CMU’S NEWS SOURCE FOR FACULTY & STAFF 3/16 ISSUE

5 o n t h e b o o k s h e l f

h a r d h at t o u r “Birdman” Lands at ETC 6

10 a r t t h at r o c k s

12 c o m p o s e r s p e e d d at i n g

Powerful Lineup Scott Institute Hosts Inaugural Energy Week, March 14-18 n Leigh Kish

With great power comes great responsibility. Such is the case with Carnegie Mellon’s Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, home to a powerhouse of energy experts who are working to tackle energy in the 21st century, one of the biggest challenges in the world today. The 100 experts in the Scott Institute, under the direction of President Emeritus Jared Cohon, are working to create new solutions, new products and new ways of doing things in a variety of areas, to make energy more efficient, Award-winning actor, director and Pittsburgh native Michael Keaton (left), made his first trip to the Entertainment PHOTO BY TIM KAULEN affordable and sustainable. These areas Technology Center as a Visiting Scholar. Keaton is a longtime friend of ETC faculty member Ralph Vituccio (right). c o n t i n u e d o n p a g e e i g h t Read the story on page nine.

Patent Rockin’ the Ph.D. Lawsuit Roth Goes Nuclear, Eyes Pop’s Profession Settled n Kelly Saavedra The bridge from Newell-Simon Hall showed me some of the earliest data Spring Carnival. “I loved the food and the rides and Carnegie Mellon has settled its to Wean Hall is more than a physical visualization and human-computer running through the booths, especially patent infringement lawsuit against connection for Ph.D. candidate Mike interaction research, carried out by the ones that were multi-level,” he Marvell Technology Group Ltd. Roth. SAGE — System for Automated recalled. “We’d watch them build the and Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. For him, the popular walkway is Graphics and Explanation — his booths, and we’d watch them tear them A substantial share of the a bridge to his past and memories he research group in the Robotics Institute.” down. I remember seeing a guy break proceeds will go to the inventors, shared with his late father, Steven F. They sat through Tartan football c o n t i n u e d o n p a g e e l e v e n José Moura, a professor in Carnegie Roth, who was a research professor games together, and never missed a Mellon’s Department of Electrical at Carnegie Mellon until he passed and Computer Engineering, and away in 2005. Aleksandar Kavcic, a former “I remember coming to Wean a lot doctoral student of Moura who throughout my whole childhood. My is now a professor of electrical dad had an office there. I’d come in to and computer engineering at the work with him whenever I didn’t have University of Hawaii. school. They had all these awesome Their scientific research and supercomputers, and I got to play video technological innovations had a games on them, which was really fun,” powerful impact on the ability to Roth said. “And though I didn’t fully c o n t i n u e d o n p a g e t w o understand it at the time, my dad o n e Patent Lawsuit Settled c o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e o n e

