Laser Focused Vadim Backman Explores the Color Spectrum’S Outer Edges to Uncover Hidden Signs of Cancer

Home , Adam Hughes, Alex P, Ghetto Classics, The Color Spectrum, The Daily Northwestern, Thom Russo

The Power of Slow Thinking p. 15 … Wildcats Around the World p. 17 … “Hope is subversive right now. Sound Advice from Music Producer Thom Russo p. 30 … Northwestern’s Go spread it anyway. People will follow Oak Roots p. 36 … Five Questions with Tony Winner Katrina Lenk p. 50 you. People will join you.” p. 14

FALL 2018

Laser Focused Vadim Backman explores the color spectrum’s outer edges to uncover hidden signs of cancer. p. 38 MOMENT

Last April the School of Communication assembled a star- studded cast for A Starry Night. The evening performance brought together some of Northwestern’s most famous entertainment alumni, including Ana Gasteyer ’89, Heather Headley ’97, Brian d’Arcy James ’90, Richard Kind ’78, Harry Lennix ’86, Tony Roberts ’61 and, of course, Stephen Colbert ’86, ’11 H, who hosted the night of merriment. The show was part of CommFest, a weekend of reunions, master classes, workshops, exhibits and demonstrations. The festival weekend helped support new graduate programs, including a master of fine arts program in acting, and a downtown Chicago performing and media arts center. Relive the experience at commfest .northwestern.edu.

PHOTO: JIM PRISCHING FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN MOMENT

Students, from left, Michael Smith ’70, ’72 MA, Steve Colson ’71, Dan Davis ’69, ’78 MA/MS and William Eric Perkins ’70 appear onscreen during the premiere of the Northwestern University Black Alumni Association– commissioned documentary The Takeover: The Revolution of the Black Experience at Northwestern University. The film, which was screened at the NUBAA Summit and Salute to Excellence Gala in May at Chicago’s Swissôtel, examined the May 1968 Bursar’s Office takeover by more than 100 African American students protesting inequitable campus policies and attempting to improve awareness of African American students’ experiences. Northwestern honored the 50th anniversary of that protest with a week of commemorative events and an exhibition at Deering Library.

PHOTO OF STUDENTS IN VIDEO: COURTESY OF STEVE COLSON; PHOTO: JIM PRISCHING FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN Contents FALLNORTHWESTERN 2018 By Stephanie Russell splendor onthecampus. 200 years old, stillstandin white oaks, some well over stately bur andswamp Evanston campus. Many that today isNorthwestern’s on hisfirst visit to theland of theUniversity’s founders, eye ofOrrington Lunt, one Michigan thatcaughtthe trees near theshore ofLake It was themajesticoak Roots: Northwestern’s Oaks 36 4 men’s and women’s sports. spring for Northwestern’s highlighted anoutstanding regional championshipround The team’s runto theNCAA its best win total since 2008. The softballteam posted Season ofSuccess 18

social policy, on theBecomingaMan program —Jonathan Guryan, professor of human developmentand they act.” to stop andthinkbefore situations when it’s useful help peoplerecognize behavioral therapy based oncognitive ← “Programs thatare 15

OAK ILLUSTRATION: AITCH; SOFTBALL: TOM LYNN; BECOMING A MAN: NICOLE WONG; EXHIBIT: FOLDHAUS, SHRUMEN LUMEN, 2016. PHOTO BY RON BLUNT; VADIM BACKMAN: KYLE MONK On theCover: Vadim Backman. Photo: Kyle Monk. developed an innovative strategy for BurningMan 2016. building Shrumen Lumen McClendon ’17it was when then-undergrad Bomani enlisted tech helpfrom art collective FoldHaus The SanFrancisco–based ’Shroom Art 51 The FarThe Side of Violet for detecting cancer. Vadim Backman has 38

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Moment .northwestern.edu Website: magazine moviemaking entertainment law to Mark V BACK STORY In Memoriam Clas Katrina Lenk up withTony winner Creation ALUMNI Alumni Medalwinners NorthwesternThe Alumni T eyebrow ofbeauty” oak savanna is“the Roots RussoThom and songwriter music producer Grammy-winning S FEATURES entrepreneurs for alumni A new opportunity F WILL”“WE UPDATE function backpack high-fashion, high- Innovation their limits temps pushbeesto Discovery insecurity Pantry fights food S NEWS was my guiding light VaismanCecilia Medill professor An harm usall against afree press T VOICES T Pr FRONT V FALL 2018 alk Back esident’s Letter tonia Cereijido s Notes Northwestern’s railblazers C Warmer atching Cariset’s 5 6 FROM THE PRESIDENT FROM THE PRESIDENT 7

most pressing problems. We’ve risen any financial background to attend terms of the economic diversity of its new academic leaders, including Northwestern dramatically in research productivity Northwestern by increasing our undergraduate students. We’ve also Kimberly Yuracko, the new dean of compared with our peers in recent financial aid and by eliminating loans made strides in expanding support for the Northwestern Pritzker School Pushes Toward New years, and we now receive more than for undergraduate students. Here’s our graduate students and in increasing of Law, and Annelise Riles, executive $700 million in research funding another milestone: This fall, 20 percent financial aid for law, business and director of the Buffett Institute Frontiers annually, placing us among the of the entering class is eligible for medical school students, in order to for Global Studies. They bring top 25 universities nationally. Thanks Pell Grants, which help lower-income reduce their loan burdens and give outstanding academic credentials to the addition of the Simpson Querrey students to attend college. This means them stronger starts in their careers. and deep experience to their posts. building and renovations to key science that Northwestern is now near the top I’m pleased to report the Working with Provost Jonathan and engineering buildings on the of all private research universities in appointment of some talented Holloway, who’s moving into his Evanston campus, Northwestern can second year at Northwestern, they attract even more of the best scientific will provide strong leadership to researchers. these key academic areas. We also Of course, student life is the beating have begun the search for a new dean love fall at Northwestern. A new currently underway is the cutting-edge heart of the Northwestern experience, for the Medill School of Journalism, academic year kicks off, and it’s Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research and that heart is beating ever stronger. Media, Integrated Marketing about a lot more than parking Center, which will open in early The class of 2022 that just recently Communications. lots getting more crowded or 2019 on our Chicago campus. It will participated in March Through the Arch If you haven’t been to our Evanston the lines getting longer at our house more than 800 Northwestern is a remarkable group chosen from campus lately, there’s so much new campus eateries: It’s about that researchers, along with an additional more than 40,000 applicants, of whom to see. The heightened energy at renewed burst of energy that 640 researchers from Lurie Children’s only 8 percent were accepted. The ACT Northwestern that I mentioned the whole Northwestern community Hospital. Together they will investigate middle-range score for the class is at the beginning is magnified by the Igets, from Evanston to Chicago to Doha, the causes — and, we hope, develop 32–35 on a 36-point scale. The students world-class expansion of facilities Qatar. It’s also about recognizing how the cures — for diseases such as come from 49 states — I’m determined that our alumni and friends have that energy is driving a great university Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s, cancer and that we’ll get a great one from North made possible. Walk through the forward in an incredibly wide-ranging others that affect so many people Dakota next year! — and 54 different astonishing Ryan Fieldhouse and mission — to build up some of the and their families. countries. They’re incomparably bright, Walter Athletic Center, the Ryan world’s most promising young talent, The Simpson Querrey building and they bring an especially broad Center for the Musical Arts, Kresge to push forward frontiers in every symbolizes our distinct identity at range of interests and skills. Hall, the Kellogg Global Hub and academic field and to provide the best Northwestern. One of the things that We’ve been building even greater the newly renovated Welsh-Ryan health care, culture and community sets Northwestern apart is that it diversity and quality into the Arena, and you’ll get the sense that service to the larger world. And, of isn’t just a premier university — it’s Northwestern student body: For the something historic is happening. Your course, it’s also time for another season a premier research university, proud past several years, we’ve enabled generosity makes dreams come true. of Northwestern athletics and that give- of its ability to solve the world’s more high-achieving students from And so allow me to cordially it-your-all Wildcat spirit. invite you to return to Northwestern That same spirit, in our alumni and this year — for Homecoming, class the broader University community, has reunions and other events on our helped support initiatives to expand campuses. If you can’t be here, Mimi opportunities for our students, build on and I hope to see you at one of the our areas of excellence and transform many alumni events that we’ll host our campuses. As you’ll see inside this around the globe this academic year. issue of the beautifully redesigned “ We’ve been building even greater We’ll be there to say thank you — and Northwestern Magazine, we have to talk about what comes next for our surpassed our original, joint goals for We diversity and quality into the Northwestern family. Will. The Campaign for Northwestern of Northwestern student body: For the past raising $3.75 billion from 141,000 Best wishes, individual donors. We are truly grateful several years, we’ve enabled more high- to those of you who have made gifts achieving students from any financial throughout the Campaign and who continue to give each and every year. To background to attend Northwestern build on the Campaign’s rapid success by increasing our financial aid and by and to pursue emerging academic priorities, we have set new goals to eliminating loans for undergraduate raise $5 billion from 170,000 donors students. This fall, 20 percent of the by the end of 2020. (See “Northwestern Increases Campaign Goal to $5 Billion,” entering class is eligible for Pell Grants, We Will Update, page 26.) which help lower-income students to Among the exciting projects Morton Schapiro

advanced by the “We Will” Campaign attend college.” JIM PRISCHING President and Professor

NORTHWESTERN FALL 2018 FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN FALLNORTHWESTERN 2018 8 Our New Look The Story Behind alumni. The from faculty, studentsand Q&As, asocialfeed andquotes My Northwestern Direction), first-person essays (including added shorter news stories. We’ve large images —andlists photo spreads, illustrations, you’ll findmore— visuals Magazine new lookfor Northwestern vibrant, elegant andclassy for helpinguscreate sucha design team inNew York City Our thanks to Pentagram’s — and we hope you agree. delivers allthat we asked for the editorial content as well. was timeto rethink andretool more thana visual redesign: It our designer. space, muchto thedismay of there wasn’t alotof white layout was text heavy, and a makeover. the magazine was duefor since our lastredesign, so rate journalism. themes indepththrough first- explore issues, peopleand storytelling venue where we to continue to beastrong course,And,of we wanted flexible andengaging format. students andalumniinamore and itscommunity offaculty, and attributes ofNorthwestern was to reflect theuniquespirit around theglobe. Discovery of our Wildcats are upto that spotlights what some includes aticker andamap W In the front of the magazine We thinkthenew design knew So weneeded we We admitit—theold It’s beeneight years Our goal for theredesign Voices, acollection of Magazine! new elcome to the and our onlinesite. News section Northwestern

online reading experience. deliver acleanand simple and designinnovations that and discover photography delighted to visit our new site devices, so we think you’ll be website from your mobile of you access themagazine .northwestern.edu. Many a new website: magazine research anddedication. insights, innovative thinking, us with their creativity, Northwestern peopleinspire the world.and These — impact ontheir community students andfaculty andtheir of Northwestern alumni, about telling thestories helped themget there. their Northwestern education up intheir career —andhow tale abouthow they ended alumni who have anintriguing features aninterview with last page ofthemagazine, graduates. accomplishments by our a collection ofnoteworthy nowopens with alumni serve asmentors. and innovation, where many student entrepreneurship Northwestern’s hubfor example, at The Garage, across theUniversity, for on interdisciplinary projects with studentsandfaculty alumni are collaborating and students. Increasingly, aren’t justaboutfaculty is thatcampusnews items front sectionofthemagazine are underway oncampus. entrepreneurial projects that of theexciting student faculty research andsome and We are alsolaunching The magazine isstillall The What you’ll alsofindin the Innovation highlight section Alumni section Back Story, onthe Creation, FROM THEEDITOR

was their primary source Northwestern Magazine respondents saidthat last year,conducted our website. of theprintmagazine from And you candownload aPDF issue to arrive in your mailbox. expect afall, winter andspring three timesa year. So you can we’ll publishthemagazine Twitter andInstagram. And follow usonFacebook, #ClassNotesNU.news with you get promoted, tweet the @Northwesternmagazine. If moment of#purplepride, tag Insta-worthy memory or it andtagus. If you have an If astory touches you, post want to hear from you. connected.keepyou we And our socialmediapresence to exclusive onlinecontent. latest University news and magazine, along with the news items from theprint form feature stories andshort allows usto showcase long- contemporary that website It’s amobile-friendly, In analumnisurvey Beginning with thisissue, We’re alsoampingup

Sincerely, by allmeans, keep intouch. the magazine’s new look. And wherever you go inthe world. yourfellowand Wildcats connected to theUniversity Magazine helps you stay We hopethatNorthwestern friendships andrelationships. paths, andfostered lifelong guided andredirected career have indeedchanged lives, Northwestern connections their lives andcareers. These continue to have animpacton classmates andprofessors, students,fellow with people make asNorthwestern theme —thattheconnections launch issuehave arecurring for lettingusengage with you. readership and, mostofall, for your supportandloyal University. Weyouthank of information aboutthe Executive Editor Russell Stephanie Let usknow how you like Many ofthestories inthis

ANJE JAGER We want to from hear you: read anarticlethatfawns How disappointingto Oaks,Thousand Calif. William Vietinghoff’53 fellow alumni. Colbert affronts halfofhis as fair game. Isuspect targeting ofRepublican guests guests like royalty andhis by histreating Democratic a fair debate. This isevidenced left. He seemsincapableof inappropriate actionsby the there are nohumorous administration. on theactivities ofthecurrent programming for hisreports alternative of valuable applauded asasource are commendable. He is comments andjokes article’s slantthathisbiased and Idefend it. disturbed, butthatishisright, positions laughable. Iam Colbert finds Republican disagreements seriously, than treat thecurrent political right, andIdefend it. Rather evaluations, butthatishis left leaning. article admitshismaterial is Show with Stephen Colbert. The host positionofCBS’ Late The deserves, having achieved the is given therecognition he spring 2018], Stephen Colbert [“NU RulesLate-Night TV,” In thearticleby Jenny Hontz LATE-NIGHT COMEDY Talk Back What I object to is the What Iobjectto isthe I disagree with Colbert’s Apparently

 [email protected]

“don’t want to bepainted as current late-night hosts happening. what was others shouldtry to figure out the election. Perhaps heand is happening?” thenightof comment, “What thef#@% is clearly biasedbasedonhis didn’t vote for him, butColbert I am nota Trump fanand argumentum adhominem. has reduced hisshtickto over Stephen Colbert, who — @JodieValade  for publishing!) to @Northwesternmag(Thanks my husband’s 23-year-old car. I wrote to alove letter — feature, y’all! pride. Congrats onanamazing this makes mesmilewith As a Black mediamaker, seeing the latest @Northwesternmag! @robinthede onthecover of see fellow @MedillSchool alum When you visithomeand #PurplePride —@robinthede many funny folks! GOU-NU! @TheSecondCity that @northwesternu (and and @sethmeyers! Sodope night hosts @StephenAtHome wildcat alumandfellow late- and inafeature withmy fellow @Northwesternmag thismonth I’m onthecover of FEEDBACK SOCIAL MEDIA Then, thefactthat @ ercCitn ‌DerrickClifton ) canboastso   @northwesternmag TALK BACK  an activist for socialchange I was motivated to become of Dr. Martin Luther KingJr., and theassassination in 1968. After thatevent took over theBursar’s Office and other Blackstudents Northwesternwhen you Student Activist”]. I was at photo [“Reflections ofa Black when Isaw your essay and the late ’60s andearly ’70s I was transported backto of reading thespring 2018 issue 1970, when I was a senior. In voice ofour campusinMay Thank you, Eva, for beingthe JEFFERSON PATERSON FOR EVAPRAISE Hope, N.J. Floyd ’67Jim that connection. think I would have made front-to-back order, Idon’t through themagazine in program. If Ihadread studies an AfricanAmerican Northwestern to establish the late 1960s to convince that recounts her efforts in Student Activist”a Black Paterson’sof “Reflections just read Eva Jefferson American studies. I had and African journalism majored inbroadcast statement thatMs. Thede the seemingly ordinary and becameemotionalat the Late-Night Shift”] [“RobinThede Works article Adrienne Samuels Gibbs’ 2018 issue. I was reading articles in your spring a connection between two only reader who made I amprobably notthe Charlotte Richard Hahn ’59 MA/MS picking thelow-hanging fruit. intelligent comedy thanjust ridiculous. There ismore to purely liberal or left wing” is Northwestern Magazine,  /NorthwesternMagazine

graduated from Northwestern work continued when he Professor important Turner’s ’60s. Iamhappy to report that at Northwestern inthelate to thecause ofracial justice Jamescontributions Turner’s I took note ofher account of Paterson’s fascinatingstory, Reading Eva Jefferson O’Fallon, Ill. Gail Hagler Fleming ’70 Justice Society. and co-founder oftheEqual its lighttoday asthepresident Northwestern andpreserving Eva, for ignitingthatflameat change. Thank you somuch, it confidently for positive the torch we litandcarrying younger generation accepting peacefully protest. country to have therightto faculty members allover the with university studentsand and expressed solidarity days inDeeringMeadow; University; campedfor several Sheridan Road andthe members, who shutdown students, along with faculty I was oneoftheNorthwestern State studentshadbeenkilled, in May of1970, after theKent Convention.Democratic And Vietnam War, duringthe1968 marching against the the peace movement. rights, women’s rightsand and began marching for civil FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN I amheartened to seethe I was alsoinChicago, @northwesternmagazine

