about quilt- agree that life with baby could not 2003 Class Correspondent: ing. One is called The Big Little be sweeter. In addition to celebrat- Janneth Ignacio Marcelo 10th Reunion Class Correspondents: Book of Fabric Die Cutting Tips ing their daughter’s first birthday [email protected] To take an active role in your Class Caryn Frick (November 2012) and the other this past July, they also reached Reunion activities, please contact [email protected] is Notes & Doodles: A Die Cutting a very special milestone—their Cliff Massey at cam2171@columbia 1993 Sketchbook (January 2013). Both 10-year wedding anniversary! .edu or 212-854-2317. Elaine Loumbas books are available on Amazon, and Stephen Del Percio and wife, [email protected] 20th Reunion according to Ebony, Big Little Book Allison, welcomed their first child, a Class Correspondent:

To take an active role in your Class is regularly in the Top 100 in the daughter, Charlotte Del Percio, on Amar Doshi David Shofi Reunion activities, please contact Consumer Guides and Quilts & September 5, 2012. [email protected] [email protected] Cliff Massey at cam2171@columbia Nate Lesser MS’05 and Karen Quilting categories. Aylin Kim hopes to have her first .edu or 212-854-2317. (Chani) Bloom ’00CC and their medical device FDA approved and two daughters (Aliza and Liana) commercially available this year! Class Correspondent: welcomed a new baby boy (Eitan) 1989 She is also expecting the birth of Herbert Kreyszig last September. Everyone is happy her second child in May, so she’ll Class Correspondent: [email protected] and healthy living in the Shepherd Shre Roy, [email protected] miss the 10-Year Reunion, but she Park neighborhood of Washington, loves living in the Pacific Northwest DC. Chani is working as a trial and invites friends to come visit her attorney in the Civil Division at and her family anytime! 1990 the Department of Justice. Nate Ebony Love Veru Narula writes, “It has Class Correspondent: is about to start a new job as the Photo Credit: Rebecca Fons been 10 years since my engineering Laura Cordani Christopher deputy director of the National undergraduate years, and I recently [email protected] Cybersecurity Center of Excellence returned to Columbia to complete (NCCoE). The NCCoE is a my Executive MBA. By day, I work public-private collaboration for at American Express as a marketing

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director, combining my love of Orangeburg, NY, with their two in OB/GYN at Cleveland Clinic, in New York City. Arturo and at the Flea Theater in New York. analytics with a passion for the kids. And Caleb Chu is still living and Dr. Praveen Rao, for match- Frances wed on October 27, 2012, In November, he was in The Water customer and consumer trends. in New York with his wife, Diana ing in cardiology at Washington just before Hurricane Sandy hit Children, a comic drama that was After graduation I always kept my Lo, and their daughter, Eliana Chu. University in St. Louis, MO. Last, New York. He writes, “We had reviewed by The New York Times. hand in the arts, and I wrote and “Sachin Nene is now using in October I moved from New York surprisingly warm weather and Separate from acting news, Ramón published my first novel, The Vital his computer science skills at to the DC-metro area, leaving my even had a rainbow appear as we is currently working with another Breath. I also pursued the fine arts OPOWER and lives in Washington, first and only job after graduation. left St. Paul’s Chapel to the waiting SEAS alum on a new app for actors as a visual artist, and my paintings DC. Jieyoun Yang recently joined For any alums that are in the area sounds of a mariachi walking band that they hope to launch later this Veru Narula pictured have been acquired by museums the family pyrochemical business and would like to meet up, please leading the way to the reception year. The app tracks information Doug Lee weds Kiki Sung. with his family and reviewed in The New York and travels back and forth between reach out! Looking forward to your at Riverside Church. Father Dan about an actor’s financial and career Times. The joy of my last decade New York and Los Angeles. JiWon continued updates in the months O’Reilly of the campus ministry developments in addition to pro- though is the time I spend with my Kim is now a pediatrics resident to come and wish you all the best was the celebrant for our ceremony.” viding data analytics. It will launch rambunctious three-year-old at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. for 2013.” on several mobile platforms in order daughter and amazing wife.” Byron Gaing is also married and is Shamafa Ali (Khan) and Arturo Pelaez ties the knot at to facilitate use for actors who are Columbia’s St. Paul’s Chapel. Gary Shu is a USAID Foreign a doctor at North Shore University Raihan Ali BS’98 got married 2006 always on the go. Service Officer in Tbilisi, Georgia, Hospital in Manhasset. on July 7, 2012. Shamafa writes, Class Correspondent: working in the Office of Energy “Congratulations to Nai Nan “Interestingly enough, we did Nick Jennings and Environment. This summer, he Ko, who recently opened a brand not attend Columbia at the same [email protected] 2010 Mark Backman and Mattie Ruth will arrive in the USAID Mission new, state-of-the-art Toyota dealer- time, but life has a funny way of Mike Fusella and Kristina Chen Class Correspondent: Kramer on their wedding day Afghanistan as a division chief in ship this past October in Wellesley. working things out so that one Douglas Lee married Kiki Sung set to marry. on November 17 in Jamaica. Michelle Madejski the Office of Economic Growth In his free time, he races sports Columbia engineer ends up find- [email protected] and Infrastructure. cars and is also a racing instructor. ing another and then they end up Several SEAS and Columbia Until next time, start marking your getting hitched! We got married alumni attended! calendars for the 10-Year Reunion, in northern New Jersey. Raihan 2011 2004 coming Summer 2014!” actually proposed on College Walk. We currently live in New York 2007 Class Correspondent: Class Correspondent: Justin Merced Eric Rhee, [email protected] City and both work in finance. We Class Correspondent: 2005 often reminisce about our college Tamsin Davies [email protected] Howard Chu writes, “It has been years and all the hours we spent in [email protected] Dan Lee married Axel Saenz in Members of the Class of 2003 six years since I moved back from Class Correspondent: Juan Londono at his office met up at Twin Peaks in San Devang Doshi Mudd—Columbia definitely holds California in 2012. They are happi- New York to Hong Kong, and I Francisco in November for [email protected] a special place in our hearts!” ly waiting to adopt a baby from an informal reunion. All four have been with JPMorgan since. Sean Kelly’s company, 2008 China or Mexico. grew up in New Jersey and I have held various positions in the Devang Doshi writes, “Happy New HUMAN Healthy Vending, was became best friends through 5th Reunion Send YOUR their years at Columbia, and fixed income division, and most Year Class of 2005! 2012 went out recently listed on Forbes’s prestigious news to now all live on the West Coast. recently, I have been serving as with a bang, as members of our To take an active role in your list of America’s Most Promising 2012 engineering.mag@ From left to right: Rasheq Zarif the vice president on Asia Bond class continue to make strides in Companies for the second Class Reunion activities, (Santa Clara, CA), John Sebastian Class Correspondents: columbia.edu Syndicate, helping Asian companies their careers, and commitments to consecutive year. The list touts please contact Cliff Massey at (Salt Lake City), Dan Chern Rebecca Frauzem (Sacramento, CA), and to raise funds in the bond markets their significant others. Wedding [email protected] or 100 privately held, high-growth [email protected] Dean’s Day Cheung Li (San Francisco). over the past three and a half years. season is in the air, and I would 212-854-2317. companies with bright futures. June 1, 2013 In my free time, I continue to play like to congratulate a few members Sean, who is the CEO and cofound- Hannah Cui golf, tennis, and basketball (with of our class. Congratulations to Class Correspondent: er of HUMAN Healthy Vending, [email protected] Reunion fellow Columbia alumni who live Girish Gupta, who said his vows also ranked on Forbes’s 30 under 30 Amy Lin Weekend seas2008.engineeringnews@ Rebecca Frauzem writes, “Happy in HK now!), and I am very lucky in July. Girish recently moved back list in 2012. Since its inception in May 30–June 2, 2013 to have traveled to more than to New York and currently works 2009, HUMAN Healthy Vending gmail.com New Year Class of 2012! I know we just graduated a couple of months 10 countries (Korea, Singapore, as a product manager at Amplify has averaged more than 100 percent Stephen Robinson is living in Correction: In the fall Taiwan, India, and more) just over Learning, building new tablet- growth annually, and with a rapidly New York City on the Upper East ago, but time goes by so quickly! 