detect more accurately the data stored in the disk drives of computers sold worldwide in the last decade and a half, from large servers to small laptops. The data storage industry experienced tremendous progress recording larger and larger amounts of data in continuously shrinking domains. As disk drives decreased in size and the amount of data being stored increased exponentially, researchers became concerned about the ability to accurately recover and successfully read the stored bits of data. In the early 1990s, Moura and Kavcic set out to find an innovative way to accurately recover bits from the ever-shrinking storage disk drives of the future. Kavcic and Moura invented and patented a detector that could safely and accurately extract recorded data from disk drives. When the early 2000s recording technology changed to perpendicular recording, their detector José Moura (center) and Aleksandar Kavcic invented and patented a detector that could safely and accurately extract algorithm invention became a must-have recorded data from disk drives. technology. “A key part of Carnegie Mellon’s and researchers this university is built Today, Moura’s work extends beyond Carnegie Mellon education, helping all mission is making discoveries that have upon.” data storage and into signal, image students succeed while they are here, global impact,” said CMU President Moura and Kavcic made a conscious processing and data science in many and enhancing the student experience,” Subra Suresh. “We are pleased to honor decision to forego incremental application domains, ranging from Suresh wrote in an email to the global the work of José and Alek, two inventors improvements, and focus instead on data analytics to urban science. Moura Carnegie Mellon community. “I have who provided a major step forward in challenges they expected would arise in co-founded SpiralGen, a company charged a committee to provide me computing technology, at a time when years to come, as magnetic recording commercializing SPIRAL technology, recommendations on how best to allocate computing was transforming our world.” devices pushed toward their physical under license from Carnegie Mellon. these proceeds to achieve these goals, “José Moura is a pioneer in using limitations. After legal fees and related expenses, both now and in the university’s long- advanced signal processing techniques “When the industry faced the the inventors and the university will term future. That committee consists of to solve a wide variety of challenging inevitability of its own success, it needed share remaining proceeds from the Provost Farnam Jahanian; James Garrett, problems,” said College of Engineering a fundamentally new approach,” Moura settlement. dean of the College of Engineering; Dean James Garrett. “He is an excellent said. “Our solution could read back, “There is broad consensus across and David Coulter, a member of the example of the world-class professors with few errors, the enormous amount of the university that we should dedicate Executive Committee of the Board of data industry was packing in very small a substantial majority of this resource Trustees.” spaces. The rest is history.” to helping qualified students afford a PIPER Faces of Conflict 3/16 ISSUE CMU’s International Film Festival Runs March 17-April 3

p u b l i s h e r Ken Walters n Shilo Rea, Emily Stimmel Humanities and Social Sciences. “The conflict. It’s a war film for people who e d i t o r m a n a g i n g e d i t o r Bruce Gerson Kelly Saavedra Focusing on topics ranging from festival offers more perspectives and a don’t like war films,” Lion said. terrorism and propaganda to war and chance to discuss these issues. In this In honor of the festival’s 10th w r i t e r s way, our goal is for audience members anniversary, opening night will feature Jennie Dorris Kelly Saavedra civil rights, the 2016 Carnegie Mellon Chuck Finder Abby Simmons International Film Festival, “Faces of to understand the world and each other posters from the festival’s archives. Bruce Gerson Byron Spice better.” CMU artists and high school students Leigh Kish Emily Stimmel Conflict,” will run March 17 – April 3 Shilo Rea at various locations around Pittsburgh. Opening night will feature “A from Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 have War” at 7 p.m., March 17 in CMU’s manipulated and altered the posters’ d e s i g n & photography The festival — celebrating its 10th Digital & Creative Services anniversary — will screen 16 award- McConomy Auditorium. Nominated designs and the custom artwork will be for an Academy Award for Best Foreign part of a silent auction. To contact The Piper staff, call 412-268-2900 winning films from 15 countries, or email [email protected]. including Denmark, Mexico and Poland. Language Film, the movie, screening Also to mark a decade of bringing Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admis- for the first time in Pittsburgh, tells the films from around the world to sion, employment, or administration of its programs or Following the festival’s tradition, each activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, screening also will feature a special story of a Danish military company in Pittsburgh, the festival offers two handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identi- ty, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, veteran status, or genetic event, such as appearances by the Afghanistan that is fighting the Taliban. educational components. Middle and information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does high school students at CAPA and not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in viola- director or someone else associated with The soldiers are caught in heavy crossfire tion of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders. Pittsburgh’s Kentucky Avenue School Inquiries concerning the application of and compliance the film, panel discussions, presentations during what was supposed to be a routine with this statement should be directed to the vice president will participate in the festival’s Youth for campus affairs, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes and culinary displays relevant to the mission, and in order to save his men, the Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412-268-2056. commander makes a decision that leads Outreach Program, which will screen Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus film’s themes. security and fire safety report describing the university’s to him being charged with a war crime. films appropriate for younger audiences. security, alcohol and drug, sexual assault, and fire safety “We’re exploring complex conflicts policies and containing statistics about the number and the mainstream media typically portrays “‘A War’ provides the traditional College students who attend any of type of crimes committed on the campus and the number and cause of fires in campus residence facilities during the with very hard lines — left wing versus stages for conflict — Afghanistan, a the schools represented by the Pittsburgh preceding three years. You can obtain a copy by contacting Council on Higher Education are invited the Carnegie Mellon Police Department at 412-268-2323. right, right versus wrong,” said Jolanta courtroom and even a marriage — but The annual security and fire safety report is also available to enroll in the “Faces of Conflict” course online at www.cmu.edu/police/annualreports. Lion, director of the film festival and what distinguishes this film from its Produced by Digital & Creative Services, March 2016, offered by CMU during the last week of 16-354. assistant director of the Humanities action-heavy counterparts is that it c o n t i n u e d o n p a g e f o u r t w o Center in the Dietrich College of thrives on empathy, subtlety and internal Faculty, Students Lauded for Technical, Lifetime and Revolutionary Achievements