9 10 TALK BACK VOICES 11

Northwestern and took a position at Cornell Icons Gathered for Grand Gala,” public discourse, in which the United States and around the world, Magazine University. There he founded Then, spring 2018, page 2] poor people, including an alarming trend. what is now the very active detailing an event about which many of those employed There are even bigger systemic EXECUTIVE EDITOR department of Africana I have told people for decades. in the services industries/ effects from the vitriolic attacks. They’re Stephanie Russell studies. Both he and his wife [Editor’s note: In October 1980 businesses, do not exist. contributing to an erosion of trust in SENIOR EDITOR also have been strong voices some of Northwestern’s most In the Chicago college a free press that is the oxygen of any Sean Hargadon for racial and economic justice prominent alumni working in where I taught, I encountered self-governed democracy. And they’re ASSISTANT ALUMNI NEWS EDITOR in Ithaca’s public schools. Hollywood and on Broadway numerous students who exist JOURNALISTS UNDER FIRE This was, after all, a man whose news exacerbating a partisan divide that already Leah Goldberger Although he is now officially assembled in Evanston to in families that depend on diet consists of more cable TV than print has many Americans nestled inside their CONTRIBUTING ALUMNI AND retired, Professor Turner celebrate the completion of the not just a spouse but on other and a politician who has called journalists own filter bubbles, putting “red” and “blue” CAMPAIGN NEWS EDITORS Lindsay Beller continues to be an important Theatre and Interpretation family members who need Threats sleazes, “the enemy of the American allegiances ahead of actual facts. Deborah Cassell ’00 MS figure in the Cornell Center. The event, recorded and to work to meet basic family people” and “third rate.” The ripple effects are being felt beyond community. edited as a television special, needs. Such a reality places Against Trump’s compliment of Page the Capital Beltway. While surveys show ART DIRECTOR Christina Senese Gregory S. Alexander ’73 JD aired three times in prime time a great deal of stress on family juxtaposed with his criticism of the news people trust local news outlets more than Healdsburg, Calif. to a national audience.] dynamics, in which economic a Free Press media illustrate a great irony known national ones, there are troubling signs. REDESIGN Pentagram: Luke Hayman, I was an elementary survival, not boredom, was by Washington insiders: The president A Pew Research Center study last year Shigeto Akiyama, As an alum from the class schooler in Berkeley, Calif., the major impediment to Harm Us All privately covets the approval of journalists showed a mere 24 percent of Republicans Austin Maurer; Heinrichs Partners: Jay Heinrichs of 1970 I lived through the who had just discovered my a successful marriage. This even as he publicly berates them. said they have a lot of trust in information tumultuous events on campus singing voice when I watched is not to say that those of Elisabeth Bumiller, another Medill grad they get from local news organizations. PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR Anne Egger in the late ’60s more as an that television special and lesser means do not want By Tim Franklin and the Washington bureau chief for the That shows this problem is deeply rooted. observer than a participant. Eva decided that night I absolutely their partners to foster self- New York Times, said at the same campus Eighty percent of journalists work PRODUCTION MANAGER TJ Young Jefferson Paterson’s reflection wanted to go to Northwestern. expression and personal edill alumna Susan event that the president’s constant outside the media centers of Washington, gives me a new appreciation for There were so many famous growth, but it is much more Page, the Washington, broadsides about “fake news” amount to New York and Los Angeles. They’re WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT Janet Dobbs, director of the movement and those who alumni whom I had heard of difficult to do so when your D.C., bureau chief for “politics that plays to the base nicely” and not players in the D.C. food fight. They web communications; Jacob made a significant difference in (even at such a young age) mind is on how are you going USA Today, remembers added that “none of us take it seriously.” cover city councils, community schools, Arnold; Christopher Garcia; a troubled time. Thanks, Eva. that I figured it had to be an to pay the rent. well the first time she But Bumiller ’77 also noted local colleges, crime, neighborhood Tom Gladan; Nimisha Joshi; Dan L. Miller ’70 excellent school! Louis Silverstein ’70 PhD interviewed candidate Donald Trump a consequence of the pervasive, hostile organizations, small businesses, high Lian LaRussa; Amber London; Anastasia Masurat; Adam Roselle, Ill. Back in those days, 2,000 Evanston Mduring the 2016 presidential election. rhetoric. “I do have concerns about school sports and entertainment. Skrzypulec miles away from campus, “He said, ‘Susan, I so admire your threats against journalists,” she said. They mostly do it for modest pay, EDITORIAL INTERNS THEN: THE WAY THEY Northwestern might not CORRECTION: work,’ ” Page ’73 recounted in a panel “That is very worrying.” and they toil against the backdrop of Daniel Fernandez ’19, WERE otherwise have been on my discussion at Medill late last year. “And Indeed, Bumiller is correct. Threats increasing financial pressures spawned by Stephanie Fox ’18, ’19 MS, radar. I’m so thankful for that The close-up on Alexander I thought, ‘Really?’ ” against journalists are on the rise both in the digital disruption that has shattered Christopher Grismer ’19, Danny Hwang ’19, ’19 MS, I could not believe my eyes wonderful show that changed Pancoe “Climbing for a Cause,” their business models. They do it because Madeline Kaufman ’18, when I saw the article on The my life and appreciate the [Alumni Life, spring 2018, they believe in the essential missions of ’18 MS Way They Were [“Entertainment great memory! page 57] incorrectly states connecting citizens in their communities, EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Sarah Lundquist ’91 that Mount Aconcagua is in helping them live their everyday lives and Krishnan Anantharaman Oakton, Va. South Africa. It is located holding institutions accountable. There’s ’91, chair; David Beard ’81; Emily Chow ’12; Alex Garcia in the Andes Mountains in nothing fake about that news. ’89; Adrienne Samuels Gibbs “Eva Jefferson Argentina. Their jobs can be dangerous. One local ’99; Ryan Haggerty ’07, journalist — a cherished former colleague ’16 MS; Jerry Lai ’04; Robert Paterson’s CONGRATS TO OUR IPAD of mine — was murdered in June along Leighton ’82; Mike McGee ’10; Monica Metzler ’86; reflection WINNER, JESSICA SMASAL with four co-workers in the newsroom of Cate Plys ’84; Gita Pullapilly the Annapolis Capital Gazette by a gunman ’00 MS; Christina Rosales gives me a new Congratulations to Jessica allegedly aggrieved over unflattering ’11; Joshua Rosenblat ’17; Smasal ’14, who won a coverage in the paper. Kerem Taskin ’14; Kevin Sites appreciation ’89 MS; K atherine Unmuth brand-new iPad thanks to her Have presidents of both parties attacked ’03; William Weinbaum ’82; for the THE ALL-OR-NOTHING participation in our readership the press? Of course. Do journalists share ’83 MS; Steph Yiu ’08; Cat MARRIAGE survey last winter. All survey responsibility for the trust problem in Zakrzewski ’15; Sheldon movement Zenner ’74, ’78 JD participants were given news? Of course. Are they “the enemy of and those Although I agree with much the opportunity to enter the the American people”? Far from it. © 2018 Northwestern University. of what Eli Finkel [“The All- random drawing. Northwestern Magazine is who made published in fall, winter and or-Nothing Marriage,” spring Smasal, who studied Tim Franklin is senior associate dean and spring. All Rights Reserved. a significant 2018] has to say regarding history at Northwestern, a professor at Northwestern’s Medill Produced by Global Marketing and Communications, difference what makes for a fulfilling is manager of individual School of Journalism, Media, Integrated 1603 Orrington Ave, Suite 200, and lasting marriage, for him giving and special events at Marketing Communications. Before Evanston, IL 60201. Telephone: 847-491-5000 Website: magazine. in a troubled to say that “We no longer Openlands, a Chicago-based joining Medill in June 2017, Franklin was northwestern.edu time. Thanks, need a spouse to help us get conservation nonprofit. president of the Poynter Institute, a leading Views expressed in Northwestern food, clothing and shelter” Thanks to everyone who international school for journalists and Magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors Eva.” is just reflective of present participated in the survey. PHOTOGRAPHY JENNA BRAUNSTEIN ↑ Journalism professor Tim Franklin, senior associate dean at Medill a media think tank. or the University.

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SOUND OFF SOCIAL FEEDS Antonia my first suggestion, Latino USA, she Ellen Shearer, professor of journalism Cereijido ’14 told me to stop. The host of Latino and co-author of Truth Counts: A Practical Fall Faves USA, Maria Hinojosa, happened to Telling Guide for News Consumers (2018) Producer, Latino be her dear friend. Suddenly I was What was your favorite thing USA, NPR off to New York City to work for one about #NUFall? Truths We cannot agree on of my favorite shows. Why have alternative facts basic facts because of It was thrilling. I was cutting and recent misinformation the cacophony of “What’s not to love together short stories that were campaigns been misinformation and about NU in the fall?! actually making it onto national disinformation from I love the changing radio. The office was fun and so successful, and how so many different bubbly, with Spanish and English dangerous is their sources. Societies leaves and the crisp floating around everywhere as impact on American need methods of air, bundling up people hustled hard on their democracy? settling on facts. in a Northwestern scripts and edits. I went back for We need to be able hoodie and watching my final quarter at Northwestern, to say, “We can make the homecoming wishing I would find a job that felt a decision based on these so comfortable and vibrant. And facts we all agree on. We may disagree on parade with a cup of then I got a call toward the end of Pablo Boczkowski, what to do about these facts, but we can apple cider. For this the quarter with an offer to be an professor of agree on the facts.” If we get to a point South Texas native, it associate producer on the show. communication where people think facts are fungible, it was almost like being I was in shock. I had landed my studies and co-editor will be very hard for communities and an extra on a cute dream job right out of college. of Trump and the countries to function. TV show BUT REAL!” When I told Professor Vaisman, Media (2018) she gave me a big hug. At this point @CLRosales  she was wearing head wraps. She The cultural authority Alvin Tillery, associate professor of had been diagnosed with breast of science, journalism, political science cancer. I knew she was ill, but I did MY NORTHWESTERN DIRECTION medicine, law and other knowledge- not know the extent to which she making institutions has been There used to be a time was suffering. In my eyes, she was increasingly in question. If it in politics when made of steel. Not only did she continues, this trend could potentially Americans waited Medill Professor hide her pain, but she was also undermine the foundations of the for information ruthless when it came to feedback. project of enlightenment — evidence- to come from the Was My Guiding Light She would send me detailed notes based government, public policy, Bureau of Labor on why my stories weren’t working. education, health and so on. Statistics or the ne day during my about herself, and with each detail And frankly, she was always right. Congressional Budget freshman year, she disclosed, my jaw dropped A year and three months after Office before they “Lying on the ground looking I was sitting in lower and lower. Her parents I graduated, Professor Vaisman David Rapp, professor of psychology decided if a proposed up through maple leaves exactly the McCormick were Argentine Jews; my parents While passed away. Maria Hinojosa and of learning sciences policy was good or bad. Now the partisan that color, with an intensely Foundation are Argentine Jews. She wanted and I cried in each other’s arms. environment has completely destabilized blue sky in the background.” Center during an introductory to work in radio while she was I never I was devastated and somewhat People don’t necessarily have the those institutions. Not only do people no Ojournalism course where different a college student, and I was ended up in confused. I was also awestruck by  resources or awareness to know how longer wait for these institutions to have Laurel Haropulos Bailey professors would come in and already dreaming of it then. Professor how someone who was that sick to check information that they’re their say, but if politicians don’t like what give us a cursory overview of It felt like I was looking at an Vaisman’s could still go to such great lengths reading. Or sometimes they don’t they’re getting from them, they just tell different sectors in the industry: older version of myself. After class to help me. “Having grown up in class, she have the energy or time or motivation. people that it’s fake news. Once we leave S Florida, fall was new digital, broadcast television I went up to her and practically There are many times I wish ended So people aren’t sure or aren’t well- this hyperpartisan cycle, we’re going to to me my freshman and magazines. But the lecture shouted, “I am you!” in her face. I could email or call her for advice. practiced in how to check be left in a position where we no longer that day was the one I had been Thankfully she was not weirded up being I have been working at Latino USA year. I loved the sound whether the sources have institutions that can vet credible waiting weeks for: radio. out, and while I never ended up the most for four years. I get to do what they’re hearing from have information for the American electorate. of walking and kicking As a teenager I would lounge in Professor Vaisman’s class, I dreamed of doing as a freshman. vested interests. And The next set of people to control our through fallen leaves around my room and listen to she ended up being the most influential I am grateful for Northwestern listeners sometimes institutions will have a much more and watching them the long personal narratives influential professor I knew during professor and how it allowed me to have particular views enfeebled set of mechanisms for telling flutter to the ground.” and scientific musings of This my time at Northwestern. I knew meet someone who, while our that they want Americans that these are the facts. That’s American Life and Radiolab. I was When it was time to decide during time together was brief, ended up to be true. So if what’s really dangerous. Anita Chan Marcantel  podcast-obsessed from the age of where I wanted to go for my guiding my whole career. something they’re 14, and finally I was going to get Journalism Residency, I went to my time reading aligns with Make your voice heard. Submit a question an inside look into this world that her office and told her that I really at North Check out Antonia Cereijido’s Next question: Did you live in what they believe to or share your reaction with #WooShack? What’s your story felt so familiar but mysterious. wanted to do something in public western.” “My Northwestern Direction” be true, they’re more #VoicesNU on Twitter or email us at about the origins of the name? Professor Cecilia Vaisman stood radio. She asked me what programs —Antonia video at magazine.northwestern

likely to accept it. [email protected]. Share with #NUstalgic. RAPP: JIM PRISCHING DAVID at the podium and began to talk I was interested in, and right after Cereijido ’14 .edu/voices.

NORTHWESTERN FALL 2018 Illustration by Bruce Morser FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 14 VOICES CAMPUS NEWS / STUDENT LIFE / SPORTS 15

Warmer temps WHAT INSPIRES ME threaten some bee Seeking Solutions species p. 20 Climate scientist finds hope in her problem- Purple A functional, Pantry helps fashionable solving students. feed hungry bag from students p. 19 Cariset p. 25

generation of scientists and engineers and Yarrow Axford, associate professor of journalists and politicians and economists Earth and planetary sciences and entrepreneurs keeps me hopeful.”