2012 edition of Class the past two years! I would like based products for the classroom. growing network of almost 1,500 Side. He works as a quantitative I hope those of you in New York Notes, we mistakenly to wish everyone a happy and Congratulations as well to Mark healthy vending machines in the analyst for Brevan Howard, one of had fun watching the ball drop and published Reunion Class healthy 2013!” Backman, who married Mattie field, it is getting closer to reaching the giants of hedge fund investing. to everyone else, I hope you start Photos that did not Eric Rhee writes, “Hello, Class Ruth Kramer (Vanderbilt alum) its vision: “to make healthy food the new year in style. Shout-outs include any Engineering of 2004! By the time you read in October. Mark and his wife more convenient than junk food.” to some of you who are doing great alumni. Some of the this, we will be counting down both currently live in Los Angeles Based in Los Angeles, CA, the 2009 things at Google, on Wall Street, photos published in the months to our 10-Year Class and work at Oblong Industries, a company provides high-tech, eco- and all around the globe! Can’t wait Class Notes contained Reunion. Yup, 10. Year. Reunion. software technology start-up. 2013 Class Correspondent: to hear more about the great things friendly vending machines that only Ramya Pratiwadi alumni from Columbia Feel old yet? We are starting to see will be another year decorated in everyone is up to.” stock healthy foods and drinks, [email protected] College only. many of our classmates starting ’05 matrimony, as Candace Park, including fresh produce and locally Kristina Chen and Mike their own families by adding kids. Amil Mody, and Vivek Natarajan sourced foods, in schools, hospitals, Ramón Olmos Torres left invest- Fusella are recently engaged. The A big congratulations to Shirley are set to marry in September. gyms, and businesses worldwide. ment banking more than a year ago two SEAS alumni have been dating Cho Fulmer and her husband, For those who were premed in ’05, Arturo Pelaez met his wife while to pursue a career in acting. So far, for three years. Ryan, who recently had their first 2012 is the start of the fellowship working in London for Citigroup. he reports that it’s going well. He Juan Londono recently joined child, Hannah. John Park is mar- process. Congratulations to Dr. His wife, Frances Izzo, is a graduate recently appeared on the hit show Barrick Gold Corporation as a ried to Rana Park and they live in Linnea Goodman, for matching of Boston College. They now reside Smash! He is also a member of junior metallurgical engineer at a BAT, the resident acting company gold mine in Elko, NV.

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Graduate Alumni

Biomedical Civil Engineering surgeons in a manner that facilitates Jet (DFJ) Corp. I managed a Somewhere down the line I forgot During her last year at Columbia, Engineering and Engineering comprehension in both Mandarin group of structures engineers who that and was just focusing on being she collaborated with Feiner, White, Mechanics and English. The CCJR meetings provided engineering support for an engineer, which, I love being and Computer Science Professor Anne Marie Suozzi MS’04 are globally attended by more than the maintenance of the Dassault as much as I love being an artist. Peter Belhumeur on Leafsnap, an is currently on the CUNY After graduation, Marc Adwan 2,000 orthopaedic surgeons annual- Falcon Jet fleet operating in the I think they are both very creative electronic field guide on the iPhone faculty and a lecturer at several MS’12 took three months off to ly. Its next meeting is set for May Western Hemisphere. Prior to fields and that I have found a very and iPad that identifies tree species additional Catholic and private return to his country, Lebanon. in Las Vegas, NV. working for DFJ, I worked as an good balance. I kick started my from photographs of their leaves. universities and colleges in the He is currently working in Riyadh, Enrica Oliva MS’07, a senior aerospace engineer (Structures) passion for art in 2012 and made Howard Zhu MS’02 cur- Andreas Rambalakos tristate area, including Seton Hall Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at Al engineer at Thornton Tomasetti, is for the Department of the Navy/ a lot of abstract fusion pieces and rently works in Hong Kong as a University, St. Francis College, Arrab Construction Company as currently working on the design of Department of Defense (1994– did a lot of acrylic paintings and oil client portfolio manager at ING and Kean University. Anne Marie a section manager and assistant the Oilers Arena in Edmonton, as 1999) on the A-7 Corsair and F-14 paintings. I continue to learn and Investment Management. is also the director and founder of to the COO. well as on the Wishard Pavilion in Tomcat programs. While working create more art every chance I get. In 2012, Nikolai Yakovenko Intelligential Professional Academic Stefano Angelini MS’11 Indianapolis, the Lake Nona Life full time at DFJ (from November I firmly believe in a very famous MS’05 founded the Chadwick Steven Grisafi’s new books hit Support. In the fall of 2013, Anne returned to Bologna, Italy, after Sciences Building in Florida, and 1999 to July 2008), I was a part- quote by Coco Chanel: ‘In order to Project, an artificial intelligence the shelves in December. plans to return to medical school graduation. He spent the summer on a number of smaller projects in time doctoral student at the CEEM be irreplaceable one must always be start-up focusing on the automated to complete her MD. She also is with friends and family, and New York City. She writes, “The Department of SEAS at Columbia different.’” Vinay describes himself coverage of live sports events engaged to Sir Robert Rivest with a in October of 2011, he started project that I’ve worked on for the University (2001–2006). I obtained as an abstract fusion artist, and through text updates for mobile wedding date set for June 29, 2013. working for the Transportation longest time since I joined the firm, my PhD in May of 2006 and he is based in Sacramento, CA. devices. He writes, “We use Anne Marie writes, “We are very, Engineering Department at the Barclays Center Arena, finally Professor Deodatis was my adviser He is excited to report that he has language generation and language Fusion artwork by Vinay Sharma very happy and strongly support University of Bologna, where he opened, and my team went there along with Professor Betti. My three art shows lined up this year understanding to turn structured the missionary spirit of the Roman conducted research on railway for the Jay Z concert at the begin- doctoral dissertation got published in downtown Sacramento; in Palo data (game facts) and unstructured Catholic Church. We anticipate one infrastructure maintenance. He ning of October. It felt great to walk with the following title: ‘Monte Alto, CA; and on the Intel campus data (what experts are saying on or two children by 2016 or so, to writes, “I developed a research on around and step on the floor fram- Carlo Simulation Methodology in Folsom, CA. Twitter) into live coverage of your be raised according to our beloved link importance in road networks ing that I have designed, walk up for the Reliability of Aircraft favorite NBA and NCAA basketball Catholic faith.” during this year, publishing two and down stairs and escalators that Structures—Reliability of Aircraft games, pushed to your mobile papers and presenting the results I have designed, take the elevators Structures Under Damage Tolerance Computer Science device.” Nikolai used to work at of my research in an international that I worked so hard to coordinate Requirements’ (ISBN: 978-3-8364- Google as a search engineer. Chemical conference in Portorose (ICTS and design. The Barclays Arena was 7348-4). I am married to Anna Ivy Deliz MS’10 is a software a great opportunity to get involved Kapsalis-Rambalakos, MD, and we developer in the Human-Computer Stefano Angelini on a trip Engineering 2012), and I passed the Italian Ivy Deliz and colleagues at work to Bordeaux P.E. exam, becoming a chartered in very complex modeling, as well have a seven-year-old son, Yianne, Interaction Group at NASA Ames Earth and at NASA Ames Research Center Steven J. Grisafi MS’79, PhD’86 