T h r e e D r a m a S e n i o r s H o n o r e d W i t h U.S. T h e at r e A wa r d s

Three School of Drama seniors are among this year’s winners of the U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology Young Designer & Technician awards. Sophie Schneider is receiving the Zelma H. Weisfeld Costume Design and Technology Award. Almeda Beynon is receiving the Robert E. Cohen Sound Achieve- ment Award. And Sharon Limpert is receiving the Barbara Matera Award in Costume Making. “These awards are given to recognize and support young art- Sophie Schneider Sharon Limpert Almeda Beynon ists at the start of their careers,” said Joe Pino, professor of Sound thy of this nomination, but to be Barbara Matera, an industry giant. chosen field helps affirm that the Design. “While we at CMU already acknowledged and praised by a “Barbara Matera continues to time I have invested in perfecting know how great their work is, it’s committee of venerated profession- inspire costume makers like my- my craft at Carnegie Mellon will gratifying to see that our profes- als in my field is an enormous boon self,” Limpert said. allow me to become a valuable sional and educational peers from to my confidence,” Schneider said. “This recognition in her name asset to the industry,” she said. around the U.S. agree with us.” Beynon feels grateful. as reviewed by professionals in my Schneider sees the honor “Winning this award is incred- as the perfect capstone to her ibly special, as there are so few that achievements and experiences are specifically for theatrical sound A n d e r s o n ’ s W o r k D e e m e d at CMU. designers,” Beynon said. “With this, evolutionary “It is such a privilege to have I am able to take pride in my work, R my hard work recognized not only and join the ranks of some pretty CMU’s John R. Anderson has spent decades developing a unified theory by my wonderful faculty who have spectacular sound designers.” of cognition and using it to create successful tutors that have revolutionized gotten to know me during my time Limpert is thrilled to be recog- education. as a student and felt I was wor- nized with an award named after For these accomplishments, the National Academy of Sciences will award Anderson with the 2016 Atkinson Prize in Psychological and K r a u t A wa r d e d f o r L i f e t i m e Cognitive Sciences for his “foundational contributions to systematic theory and optimality analysis in cognitive and psychological science and for o f i n n o vat i o n developing effective, theory-based cognitive tutors for education.” CMU’s Robert Kraut has been named Anderson will receive the prize — the recipient of the 2016 SIGCHI Lifetime a gold-plated bronze medal and $100,000 — Achievement in Research Award. Kraut at the academy’s annual meeting on Sunday, is the Herbert A. Simon Professor of May 1, in Washington, D.C. The Atkinson Human-Computer Interaction. Prize is awarded to two recipients biennially. Presented annually by the Association Stanford University’s Carol S. Dweck is this for Computing Machinery’s Special year’s other winner. Interest Group on Computer-Human “The fields of cognitive sciences and Interaction (SIGCHI), the award psychology have been fundamentally recognizes an individual for the very best, changed by John Anderson’s incredible most fundamental and influential research body of theoretical work. The impact of his contributions to the human-computer research on cognitive tutors is now creating interaction field. similar change in student learning. Scientists According to SIGCHI, “It is awarded for and society are indebted to John for his contributions, and I am gratified a lifetime of innovation and leadership.” that the academy is honoring him with this award,” said Michael J. Tarr, A founding member of CMU’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute, head of the Department of Psychology. Kraut began his career as a traditional social psychologist and spent time Anderson is the R.K. Mellon University Professor of Psychology and at the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Bell Laboratories and Bell Com- Computer Science and best known for creating the Adaptive Control of munications Research. Thought (ACT) cognitive models. Using the models, Anderson led a team He joined the Carnegie Mellon community in 1993, and his research that built an intelligent computer tutor to teach algebra to high school has broadly focused on the design and impact of social computing. students. Kraut will receive the award at the 2016 ACM Conference on Human The program solved mathematical problems like students did and was so Factors in Computing Systems (CHI2016), which will be held May 7–12 in successful that a spinoff company, Carnegie Learning, developed computer San Jose, Calif. tutors as a commercial product. To date, hundreds of thousands of students have benefited from these interactive systems.