“Teaching is a really remarkable source of Axford grew up in rural Maine, where she inspiration. I teach classes not just for Earth was fascinated by the glacially sculpted THERAPY scientists but also for students in McCormick landscapes and how they came to be. and Medill, even the law school. And I draw At Northwestern she studies climate a lot of inspiration from the students in and environmental change, primarily ↑ Yarrow Axford, right, and doctoral students The Power those classes, because it gives me a chance to through the lens of paleolimnology — prepare to sample a lake in Greenland. interact with young people who are oriented the study of lake sediments and past of Slow toward solving problems. Whether they’re lake environments. Her work is aimed doing graduate research on solar fuels or at understanding climate change and that provided a record of two interglacial Thinking improving industrial processes to make glacier fluctuations in Arctic and alpine periods in northwest Greenland — them more energy efficient, they want to environments, including around the information that could help researchers Cognitive behavioral find solutions to the problems — including margins of the Greenland ice sheet. Her better gauge Greenland’s sensitivity therapy programs climate change. Working with the next most recent research explored lake mud to warming. help reduce violent crime, increase graduation rates. COMMENCEMENT “Because of the “When I entered law “Today it’s easy to “Hope is subversive 2018 educational foundation school, female faces feel that our voices right now. Go spread you have received were fewer, black don’t matter. We’re it anyway. People will typical Becoming here, you will excel. women faces even faced with a barrage, follow you. People A a Man session Words But I also hope that rarer, but I grew to a cacophony of will join you.” includes a simple you will every day know my power. Once sound 24/7. It’s like Cody Keenan ’02, game: One young man tucks of broaden your horizons, you recognize your everybody is singing longtime speechwriter a small ball into his palm, learn new things — power, you get to a different song at the for President Barack while his partner has one Wisdom and learn them in new decide how to use it same time, but ever Obama ’06 H and minute to do whatever it takes ways — and explore and chart your own louder, trying to be the current visiting to get it away from him. Former White House the full spectrum of path.” only voice that’s heard. professor of political Often the young men start speechwriter Cody what it means to be Sharon Y. Bowen … So ask yourself: science, at the wrestling, trying to pry open Keenan and opera human.” ’82 JD, MBA, the first Who can hear me?” Weinberg College of their partner’s hand by force. star Renée Fleming David Skorton ’70, African American Renée Fleming ’18 H Arts and Sciences Afterward, when the counselor headlined the list of ’74 MD, secretary commissioner of at the University suggests simply asking for the speakers who came of the Smithsonian the U.S. Commodity Commencement Share words of wisdom ball, the boys look skeptical to campus to address Institution, at the Futures Trading for recent grads and — and then surprised — graduates during Feinberg School of Commission, at the new students with when their partners confirm Commencement Medicine Pritzker School of Law #VoicesNU. that a simple request would ceremonies in May and have worked. The exercise June. Here are a few demonstrates how easy it is of their nuggets of to act on impulse and make inspiration. assumptions about what others are thinking — and the value of pausing to consider other solutions. “Kids learn to stop and think,” says economist Jonathan

AXFORD PHOTO: ALEX P. TAYLOR ALEX P. AXFORD PHOTO: BEN WEEKS ILLUSTRATION: SPOT Guryan, who has studied

Illustration by Paul Blow FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 16 NEWS NEWS 17

Rather than focusing GLOBAL REACH ON TOUR IN ASIA on education or punitive Beijing measures to deter crime, STUDYING EL Ninety students from CBT-based programs like BAM SISTEMA Wildcats Around the Northwestern offer behavioral strategies Nairobi, Kenya University Symphony that teach youth to slow down Orchestra performed Senior Hannah the World at the Forbidden and think. The programs also Whitehouse visited City Concert Hall Ghetto Classics and employ mentorship and role- THE FOURTH in Beijing as part of El Sistema Kenya, playing lessons in a group PLINTH a three-city, weeklong above, in Nairobi London Asia tour last March. setting. Participants pick up as part of her meditation techniques and Led by conductor Circumnavigators Northwestern artist Victor Yampolsky, learn to express themselves, Travel-Study Grant. Michael Rakowitz the orchestra played connect with others and cope Whitehouse, a violist unveiled a 14- works by Gustav with loss. studying music foot statue of the Mahler and Leonard education and social Guryan has found that BAM Lamassu, a winged Bernstein ’57 H in policy, also visited Assyrian deity with A Becoming a Man session reduces arrests for violent Beijing, Shanghai and England, Greece, the body of a bull and Hong Kong. crimes by half and increases India, the Philippines the head of a human, high school graduation rates and New Zealand at the Fourth Plinth by almost 20 percent for CPS to study El Sistema, in London last March. a philosophy that students who participate in Created from 9,000 promotes child steel cans of Iraqi the effects of Becoming a Man Being aware the program. development through date syrup, the piece and other cognitive behavioral Guryan’s research on BAM the rigors and is part of Rakowitz’s therapy programs for nearly of the dangers and other programs takes rewards of orchestral larger project The music instruction. Invisible Enemy ORDER OF THE a decade. CBT-based programs place at the University RISING SUN address impulsive, automatic of automatic of Chicago Education Lab. Should Not Exist, which uses ephemera Tokyo responses that can potentially thinking Co-founded by Guryan to represent and lead to violence. in 2012, the Education Lab Northwestern can mean the commemorate lost professor emerita People often act without is a close affiliate of the Iraqi artifacts. Phyllis Lyons thinking, a trait psychologists difference University of Chicago Crime was awarded the call automaticity. It’s a helpful Lab. Both partner with civic ON THE FRINGE Japanese Order function to address problems between life and community leaders to Edinburgh, Scotland of the Rising Sun and make decisions, but identify, evaluate and learn for her role in and death. Students from promoting Japanese for youth growing up in how to scale promising Northwestern’s culture, language Chicago’s most distressed programs that reduce crime American Music education and neighborhoods, where and improve education in Theatre Project cultural exchange. high-stakes situations occur help people to avoid making urban areas. performed in two Lyons, who lived shows at the Edinburgh frequently, being aware of the automatic decisions that In part due to findings from in Japan from ages Festival Fringe in 9 to 15, taught dangers of automatic thinking would have led to outcomes Guryan and his colleagues, August. The plays, Japanese language can mean the difference they want to avoid.” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Legacy: A Mother’s and literature at between life and death. BAM, developed and ’85 MA launched the Song and Legacy: The FROM THE FLIGHT DECK Northwestern for “Programs that are based run by the nonprofit Youth Mayor’s Mentoring Initiative, Book of Names, are Pacific Ocean, Baja Peninsula, Mexico nearly four decades a collaboration between on cognitive behavioral Guidance, serves an estimated a $36 million public-private and was crucial to Northwestern and the In April three journalism graduate students the founding of therapy help people to 6,000 young men in seventh partnership to expand BAM Royal Conservatoire of reported from the USS John C. Stennis, a naval the Department of recognize situations when through 12th grades in and similar programs. While Scotland. Together, they aircraft carrier roughly 100 miles off the coast Asian Languages it’s useful to stop and think more than 100 Chicago Guryan and his team continue illuminate the nature of the Baja Peninsula, as part of an in-depth and Cultures. before they act,” says Guryan, Public Schools, and a similar evaluating BAM, they are of motherhood, the reporting project associated with Medill’s immigrant experience Politics and National Security specialization. a professor of human program is offered in the Cook also assessing the Working and how cultural The Medill crew got to experience a “trap development and social policy. County Juvenile Temporary on Womanhood mentoring heritage evolves across landing” on the carrier and observed flight

“And just doing that can Detention Center. program and other initiatives. time and space. WONG A MAN: NICOLE BECOMING AUTHORITY/CAROLINE LONDON GREATER LONDON: MEXICO: ROSENBERG; BEIJING: TODD TEO; 3RD CLASS WILLIAM FORD SPECIALIST operations from the flight deck.

● Northwestern-based Design for America ● Kimberly Yuracko succeeded Daniel ● In July a Northwestern team launched an ● Northwestern received ● 20,000 — The number The received a National Design Award for Rodriguez as dean of the Northwestern X-ray imaging rocket that can capture high- the ENERGY STAR Partner of rain ponchos distributed corporate and institutional achievement from Pritzker School of Law in September. Yuracko, resolution images of astronomical objects. Led of the Year Award for its to grads, families and Ticker Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. who joined the law faculty in 2002, has by physics and astronomy associate professor efforts to reduce energy guests on June 22, a soggy Founded by professor Liz Gerber in 2009, DFA gained national attention for her scholarship Enectali Figueroa-Feliciano, the team hopes to consumption and educate Commencement day when now includes 36 universities and more than in employment law, antidiscrimination law explore “how ‘star stuff’ is made, because it is the University community Chicago received more than 1,200 members. and gender equity. what allows life to exist.” about energy efficiency. an inch of rain.

NORTHWESTERN FALL 2018 Illustrations by Ben Weeks FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 18 NEWS

SPORTS ’CAT TALES 1988: Season of Success The Bridge Recent highlights from Northwestern’s men’s Project and women’s sports. In the summer of 1988, Robert Kath ’88 and Paolo Mazzucato ’88 traveled to ising senior Olivia ’18 MS, both All-Americans, Moscow to initiate the first R Rosendahl of fell in the first round of the cinematic co-production women’s swimming NCAA Doubles Championship. between students in the and diving captured her The softball team posted United States and students second-consecutive platform its best win total since 2008, in the Soviet Union. national title. The Big Ten Diver ultimately losing to No. 7 seed Envisioned as an of the Year also earned All- Georgia in the NCAA Athens opportunity for cultural America honors in the 1-meter. Regional championship round. exchange, “The Bridge Women’s golf ended The women’s lacrosse Project” evolved from its season in the NCAA team fell to No. 2 seed discussions between Championships quarterfinal, North Carolina in the NCAA Kath, Mazzucato and becoming one of just three Tournament, finishing the students at Moscow’s teams to finish in the top 10 year 15-6. Selena Lasota ’18, All-Union State Institute at each of the last four NCAA a redshirt senior in 2018–19, of Cinematography. The Championships. Hannah scored 75 goals this season, eventual collaboration Kim ’18 and Sarah Cho ’18 leaving her just 52 shy of the was a music video for the concluded their careers program record (254) held by ← song “Bridges of Trust.” having played in all four of Shannon Smith ’12. NCAA champion “We ended up working STUDENT LIFE diver Olivia the program’s top national Men’s golf made its on a story that was about Rosendahl championship performances. first appearance in the NCAA trying to connect,” says Women’s tennis Championships Finals Mazzucato, who co- Food for Thought finished its season at the since 2011. directed the video with his NCAA Women’s Tennis The women’s fencing team Soviet counterpart. “And Purple Pantry provides groceries to students who don’t have enough to eat. Championships, where the won its fifth Midwest Fencing that was what we were team fell in the round of 16. Conference Championship doing too — connecting Erin Larner ’18 reached and first overall title since with film students who hen Mary Deeley established the Purple Pantry, period because they lacked the second round of the NCAA 2016. Northwestern finished were, for all intents and W ’89 PhD, pastoral where students can pick up adequate access to food; Singles Championship, and eighth at the NCAA Fencing purposes, just like us.” associate at Sheil nonperishables and fresh 12 percent skipped meals on Larner and Maddie Lipp ’17, Championships. Shot over several weeks Catholic Center, read a spring fruits and vegetables donated four or more days. The most in Moscow, St. Petersburg 2016 Daily Northwestern story by the University community. common barriers to food and Chicago, the video about students battling food The pantry, which is open one accessibility were inconvenient earned a College Emmy. insecurity, she was shocked. day a week or by appointment, dining hall hours for those on ARENA UPDATE A short documentary “Why are there students is staffed by Northwestern campus and lack of money about the project, narrated who are hungry on this volunteers and housed at Sheil for those off campus. More The complete renovation of Welsh-Ryan by Casey Kasem, was campus, where food is Catholic Center. than half of the pantry users Arena will transform the student-athlete released the following year seemingly everywhere?” Food insecurity continues reported that they share food and fan experience in Northwestern’s most- and screened at American Deeley asks. to be a prominent issue with family or friends. embassies during the 1990 She quickly set up meetings nationally. A 2018 survey of “Often we don’t know used and most-versatile venue. Highlights summit between President with the student group Points 66 colleges and universities what our students’ lives are include locker rooms for men’s and women’s George H.W. Bush and for a Purpose (now Swipe by researchers at Temple like,” Deeley says. “We are basketball and volleyball; new seating MISHA SYCHEV OPPOSITE: MICHAEL RINGOR; BELOW: Mikhail Gorbachev. Out Hunger), another campus University and the Wisconsin beginning to see students for throughout the arena; wider, more accessible minister and the head of HOPE Lab found that more whom money is really tight. concourses with improved lighting; new Student Enrichment Services. than a third of all college They’re counting every penny. Over the next year, Deeley students experience food It is important for people to concession areas; and state-of-the-art worked with SES, student-led insecurity in a given month. know this resource exists.” audiovisual capabilities. The dedication will anti-hunger organizations According to anonymous be held Nov. 2, when men’s basketball hosts and other campus ministries intake surveys, nearly nine For more information on its exhibition opener. Northwestern football to create a pop-up food out of 10 Purple Pantry clients how to volunteer or donate to pantry during holiday breaks. said they had skipped a meal the Purple Pantry, email hosts Notre Dame the following day. Those partners eventually at least one day in a two-week [email protected].