engineer in Italy.” Stefano as—later on in the game—meetings, who is in the second grade. Almost Research Center in Mountain Environmental has just released two books, Market now works in Forli, Italy, as a coordination, presentations, and every year, we go to Greece to visit View, CA. The group develops Engineering Dynamics and Price Dumbbells. transportation engineer at ATR, a also business developing experi- our family and friends and to enjoy SPIFe (Scheduling and Planning He writes, “The two books start mobility agency. He hopes to visit ences.” In personal news, Enrica the beauties and history of the Interface for Exploration), which Ranjith Annepu MS’11 will my investigation into the field I New York City soon to see friends turned 30 in September and says birthplace of Western Civilization.” are tools used for planning publish a report, “Observations call finance rheology. I am applying and return to some of his favorite she has found love. Her boyfriend is operations and modeling resources from India’s Crisis” about the the principles and techniques that places, including the campus! a musician at the Teatro Alla Scala customized for several NASA impending waste management I have learned over the past 26 years Seth Greenwald MS’62 is in Milan, as well as at the Mahler Computer missions. They support astronaut/ crisis in India on Waste-to-Energy since I earned my PhD at Columbia the developer and organizer of Chamber Orchestra in Germany. Engineering crew members operations, power Research Technology Council’s in the physical science of rheology the Current Concepts in Joint She recently traveled to Berlin, planning, and attitude control for website (wtert.org) and Columbia’s Howard Zhu to the economic science of finance. Replacement (CCJR) educational spent the holidays at home in Italy, Vinay Sharma MS’11 currently the International Space Station, Earth Engineering Center, where I’m essentially inventing the subject, meetings, focused on hip and knee and in Vienna for New Year’s. works for Intel as a graphics hard- operations for LADEE (Lunar he is currently a research associate. developing it as I learn. Readers arthroplasty. He is recognized Andreas Rambalakos PhD’06 ware validation engineer. Vinay Atmosphere and Dust Environment Ranjith writes, “I have been trying can expect more from me on this as one of the leading figures in writes, “Since July of 2008, I have writes, “It has been two years since Explorer) orbiter that will launch to bring more attention to solid Seth Greenwald subject coming in 2013 as I develop international orthopaedics and is been working as an aerospace engi- I left Manhattan and I have found during 2013, and science operations waste management as a priority my theory of market isosurfaces.” also the head of the Orthopaedic neer/technical specialist for the this to be an abrupt change having for the Mars Science Laboratory, issue. This is another one of my Mark Spector MS’79 is a Research Laboratories in Cleveland, New York Aircraft Certification lived in bustling New York City Curiosity, which landed August attempts where the entire report self-employed patent attorney and OH. A CCJR meeting was just held Office of the Federal Aviation and beautiful Bangalore (India) 2012. She completed her master’s was written with mainstream media a former U.S. patent examiner. in Beijing, China, in November Administration (FAA). My technical from where I come. Professionally, in computer vision and graphics in mind. I want to make sure the Mark is married and living in in conjunction with the Seventh specialty is in fatigue and damage I am very content working for a at the Engineering School, where general public and decision makers Arlington, VA. International Congress of the tolerance of aircraft structures. giant like Intel and my professors she worked under the mentorship understand the issue and see it as it Chinese Orthopaedic Association. Prior to coming to the FAA, I at Columbia University trained of Sean White (PhD’09) and is. Long-term sustainability in waste The goal was to bring CCJR’s for- was the manager of the Structures me well to perform well at my Computer Science Professor Steven management cannot be achieved mat of learning directly to a growing Engineering Division of Service job. On a personal front, I have Feiner in the Computer Graphics without such public awareness.” number of Chinese orthopaedic Engineering for Dassault Falcon been a painter since the age of five. and User Interface Laboratory.

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Hope Connolly MS’12 got course in statistical quality control. has also recently received the engaged to Daniel Gadala-Maria, After the term ended, he went ORT America Engineering & whom she met while they were both to Israel to teach at Technion. He Construction Industry Chapter freshmen at Princeton University. called in his grades for the course Award for Community They have been dating since 2006. and said to give Altamuro an Achievement. He led the redesign After graduating from Columbia, A and the rest Bs. Also in that class of the community outreach Hope moved to Middletown, CT, was Bill Hugli, a pioneer who had program for the Second Avenue started an Operations Research Subway project. On the personal to be closer to Daniel while he Ashish Sharma Hope Connolly and her fiancé finishes his PhD in biology at Yale. (OR) Lab at Stevens Institute of front, Michael’s granddaughter, Michael Horodniceanu with the day of their engagement Technology and who hired me Emma, was born on October 24, Denise Richards, the head of the in Princeton She currently works at consulting Kiyo Tomiyasu MS’41 writes, General Contractor’s Association to help with a study he was retained 2012. He also has two other grand- firm Accenture in Hartford, CT. “Since receiving my MS in 1941, to do of the NYC Transit System’s children, Matias and Adi. Kun-Yi Lin PhD’11 did his 71 years have gone by. Now I’m train schedules. So the movement Anatole Konstantin MS’67 postdoctoral research at University living in a life-care community toward having OR be a part of wrote a book, A Red Boyhood: of Notre Dame. Effective February in Pomona, CA. There is at least Industrial Engineering had Growing Up under Stalin, which 1, 2013, Kun-Yu will join National one more person living here with Chung-Hsing University, located started. My other grades were was published in 2008 by the a Columbia degree. I’m now in central Taiwan, as assistant also As and I was singled out Missouri University Press. For the Nathaniel Wight’s high school students are winners in an international interested in earthquakes—what professor in the Department of at graduation for ‘Outstanding past four years, Anatole has been competition for their green roof model. else in California?” Kiyo’s wife, Environmental Engineering. Scholastic Achievement.’” teaching a course on the Rise and Eiko, also has a master’s degree Sunder Singh Thakur with Jeremy Wietrzykowski MS’11 After graduation, Vincent built Fall of the Soviet Empire at the Life daughters Sanskriti (left) Kun-Yi Lin and wife, Diane, technology department at MTA patents. The NAI Charter from Columbia, which she earned at graduation a successful career in OR—as and Akanksha is currently working in Silicon Bridges and Tunnels in New York Fellows will be inducted by U.S. Time Learners Institute, Norwalk in Library Services in 1955. president of Management Research Valley as an innovation analyst in City. As a hobby, he experiments Commissioner for Patents Margaret Community College. Consultants for more than 55 Sunder the smart grid area. He writes, “In and tweaks household systems A. Focarino during NAI’s Second After graduation, years, as president of Robotics Singh Thakur MS’63, EngScD’67 this start-up rich environment, such as the home theater and other Annual Conference, February 22, Financial Research, and president/chief new technologies can help electric entertainment systems. These in Tampa, FL. Fellows will be had a job offer from IBM but Engineering executive officer of VMA Inc. utilities achieve the deployment of experiments have led Udayana to presented with a special trophy decided to stay around campus a He served as a consultant, advised their smart grid and enhance the some innovative ideas, especially and a rosette pin. bit longer as a research associate or taught the managements overall efficiency and reliability of in an experiment that helped his Richard is currently a State of for one of his professors, Professor and employees of hundreds of the electrical network.” family get through the Hurricane Florida 21st Century World Class Shinozuka, who convinced him corporations, including many Nathaniel Thayer Wight Sandy disaster