t h r e e Faces of Conflict c o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e t w o Film Schedule the festival. The weekend crash-course will offer workshops with filmmakers and, through readings and screenings, teach a foundation in film analysis. THURSDAY, MARCH 17 THURSDAY, MARCH 24 THURSDAY, MARCH 31 “This is a great way to expose young students to stories A War (Denmark, 2015) The Propaganda Game Something Better to Come 7 p.m., McConomy Auditorium (Spain, France, 2014) co- (Denmark/Russia/Poland) that rarely make it into the mainstream media,” Lion said. + Opening Night Reception presented with Liberty in North 1 p.m., Harris Theater Other film highlights include the Polish documentary Korea, CMU and Pitt Chapter + Special appearance by “Something Better to Come.” The film follows the life of FRIDAY, MARCH 18 7 p.m., McConomy Auditorium Hanna Polak, film director Dreamcatcher (UK/USA, 2015) + Themed reception Yula, a young girl who spent 14 years living in a Russian Viva Activa: The Spirit of 7 p.m., McConomy Auditorium landfill, highlighting the harsh contrast between Yula’s Hannah Arendt Special appearance and Panel/ FRIDAY, MARCH 25 (Canada/Israel, 2015) extreme poverty and Moscow’s wealth and the abundance Q&A with Brenda Myers-Powell, Short Film Competition 7 p.m., McConomy Auditorium that exists just miles away. co-founder and executive director 6 p.m., George Rowland White + Academic panel and Q&A Yula, who will leave Russia for the first time, and the of the Dreamcatcher Foundation Theater, Point Park University featuring Andreea Ritivoi, +Dessert reception Center film’s director, Hanna Polak, will attend and take part in author of “Intimate Strangers” a discussion after the screening at 1 p.m., March 31 at the Taj Mahal (France/Belgium, 2015) SUNDAY, MARCH 20 7 p.m., McConomy Auditorium FRIDAY, APRIL 1 Harris Theater, downtown. Tales (Iran, 2014) + Musical performance Cartel Land (Mexico/USA, 2015) “Watching ‘Something Better To Come’ is a truly Noon, Melwood Screening Room + Indian food and cultural 7 p.m., McConomy Auditorium humbling experience,” said Quelcy Kogel, a CMU alumna + Skype session with director reception + Panel/Q&A with Roger Rouse, + Reception who majored in architecture, Spanish and international professor of anthropology at the relations and took the film festival’s course in its first year, Karbala (Poland, 2015) SATURDAY, MARCH 26 University of Pittsburgh, and 2006. 3 p.m., McConomy Auditorium Coffin in the Mountain Paul Eiss, professor of history The Oscar-nominated film “Cartel Land” (Mexico, +Reception (China, 2015) at CMU +Panel/Q&A 7 p.m., McConomy Auditorium + Reception USA) will screen at 7 p.m., April 1 in McConomy + Skype with Director Yukun Xin Auditorium. Directed by Matthew Heineman, the MONDAY, MARCH 21 + Chinese food reception SATURDAY, APRIL 2 documentary offers a raw and brutal window into the No More (Ireland, 2014, 16 min) Something Better to Come Mexican drug war. Heineman embeds himself within two 4:30 p.m., Porter Hall 100 TUESDAY, MARCH 29 (Denmark/Russia/Poland) + Special appearance by The Here After vigilante groups — one a citizen group led by a Mexican 7 p.m., McConomy Auditorium Mairead McClean, Filmmaker/ (Sweden/France/Poland, 2015) + Special appearance and Q&A physician and the other a small U.S. paramilitary group — Artist, moderated by John Carson, 1 p.m., McConomy Auditorium with Director Hanna Polak each working in their own ways to stop the cartels. head of the School of Art + Special appearance by + Reception The festival will close at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 3 Magnus von Horn via Skype with “Requiem for the American Dream” in McConomy WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 SUNDAY, APRIL 3 Magical Girl (Spain, 2014), WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30 Auditorium. The documentary features interviews with Requiem For the American co-presented with CMU’s The Dybbuk. A Tale of the Dream (USA, 2015) highly-regarded intellectual and activist Noam Chomsky, International Student Union Wandering Souls (Poland, 2015) 3 p.m., McConomy Auditorium filmed over the course of four years. Throughout the film, 7 p.m., McConomy Auditorium 7 p.m., McConomy Auditorium +Closing Night reception Chomsky provides insight into wealth inequality and + Themed reception + Special appearance by America’s diminishing middle class. Krzysztof Kopczynski, producer, screenwriter, film General admission tickets to the film and reception director,assistant professor on opening night (March 17) are $15 ($10 for seniors at Warsaw University and students). General admission tickets for all other screenings are $10 ($5 for seniors and students). A full-access festival pass can be purchased for $50 ($25 for seniors and students).