NORTHWESTERN FALL 2018 Photo illustration by David Schwen FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 20 21

RESEARCH Four Scientific Breakthroughs

to pencils. They’ve created brown to black hair dyes without using WARMING WORLD harmful molecules. Researchers, led by materials science and Climate Change engineering professor Jiaxing Huang, say the Poses Serious Risk new dyes also render hair new functions such for Some Bees REGENERATIVE as antistatic properties BANDAGE — and could one day Warmer temperatures push bees to their electrically connect hair physiological limits, may drive local extinction. Simple scrapes or sores to wearable devices. could be dangerous for diabetic patients. SMELL-O-VISION Guillermo Ameer, ou can add climate against its physiological director of the Center for Researchers know that Y change to the list of limits,” says Paul CaraDonna, Advanced Regenerative odors can guide animal threats that might who led the research. “This Engineering, developed behaviors, but scientists harm certain species of bees. is evidence that we might see a regenerative bandage struggle to study the A study done by local extinction in the warmer that quickly heals phenomenon because Northwestern and the Chicago parts of this species’ range, Pollination ecology expert Paul CaraDonna painful, hard-to-treat of diffusion. But a new Botanic Garden found that which is pretty sobering.” sores without the use of olfactory-based virtual warmer temperatures may To study how climate drugs. The new bandage reality system created by drive local extinction of change affects mason bees, outperformed one of the neurobiology professor mason bees in naturally warm CaraDonna’s team set up most popular bandages Daniel Dombeck can climates. three types of artificial nesting climates. The team painted and current climates woke Native Pollinators This study looked at just on the market. It uses control and maintain In a two-year field environments in Arizona’s a third of the nests black to up from diapause, or insect Paul CaraDonna’s study one species, CaraDonna notes, a segment of a protein odor concentrations. experiment that altered the Santa Catalina Mountains, absorb more radiant heat, thus hibernation, and emerged focused on the “blueberry but it gives researchers some produced by skin cells The researchers temperature of the bees’ nests north of Tucson, where the simulating a warmer climate in February over the course mason bee,” a species that clues about what to look for to promote wound demonstrated, for the to simulate a warmer future bees thrive. This species of predicted for the second half of 10 to 15 days, which is is the primary pollinator in terms of the consequences healing in an antioxidant first time, that the climate, 30 percent of bees mason bee (Osmia ribifloris), of the 21st century. By painting normal. The bees nesting in of manzanita shrubs in the of temperature increases and hydrogel bandage. mammalian brain can died in the first year, and native to the western United another third with a white, the warmer boxes, however, wild. “Native pollinators climate change more generally, map its surroundings 73 percent died in the second States and northern Mexico, reflective, cooling treatment, emerged from diapause over are a really important part especially when temperatures based solely on smells. year. The control group had builds nests inside holes and the team sent those nests back the course of 50 days. of what makes nature run get more extreme. a mortality rate of less than cracks in dead tree stumps. in time to a cooler climate This unusual pattern, smoothly,” says CaraDonna, “There’ll be winners and CHAMELEON- 5 percent. The team manipulated the similar to that of the 1950s. CaraDonna says, suggests an expert on pollination losers,” says CaraDonna, INSPIRED “The projected temperatures of the nests As a control, the team painted what can happen under ecology. “It’s estimated whose research looks at NANOLASER temperatures appear to be by painting them to simulate the final third of nests with more stressful temperature that close to 90 percent of plant-pollinator interactions. pushing this species up past, present and future a transparent paint, leaving conditions. He also notes that all flowering plants benefit “Some species will be OK, but A Northwestern team their natural wood color. the bees in the warmer nests from animal pollination. as our study shows, there are developed a novel “It’s pretty low-tech, but emerged with smaller bodies That ends up at around likely to be some species that nanolaser that changes it works,” says CaraDonna, and lower body fat. more than 300,000 plant just can’t hack it when you colors using the same an assistant professor of “For insects, size is a big species worldwide.” ramp up temperatures. If we GRAPHENE HAIR DYE mechanism that “ For insects, size is a big deal. instruction in the Program deal,” he says. “Bigger is start to lose pollinators and chameleons use. The Bigger is usually better. It means in Plant Biology and usually better. It means you the plants that rely on them A team of Northwestern work, led in part by Conservation and a research have greater energy stores. become compromised under scientists found another chemistry professor Teri you have greater energy stores. scientist at the Chicago As a bee, that means you are climate change, what does use for graphene, Odom, could open the As a bee, that means you are Botanic Garden. likely able to reproduce more, that do to the whole web of a carbon structure door for advances in CaraDonna notes that the which has implications for interactions these species are found in everything flexible optical displays

likely able to reproduce more.” bees in nests simulating past the stability of the population.” OGILVIE JANE ABOVE: LAB AMEER RESEARCH BANDAGE: REGENERATIVE DYKINGA; JACK RIGHT: embedded within?” from semiconductors in a variety of products.

NORTHWESTERN FALL 2018 FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 22 DISCOVERY DISCOVERY 23

EATING RIGHT medicine and preventive ALLERGIES GUT CHECK medicine at Feinberg, says the app could transform Food Allergy Antimicrobial A Nutritionist in the way researchers and Myths Raises Risk of policymakers think about Your Pocket global food systems. Cancer “Until now, it hasn’t been Feinberg professor helped launch FoodSwitch, possible to imagine having Ruchi Gupta, a professor Triclosan, an antimicrobial an app that promotes healthy eating. a database of the whole of pediatrics, helps found in more than food supply,” Huffman says. families cope with 2,000 consumer products, He hopes FoodSwitch will childhood food allergies. may increase the risk efore you buy that filter, and FoodSwitch both improve American’s Here are four myths of gut inflammation and B bag of chips to collaborator Mark Huffman knowledge of available Gupta and her colleagues colorectal cancer. satisfy your craving says future releases will food options and press are working to debunk: Guang-Yu Yang, for a salty snack, check include filters for sugar manufacturers to create professor of pathology FoodSwitch. The free mobile and gluten. healthier food for people Myth: Food at the Feinberg School 1 allergies are rare of Medicine, found app, developed in part by The app’s novelty comes around the globe. Katherine Langford, right, and Kate researchers at the Feinberg from its crowdsourcing “For example, breads in — and rarely serious. Walsh in 13 Reasons Why that constant exposure School of Medicine, might features. When users come America contain 12 percent Facts: A 2011 study led to even low levels of recommend a healthier, across a food that’s not in the more sodium than breads by Gupta found that triclosan altered the gut lower sodium option. 268,000-product database, in the U.K.,” Huffman says. 8 percent of children microbiome in mice to FoodSwitch users can scan the app prompts them to “By influencing the amount of in the United States why she decided to take cause inflammation and a packaged food’s barcode to photograph the packaging, sodium in the bread supply, — about two children her own life. Ellen Wartella, related complications. see its nutritional rating and its nutrition panel and the we could improve people’s in every classroom MENTAL HEALTH chair of the department of The mice were healthier options. The app, ingredient list so the app’s health outcomes.” — must avoid certain communications studies, administered triclosan for which launched in the United team can add it. Huffman and his colleagues foods. co-led the survey of more three weeks at relatively States in June, scores each With some 400,000 partnered on the project with 13 Reasons Why than 5,000 parents, teens and low concentrations, Myth: Food comparable to levels found item on a five-star scale and packaged foods available the George Institute for Global 2 young adults in the United provides a breakdown of in the United States, Health in Australia and Label labels make it Prompts Tough Talks States, United Kingdom, Brazil, in human blood. Centers the food’s fat, saturated FoodSwitch will allow Insight, a Chicago-based data easy to avoid contact Australia and New Zealand. for Disease Control fat, sugars and salt, giving researchers to better track company that tracks packaged with deadly food. In the U.S. findings, a majority and Prevention research a percentage of an adult’s changes in the U.S. food foods for the U.S. Department Facts: While food multinational survey viewers reported that they of adolescent and young adult found triclosan in about daily intake for each. The app supply. Huffman ’11 GME, of Agriculture and other food manufacturers must A of young adults and talked with their parents about viewers said that watching 75 percent of U.S. urine also includes a SaltSwitch associate professor of organizations. identify top allergens, parents found that the show and the sensitive the series helped them better samples. While Yang’s their warnings are watching the Netflix series topics it covers. The fictional understand depression, findings are preliminary hardly comprehensive. 13 Reasons Why prompted series is about a high school suicide, bullying and sexual and do not necessarily Precautionary conversations between teens student named Hannah assault, and more than half of translate to humans, he labeling is voluntary and parents about bullying, Baker, who leaves behind teen viewers reached out to and his co-authors suggest and unregulated. suicide and mental health. audio cassette recordings apologize to someone for how further research into the Nearly 60 percent of teen documenting the 13 reasons they had treated them. safety of triclosan. Myth: Eating 3 a little bit of a reaction-inducing food won’t hurt. SLEEP Facts: Exposure to even a small amount of food can be dangerous for “Morning larks” live longer. “Night owls,” people who tend to stay food-allergic children. up late, have a 10 percent higher risk of dying sooner than “morning larks,” their earlier-rising counterparts, according to a recent study from Myth: Food 4 Northwestern Medicine and the University of Surrey. The study found allergies mostly that even after controlling for age, gender, ethnicity and prior health affect high-income white families. problems, self-reported “definite evening types” had a higher risk of Facts: Gupta found that death than “definite morning types.” The study’s co-lead author Kristen African American and Knutson, associate professor of neurology, suggests that there could Asian American children be health consequences — higher rates of diabetes, psychological have higher rates of food allergies but lower disorders and neurological disorders — for night owls trying to live in

rates of diagnosis. NORTHWESTERN COLLECTIONS, OF SPECIAL LIBRARY DEERING MCCORMICK 136; CHARLES PLATE OF AMERICA, BIRDS AUDUBON’S JOHN J. MEADOWLARK, FROM EASTERN BETH DUBBER; RIGHT: TOP: a morning lark world.

NORTHWESTERN TKTKTK 2018 FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN FALLNORTHWESTERN 2018 technology to solve water treatment challenges. Prize-winning NUMiX usesprofessor’s patented Removes Metals Startup’s Material WATERCLEAN 24 The material, alayered contaminated water.from an array ofheavy metals a material thatcancapture startup isbringingto market Kanatzidis, thestudent chemistry professor Mercouri from thelabofNorthwestern ion exchange technology wastewater streams. toxic materials from their sorbent powders to remove a platform of water treatment provide industrialusers with than market competitors. more efficiently andeffectively from industrialprocesses contaminated wastewater a material thatcantreat A Working with apatented Materials will NUMiX is commercializing student-led startup Northwestern of waste going to landfills thereby reducing theamount steps thancurrent technology, metals faster and with fewer the removal andfiltration of the inter-layer surface. the metalthat’s attracted to potassium to make room for the powder releases the in thecontaminated water, Once the material isplaced toxic andprecious metals. acts asaplaceholder for the a potassiuminterior that material with inorganic are formed by layers of industrial wastewater. minute concentrations, from heavy metals, present in a range oftoxic andprecious is a powder thatlocks in metal ionexchange sorbent, The material allows for The powder compounds importance of gettingimportance to know people at level. ameaningful represents thevalue of pursuing unconventional paths andthe a source of prideduringherteenage years. To Joe Little Owen, stories about heraward-winning Clubcow, 4-H Joe, Little inspiration for theprogram’s namecomesfrom Owen’s mother’s internship andmentoring. networking opportunities, The the undergraduate level through acombination of workshops, and hiswife, entrepreneurial Monique, supports ventures at Entrepreneurship, made possible by Tony ’97, Owen ’03MBA Ventures Joe Little The Fellowship Program in ENTREPRENEURSHIP Cleantech University Prize. Energy’s regional $50,000 the U.S. Departmentof Competition andreceived of theRice BusinessPlan reached thesemifinal round and Energy. In April theteam Institute for Sustainability and Innovation andthe Center for Entrepreneurship by Northwestern’s Farley Energy, acourse offered last winter duringNUvention: commercialization strategy Program grant, developed its Family SocialImpact is supported by aResnick from thetreatment process. NUMiX Materials,NUMiX which The NUMiXMaterialsThe team production processes. its product while designingits continues to develop andtest the TechnologicalInstitute, out ofashared labspace in of Technology inearly July. to theMassachusetts Institute grant, for which they traveled won a VentureWell E-Team competition inJune. NUMiX Cleantech University Prize DOE’s national, invite-only and won $30,000 atthe The team finishedsecond student startupcompetition. Northwestern’s VentureCat first place and$35,000 at The nextmonthNUMiX won NUMiX, operates which

TOP: SLYWORKS PHOTOGRAPHY; OPPOSITE PAGE: MARIA RUIZ OF GAVILAN PHOTOGRAPHY

GUTTER CREDIT TK for $375. $375. for bagThe sells fit. provide a comfortable to straps adjustable lightly and padded product —has first —Cariset’sbackpack EverydayThe BACK TO BASICS the business-to-consumer category at VentureCat 2018. evening happy hour. Carisetearned$5,000 andfirst place in look outofplace atanimportantbusinessmeetingor an enough to carry a laptop, workout wear andlunchbut won’t fashion, high-function leather backpackfor women. It’s big teamed upto launchCariset, astartupthatmakes a high- ’18 MBA, Cara Maresca ’18 MBA andKristinaMoore ’18 MBA Recent Kellogg SchoolofManagement grads Allison Brown It’s intheBag INVENTION

INNOVATION FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 14-inch laptop. 14-inch holda securely on theinterior can sleeveA padded Brown.Allison right,”shape says the time getting “We spent alot of of thebag’s design. numerous versions team workedThe on SHAPING UP up to size 11shoes. Itfits Maresca. Cara or lunch,” says for clothes your gym “a great place is compartment bottom The SWEAT-PROOF SPILL-PROOF & hardware. goldand brushed Pebbled leather MATERIALS QUALITY a smartphone. cards, and pens for holdingbusiness pocket isideal interiorThe zippered LOTS OFPOCKETS 25 26 “We Will” Update 27

look forward to growing that Dedicated impact,” Holly French says. Three, Two, One … Donors “We hope others will join us IMPACT in ensuring a better future for Northwestern benefactors Northwestern and its students.” Northwestern’s new Campaign goals: Bon and Holly French With 37 years of giving to have seen the “We Will” the University, the Frenches Campaign’s impact firsthand are “platinum” members of and hope to inspire additional NU Loyal. They also belong to giving through their support. the Henry and Emma Rogers Dollars $4B “Holly and I care Society, honoring those who $5B Goal deeply for Northwestern have included the University and the Kellogg School of in their estate plans. Management and are proud Bon French earned to give back to the university a bachelor’s degree in Donors 150,000 that has meant so much to economics from the Weinberg 170,000 Goal our family over the last seven College of Arts and Sciences decades,” says Bon French, and an MBA from Kellogg. He Support for the “We Will” Campaign a lifelong leader in the field of is chairman of Adams Street has fueled: private equity. “Northwestern Partners. A Northwestern has the potential to make trustee since 2004, he is a significant and lasting a member of the “We Will” impact on the world through Campaign Steering Committee strategic investments in and will serve as Campaign education and discovery, co-chair in 2019. He is also 378 and now is our moment.” a member of the Kellogg new endowed scholarships The Frenches’ latest gift Global Advisory Board and the and fellowships — a transformational estate Kellogg Finance Network. commitment that pushed Holly French volunteers ↑ Fundraising events at venues Campaign fundraising over for the Junior League, REACHING HIGHER such as the Metropolitan Museum $4 billion — will benefit Northwestern Medicine’s of Art in New York have helped Kellogg and University Marianjoy Rehabilitation raise gifts for the Campaign. programs. Hospital and the Northwestern 67 34 Northwestern Increases “Bon and I have been Women’s Board. new endowed new research The “We Will” Campaign has thrilled to be a part of the professorships institutes and Campaign Goal to $5 Billion had far-reaching impact. Since impact the Campaign Read more at magazine centers it began, Northwestern has has had across Kellogg .northwestern.edu/we-will-

After surpassing its initial Campaign goal in record time, significantly increased financial SMITH JASON and the University, and we update/dedicated-donors. Northwestern is expanding its target — and its impact. aid for its students, including eliminating loans for incoming ↓ Holly and Bon French Since the Campaign undergraduates. Support from began, Northwestern major new commitment at more than $4 billion, Provost Jonathan Holloway the Campaign has dramatically from Northwestern thanks to more than 150,000 says. “Among those strategic increased funding for summer has completed 23 new A University Trustee Northwestern alumni, parents, priorities are endowing internships, undergraduate and 26 renovated T. Bondurant “Bon” French ’75, faculty, staff and friends. The financial aid support for research and other programs to ’76 MBA and his wife, Hollis University is increasing its undergraduate, graduate and help students thrive. Funding facilities in Evanston, “Holly” S. French, has pushed goals to raise $5 billion from professional school students; for graduate fellowships Chicago and fundraising for We Will. The 170,000 supporters, including expanding our expertise and has risen substantially as well. Campaign for Northwestern 55,000 members of NU Loyal curricular offerings in global “An important aspect of San Francisco. well beyond its original goal, — the society that recognizes studies and the humanities; the ‘We Will’ Campaign is more than two years ahead of continuous annual giving to broadening and deepening how broadly it is engaging the schedule. Northwestern — by the end our interdisciplinary Northwestern community,” The “We Will” Campaign of 2020. research and innovation in says University Trustee Paula B. was launched publicly in “We are calling on the computer science; updating Pretlow ’77, ’78 MBA, Campaign March 2014 with the joint Northwestern community to the University Libraries co-chair for participation. goals of raising $3.75 billion continue supporting critically facilities; and ensuring that “Together, we will help from at least 141,000 important initiatives that will our unprecedented rise in Northwestern continue to supporters. Campaign help the University achieve biomedical research funding make a meaningful difference fundraising now stands new levels of excellence,” can continue.” in the world.” JIM PRISCHING

NORTHWESTERN FALL 2018 FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 28 “We Will” Update 29