of 2012. He writes, Scholar and the Agere Systems to stay to finish his postgraduate Udayana Ganepola and his of the world’s largest companies MS’12 is a public high school “In the wake of previous storms I Chair Distiguished Professor studies with full tuition paid. wife, Malka such as AT&T, Bell Labs, General teacher at Bronx Design & have been experimenting to devise of Electrical Engineering at the Later, Sunder went on to build Dynamics, Xerox, and Philip Construction Academy (BDCA). a cost-effective emergency backup University of South Florida (USF). a longstanding career at IBM, Morris. Among some major His students recently collaborated system for my house that is both Since joining USF in 2008, he first by joining the Management accomplishments, Vincent was one with Columbia University to build safe and environmentally friendly. has focused on the intersection of Science Department as an internal Krystle Ang MS’05 and Sean Palmer of the original staff members of consultant to senior corporate a model Green Roof Integrated The saying ‘Necessity is the mother communications with medicine and were married August 18, 2012, at Stevens Institute of Technology’s Photovoltaic Canopy (GRiPV-c) of invention’ rang true when I created an interdisciplinary team Waveny House in New Canaan, CT. management, and then throughout Operations Research Laboratory on the BDCA’s green roof. used the Sandy disaster to turn focused on wireless networking in the years in various management and was internationally recognized Nathaniel writes, “Several of my my experiments and research into vivo miniature wirelessly controlled roles in different departments at as a leading authority on industrial high school students were vital practical use. My instinct was to use devices to advance minimally Industrial IBM. His last work assignment was management. Concurrent with his in the construction of the model car batteries to do the job. Since invasive surgery and other cyber- Engineering and in Bangladore, India, where after consulting practice, Vincent taught homes (built in our shop classes) natural gas was still coming to the physical health care systems. Operations Research spending six years, he decided to at various institutions, including and were deeply involved in the house, the boiler could still work if Ashish Sharma MS’06 writes, retire. But before returning to the Columbia, NYU’s Graduate School data collecting process.” The team I could get it to start. Inspired by “Along with an intellectual and Vincent M. Altamuro MS’58 United States, Sunder established of Engineering, and Manhattan of students was chosen as finalists how a car uses the battery, I had an passionate team of fellow Columbia writes, “I actually left Columbia Research, Education, and College’s School of Engineering. after submitting a proposal for a interesting thought. I could do the Engineering classmates, I’ve started Engineering twice. The first was Development (REaD) Foundation Vincent’s goal is to complete $100,000 grant through the Zayed same thing using an inverter to start a company called IWeTree Inc., when I graduated in 1958 with an to promote education, health care, his latest book, tentatively titled Future Energy Prize to turn their and drive the circulation system which provides mobile payments MS in IE degree from what was equality, and social justice for the “Strategic Product Design.” GRiPV-c pilot study into a full-scale inside the boiler. This cool idea solutions to commercial banking then named the Graduate School underprivileged in India. It was system on their school’s rooftop. helped to keep my family warm institutions around the world. of the Department of Industrial Michael Horodniceanu MS’73 also intended to support the high writes, “It was another year of prog- As finalists, the BDCA team during the hurricane. I could even We have a presence in India, Africa, Engineering, and the second was school he started in his ancestral ress for the Second Avenue Subway, traveled to Abu Dhabi in January light a few LEDs inside the house and the United States and are con- when I ended 9 or 10 years as an village in North India in the mid- East Side Access, No. 7 Extension, and presented their GRiPV-c at instead of candles!” tinually expanding. I have worked adjunct associate professor in the 1970s. Since his retirement in and the Fulton Center hub. the World Future Energy Summit Richard Gitlin MS’65, in the wireless industry for seven Graduate School in what was the 2003, Sunder continues to serve Construction is well under way on during Abu Dhabi Sustainability EngScD’69 was named a 2012 years, while my partners have renamed Department of Industrial on Indian student committees in each of the projects. Second Avenue Week. They won second place for Charter Fellow by the National complementary experiences in Engineering and Operations New York and on the Management Subway has one more contract left all of the Americas! Academy of Inventors (NAI). finance and security (technology), Research. My first experience at Committee for the school in for procurement, and all of its other Richard is one of 98 innovators which I believe can go a long way Columbia was in 1955 when I was India—the school continued to contracts are in active construc- elected by the NAI and representing in bringing about a big change in discharged from the U.S. Navy after grow and became a Girls Inter Electrical tion. Tunneling for all of the mega 54 prestigious research universities both corporate and social sectors.” the Korean War and armed with a College in the late 1990s. He and Engineering projects was completed this year.” and nonprofit research institutes. bachelor’s degree from CUNY and his wife, Pulomja, spend four to Michael, who is currently president Together, the new class of fellows the G.I. Bill. I remember Professor five months during winter in India, Udayana (Dyan) Ganepola of MTA Capital Construction, holds more than 3,200 U.S. Sebastian Littauer teaching a new including several weeks near the MS’77 works as a director in the

­­ 48 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 49 Program Notes In Memoriam

rural school campus to oversee whose veins are inaccessible due to Last April, Sandro Tombesi activities there. Sunder hopes to severe dehydration or shock. He also MS’84 retired from ConocoPhillips add science/technical courses and invented and marketed a device and immediately joined Burns & vocational training programs to that prevents diabetic ulcer-related McDonnell, a full-service engineer- In Memoriam the curriculum and try to promote amputations. In addition to these, ing firm based in Kansas City, MO. higher education among rural Kyriacos founded Osteobiologics to He writes, “After a few months students by mentoring them and market, for the first time anywhere, there I just moved to our Chicago offering scholarships. Sunder would an implant his group developed that office. As a project manager in the FACULTY Born in Middletown, CT, in his long, bravely fought illness, and The stainless steel sculpture like to hear from fellow alumni uses acellular scaffolds for the treat- energy group, I will be focusing 1938, Nick attended Wesleyan now of course to the fullest.” Pi Phi Parallel was engineered by Erich Blohm and installed who can help in these efforts ment of focal cartilage lesions. on natural gas–fired power plant Nicholas J. Turro, professor and University. He received his BA in Nick will also be remembered in Shanghai. ([email protected]). Erich Blohm MS’84 had an projects in the United States and former cochair of Chemical chemistry summa cum laude in greatly as an inspiring mentor to Wendy Weill MS’77 is interesting year, traveling to China around the world. My family will Engineering and a devoted scholar, 1960. He then traveled to the West the many students he has trained. currently working at Tekmark twice for the production of four join me here in Chicago at the end mentor, and teacher, died November Coast to complete his graduate Sandy, his wife of 52 years, whom Global Solutions as a program sculptures and to Rio de Janeiro, of this school year. My wife and I 24, 2012, following a courageous studies at Caltech, where he studied he met in kindergarten, says her manager. Wendy provides IT Brazil, to complete another sculp- left New York City 16 years ago for battle with cancer. He was 74. under the late George S. Hammond husband loved teaching and research clients with management support ture. He is presently working on a our current home in Houston, TX, Nick was the William P. and received his PhD at essentially equally. In 2003, Nick was awarded along with a team of others. She glass labyrinth to be installed at the and we are excited to be coming Schweitzer Professor of Chemistry, the start of the organic photochem- the University’s Presidential Award joined Tekmark after serving as a Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in back to a bustling northern city, a professor of chemical engineering, istry field. In 1964, Nick joined for Excellence in Teaching and the director for Lucent. Before then, Kansas City, MO. He works closely although we had forgotten how and professor of earth and environ- Columbia after doing postdoctoral year prior, the National Science she worked as a director at Empire with artists on conception, design, cold it can get! We have a son who mental engineering. In addition work at Harvard. He taught at Foundation’s Distinguished Scholar is 15 and a daughter who is almost In her down time, Wendy Weill Blue Cross Blue Shield. For fun, and engineering. Nicholas J. Turro to cochairing the Department of Columbia for the next 48 years. Research Award. enjoys ballroom dancing. 