Jillian Jaycox Wins International Scholarship

n Abby Simmons

From her role as a student-athlete to her of Rheumatology’s Sarah Gaffen Fellowships and Scholarships Office was goal of becoming a physician-scientist, (MCS 1988). very helpful in pointing my application Jillian Jaycox’s varied interests and At Cambridge University, she will in the right direction,” Jaycox said. ability to embrace challenges have set pursue a Master of Philosophy in A four-year member of the cross- her on a track for success. Medical Science as a member of Dr. country and track and field teams, she The senior biological sciences major Ken Smith’s research group, which is inspires her teammates to make the most is one of 15 U.S. students selected to investigating a new prognostic biomarker of their time at CMU. receive a 2016 Churchill Scholarship, for autoimmune diseases like lupus. “Jill is a great example for our one of the most prestigious awards for Following her year in the United team members. This is why I have had study abroad in the United Kingdom. Kingdom, Jaycox plans to apply to and will have Jill do a presentation to Throughout her undergraduate career, Doctorate of Medicine and of Philosophy the underclassmen about utilizing the Jaycox has engaged in undergraduate (M.D.-Ph.D.) programs and pursue Fellowships and Scholarships Office and research. She first worked with Subha a career as a physician-scientist in personnel here at Carnegie Mellon,” said R. Das, associate professor of chemistry, immunology. Gary Aldrich, head track and field coach. as part of the CMU-Howard Hughes Jillian Jaycox The Churchill Scholarship is the Although she has dealt with a Medical Institute Summer Research second competitive award Jaycox won number of injuries over her running Program. Her project involved designing spend undivided time on her project with the help of CMU’s Fellowships career, Aldrich said Jaycox brings a DNA nanoparticles made of backbone- before classes started. Though Jill moved and Scholarships Office. In 2015, determination and dedication to her branched DNAs. The long-term goal of on from my lab, we still use the DNA- she received a Barry M. Goldwater rehab and recovery process that is a this research is to design nanoparticles based nanostructures that Jill designed Scholarship. direct reflection on who she is. for biological applications such as drug in our ongoing research,” Das said. “When I began the Churchill “Jill is a true example of what a delivery. Jaycox most recently worked as a application process last June, I did not student-athlete is at Carnegie Mellon “Jill is an excellent researcher and member of the University of Pittsburgh really know where to start or what University. We are often asked by skilled scientist. I remember she came research groups directed by the exactly the foundation was looking for. recruits, ‘Can I do athletics and the back to school a week and half before Department of Immunology’s Dr. Mark The expertise provided by Stephanie academics here?’ Jill has proven that you f o u r the semester began so that she could Shlomchik and the Department Wallach and Emily Mohn-Slate at the can and be successful,” Aldrich said. On the Bookshelf