← The Ryan, Wilson and Slotnick a meaningful gift when the time ENTREPRENEURSHIP families look on as signage is is right for them. unveiled at Ryan Fieldhouse. Upon taking the Founders’ Pledge, individuals join an Bridging the entryway to Pledging to Make exclusive community of Wilson Field, with sweeping Northwestern entrepreneurs views of Lake Michigan, the a Difference — known as the Founders’ Mitchell and Valerie Slotnick Society — who plan to share Family Atrium serves as Alumni entrepreneurs such as Adam Hughes are paying it their wealth, usually once their a reception space for events. forward by signing Northwestern’s new Founders’ Pledge. companies reach a liquidity On Aug. 1 the dedication of event, such as a merger, sale or the new Walter Athletics Center initial public offering. and its Querrey Simpson Wing hen Adam Hughes that with a smaller company Hughes and his wife, Hughes has encouraged marked the completion of the ’03 first left Buffalo or a startup.” So in 2005 he Maggie Bosevi Hughes ’04 — other entrepreneurs to take the lakefront athletics facilities. W for Northwestern, took the opportunity to join a fellow Weinberg College of Founders’ Pledge, including Named for University Trustee “entrepreneur” was neither an early-stage venture called Arts and Sciences graduate Delta Tau Delta fraternity Mark R. Walter ’85 JD and a common career choice nor Enova, a technology- and who works on client data brother Chris Erickson ’04, Kimbra D. Walter ’85, the Walter one he had in mind for himself. data analytics–driven online and analytics at Aon Risk who has achieved success Athletics Center is the new home After taking a variety of lending company that then Solutions — welcomed their in the online housing rental for Northwestern Athletics and courses his first year, the employed just 40 people; first child in spring 2017. marketplace as co-founder of Recreation and will serve as the aspiring lawyer ended up the publicly traded company Shortly thereafter, Adam Apartmentlist.com. day-to-day hub for more than majoring in the subject he now boasts a market cap of Hughes began exploring ways Hughes also supports his alma 500 student-athletes across all enjoyed most: history. “I really more than $1 billion. There, to support the institution mater through mentorship at The ATHLETICS AND RECREATION 19 varsity programs. enjoyed the discipline of the Hughes held several senior that had helped launch his Garage. And in December he will The Querrey Simpson reading and the writing of strategy, operations and career. Inspired by the growth host undergraduate students for Wing — named for University papers, and the teachers were marketing positions over of programs such as The a “career trek” at his company’s Elevating the Student- trustees Kimberly K. Querrey incredible,” Hughes says. six-plus years. Garage, Northwestern’s hub headquarters through Weinberg and Louis A. Simpson ’58 — By his junior year — after “In 2012 I took on a new for student entrepreneurship College’s Waldron Student- Athlete Experience includes Northwestern Athletics’ gaining some exposure to challenge and helped start and innovation, he was one Alumni Connections program. academic services, compliance other fields and recognizing Avant,” he says. As president of the first alumni to sign “Entrepreneurship wasn’t New facilities are transforming life for student-athletes. and NU for Life programs, as that the economy had become of Avant — a startup that the Founders’ Pledge when it nearly what it is now back in well as Nona Jo’s Dining Center less stable — he decided to provides digital technology launched in spring 2018. 2003,” Hughes explains. “Just look — a world-class nutritional hub take a business path. to banks as well as an online The Founders’ Pledge at the way Northwestern supports ew and renovated Ryan Fieldhouse serves Speaking to student- featuring indoor and outdoor His first position after direct lending platform — is a new opportunity for the startup mindset today. facilities on the Evanston as one of the most versatile athletes, Steve Wilson seating and panoramic views of graduation was as a traveling Hughes oversees technology, entrepreneurs to impact I’m excited to be a part of it.” Ncampus are changing indoor practice, competition said, “This is a magnificent Lake Michigan and the Chicago tech consultant for Accenture. product/marketing and the future of Northwestern. the way students in varsity, and recreation venues in building, which will house skyline. “Over those two years operations. The Chicago- Alumni who take the pledge Learn more at wewill club and intramural sports the nation. Maximizing its state-of-the-art equipment, Northwestern Athletics I really got hungry to have based company currently has make a personal commitment .northwestern.edu/founders. practice, study and perform, location on the shores of Lake but that equipment and has more to unveil this year. more of an impact earlier on,” 500 employees and 750,000 to support any area of the thanks to the generosity of Michigan, it features a 44-foot the building are only tools. In November the Welsh-Ryan he says, “and you get to do customers. University they choose with Northwestern Athletics and tall glass façade with views They’re here to provide you Arena renovations will be Founders’ Society Members Recreation supporters. to the north and east and is with the opportunity to work complete; next spring the On April 5 an on-field flanked by spaces for football even harder to achieve your Trienens Performance Center Deanna Khosh Charles ’86, celebration was held to honor and Olympic sports. personal dreams.” will open. founder, Mambo LLC key benefactors who made Pat Ryan said of Chris Erickson ’04, chief Ryan Fieldhouse and Wilson Northwestern, “We strive for operating officer and co- Field a reality. excellence in everything that founder, Apartmentlist.com There, President Morton we do. When we have the Adam Hughes ’03, president, Schapiro thanked University quality of student-athletes that Avant Trustee Patrick G. Ryan ’59, we have, they deserve to be in George Markoulakis ’15, ’09 H and Shirley W. Ryan ’61; a state-of-the-art facility.” founder, Spense Trustee Stephen R. Wilson ’70, Within Ryan Fieldhouse, Donovan Morrison ’14, CEO, ’74 MBA and Susan K. Wilson Wilson Field is striped for Luna Lights ’70; Valerie M. Slotnick and NCAA regulation football, Rachna Patel ’04, CEO, the late Mitchell L. Slotnick soccer and lacrosse, with Dr. Rachna Patel: The ’63, ’64 MBA, ’68 PhD; and movable bleacher seating for Medical Marijuana Expert their families for their up to 900 spectators and an “transformative, visionary automated netting system to ↑ From left, Lou Simpson, Kimberly Querrey, Mark Walter, Pat Hackett ← Adam Hughes mentors philanthropy.” subdivide the space. and Kimbra Walter cut the ribbon at the Walter Athletics Center opening. JIM PRISCHING ALL PHOTOS: students at The Garage.

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If you want to break into the music recording business, multi-Grammy Award–winning producer and songwriter Thom Russo would like to bend your ear. BY STEPHANIE RUSSELL AND ALEX GARCIA ’89 SOUND

Music producer Thom Russo works with actress Alanna Ubach, his wife, at his WoomRoom Studio in ADVICE ’89 ALEX GARCIA North Hollywood, Calif. FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 32

anything. I need to have the self-control singers.” His people skills were put to the to know, ‘This is great. Don’t mess with it. test early in his professional career. Leave it alone.’ Knowing that difference is where the opinion, or taste, part comes in. It truly is all about taste.” In the Studio with Michael Jackson Four years after graduating from Northwestern, Russo got a job as a staff o make it as a producer engineer at Larrabee and hit the ground in the recording industry, running. “Some weeks were 100-hour T Russo says, there are weeks, because I was the guy they could several must-haves: always call,” says Russo. Within three outstanding technical and musical months of landing at the studio, Russo capabilities, an insanely strong work ethic was invited into a project that jump- — and people skills to beat the band. started his career. He happened to be Russo picked up his technical skills at at Larrabee’s North Hollywood studio, a small recording studio in Chicago and where Michael Jackson was working on then as a staff engineer with Larrabee his album Dangerous in 1991. Studios in Los Angeles, where he worked “It was bananas that it happened this for more than a decade. way — not just right place, right time,” The music skills he has in spades: he says, “but the fact that I knew my stuff A keyboard player most of his life, Russo enough when Michael rented out the majored in percussion and music theory entire building and that I was proficient at the Bienen School of Music, played in enough to be on the production team.” several University ensembles and was Russo ended up on one of the sessions involved with various extracurricular with Bruce Swedien, a legendary audio bands while in school. engineer and producer who was Quincy ↑ Four of Thom Russo’s 16 Grammy Awards. He has won 13 Latin Grammys. As for a strong work ethic, late-night Jones’ right hand for many years. sessions go with the territory in modern “Bruce could tell that I was one of music production, and early in his career those young, hungry dudes who knew a ecord producer-songwriter-mixer Thom up-and-coming singer. “This is the time Russo learned the value of putting in lot, that he could say, ‘OK, I’m going home. thing, in a way. You’re polite and you’re part of a year, that’s what happens.” Russo knows talent when he hears it. to build up a relationship, because it’s the long hours. That’s how he happened to You can work till 2 a.m. and finish this.’ ” quiet and you only offer your opinion What also happened is that the record Last spring his manager sent him beginning that matters.” be at the right place at the right time One night the megastar started talking when asked. You help out and give them was up against a tight deadline, and Sony two songs recorded by a 20-year-old — when major artists strolled into the with Russo and suggested that he join everything they need. But beyond that, Records was upset that Jackson hadn’t student who’s attending the Brit School, recording studio in the middle of the Jackson’s team. Although nervous at first, Michael was comfortable around me. finished it. “Michael was still writing lyrics a free performing arts and technology usso knows a lot about night and he was one of the few “studio Russo quickly figured out how to interact That’s why that worked. on at least three-quarters of the record,” academy in south London. The school’s building relationships rats” still awake. with him. “The stuff I witnessed was just magic says Russo. So Swedien told Russo to go Ralumni include Adele, Amy Winehouse, R with singers. First, as an And last but not least, “You’ve got “When you’re working with artists — Michael in the back of the control to another studio with Michael to record Jessie J and King Krule. engineer and mixer and to have mad people skills,” Russo says, of that caliber, you have to know how to room, working on some dance moves. all the vocals. “When she opened her mouth, now as a producer and songwriter, he’s “when you’re dealing with musicians and be around them. That’s a street smarts When you work with a guy for the better “And that’s what I did,” Russo recalls. I thought, ‘Oh, my — this is just a God- spent more than two decades in Los given talent,’ ” says Russo ’88. “I’ve been in Angeles working with major artists such this industry for 25 years, and I still hear as Prince, Michael Jackson, Audioslave is done on a laptop, how music is made by deal with music business it. If this isn’t a young artist who should be and Jay-Z, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, How to Break into Audio Production including big records professionals. people. So it’s a balancing world famous, then I don’t know who is.” Juanes and Maná. A sought-after sound and little records. But we act; sometimes you have to In the meantime, Russo’s manager man, the 16-time Grammy Award winner and the Recording still use the studios for Get your technical play good cop-bad cop. left him a voicemail that the young has a diverse discography that ranges Industry many things, like live ❷ chops together. That woman was coming to Los Angeles, from jazz, pop, rock and R&B to Latin recordings, better sound should be your primary Keep your eye on the and he wondered if Russo would like to rock, pop and alternative. and troubleshooting focus. It’s something you ❹ finish line. You need collaborate with her. What he does for musicians is bring technical issues.” learn and then you do to be able to deliver by “Immediately I was on the phone. together the technical and the creative by rote. As long as your the strict release date, no I mean it was a Sunday night at into musical production, a role that he Nowadays, there aren’t as Here’s his advice on technical and musical matter the obstacles or 10 p.m., and I was like, ‘This woman compares to being a movie director. many big studios where breaking into the business: skills are together in every excuses. is unbelievable. Sign me up!’ ” “On occasion, you’re dealing with you can go in and get your genre and format, you’ll be Since then, Russo and the singer have someone who is incredibly gifted but experience, says producer Hang out at recording ahead of the game. Don’t take things been writing extensively and working has no idea where they need to go,” says Thom Russo. But there are ❶ studios and be ❺ personally. The most remotely via Skype. She’s not on a label Russo. “I’m directing them, pushing them plenty of smaller studios a fly on the wall. Start at Learn people skills. important thing you have to Michael Jackson recorded most yet, so he is reluctant to mention her to a place where I think they need to be. throughout the United the bottom. Get tea, run In addition to dealing realize is that it’s not about of the vocals for his 1991 album ❸ name. “It’s very much at the nucleic Other times I’m working with a band so States. “The whole world errands — so you can see with artists, you have to you — it’s about the music.

stage,” he says of his interaction with the established, my job is to simply not do Dangerous with Thom Russo. GERSHOFF/GETTY IMAGES GARY ’89 ALEX GARCIA

NORTHWESTERN FALL 2018 FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 34 35

usso was just 26 years old “What often happened is that Keith It was what Russo did outside his major The majority of the big, high-profile One of his latest collaborations is and now had a credential would be doing a million things at once that helped him figure that out. He wrote studios have all closed, and while many with his wife, actress Alanna Ubach. R that would open doors for and I would end up finishing his work music for the Waa-Mu Show, played in smaller ones remain, most don’t keep The two are beginning work on an him. But he says it never for him. several bands (including the house band a large number of production people in- album of songs inspired by the Academy would have happened if his technical “We never knew when Prince was for the Mee-Ow Show) and hung out with house. About 16 years ago Russo realized Award–winning movie Coco, in which skills hadn’t been second nature. “I knew going to show up. It’d be like 1 o’clock in a lot of musicians from many genres. that being a house engineer was holding Ubach played the role of Mamá Imelda. my way around a recording studio, the morning, and all of a sudden he’d be He also got involved with the newly him back, so he became an independent Of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent, backward and forward,” says Russo. “You standing in the back of the control room. formed Niteskool Project, a student-run contractor. Most artists seek out the Ubach is planning to record traditional have to get your technical chops together He was just like Batman. And I’d be the record label and music video production independent producers when they make songs from Mexico with some of in every genre and format,” he advises one sitting at the console. It was crazy.” company that began in 1983. big records, so musicians come to Russo’s Mexico’s biggest artists, liaised through people who want to break into modern The work that Russo put in with “I started taking a computer music studio in North Hollywood. Russo’s contacts. music production. “Then you just forget Prince had an impact on his career, class, computer programming, and then Meanwhile, Russo continues to about it. And you do it by rote.” (See “How Russo says. Getting a credit on Prince’s an analog synthesis class, and that started work with the young singer at the Brit to Break into Audio Production and the record Diamonds and Pearls brought Thom Russo spent late nights in to ignite some things in me,” he recalls. oday Russo produces, School who shows such promise. Recording Industry,” page 33.) Russo attention from other bands and the studio while working “Then I got into Benj Kanters’ recording co-writes and mixes Stay tuned! musicians from all over the world who with Prince on Diamonds and Pearls class — and that was exactly when my T albums for some of the Prince Leads to Alternative Latin liked his work, including an alternative (1991), the artist’s 13th album. brain went ‘Kaboom!’ ” (See “Course newest up-and-coming Stephanie Russell is executive editor of Early in his career, Russo says, he was Latin Argentinian band named Illya Correction,” magazine.northwestern.edu musicians: Los Hollywood, Will and the Northwestern Magazine. Alex Garcia fortunate to have been taken under the Kuryaki and the Valderramas. They had /features/sound-advice.) People, Félix y Gil, Charlotte Lawrence, ’89 is a Chicago-based photographer and wing of some of the top people in the seen Russo’s name on the liner notes and “I went over to Benj’s Evanston studio, Luis Gamarra and Barns Courtney. photojournalist. business, including Keith Cohen, reached out by sending him some of their Studiomedia Recording Co., on a Niteskool a prominent, in-demand audio engineer/ previous albums. together, although at this stage it’s project,” Russo recalls. “Walking into that producer who was working with Prince “Talk about cross-genre,” Russo says. low budget.” recording studio, it all suddenly made at the time. “That band was hip-hop meets jazz, meets The young man was Juanes, sense. These records that I loved but never ↓ Thom Russo on the job at Chicago’s River North Records in 1989 funk, meets R&B. It was so innovative, a musician who had been in a rock/ really understood how they were made, ahead of its time and some of the coolest metal band back home in Colombia called it all came to me in a way — through music I’d ever heard. It blew my mind.” Ekhymosis but who had moved to Los Benj’s class and working on the Niteskool Russo worked with the band on Angeles to break out on his own. He was projects. I was like, ‘Oh, my God. This is Advice for Artists in Search a record in LA ,and then they made in his mid-20s and living out of his car it. This is what Steely Dan and Pink Floyd of Producers a second record, Leche, in Argentina that at the time, Russo remembers. and all those bands are about.’ turned out to have a multi-international “When I heard the demos from “Niteskool was the springboard for me.” hit on it. The record caught the attention Juanes, I told Gustavo, ‘I’ll even do this Russo immediately realized he wanted of noted Latin record producer Gustavo for nothing. He’s amazing,’ ” says Russo. to be in the music production/recording Santaolalla, who had just signed a young “Juanes wanted to do a solo act, more business and lined up an internship at Colombian artist to his label on Universal. pop/rock folkloric … but he wanted me River North Records in Chicago. Before Most musicians and bands seek “Wow, your sound is insane,” to bring a toughness, a rawness to his graduation the studio offered him a independent contractors today, Santaolalla told Russo. “I want you to sound. He knew exactly what he wanted.” full-time job. He spent two years honing because the large commercial hear this young artist I just signed, and Their resulting album, Fíjate Bien, his technical chops on everything from studios are a thing of the past. maybe we can work on [the record] made Juanes an international sensation commercial music and ad jingles to rock, If you’re a musician or band looking and won a Latin Grammy for best rock jazz and R&B album projects before for a producer/engineer or mixer, solo vocal album (Russo’s first Latin deciding he wanted to solely make records. Thom Russo offers these tips: Grammy). The platinum album and So he headed to Los Angeles “to be in a several Latin Grammy Awards from place where the music industry thrived.” Know what you want to be. Have an subsequent albums springboarded After a brief job search he had offers established identity and goal. Russo into collaborations with both from two of the most prominent studios in established and aspiring Latin music the world — Larrabee Studios and Ocean Don’t be shy about playing rough talents, including Maná, Aterciopelados, Way. He ended up working on staff at both demos. We’re not looking for Kinky, Huecco and Jesse & Joy, and but went on to spend most of his time at finished records. ultimately led to 12 more Latin Grammys Larrabee, and he has been working in the for Russo. recording industry ever since. Put your best foot forward in terms Music production has undergone a lot of your songwriting. of changes since Russo started his career. Niteskool Changed His Life Don’t be afraid to approach A music major at Northwestern, Russo experienced sound engineers. Half realized by his junior year that he wasn’t Did you ever take a class at Northwestern the bands that contact me say, going to be a performer. “To be honest, — like Thom Russo did with Benj Kanters ’76, ’02 MMus — that changed the direction “We heard your music and we really Juanes won two Latin Grammy Awards I didn’t have that kind of talent,” he says. for his solo debut, Fíjate Bien (2000), “But I didn’t know exactly what I wanted of your life and career? Tell us about it at want to work with you.” [email protected]. JUANES: STEVEN FERDMAN/GETTY IMAGES; PRINCE: THE LIFE PICTURE COLLECTION/GETTY FERDMAN/GETTY IMAGES PRINCE: THE LIFE PICTURE STEVEN IMAGES; JUANES: which he recorded with Thom Russo. to do in the music business.” ’89 ALEX GARCIA