12, and they are also eager to start Wendy enjoys ballroom dancing Anand M. Das MS’89 has Chemical Engineering from 1997 to In the early days of his career, “Nick was a beautiful person. their next school year at one of the and has been performing for years. joined the Federal Government 2000, Nick also served as the chair Nick centered his research on organic He was kind, gentle, supportive, excellent public schools in this area. She is currently branching out Solutions Group at Xerox as chief of the Department of Chemistry photochemistry with a focus and generous, professionally and My son was born in New York six into ballroom competitions. She technology officer, effective in from 1981 to 1983. on carbonyl compounds and personally,” said Sandy. “He reached weeks before we moved to Houston, also swims and runs and last year November. He leads the tech- “Nick Turro was a great and dioxetaines. In the late 1970s, he out to the young faculty, having so he is boasting that the cold will completed the Goofy Challenge nology planning and innovation dedicated teacher, a warm and cher- pioneered the field of supramolecu- lunches with them and nominating be no problem for him, as like his (half marathon on a Saturday, full activities for the group and drives ished colleague, and an imaginative lar photochemistry with the studies and supporting them for awards. mother, he is a New Yorker.” marathon on a Sunday). the development of new and scholar,” Columbia University of photoreactions of ketones in He mentored his graduate students enhanced technologies necessary to Yi Zheng MS’11 continues President Lee C. Bollinger said at micelles, which later extended to and postdocs in the same manner. win new business and earn contract to pursue his PhD at Columbia. Kyriacos Athanasiou the time of his death. “I miss him zeolites, dendrimers, cyclodextrins, Many of his former students said renewals. Anand was previously He is currently a third-year doc- Mechanical deeply, and I’m sure everyone in and other cavitands. Over the years, after his death that they had lost a a principal at CSC, where he was toral candidate in micro/nanoscale Engineering his department and field feels the Nick’s research covered a wide range father as well as a professor.” responsible for leading large, multi- energy conversion and near-field loss even more.” of topics, including supramolecular In addition to his beloved wife, disciplined teams and integrating thermal effects, supervised by On November 27, 2012, the Nick was revered as a very active photochemistry, DNA luminescence Nick is survived by two daughters products and services required to Professor Arvind Narayanaswamy president of the Republic of Cyprus and extraordinary researcher in probes, and photochemistry and five grandchildren, ranging from meet the needs of federal agencies. in the Department of Mechanical presented Kyriacos Athanasiou the field of organic photochemistry. involving polymers and fullerenes. ages 11 to 17. Said Sandy, “They Prior to CSC, he served as CEO Engineering. He is a teacher’s MS’85, PhD’89 with the Nemitsas In fact, George Flynn, Higgins At the age of 43, Nick was elected were the joy of his life.” and CTO of Commerce Events assistant for five engineering courses Prize, the highest honor a Cypriot Professor of Chemistry (who to the National Academy of Sciences Corporation, where he led a team at SEAS and appreciates the T.A. scientist can receive, and one of and the American Academy of Arts Howard W. Vreeland BS’46, of technology experts to create program at the School. His long- cochaired the Chemical Engineering Anand Das the most prestigious awards in the and Sciences. In recent years, he MS’49, professor emeritus of the first successful radio-frequency term goal is to become a university Department with Nick), said that, European Union. It is often called received the 2011 Arthur C. Cope graphics and former associate dean identification (RFID) and sensor professor and continue his research. as of last year, Nick had 900 pub- the “Nobel Prize” of Cyprus. Award in Organic Chemistry and of Columbia Engineering, died network software company. Yi has published more than 10 lished papers and had just written The winner receives a certificate, the 2000 Willard Gibbs Award, December 22, 2012, in Litchfield, Clients included Amtrak, the U.S. journal papers, has given five con- an update to his classic textbook, a solid gold medal, and a mone- CT. He was 91. Army, and the U.S. Navy. ference presentations, and holds Molecular Photochemistry. both given to eminent chemists tary award of €50,000. Kyriacos for outstanding achievements. The By his own account, he arrived Greg Hort MS’07 worked in three patents as an inventor or “In the last few months before is currently the Child Family on the Morningside campus in July consulting in NYC for a few years co-inventor. In December, he was he died, Nick was scheduled to Inter-American Photochemical Endowed Chair in Engineering 1943, “a salty but naïve electrician’s after graduation and then went back elected president of Columbia’s teach a graduate course in organic Society honored him posthumously and Distinguished Professor of mate, hash mark on sleeve and to school for an MBA at Harvard Renewable Energy Society. On the chemistry,” said Flynn. “Even after earlier this year with the inaugural Biomedical Engineering and seabag on shoulder, walking up Yi Zheng Business School. Greg has been personal front, Yi got married last suffering a relapse of his cancer that George S. Hammond Award. 114th Street searching for the SS Orthopaedic Surgery at University working in the renewable energy summer; his wife is also an alumna left him bedridden, Nick was ready Nick was not only a leader in his of California at Davis. He received space (at a power company in New of the University, having received to teach his class via Skype!” field but also a loyal friend and great Hartley and the very beginning Send YOUR the award to honor his numerous Jersey) since finishing his MBA in her MA in statistics in 2011. As cochairs, Nick and Flynn colleague. Edward Leonard, profes- of the V-12 Program.” From that news to achievements in the field of May 2011. He has recently been were influential in reinvigorating the sor of chemical engineering, called moment on, Columbia Engineering engineering.mag@ biomedical engineering and tissue involved with several large power Department of Chemical Engineer- him “the most positive of men.” became his second home. Following columbia.edu engineering. A device he co- investments, the most notable of ing and were responsible for hiring “He could never say anything his graduation three years later, invented, the EZ-IO kit, saved which are two utility scale solar Professors Jeffrey Koberstein and negative about a person,” Leonard he was discharged from the Navy, countless lives in the cholera farms in Arizona and Delaware. Jingyue Ju—two major players said. “Even defeats and setbacks were married his childhood sweetheart epidemic that swept Haiti after an He writes, “I am constantly explor- in chemical engineering and only opportunities to him to get it Margaret Von Braunsberg, returned earthquake devastated the country ing possible renewable energy genomics science, respectively, right. And yet he was no Pollyanna. to Columbia for graduate work in 2010. The kit is a drill that helps entrepreneurial ventures with the who each collaborated with Nick He was practical, tough, and effec- in electrical engineering, and con- health care personnel insert IV lines hope of starting something at on various research projects. tive. We felt the loss of him during currently, began his teaching directly into the bones of people some point in the near future.” career here.

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Howard first taught as an gone blind. He recognized the the water tower that still stands on 1937 the construction firm Coakley & 1947 instructor for the drafting course challenge and that was the begin- the site. Longobardo is proposing Booth Inc. with business partner that all entering Engineering School ning of his work with the visually that the plaque contain a dedication Julius Dolgos passed away on Louis Coakley. They specialized George W. Webb (MS, Electrical students were required to take. impaired; his vocation and his to Dean James Kip Finch, Dean August 22, 2012, at the age of 102. in difficult substructure construc- Engineering), longtime professor Anna Kazanjian Longobardo ’49, avocation had fused. By 1979, he Wesley J. Hennesey, and Dean He was born in New York City and tion. Bobby was also a principal at Tulane University and widower MS’52, who was in the first Joint had created a course of instruction Howard Vreeland. Those who knew later resided in Baton Rouge, LA. and founder of W.S. Booth & Co. of Dorothy Maness Webb, passed Barnard-Columbia Pre-Engineering for teaching visually impaired Howard Vreeland will agree that Julius was a retired professional and served as a key consultant on away peacefully at his home in Program, recalled being in this children to “read” graphic designs. would be a fitting tribute. engineer and a member of Our Lady many major rapid transit systems in Houston, TX, on October 14, class. “Most of the students in our When Howard retired in Howard is survived by a son, of Mercy Catholic Church. He was Baltimore, Boston, New York, and 2012. He was 89. large entering class were World War 1986, he declared his intention to William Howard Vreeland; a daugh- an avid swimmer who participated San Francisco. George was born in July 1923 II veterans,” she said, “some even continue working on a curriculum ter, Barbara Diane Burns and in the Senior Olympics until he was Bobby was an active alumnus, and raised in Uniontown, AL. with wives and children, and some for blind children. He volunteered her husband, Leonard, and their 85 years old. Julius was preceded having served as chair of the Alumni He earned his BS in electrical engi- almost twice as old as our young for many years as a graphicist children, Amanda and Ryan. in death by his wife, Margaret B. Relations Committee as the alumni neering in 1943 at the University of Howard W. Vreeland instructor. He was a thoughtful and at Connecticut’s Board of Dolgos, and four of his siblings. representative to the University Alabama, where he served in Army highly skilled teacher for beginners Education and Services for the He is survived by his sister Rose Senate, as president of the Columbia ROTC and was inducted into Tau and was particularly kind to those Blind. There, working with the ALUMNI Dolgos, children Mary Janicke, Engineering Alumni Association, on Beta Pi engineering honor society, few of us still in our teens enter- raised line technology of the time, AnnMarie Sherlock, Rosemary the Advisory Council of the Faculty Eta Kappa Nu electrical engineering ing from Columbia College and he produced countless illustrations Samsel and her husband Edward of Engineering and Applied Science, honor society, and Phi Delta Barnard College (three of us).” for Braille editions of storybooks 1935 G. Samsel, Sheila Rodrigue, and on the board of governors of Theta fraternity. In 1959, Howard accepted the and textbooks through high school Elizabeth Dolgos, Joseph Dolgos, the Columbia University Club. George served in the U.S. Army George R. Furman EngScD’37, part-time position of associate level. Later developments in and several grandchildren. He helped form Columbia’s first in World War II. After completing passed away on November dean of the School, a post he held capsule paper allowed a new way committee on interfaith activities Engineer Officer Candidate School 12, 2012. He was 99. Born in in addition to his professorial of producing raised line drawings in 1946. In 1989, the School at Fort Belvoir, VA, and special- Newtown, Queens, NY, George rank until his retirement in 1986. of much better quality so, by 1940 honored Bobby with the Egleston ist training at Aberdeen Proving married Martha Bush in 1947. The development of computers the early 2000s, he was able to Medal for distinguished engineering Ground, MD, George served as a She predeceased him in 1998. Weldon S. Booth ’38CC, a leader and an emphasis on mathematics successfully test an abbreviated achievement, recognizing his inno- lieutenant in the 3061st Engineer After graduating from Newtown in foundation construction and a fundamentally changed the nature version of his curriculum. vative work in revolutionizing Company, first at Fort Lewis, WA, High School, he attended Columbia dedicated public servant and alum- of engineering education, said His second declared intention the foundation construction field. then in France and Belgium in the Engineering, where he received his nus of Columbia Engineering, died Morton B. Friedman, professor of in retirement was to work on a Bobby’s wife, Tod (Ruth Rhineland Campaign, and finally master’s in mechanical engineering. December 29, 2011, at the age of civil engineering and engineering history of Camp Columbia. Todhunter), is also deceased. They in Luzon in the Philippines. George worked at Texaco Research 95. (Columbia Engineering just mechanics and of applied physics “Howie’s contributions to Camp were married in 1941 and have two His wartime decorations include Center in Glenham, NY, as a learned of his passing in late 2012.) and applied mathematics, who is Columbia when it was a function- children and several grandchildren. the European-African-Middle East- technologist from 1937 until his “Bobby,” as he was known to his also senior vice dean emeritus at the ing academic unit are well known, ern Campaign Medal with bronze retirement in 1978. He had many friends, was born in Montclair, NJ, School. “Howard saw that mechani- but many of us appreciated his service star, Asiatic-Pacific Cam- hobbies, including sailing with on June 10, 1916, came from a cal drafting was no longer central to efforts to keep the camp going after paign Medal with bronze service his family as a child on the Long family of public servants, and was 1945 engineering disciplines,” Friedman the last class of chemical engineers star, American Campaign Medal, Island Sound. During World War himself dedicated to community Howard Schwartz, 87, passed said, “and so, when the Department left in 1968,” said Guy Longobardo World War II Victory Medal, and II, George worked on special service. He served as a volunteer away on August 13, 2012. Howard of Graphics was absorbed into ’49, MS’50, EngScD’62. “He was Philippine Liberation Ribbon. After projects for the military at Texaco. fireman, worked with Boy Scouts was born on August 26, 1924, in Civil Engineering, Howard had a promoter of Camp Columbia, the war, George earned his MS at After retirement, he obtained his of America, and chaired many local the Bronx. After graduating from already adapted and embraced the always in motion, with talks, Columbia Engineering and upon private pilot’s license and owned, committees. His father, Charles Columbia Engineering, he attended new technologies.” exhibits on campus and in Morris, graduation, he joined the electrical with his friend, Harry Calhoun, Brandon Booth, traveled frequently Pennsylvania State University, where Howard’s duties as associate dean Connecticut. His talks at reunions engineering faculty at Alabama, a small airplane that he flew all as the national field secretary for he earned a master’s in engineering. expanded, and in 1966 he also on campus in later years were where he taught from 1947 to across the country. He built his own the Big Brother and Big Sister After graduation, he served as an became director of Camp Columbia always packed. He really brought 1951. He has worked as chief of the home, and he loved to tinker in his organization and had a career as officer in the U.S. Navy during in Lakeville, CT. Columbia started us together again. We understood Electric Power Laboratory at the workshop. In the 1950s, George commander in chief of the Volun- World War II. Following his the summer field camp in 1891 the role it played in making us a U.S. Army Engineer Research & was the photographer for the teers of America, an organization discharge, Howard worked as a to teach surveying to entering cohesive group of students, and Development Laboratory (ERDL) Cecilwood Theatre in Fishkill, NY. founded by Bobby’s grandparents. nuclear engineer and later was an engineering students. Even after providing a bond between all the and as a design engineer in the In the mid-1960s he was a member His great-grandfather, William entrepreneur in the biomedical the camp requirement was eliminat- 80-odd classes of engineers who Power Transformer Department of of the Glenham School Board of Booth, founded the Salvation Army. field. He is survived by one son ed, the University continued to use started their engineering education General Electric. Education and was a set designer Indeed, volunteerism remained and daughter-in-law, Jan ’71CC the property for other educational there. For the later classes, that was In 1956, George began a 37- for the Dutchess County Ballet a mainstay throughout his life. and Elaine Schwartz; two daughters