NORTHWESTERN FALL 2018 36 37

HOW MANY OAKS THE OLD OAK TYPES OF OAKS GROW AT AT NORTHWESTERN NORTHWESTERN? Before there was the Rock, students gathered at the “Old Oak,” a giant white oak that grew near University Hall until 1904. The tree was estimated to be at least 500 years old at the most common turn of the 20th century. Students used the oak as a place for speech, song, trysts — and ROOTS class photos. Quercus bicolor — Swamp White Oak — Has bicolored green and silver-gray Northwestern’s Oaks: The Eyebrow of Beauty 4,987 leaves; thrives in sandy soil at south end of campus Number of trees on the Evanston campus Quercus macrocarpa — Bur Oak — Primary canopy tree It was the majestic oak trees near the shore of Lake Michigan that caught of an oak savanna; look Orrington Lunt’s eye on his first visit to the land that today is Northwestern for them by the Weber Arch

University’s Evanston campus. and University Hall “The thought first struck me that here was where the high and dry ground began,” Lunt, one of the University’s founders, later wrote. “It continued in my dreams of that night, and I could not rid myself of the fairy visions constantly presenting themselves in fanciful beauties — of the gentle waving lake — its 517 pebbly shore — the beautiful oak openings and bluffs beyond.” Number of Oaks Bedazzled by the oak savanna along the Lake Michigan shore 12 miles north of Chicago, Lunt helped convince the other founders that this was the place to set down roots for a new university in the Northwest Territory. In 1853 they purchased 379 acres of land for $25,000. $7,887,570 Quercus alba — White Oak Many stately bur and swamp white oaks, some well over 200 years old, still — Has rounded leaves with stand in splendor on the Evanston campus. You’ll find these hardy natives Value of Oaks deep lobes and silvery- by the John Evans Alumni Center, the Weber Arch and in the wooded groves gray striped bark; grows in between University Hall and Deering Meadow and north of Deering Library. ↑ The Class of 1880 a wide range of soils The monetary value is based on an They are home to squirrels, cardinals, Cooper’s hawks and crows that often appraiser’s assessment of the tree’s roost in them in late afternoon. — Stephanie Russell size, species, condition and location. JOHNNY APPLESEED, GIVE WAY: MEET NORTHWESTERN’S ANNIE OAK-LEY

THE OAK SAVANNA Northwestern University landscape architect Ann Ziegelmaier is nuts about trees. “Everyone thinks, ‘Oh she just does the flowers.’ But the trees mean everything to me,” says Someone once poetically described Ziegelmaier, who has planned, nurtured and beautified the Evanston campus since 1984. the crescent-shaped oak savanna on Although the Evanston campus has lost a lot of oaks since the University’s founding, campus as “the eyebrow of beauty,” Ziegelmaier and the groundskeeping crews have planted about 375 oak trees — 70 percent not as common but no one knows for sure who said it. of the 517 oaks on campus! An oak savanna is a type of “We’ve been planting oaks like crazy,” says Ziegelmaier, “a lot of swamp white oaks and Quercus rubra — Red Oak savanna, or lightly forested grassland, bur oaks, especially by Annie May Swift and on the way to Deering Meadow.” — Prefers a more acidic where oaks are the dominant trees. The Northwestern community will enjoy the majestic tree landscape for generations to soil, so fewer are planted These savannas were maintained come, along with a very special hardscape landmark that Ziegelmaier created in 1993 — the on campus historically through wildfires set by Weber Arch, which welcomes all who enter the University grounds. lightning or humans, grazing, low precipitation and/or poor soil. Oaks were often used as trail- marking trees by Native Americans. the oldest oak? Ziegelmaier’s favorite oak tree is a bur oak just east of 1835 Hinman, There used to be several such oaks on a student residence, and across Sheridan Road from Fisk Hall. This is one of the most beautiful campus. The iconic “Old Oak” oak trees on campus — and one of the oldest, perhaps 250 years. Because of the way its branches was thought to have been a trail ↑ In this vintage postcard of University Hall circa early 1900s, the “Old Oak” with its grow horizontally, Ziegelmaier believes that it is one of the last remaining trees of the original marker tree. outstretched branch can be seen on the right. OF UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES COURTESY AND PHOTO: POSTCARD oak savanna at the south end of campus.

NORTHWESTERN FALL 2018 Stephanie Fox ’18 contributed to this feature. Illustrations by Aitch. FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN The Far Side of Violet: Where Cancer

Lurks 39 Biomedical engineering professor Vadim Backman has developed a stunning and effective new strategy for detecting cancer in its earliest stage — essentially a Pap smear for most cancers. BY AMANDA MORRIS ’14 MA The Far Side of Violet: Where

Vadim Backman in his Cancer lab in Silverman Hall Lurks Photograph by Kyle Monk FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 41

n the outer edge the one that Backman initially aimed for. tissues. Taflove, on the other hand, is HOW THE of the color It could potentially prevent thousands of a world-renowned expert in Maxwell’s spectrum of cancer-related deaths each year. equations, which explain how electricity SCIENCE WORKS visible light lies “When Vadim started this work and magnetism interact to form a mysterious in 2003, he was greeted with a lot of electromagnetic waves. place on the far skepticism from the cancer research “We are like puzzle pieces,” Taflove Partial wave spectroscopy side of violet. As red morphs to orange community,” says Hemant Roy ’89 MD, says of his relationship with Backman. (PWS) nanocytology Oand then fades to yellow and so on, another longtime collaborator. “But “Our connection is simple. Vadim studies combines a traditional the wavelengths become shorter and Vadim was clearly ahead of his time.” light, which is an electromagnetic optical microscope with shorter. Until finally — concealed by the wave. And in the visible spectrum, the a spectroscope, which diffraction limit — there is a wavelength interaction between light and materials looks at the various visible so short that it cannot be viewed by BREAKING THE DIFFRACTION LIMIT is governed by Maxwell’s equations.” light wavelengths — color common optical microscopes. But this When Backman joined Northwestern’s To study the minute ways cellular spectra — emitted from a cell. is exactly the hidden place where Vadim faculty in 2002, he and Taflove, nanostructures react and interact Although the human eye Backman believed he might find the a professor of electrical engineering in with ordinary visible light in the range of might see just one color, the secrets of life. McCormick, began collaborating almost 20 to 50 nanometers, Backman needed to combined equipment can “The theory of the diffraction limit immediately. Newly graduated from the overcome the diffraction limit. For that, deconstruct an image to see goes back almost 200 years,” says Harvard University and Massachusetts he needed Taflove to solve Maxwell’s the specific color of each Backman’s longtime collaborator Allen Institute of Technology combined equations to determine these interactions. ↑ Partial wave spectroscopic microscopy equipment in Vadim Backman’s lab pixel. Backman hypothesized Taflove ’71, ’72 MS, ’75 PhD. “It says program in medical engineering “Many people have tried to that he could analyze the that with normal microscopy, you and medical physics, Backman was circumvent the diffraction limit,” color spectrum of each pixel cannot detect structural changes establishing himself as an expert in Backman says. “But I thought, ‘Maybe to determine the degree of within cells much smaller than about biophotonics, a field that uses light to we don’t have to visualize very small That is exactly how he designed When he entered college at the randomness of organization 200 nanometers or so. But Vadim study biological molecules, cells and structures in order to measure them.’ ” PWS nanocytology to work. Instead of St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute, of the nanostructures in posited that the key to cancer detection visualizing particles smaller than the Backman decided to study physics. He each cell. A surplus of red lay at much smaller length scales — diffraction limit, it senses their presence went on to earn his doctorate in health and orange pixels indicates 20 to 50 nanometers. The skepticism and organization by analyzing the sciences and technology from Harvard random and disordered he met was profound. People thought he light they scatter. The different angles and MIT. nanostructures — a sign was violating 200 years of theory. of scattered light tell a story about the “It was the perfect combination of cancer. It seemed like absolute science fiction.” COMING TO AMERICA health of cells, which can lead to an for me,” Backman says. “I don’t think In the face of great doubt, Backman accurate cancer diagnosis at even the I would be as excited to do purely The field effect postulates teamed with Taflove to develop partial earliest stages of cancer formation. This theoretical work in physics, even that cancer can be detected wave spectroscopy (PWS) nanocytology, Although his grandfather died opportunities. It’s funny for provides information not only about though it’s intellectually stimulating. merely by examining a new technology that not only views when Vadim Backman was young, me to hear that because, for individual cells but also about cells’ And I wouldn’t be fully satisfied doing nanoscale changes in cells at these elusive length scales but he remembers hearing stories my family, it was never about fundamental building blocks, such as translational work either, because tissues outside the tumor also uncovers the shrouded malignancies about how his father’s father money or economics. It was proteins, DNA and RNA. I would miss the physical sciences.” — the cancer’s “field.” that Backman hypothesized. suffered under Josef Stalin’s about the United States being “We essentially don’t have a limit for In the Harvard-MIT program, First proposed in 1953, the “Cancer is a terrible way to die, and oppressive regime and spent time a beacon of freedom. When how small the structures are that we can Backman completed rotations with other theory has been validated by it is a traumatic experience for the in Soviet gulags. I think about the Declaration sense,” Backman says. “This can be done medical students and learned he enjoyed Backman and his team. patient’s family,” says Backman, the “He always had a suitcase of Independence, it’s not just fairly easily in a robust, reproducible being on the hospital floor interacting Why does this matter? Walter Dill Scott Professor of Biomedical ready, packed with clothes, a piece of paper to me. It has manner, so it can be translated to real with patients. Because researchers can Engineering in Northwestern’s because he knew he could be a lot of meaning — probably more health care.” “I love working in the laboratory,” use the field effect to McCormick School of Engineering. arrested at any time,” Backman meaning than for some people Backman says. “But seeing a patient assess an organ’s health “I knew that I had to at least try to says of his grandfather. who grew up here, because they connects my work to a real person. That through minimally invasive address this question, because it could Backman and his immediate have not experienced any other MAKING A DIFFERENCE gives me a sense of urgency.” procedures. Currently, end up saving a life.” family remained trapped behind way of life. Thanksgiving dinner The impulse to improve the lives of His desire to help others not only physicians can diagnose There is a vast treatment gulf the Iron Curtain until the Soviet for me is not just Thanksgiving others comes naturally for Backman. guided his career but helped attract cancer only by taking a biopsy between stage 4 cancer, which is almost Union began to dissolve in the dinner. It’s celebrating the United Growing up in St. Petersburg, when it his wife, Luisa Marcelino, who is also or image of a tumor. untreatable, and stage 1, where the rate early 1990s. After making it to the States and freedom. When I stand was still part of the Soviet Union, he a close collaborator. In 2002 Marcelino of survival is close to 100 percent. The United States — a place Backman up for the national anthem, discovered an interest in mathematics. was struggling with her molecular Macrogenomics is a term problem is that very early-stage cancers instinctively felt was his true I think of my grandparents and As a child, he eagerly read the textbooks biology research at MIT and had Backman coined for his novel rarely exhibit symptoms and are difficult home — he immediately felt an great-grandparents getting from junior high, high school and even completely hit a wall. Thinking that cancer treatment, which to detect, so physicians have no indication overwhelming sense of pride and arrested by the communist college math courses. But then his Backman could give some insight, focuses on gene expression. to treat them. But with PWS nanocytology, patriotism. government for no crimes other enthusiasm began to wane. a mutual friend connected the couple. By taking a macrogenomic diagnosticians can detect details of Here Backman shares that than ‘thought crimes.’ After you “The problem I had with math was Backman brainstormed an algorithm approach, determining which “pre-precancer” in cells, something that patriotism, in his own words: have lived in a country with no that it’s too decoupled from the world,” that helped Marcelino get unstuck, but genes get expressed or could not be done with conventional “A lot of times I hear people free press and no elections, it Backman says. “I wanted to study that’s not what impressed her. She was suppressed, Backman’s team microscopes. That means that this new talk about coming to the United makes you appreciate democracy something that could make more of spellbound by the amount of time he can control an entire biological technology would save more lives than States in pursuit of economic so much more.” a difference for people.” spent trying to help. system’s overall behavior.