purposes, including a precollege Howard’s gift to us.” year career at Tulane University in Company and a member of the As a student at Columbia, Bobby and sons-in-law, Julie and David New Orleans as a professor of training program in composition After Camp Columbia was was actively involved in campus East Bank Artists. Schnapf, and Lisa Schwartz Powell electrical engineering. A respected and research, preseason football sold to the State of Connecticut politics, various student committees, In addition to his wife, George and Doug Powell; eight grandchil- and popular teacher, he was known practice, a summer science in 2000, several alumni leaders, the Columbia chapter of Theta Tau was predeceased by his daughter, dren; and two great-grandchildren. for teaching practical courses, program for high school students, including Longobardo, arranged and the American Society of Civil Judith Furman Villandre, and a In addition to his parents, he was especially the electric machinery and a regional earthquake monitor- two special reunions there. In addi- Engineers, intramural and varsity brother, Warren Furman. He is preceded in death by his beloved lab; for his bow ties (since neckties ing station. tion, the group has received initial sports, and music—he played the survived by his sons, David and soul mate in 2009, the former would be dangerous around rotating In a serendipitous turn of events, permission from officials in the cornet. During World War II, Peter Furman. He is also survived Harriet G. Adler. machinery); and for his many jokes. Howard was contacted by a psy- Connecticut Department of Energy he was a design engineer for the by several grandchildren and two George was appointed professor chologist who was working with a and Environmental Protection to Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, great-grandchildren. emeritus in 1988. gifted draftsman who had suddenly install a commemorative plaque on TN. After the war, he cofounded

­­ 52 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 53 In Memoriam In Memoriam

George married Dorothy Ann and then moved to the United in the United States. He will be 1952 and his nieces, nephews, great-neph- 1961 and husband Brian Beers; also his Maness Jones in 1964. They raised States, where he received his BS remembered for his love and ew, great-niece, and cousins. mother-in-law, Janet Sims; brother- two children; both settled in and MS in chemical engineering dedication to his family and Emanuel (Manny) S. Diamant Michael John O’Connell passed in-law, Neil Sims and wife Aino and Houston as adults. George retired from Columbia. For his research friends, his integrity and vision, MS’53 of San Francisco, CA, away August 11, 2012, at his home their children, Raakkel, Viktoria, from Tulane in 1993 and moved work with the late Professor Elmer and his straightforward and died on October 11, 2012. Born 1955 in Fairfield Harbour, NC. He was and Mikko. with Dorothy to Houston in 1995. Gaden, he was elected a member modest personality. in Giugiu, Romania, Emanuel 73. Born in the Bronx, Michael Rene F. Kress ’54CC, age 79, He served for several years as a of the society of the Sigma Xi. He is survived by Anna, his immigrated first to Havana, Cuba, attended Columbia on a Navy passed away September 12, 2012, volunteer with the Retired Activities After his graduation in 1951, wife of 61 years, two daughters, in 1948, and then to the United scholarship, graduating with a at Lima Estates Medical Center. Other Deaths Office for military retirees. Demetre joined Merck & Company and three grandchildren. States in 1950. After earning his degree in chemical engineering. Born in New York City, Rene was Reported George was predeceased by his in Rahway, NJ, where he worked master’s degree, he served in the He traveled extensively during his raised in Bellerose, NY, and lived siblings, his son-in-law, and his in the research department for seven Leonard Harrison Wurzel passed Army and moved to southern tenure with the Navy and then in Media, PA, for 43 years before beloved wife Dorothy. He is years. In 1951, he married Anna away August 21, 2012. Leonard was California, where he enjoyed a 32- began his engineering career with We also have learned of the passing moving to Lima Estates eight years survived by his daughter Ann Theodoridis, a Vassar graduate. a veteran of World War II and was year career with TRW. He earned Drave in Pittsburgh, PA. Michael of the following alumni, faculty, ago. He earned a dual degree from Demetre N. Petsiavas BS’50, MS’51 Elizabeth Webb, granddaughter In 1958, Demetre returned to in an executive position throughout a PhD in applied mechanics from was an avid sailor, a woodworker, and friends of the School: Columbia University in both chem- Elizabeth Grace Crist, son George Greece and joined the family busi- his career with several companies, University of California, Los and acted in numerous local theater ical engineering and chemistry. Walton Webb III, and daughter- ness, N. Petsiavas S.A., where he including his position of president Angeles, in 1965. While at TRW he productions. He also sang in several George R. Furman BS’35, He was employed by Sun Oil Co. in-law Susannah Koontz, and was responsible for the introduction of Mallory Valley Water District made significant contributions to choruses. Before moving to North EngScD’37 for 35 years. At his retirement by his nephews, grandnephews, and establishment in Greece of for many years. He was also a 32nd the development of cork insulation Carolina he owned a boat building Thomas F. Maher BS’43 in 1988, he was the director of and grandnieces. several U.S. companies, including degree mason, achieving 50 years for ballistic missiles, creep and and repair business. In addition to Manuel A. Pietrantoni BS’43, ’42CC engineering at Sun Oil. Rene was Dow Chemical Company, Parke of service, and volunteered as a buckling analysis of pressure vessels, sailing, Michael was involved in Alan Schanes BS’44, MS’45 an active member of Reformation Davis, Smith, Kline & French, SCORE counselor. He enjoyed high-speed ground transportation rowing and competed in both team Joseph N. Leff BS’45, ’44CC Lutheran Church in Upper Allergan, Norwich Eaton, and reading, bird watching, and was a systems, including the Metroliner, and single races. He is survived by Howard Scwartz BS’45 1948 Providence Township. He served Ecusta Paper. Business for Dow master tinkerer who could fix any- and spacecraft structural and his wife, BeBe; sister, Katherine Henry C. Vogel MS’47 Bernard I. Belasco ’50BUS as a trustee on the church council. developed so successfully that thing. Leonard is survived by his thermal design and analysis. He also Dunne and her husband, Gordon; Alfred M. Czikk BS’48 passed away on January 4, 2013. He enjoyed time at his summer Dow ultimately established its first wife of 66 years, Lillian R. Wurzel; worked for DeLeuw Cather and son, Michael and his wife, Jacinta Douglas D. Donald MS’48 He was 87. Born on November 3, home in the Adirondacks in Big European manufacturing plant in son Stephen Harrison Wurzel Parsons on many transportation and their three children; son, Howard A. Golle BS’48, MS’49 1925, Bernard was the first in his Moose, NY, and was also active in Greece and assigned the sales of and wife Janice; and grandsons systems, including the engineering Patrick and his wife, Amy and their Harold L. Herz BS’48 immediate family to graduate from their local chapel as a trustee and this unit to Petsiavas’s company Benjamin Harrison Wurzel and of the second level roadway at two children; son, Brian; daughter, Edwin R. Knox Jr. MS’48 college, earning a BS at Columbia adviser. He enjoyed woodworking, in a joint effort that lasted more Michael Anthony Wurzel. LAX. In his free time, Emanuel Maureen and her husband, Jeff Robert A. Prochazka BS’48, MS’50 Engineering in mechanical engi- reading, hiking, sailing, and will than 40 years. taught mathematics, physics, and and their four children; daughter, John E. Scott MS’48 neering. He later went on to receive be missed by the family dachshund Under Demetre’s management, engineering at UCLA and several Elizabeth and her husband, Rob John W. Fuller BS’49 an MBA from Columbia Business named Maxi. Rene was deeply N. Petsiavas S.A. diversified its local colleges. He is survived by two and two children; the mother Edwin R. Hunt BS’49 School and earned a doctoral degree 1951 loved by his wife, and respected activities and is presently marketing daughters and four grandchildren. of his children, Pat O’Connell; Harry G. Klender BS’49 in anthropology from the New Harold L. Tapley, MD ’50CC died and admired by his children. He is pharmaceuticals, some of which and numerous cousins, nieces, Allan D. Kraus MS’49 School for Social Research. August 19, 2012, in Bakersfield, survived by wife Margrit Karin are produced in the company’s and nephews. Chester V. Zabielski BS’49 Bernard served in the Navy CA. A native of Peekskill, NY, he Kress and three children, Michele factory in Athens, such as pharmacy 1953 Yves Biry BS’50 during World War II aboard was educated at Columbia with Morris, Stephen Kress, and products; surgical, medical, and Arnold Blum BS’50 a minesweeper in the Pacific. an engineering degree and earned Robert Dean “Bob” Wanselow Michael Kress. He is also survived hospital supplies; and chemicals and 1995 William Gebrian BS’50 After many years as an engineer, a medical degree from Howard