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CONVENTIONAL CHEMO APPROACH CHROMATIN-PROTECTION THERAPEUTICS + CHEMO COMBINATION

CHROMATIN AND CHEMO

When Vadim Backman paired his chromatin-protection therapeutics (CPT) with chemotherapy, nearly every Cancer Cells Cells + Chemo Cancer Returns Cancer Cells Cells + CPT Cells with CPT + Chemo Cancer Doesn’t Return cancer cell in a cellular culture Chromatin is disordered in Chemotherapy destroys Cancer can survive and Chromatin is disordered in CPT normalizes chromatin Allows chemotherapy to With CPTs, cancer can’t died within days. cancer cells some cancer cells become resistant cancer cells destroy all cancer cells resist treatment

“I realized on July 4, 2005, that phenomenon in which seemingly alterations associated with seven These findings translated into structure — was arranged seemed to that prevents cancer from evolving I was going to marry him,” she says. normal cells located some distance from different cancers. Time and time again, a minimally invasive early detection determine whether or not the cancer to withstand treatment, making it an “He was planning to go to a barbecue, the malignant or premalignant tumor they saw the same results. test using cells collected with a swab, would easily or stubbornly respond easier target for existing drugs. He but he missed the whole party because undergo molecular and other changes. Cells swabbed from inside a cheek, exactly like a Pap smear. In 1928 Greek to treatment. Chromatin is a group tested the strategy in cellular cultures, we were on the phone for seven hours The new technology is so sensitive when examined with PWS nanocytology, physician Georgios Papanikolaou of macromolecules — including and it almost completely wiped out discussing my project. I was really that it can detect cancer in one organ showed signs of lung cancer. Cells from discovered that if he gathered cells DNA, RNA and proteins — that house the disease. impressed by his commitment. To me, by using more accessible cells from the duodenum showed pancreatic from an easily accessible area, he could genetic information within cells and “There is one thing that all cancers that sealed the deal.” a neighboring area. Backman and cancer. Cells from the cervix showed examine them under a microscope and determine which genes get suppressed do,” Backman says. “They have Hemant Roy, a physician formerly at ovarian cancer. Cells from the rectum detect early signs of cervical cancer. or expressed. In the case of cancer, a phenomenal ability to change, to NorthShore University HealthSystem in showed colon cancer. The list went on. Soon physicians worldwide began chromatin has the ability to regulate adapt, to evolve in order to evade A NEW PAP TEST the Chicago area and now a professor “The technology is highly innovative,” administering the “Pap test” during the capacity of cancer cells to adapt treatment. Cells with normal chromatin Backman’s PWS-based test makes use of of medicine at Boston University, Roy says. “But the biological and clinical routine patient visits. Early diagnosis to treatment by expressing genes structures die because they cannot the “field effect,” a long-debated biological tested the technology on field-effect applications are astonishing.” naturally led to early treatment, that allow the cancer cells to become develop this resistance.” significantly reducing cervical cancer resistant to treatment. Backman says the treatment has incidence and death rates. “If you think of genetics as hardware, shown promising results in an animal “If we had comparable screens for then chromatin is the software,” model, and he aims to start human other types of cancer, we could reduce Backman says. “Just by looking at the trials within a year. cancer deaths tenfold,” Backman cell’s chromatin structure, we can “Whether or not this ultimately CORAL — AND SPOUSAL — COLLABORATION says. “When else have we seen such predict whether or not it will survive leads to a treatment, we don’t know a discovery? Never.” ordinary treatments.” yet,” Taflove says. “But I’ve learned to Until now, that is. Backman’s early Chromatin is packed together at keep an open mind with Vadim. He does Vadim Backman and his says Marcelino, a research the pair embarked on a new Using the technology detection technique could soon be different densities throughout a cell’s genius work.” wife, Luisa Marcelino, shed assistant professor of research collaboration. Backman designed for available for physicians to use with their nucleus. By using PWS, Backman Backman believes this cancer light on coral destruction environmental microbiology In coral reef systems, early cancer detection, the patients. Several large clinical trials are examined chromatin in living structures treatment could be his most important through their joint research. at Northwestern. “But algae provide nutrients to duo discovered that corals already in progress, and within three in real time. He discovered that the research yet. As his diagnostics near “When you snorkel, when you dive, you can corals and receive shelter scatter light in different years tests for lung, colon and prostate packing density of chromatin in implementation in the hospital, he has you can only see so stay underwater and see and light for photosynthesis ways to their symbiotic cancer — which are among the most cancer cells produced predictable shifted his focus to pursuing chromatin- much because you have to what happens. If you stay in return. When stressed, algae. Corals less efficient common types — should enter the changes in gene expression. The more protection therapeutics. And his continually come up for air,” still, then creatures come corals can lose their algae at light scattering are better market. Much like the Pap test, these heterogeneous and disordered the collaborators, including Taflove, who is out of hiding.” and often die of starvation at retaining their algae. new screens could become part of packing density, the more likely cancer nearing retirement age, are right there Her love for the shortly afterward, exposing Corals that scatter light regular primary care, putting physicians cells were to survive — even in the face with him. underwater world led her their white skeletons. most efficiently, however, one step ahead of cancer — poised to of radiation and chemotherapy. The “I am going to ride shotgun alongside to study coral biology “A research group from tend to suffer the most prevent it from getting out of control more ordered and conservative the Vadim the entire time,” Taflove says. and coral’s symbiotic Mexico discussed how light damage when stressed. and untreatable. packing density, however, the more likely “I could retire, but I don’t want to relationship with algae and could play a factor in this,” Marcelino and the cells would die during treatment. because I want to see this through. This to try to better understand Marcelino says. “Coral has Backman published This discovery lit a lightbulb. is the most excited I’ve been in my career, why the fragile animals are very white skeletons. The their research a year SUSPICIOUS SIGNATURE GIVES WAY Backman realized that cancer might not and I’m in the game to win.” vulnerable to bleaching and light that is not absorbed for after their serendipitous TO NEW TREATMENTS require new treatments. Maybe it just possible extinction. photosynthesis stays in their lightbulb moment and In testing samples from seven types needs to be made more vulnerable to Amanda Morris ’14 MA is a science Backman attended tissue. Vadim and I looked at have collaborated of cancer, Backman noticed they all existing treatments. and engineering writer in the Global a 2012 coral conference with each other and knew exactly on several coral-related exhibited the same signature. The Backman developed a solution Marketing and Communications Marcelino, and afterward what we could do.” projects since. way the chromatin — or genome to alter chromatin’s structure in a way department at Northwestern.

NORTHWESTERN FALL 2018 Illustration by Juan Hernandez, Northwestern University; rendered here by James Graham FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 44 45

Standing Up After receiving her master’s Ross Inc. and the Andrew W. Mellon They are leaders and pioneers, deal-makers and degree in anthropology, she Foundation. for Equality conducted fieldwork in Liberia Celeste Watkins-Hayes, associate pathbreakers. Meet the four exceptional alumni who Johnnetta B. Cole and earned her doctoral degree vice president for research at received the 2018 Northwestern Alumni Medal. in 1967. Northwestern and one of many ’59 MA, ’67 PhD, At Washington State University, Spelman alumnae whom Cole ’92 H Cole was the founding director has mentored over the years, says of one of the first black studies Cole never hesitates to challenge Throughout a life dedicated to programs in the United States. inequality and uses a combination education and the struggle She taught anthropology, women’s of intellectual firepower and ALUMNI for equality, Johnnetta Cole has studies and African American storytelling through folk wisdom drawn on her training as an studies at the University of to do so. anthropologist to ask fundamental Massachusetts Amherst, Hunter “Dr. Cole makes calling out questions about humankind. College and Emory University. inequality into a teachable TRAILBLAZERS Questions like “What makes us In 1987 she became the first moment,” Watkins-Hayes says. similar and different?” and “Where African American woman president “She does it in a way that’s loving, do systems of inequality come of Spelman College, and in 2002 but very intellectual, and gets from?” have shaped a remarkable she began serving as president of people to think.” career in education and the arts. Bennett College. She is the only Cole often draws on lessons “Even today, when I’m not person to have served as president from anthropology in these ongoing teaching cultural anthropology of both of these two historically efforts. and doing fieldwork in some part black colleges for women. “This struggle has got a ways to of the world, I continue to wear From 2009 to 2017, Cole was go, but a good African proverb tells what is like a pair of glasses — director of the Smithsonian’s us that no matter how long the night, anthropological lenses through National Museum of African Art. dawn will break,” she says. “So there’s Investing success to make an investment of ↑ Lou Simpson, entire world,” says Stupp, the which I see and try to understand Currently she consults for Cook no choice but to continue.” a different kind — in the future above, and his Board of Trustees Professor of the world,” Cole says. wife, Kimberly in the Future of Northwestern. He and Querrey, Querrey, have Materials Science and Engineering, Born in Jacksonville, Fla., in Louis A. Simpson ’58, who also is a University trustee, made gifts to Chemistry, Medicine and Biomedical the segregated South, Cole knew have given several visionary gifts to Northwestern Engineering and director of the early in life that she would be Trustee Northwestern across many areas, that are Simpson Querrey Institute. involved in the fight for civil rights including athletics, regenerative transforming Simpson has had a longtime and social justice. As a student at biomedical Lou Simpson’s distinguished career medicine, epigenetics and research. commitment to education. Oberlin College, she discovered as an investment adviser began on biomedical research. “I’m a big believer in giving people anthropology and began to study a golf course in Glencoe, Ill., Their focus on the sciences is access to education,” Simpson says. the origins of the concept of race where, in his youth, he worked as driven by the prospect of funding “I’m a big believer in having high and the persistence of racism in a caddy and saved enough money high-risk, high-reward research at standards and excelling in whatever American culture. to buy two stocks. Northwestern that, if successful, you’re doing, and Northwestern aims She also developed a deep He would later go on to manage could be transformative to society, very high.” interest in the cultures of Africa. a $4 billion portfolio as president he says. The Louis A. Simpson and Simpson puts these beliefs into Her professor, sociologist George and CEO of capital operations Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical practice as a senior fellow and adjunct Eaton Simpson, recommended that for Geico Corp., the Berkshire Research Center, scheduled to professor of finance at Northwestern’s she pursue graduate work with Hathaway insurance subsidiary. open in 2019 on the Chicago Kellogg School of Management, where Melville J. Herskovits, the renowned Called “one of the investment campus, will provide a home for he allows students to manage a real anthropologist who founded greats” by Berkshire’s legendary groundbreaking, collaborative endowed fund. the nation’s first African studies chairman Warren Buffett, Simpson research on many of the world’s But it’s the intellectual challenge program at Northwestern. now executes a strategy honed most prevalent diseases, including that goes into making investment Cole arrived at Northwestern as over several decades — take a cancer, heart disease and decisions — analyzing a company’s a graduate student in 1957. But when long-term point of view, run a neurodegenerative disorders. numbers, considering future trends she proposed a master’s thesis topic concentrated portfolio and buy Northwestern professor Samuel and assessing how the current that would examine the influence good companies for a fair price — Stupp ’77 PhD got to know both political situation might impact of African traditions in an African as chairman of SQ Advisors LLC, Simpson and Querrey over the an industry — that has kept him American church on Chicago’s an investment company in Naples, past decade. “Through their interested in the field since those South Side, Herskovits questioned → Educator and Fla., that he owns with his wife, generosity, Lou and Kimberly early days on the golf course. — as many anthropologists did activist Kimberly K. Querrey. have had an enormous impact on “You’re putting together a lot of at the time — whether one could Johnnetta Cole In recent years Simpson, who scientific research at Northwestern, different factors to come up with objectively study one’s own culture. made history as the first African studied at Northwestern and particularly in biomedical areas decisions,” he says. “My approach is Cole stood up for her right to do American female became a University trustee in that will be transformative in to read a lot, to think a lot and to do so, and Herskovits finally agreed to president of

2006, has drawn on his financial future medicine to benefit the very little.” JIM PRISCHING SPARTANA STEPHEN supervise her master’s thesis. Spelman College.

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Leading with Heart Conant reversed the iconic brand’s leaders effective. It was important, Since 1932, declining market value and he concluded, “to show up with Douglas R. Conant boosted employee morale to new a great authenticity and sense of 103 alumni have received the ’73, ’76 MBA levels. He also sent more than purpose and to develop the skills Alumni Medal — the Northwestern 30,000 handwritten notes and necessary to get the job done with walked the halls for a half-hour distinction.” Alumni Association’s Soon after Doug Conant lost his every day to ask employees how he After graduating, Conant highest honor. marketing job at General Mills in could make their jobs better. continued to learn these skills at 1984, he made a phone call that These short but meaningful the Kellogg School of Management would change his life. interactions became the premise with marketing professors Ram The call was to an outplacement of his New York Times best-seller, Charan and Philip Kotler. Conant As a child growing up on strong connections and achieve counselor named Neil MacKenna, TouchPoints: Creating Powerful also coached tennis and the Delta Chicago’s South Side, Armstrong great success in the motion picture whose simple question — “How Leadership Connections in the Gamma sorority flag football team, spent many Saturdays in a movie industry. “He’s always determined can I help?” — inspired Conant to Smallest of Moments (2011). where he met defensive end Leigh theater, watching kung fu films to learn, always determined develop a people-first approach Conant’s interest in leadership Pierson Conant ’77. They married with his older brothers. Although to grow, with a great thirst for that would define his leadership began at Northwestern, where in 1978 and have three children. he loved television and movies, knowledge,” says Steven Spira, style as the head of two Fortune the Glencoe, Ill., native arrived It was Conant’s wife who rushed he says he never imagined working president of worldwide business 500 companies. on a tennis scholarship in 1969. to his side after a car accident left in the entertainment industry. affairs for Warner Bros. Pictures. “I’ve been asking that question Tennis coach Clarence “Clare” ↓ Kellogg him with several life-threatening Now, as the executive vice “He brings honor to the profession for nearly 35 years,” says Conant, Riessen ’39 MS taught him many professor Doug injuries in 2009. When he woke up, president of worldwide business by doing his job in a highly who led Nabisco Foods Co. and life lessons, like how to compete at Conant, former she said two words that stuck with affairs for Warner Bros. Pictures, thoughtful and intelligent manner Campbell Soup Co. “I found the a high level and the importance of Campbell him and reinforced his leadership Armstrong leads a team that and with impeccable integrity.” more I lean into helping people, the personal discipline. Soup CEO, is philosophy of being fully present negotiates key deals with directors, In 2016 Armstrong was a leadership more they lean into helping me.” As a political science major, expert and New with people: “I’m here.” producers, writers and actors. He invited to become a member of As president and CEO of Conant studied what made York Times best- Conant’s personal approach has touched some of the most the Academy of Motion Picture Campbell’s from 2001 to 2011, American presidents and world selling author. and resilience “deeply impressed” lucrative, influential movies of the Arts and Sciences, the exclusive Marilyn Carlson Nelson, CEO of past decade, including The Dark organization that selects Oscar Carlson Holdings Inc. In 2011 she Knight, The Departed, Fantastic winners and has sought to recruited him to chair CECP — The Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald diversify its membership. “There CEO Force for Good, a group that and Man of Steel. have been a lot of changes in promotes corporate sustainability. While at Northwestern, the academy over the last couple “Doug is truly passionate that however, Armstrong never took years,” Armstrong says. “I’m proud business not only can but must be a film class. He was focused on to be a part of the change.” a power for good,” Nelson says. becoming a mechanical engineer. Despite his full slate, Armstrong, In 2011 he also launched “The study of systems, an executive committee member ConantLeadership with a mission specifically how engines work, of the Pritzker Law Board, remains to champion leadership that works Engineering ↑ Warner was of great interest to me,” dedicated to the University in the 21st century. Conant, who Bros. Pictures Armstrong says. “The way you that provided his educational executive receives no salary, donates all Success Courtney have to problem-solve and foundation, and his volunteer income after costs to nonprofit in Hollywood Armstrong has analyze issues in engineering is commitments run longer than organizations. Last year the negotiated key something I use today.” some movie credits. “The real company surpassed $1 million Courtney D. deals for some After graduation, Armstrong appreciation comes once you in philanthropic giving. In 2013 of the biggest enrolled at the Northwestern graduate — once you look back Armstrong ’93, blockbusters of Conant founded the Kellogg ’97 JD, MBA the last decade. Pritzker School of Law, where he at your experiences and at Executive Leadership Institute had planned to study patent law the lifelong friends you made,” at Northwestern to help board but instead decided to broaden his Armstrong says. members and executives In an industry where self- skill set. Armstrong completed the While Armstrong shies away address complex issues in promotion is paramount, Kellogg School of Management’s from the limelight, he continues their organizations. Hollywood executive Courtney JD-MBA program and accepted to thrive in Hollywood by Through both ventures, he calls Armstrong prefers to operate a job on the entertainment leaving his ego at the door and on today’s leaders to be “tough behind the scenes. litigation team at Paul Hastings formulating effective negotiation minded and tender hearted.” This Warner Bros. Pictures LLP, an international law firm strategies. “My contribution to our “If you want to succeed, you deal-maker stays out of the headquartered in Los Angeles. movie slate,” he says, “is putting have to have high standards,” says spotlight. He is a hardworking, “Northwestern is a place where the deals in place and getting out Conant, who is writing a second humble Chicagoan who loves I was able to dream and then build of the way.” book about leadership. “But if you his family, John Coltrane and on that dream,” Armstrong says. want people to be engaged in the Northwestern, the place that Over the past two decades, See Northwestern Alumni Medal work in a meaningful way, they helped him engineer his formula Armstrong has used the skills he highlights at alumni.northwestern

have to feel valued.” JIM PRISCHING PHIL CHANNING for success. acquired at Northwestern to build .edu/medal.

NORTHWESTERN FALL 2018 FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN CREATION / CLASS NOTES / IN MEMORIAM 49 Save the Date January 24, 2019

Northwestern Connects Northwestern Connects is a networking event held on the same night in cities across the globe. Meet fellow alumni, expand your personal and professional network, and show your Purple Pride. IN HIS CUPS

Clowning around in Norris University Registration begins December 13 Center in the 1970s. COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES COURTESY Learn more at alumni.northwestern.edu/northwesternconnects

FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 50 ALUMNI ALUMNI 51

could be labeled “atypical” in their own way. Look at Hamilton, of course, Once, Fun Home and this season 4 SpongeBob and Mean Girls. Do you still play viola? I think “atypical” could actually I do! After not being able to be a new, gloriously open and play the viola out of guilt for exciting norm, and I think we’re neglecting it, I missed the all looking forward to it being sound it made under my chin, more inclusive. in my sternum, the way it felt under my fingers. So one day I picked it back up. I composed music with it, I played in rock, pop, country and folk bands in Chicago, LA, NYC, and I use 2 it in my own band as well. It You are a musician, singer, also came in handy when the dancer and actor. How opportunity to audition for do you decide where to Once came around. focus your energies? I love discovering things and ’SHROOM ART creating things. When I’m The San Francisco–based art collective FoldHaus enlisted tech help from then-undergrad doing acting work, I submerge Bomani McClendon ’17 when it was building Shrumen Lumen for Burning Man 2016. myself entirely in that. When McClendon, now a software engineer for Facebook, worked as a programmer on the 12- to an accent is required, I go 5 18-foot tall mushrooms, which are now on display at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. With Kalan Kircher ’11, the digital lead for the project, McClendon bananas on that. Any time What were the most valuable programmed the giant glowing mushrooms to move and light up when observers step on learning is involved, or lessons you learned at a weight-sensitive pressure pad. The origami-based interactive art installation is part of the discovery, I’m like a raccoon Northwestern? Everyone tells Renwick Gallery’s exhibition No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man, which runs until January. for a sparkling thing. I usually you, but somehow you don’t don’t get to focus on more believe it — practice actually than one at a time, unless I’m does lead to improvement. working on a musical, and Peter Slowik, my viola prof, then I’m like a raccoon rolling taught me how to practice older adults, causes headaches, seizures around in a diamond bathtub. efficiently, how to break or even death, and conventional something down that seems treatments involve invasive surgery, such overwhelmingly impossible as drilling a hole in or removing a part into small pieces, how to of the skull to drain the blood. Such investigate those pieces, how procedures can be risky and expensive. THEATER to love them, how to deal But a new, minimally invasive, first-line 3 with mistakes made — and treatment may soon become available, Five Questions with How did you make the then boom! That thing isn’t thanks to the work of Jared Knopman ’01 1 transition from music to overwhelming at all. And and his colleagues at Weill Cornell Katrina Lenk What does winning a Tony theater performance? I had I have definitely used those Brain and Spine Center in New York for an atypical Broadway an extraordinary viola teacher tools in every facet of my life. City. In a study published in the journal MEDICINE show like The Band’s Visit who was also a professor The second is from my Operative Neurosurgery last year, The former viola mean to you? My brain is still at Northwestern. I wanted voice prof, Kurt Hansen Knopman outlined the embolization like, “WHAT?!” Ours is a story to continue studying ’73, ’83 MS, and my dance New Treatment procedure, which involves inserting an performance major involving people from two with him, and there was also profs, Juanita Lopez and Billy extremely thin tube (microcatheter) turned Broadway cultures we don’t usually see an amazing theater school Siegenfeld. They taught me for Subdural through a tiny needle into an artery in the portrayed in musicals, and at Northwestern! I thought that having a teacher believe upper thigh, working the microcatheter star won the 2018 it’s told in a style with a lot of I could keep doing all the in you when you feel like you’re Hematoma up into the main arteries that supply simplicity and silence — and things — and I did for the first nothing can fuel a million blood to the injury, and injecting agents Tony Award for I do wonder if perhaps our two years. But then a required hours of that practice. A common cause of death following to shut off the blood flow. Not only has show isn’t that “atypical.” It symphony credit conflicted traumatic head injury is subdural this procedure been effective for more best performance by would be when compared with with my favorite dance class. Interview conducted by hematoma, when blood builds than 90 percent of patients, but it also musicals from 20 years ago, I found the thought of living Stephanie Kulke, fine arts up between the brain and the covering does not preclude other treatments an actress in a musical say, but the contemporary without that class and the joy editor in Global Marketing over the brain beneath the skull. This in case of failure. Knopman is organizing musical world is full of shows it gave me unbearable. So I let and Communications at condition, which is often the result a multicenter registry, after which will for The Band’s Visit. and subjects and styles that go of the focus on the viola. RENE SMITH BY PHOTO 2016. LUMEN, SHRUMEN FOLDHAUS, MCCLENDON: BRAIN KNOPMAN: WEILL CORNELL AND SPINE CENTER; BOMANI JARED STRIPLING; LENK: SUSAN KATRINA Northwestern. of a fall and relatively common among come a randomized trial.

NORTHWESTERN FALL 2018 FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 52 ALUMNI ALUMNI 53

HISTORY industry, and his company’s grand boutique on Michigan MORE NEW VENTURES The Flying Tigers Avenue became a retail attraction. THE CHOW BROTHERS by Sam Kleiner While Blocki Perfume Mark and Chris Chowaneic hasn’t returned to its former ’00 want to make pierogi “There’s a certain symmetry space, its long history the next fast-casual craze. between law and history,” continues to guide the After five years as private says Sam Kleiner ’09, a New company’s work today. For chefs, their food brand, York lawyer and author of example, a family memoir the Chow Brothers, has a The Flying Tigers: The Untold published in 1872 influenced home at the Wells Street Story of the American Pilots the first set of fragrances Market, a new food hall Who Waged a Secret War launched by the Kraemers, and on Chicago’s riverfront. Against Japan. As a child, a newer offering, Sanrovia, Inspired by their Polish Kleiner had heard stories is a modern reimagining roots and Chicago about World War II from his of a 1911 perfume created by upbringing, they hope to grandfather, who had been a ENTREPRENEURS Blocki after his visit to the reimagine all manner of navigator on a B-25. Kleiner Italian coast. Central European classics developed an interest in the “Perfume is about joie de for an on-the-go audience. Flying Tigers — pilots who Reviving an Iconic vivre and telling stories,” says flew iconic shark-nosed P-40 Tyler, who studied chemistry, CUE AUDIO While working fighters in combat after Pearl Fragrance Brand physics and materials science for a minor league hockey Harbor — and when he came Law alumni couple call on as an undergrad. “We are team, Jameson Rader across a series of love letters inspired by the past, not ’15 developed an idea between pilot John Petach family history to bring back copying it.” to create dazzling light and Emma Foster, their shows crowdsourced from COCKTAILS Blocki Perfume Co. Blocki remains committed passion revealed an intimacy to its early values, including fans’ smartphones. His and exuberance that made sustainable sourcing, company, CUE Audio, uses A Home Bartender’s him eager to write a book on When Tyler Kraemer ’93, operation, the couple decided promoting conservation and sound technology to create the now little-known group. ’97 JD and Tammy Henley to embrace their passion using only the highest quality flashy lighting displays Three-Ingredient Guide Kleiner has no immediate Kraemer ’97 JD met as for perfume. Together they natural materials, Tyler says. and is backed by Glenn plans for a future book — he students at Northwestern revived Blocki Perfume, That means creating scents Picquet, owner of the Texas says his job at Boies Schiller Pritzker School of Law, a company started by Tyler’s is a longer, more delicate Rangers. In July, Rader People often ask Robert Simonson, the Remember the Alimony Flexner keeps him plenty fragrance wasn’t the first great-great-grandfather, process, but Tyler says he formed a partnership with New York Times cocktail writer for more busy — but he’s keeping thing on their minds. But John Blocki, 150 years earlier. relishes the freedom — and Daktronics that will bring than a decade, what drinks he makes at 1 ¼ ounces fino sherry an eye out for more hidden in 2015, after balancing A chemist by trade, Blocki the opportunity — to transport the technology to more his home bar. His latest book, 3-Ingredient 1 ¼ ounces Cynar (an artichoke histories. legal work and a successful became an early player in people to another place or than 20,000 venues. Cocktails: An Opinionated Guide to liqueur from Italy) essential oil wholesale America’s budding perfume time through fragrance. the Most Enduring Drinks in the Cocktail ¾ ounce Beefeater gin Do you have a new book? Canon, helps answer that question. Tell us about it. Email The book, a finalist for the 2018 James “It’s kind of a ridiculous title, but it’s a good [email protected] or share with #NUReads. Beard Foundation Book Awards in the drink,” Simonson says of mixologist Dan THEATER beverage category, includes several Greenbaum’s creation. “It doesn’t sound timeless classics, a sampling of easy-to- like those three [ingredients] together make modern drinks and a few of his would marry well, but it’s actually perfectly Making a Play very own recipes. balanced.” Simonson ’86, who studied English for Young Audiences literature and covered theater — under the pseudonym Robespierre Simonson The Eau Claire Old Fashioned — for the Daily Northwestern in the 1980s, The 2014 water crisis in Flint, Mich., was one of several news stories that inspired Laura says we’re in the midst of a long-running 2 ounces Pierre Ferrand 1840 cognac Schellhardt ’97 to craft a play that would transform her anger into hope and challenge cocktail revival, and that popularity 1 bar spoon simple syrup young people to make a difference in their communities. The play, Ever in the Glades, has inspired an influx of cocktail books. 3 dashes Bittercube Cherry Bark is set in a tropical island town that is full of dark secrets. It follows a group of five “In a lot of these books the recipes are very Vanilla bitters teenagers who band together in a daring plan to escape the island and its dangerous complicated,” says Simonson. “I thought adult inhabitants. Northwestern students played a key role in developing the play: They it would be a good idea to remind people “I usually don’t print my own recipes,” says formed the core of the ensemble and participated in many of the early workshops led that a good cocktail shouldn’t be hard for Simonson, a Wisconsinite who now lives in by Schellhardt, a senior lecturer, and her theater department colleague Rives Collins, the someone to make at home.” Brooklyn. “But every now and then I come up play’s director. After its premiere at Northwestern’s Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts

Here are two of his favorites: with one that I think is respectable enough.” KRIEGER SIMONSON: DANIEL ROBERT in May, the play moved to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

NORTHWESTERN FALL 2018 FALL 2018 NORTHWESTERN 80 BACK STORY Mark Your Calendar! #CATSGiveBack is Tuesday, Balancing Act November 27. Mark Vadik went from entertainment law to moviemaking — and he couldn’t be happier.

Mark Vadik ’89, ’04 MA back to Northwestern to see if has proved you can balance I could make a living doing the creative talent with a practical, creative stuff. business-savvy approach to life. After graduating from I didn’t start with horror. I was Northwestern with a degree actually directing a version in performance studies, Vadik of Richard III at the Bailiwick became a lawyer and started in Chicago, and I had never his own entertainment law thought about doing film or firm in Chicago. Eventually he TV. But a producer came and went back to Northwestern saw the show, and afterward for a master’s in theater, he said to me, “That was super ↑ Director Mark Vadik, right, on the set of A Chance in the World focusing on arts marketing visual! Have you ever thought and management, and of doing a film?” So, we went then spent the last 14 out and had drinks, and that’s a Genet or a Pinter; I can’t I started to page through it, and years adapting, directing where it all began. do an absurdist play if I do one she said, “Oh, you’ll probably and producing theatrical based in realism.” want to have your lawyer read productions — and feature I got started in horror that.” I said, “Well, actually, I’m films. His latest endeavor: He because it’s a pretty safe A Chance in the World an attorney.” Without skipping directed and wrote the feature genre, financially. That’s why was a unique experience, a beat, she took it out of my film adaptation of A Chance they like to test new people in because as you’re putting the hand and reached into her bag in the World, the true story it. Outside of classics like story together in your head, to give me a different contract. of corporate executive Steve The Omen and The Exorcist you’re realizing that Steve “Oh, I didn’t realize you were Pemberton, who overcame an or the standard fare Friday the Pemberton is a real person, an attorney. You’ll never sign abusive foster family to find 13th stuff I saw as a kid, and sometimes the imaginary that one.” personal and career success. I didn’t really know much world you’re creating runs The film premiered on more about it. headfirst into reality. When you talk to some of the than 600 screens nationwide younger directors, you see during National Foster Care For me, as a filmmaker, One of the projects on my they don’t have an inkling of Month last May, and afterward as long as the stories are back burner is another how the business side works. Vadik moderated a live panel attractive, the issue of genre is adaptation, but it’s of an And that’s horrible, because discussion on the U.S. foster kind of secondary or tertiary. Ibsen play. If you want to shut the business is unforgiving. care system at the Paley If you think about theater, you down a venture capital pitch, If you go out of the gate with Center for Media in New York. don’t go, “Oh, my God, I did just mention that. a financial disaster, you’re #CATSGiveBack is Northwestern’s 24-hour campaign to an O’Casey play, so I can’t do going to have a very hard time engage in #GivingTuesday, a global day of philanthropy My mother sort of guilted I still use my legal getting a second film. My old held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. me into going to law school. background daily. We were manager, Kevin Pawley, used She said, “You can be an actor at the American Film Market to say, “The two hardest parts Last year, a record number of donors came together to any time you want.” I practiced once and got a lot of offers about making a movie are support nearly 300 different areas across the University, entertainment law for a while for The Thirsting, which was getting the money [to produce from schools and student groups to scholarships and — as a litigator — but at my first movie and will always it] and getting the money back athletics. This #GivingTuesday, celebrate giving back a certain point I got tired of have a dear space in my heart, [for investors].” and make an impact on today’s students. making money. even though it was kind of a cheesy B-list horror movie. Interview by Stephanie Learn more at wewill.northwestern.edu/CATSGiveBack. The more entertainment law And we were talking to this Russell, executive editor of I did, the more I missed the woman, and she pulled out Northwestern Magazine. Text creative side of the business. the contract and offered us by Daniel Fernandez, a Medill I made a big decision to go a distribution deal right there. senior from Saratoga, Calif. NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY NORTHWESTERN MAGAZINE NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY BOX 1603 2020 RIDGE AVENUE EVANSTON, IL 60208-4340

4,987 Trees on campus, including this white oak, one of 517 oaks (read about our “Roots” on page 36)