MS’55, ’53CC, 82, of Bryan, TX, by six grandchildren. plastic raw materials for the textile Harold Schiff BS’50 management consultant, and an University. After working as an passed away peacefully August 6, Peter Van Deusen Bliss (MS, Civil and plastic industries. Demetre Frank D. Rosenthal BS’51 entrepreneur in men’s fashions, he anesthesiologist at San Joaquin 2012, at St. Joseph’s Manor after Engineering and Engineering remained active in the business Gim H. Eng MS’52 became a professor of business at Hospital, Harold trained in psy- a brief struggle with melanoma 1956 Mechanics), son of Mimi Bliss until 2010. N. Petsiavas S.A. con- Alfred A. Hendrickson MS’54 Baruch College of CUNY, where chiatry at University of California, cancer. Bob was born June 21, and the late Charles Bliss, died at tinues to realize impressive growth Ihor Koszman ’55CC passed away Gunther P. Eschenbrenner MS’55 he served as deputy chair of the Davis. He served as medical director 1930, in Mineola, NY, and was Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer in sales and profitability, and is now August 9, 2012, at the age of 77. Gene F. Franklin EngScD’55 marketing department. As a patron at the Kern County Department of the only child of the late Frednand Center in New York City on August managed by the third generation A longtime resident of Montgomery, Theodore E. Bourque BS’56 of the arts, Bernard supported many Mental Health Services for 10 years and Lilly Wanselow. He was very 12, 2012. He was 58. of the Petsiavas family. TX, Ihor was born in the Ukraine Albert B. Grundy BS’56 performing arts organizations that and later worked at various county involved in sports, especially Peter was a senior supervising Demetre served as president on April 6, 1935. He emigrated Irwin Weitman BS’58 include Roundabout Theatre, the mental health centers. Known as football, as a high school student engineer with Parsons Brinckerhoff, of the Hellenic American Chamber to the United States in 1949 and Thomas H. Naylor BS’59 Manhattan Theatre Club, Second “Tap” to his many friends, Harold and played as a quarterback. As a where he worked for 22 years on of Commerce for 23 consecutive entered Columbia University at the Arthur F. Veinott Jr. EngScD’60 Stage Theatre, Opera Index, Teatro viewed the world with both an student at Columbia, he continued bridge and tunnel projects with years, from 1975 until 1998. young age of just 16. He graduated Lester Spielvogel MS’62 Grattacielo, the Orpheus Chamber admiring and critical eye. Along playing football and majored in the Structures Department and With his vision and integrity he from Johns Hopkins University Ildo E. Pensa MA’63 Orchestra, and the Orchestra of St. with his wife Phyllis, Tap enjoyed electrical engineering. since 2008, on the East Side Access helped to organize and upgrade with a doctorate of engineering. James H. Eaton MS’66 Luke’s. He is survived by numerous travel with friends and Broadway Bob worked at TRW (now project. Peter was a graduate of the chamber, making it the major Ihor spent most of his career at Lambros Lois EngScD’66 relatives and friends. shows, and was an avid supporter Northrop Grumman) in Torrance, Marcellus High School and Pratt bilateral chamber in Greece, ExxonMobil as a chemical engineer. Leonard Stier MS’66 of local theater. A unique presence CA, where he worked with the Institute, and earned a master’s with the main goal of facilitating He loved the outdoors, hiking, Edward W. Dowdall MS’67 who appreciated life to the fullest, space program and was the recipient degree from Columbia Engineering. entrepreneurship and promoting and gardening. He was especially Wayne H. Stayton BS’70 1950 he was both an idealist and a realist. of four US patents. He retired in He is survived by his wife, Gail Sims economic ties between the proud of his tomatoes and cucum- M. Sadek Eid PhD’73 He is survived by his wife Phyllis, 1984 and enjoyed retirement to the Bliss, with whom he lived in Brook- Demetre N. Petsiavas MS’51, 87, two countries. bers. Ihor was married to Maria Philip E. Rees MS’74 son Harold Tapley Jr., daughter fullest. He married Clara Johanna lyn for the past 31 years. He is also died peacefully at home in Athens, He was very proud of being a Koszman and had two sons, James J. Rongoe Jr. MS’74 Susanne Davis, four grandchildren, Murski, a model with Patricia survived by his brothers, Charles, Greece, on September 13, 2012. member of the Columbia alumni Victor and Alexander. niece Allison Thompson and Stevens Models of Dallas, on June 6, and Daniel Bliss and wife Lee and Born in Athens, he graduated from and had the fondest memories of Colette P. Schulz ’81GS, friend her daughter. 1953. He is survived by his loving their children, Emma and Simon; the Athens College High School the years he studied and worked and devoted wife of 59 years, Clara, his sisters, Bradley, and Louise Bliss

­­ 54 | ­­ columbia engineering ­­ ­­ columbia engineering | 55 Giving back Inspiring the Creative Spirit at Engineering

The first home of Columbia’s School of Mines (left) and the new Northwest Corner Building (right) at Morningside

or Columbia Engineering, a home Fast forward to the fall of 2010: the Q: The commercial Bernard Jaffe (1916–2009) graduated from Columbia which the family donated to the American Museum of Natural isn’t just a home, but it’s also an University opens the new Northwest Engineering with a BS in 1938 and received an MS in History in New York in his honor.) He hoped that as part of Fincubator for ideas and innovation. Corner Building for interdisciplinary building that was the mechanical engineering in 1939. his legacy he could continue to foster creativity in both music From the development of the New York science and engineering research (top first home to Columbia’s During the Second World War, Jaffe was responsible for and engineering. His family has aimed to fulfill his wish with City subway system and invention of right), designed and built specifically classified research projects, developing a number of important an endowed gift to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering the FM radio to the design of lab-on- to facilitate the flow of ideas among School of Mines was patents. This work was carried out for the Panelyte division of and Applied Science. chip devices for disease diagnosis and science and engineering disciplines. the St. Regis Paper Company, where he was a design director. In 2010, Jaffe’s wife Fern and son Dan established a breakthrough research in smart cities, Today’s SEAS students have even more a structure that was Remarkably, one of the designs for the company of a large prize in his memory at the Juilliard School that alternates the School has always made it a point opportunity to get involved in the most constructed as a factory propeller was later used as the poster picture for the Museum between flutists and composers; and in 2011, they created the to equip its students with the latest cutting-edge research collaborations. of Modern Art’s exhibit “Art of the Forties.” After the war, Bernard Jaffe Prize for the encouragement of inventiveness technology, tools, and facilities needed To celebrate the School’s upcoming and had been used for he opened his own engineering firm and used his training in in engineering at Columbia Engineering. Awarded by the to solve some of modern society’s most 150th anniversary, Columbia Engineering a number of mining business ventures. His consulting work faculty, the Jaffe Prize goes to students who exhibit exceptional pressing engineering problems. magazine will publish a series of ques- many purposes, took him throughout the world, where he became involved in qualities of curiosity toward engineering and a predisposition When the School was established in tions—on our website, our Facebook including a sash-and- international development projects. He never retired, working toward inventiveness and novel problem solving. The Jaffe 1864, students were primarily trained page, or via our Twitter feed—to test until he passed away in 2009 at the age of 93. Prize serves as a permanent legacy at Columbia Engineering in mining, mineralogy, and engineer- your knowledge of the School’s history. blinds shop and a broom Jaffe’s other great interests in life were music, art, and travel. to inspire future generations of students to think, not just ing from its first home in a building We’ll be digging up fun facts from 1864 He had a particular interest in how the creative mind can use “outside the box” but indeed beyond the traditional boundaries (top left) that was once a brick factory. to present day that will indeed show factory. Where was this music as a catalyst for wide-ranging intellectual endeavors. of engineering. The goal is to encourage students, like Jaffe Throughout its nearly 150-year history, just how far we’ve come. building located? (As part of his travels in Latin America, Jaffe became a himself, to make the most of a Columbia Engineering the School’s physical location, research significant collector of Pre-Columbian musical instruments, education to solve problems through creative, lateral thinking. labs, and facilities have played an essen- Here is the first question! We hope you’ll keep playing as we tial role in educating the best and the countdown to our 150th. brightest future engineers and scientists. The answer can be found below.

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