T h e G a m e T h e o r i s t ’ s G u i d e t o P a r e n t i n g n Emily Stimmel

For generations, parents have turned Zollman’s knowledge to examine classic This conceptualization of fairness lies to experts for child-rearing advice. parent-child power struggles through at the root of many sibling quarrels, This spring, they can add game the lens of game theory. A week after particularly when it comes to indivisible theorists to the list of parenting Wallace’s story ran in The Wall Street resources — two kids want to be first gurus. Journal, publisher Farrar, Straus and to try out a new video game system or On April 5, Carnegie Mellon’s Giroux approached Zollman with an name the family pet, for instance. Kevin Zollman and co-author Paul idea to expand the concept into a book. Parents can divide time, but how Raeburn will release “The Game There was just one catch: he doesn’t can they fairly divide the “first time?” Theorist’s Guide to Parenting: How have children. Coin tosses and simple games, like rock, the Science of Strategic Thinking Enter Raeburn. paper, scissors, are often suggested, but Can Help You Deal with the Toughest The father of five has written they come with their own set of risks, Negotiators You Know — Your extensively on the intersection of science like older kids taking advantage of their Kids.” and parenting, most notably “Do Fathers younger siblings. Instead, game theorists Another bonus: game theory “Game theory is exciting because Matter? What Science is Telling Us propose auctions. empowers children to take ownership it applies to almost all of our social About the Parent We’ve Overlooked.” According to the authors, “If you of their decisions and begin to lives,” said Zollman, associate Raeburn’s firsthand experiences with have one item that can’t be divided, comprehend the consequences — professor of philosophy in the parenthood complemented Zollman’s you want to assign it to the person who to themselves and others. Dietrich College of Humanities and game theory expertise and helped him desires it most.” Jessica Lahey applauded the Social Sciences. “It has been used devise realistic scenarios for applying By using an auction system, kids are strategies in her Amazon review. to understand how animals search the strategies. expected to announce how much they’d be “Paul Raeburn and Kevin Zollman for food, how stores price their In “The Game Theorist’s Guide willing to “pay” for an item or experience achieve two incredible feats in ‘The products and how people find their to Parenting,” they demonstrate how — Raeburn and Zollman suggest that Game Theorist’s Guide to Parenting’: life partners. It’s only natural that parents can harness the science of payment be in the form of chores. they helped me find a way to be fair and game theory should work for one of strategic thinking to keep the peace with Other case studies draw from game just in my parenting while teaching me the toughest aspects of our lives — their kids. Through case studies, each theory concepts like the prisoner’s the basics of game theory,” she wrote. dealing with our children.” chapter addresses specific issues that dilemma and the ultimatum game, and Lahey, author of The New York Zollman first presented game pop up at various developmental stages, related disciplines like psychology and Times’ bestseller “The Gift of Failure: theory to the masses in 2013, when starting at 5 years old and continuing behavioral economics. Ultimately, they How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go he wrote an advice column for the through the teens. hope that parents will use the book’s So Their Children Can Succeed,” added, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, applying For example, around age 7 or 8, recommendations to distribute resources “I absolutely loved this book, both as a game theory strategies to routine children’s sense of fairness solidifies. to their children in a manner that reduces parent, and as a nerd.” dilemmas and major conflicts alike. (According to Raeburn and Zollman, envy. By setting limits and sticking to This book is available for pre-order The following year, writer kids grasp “He got more than me” them, parents are likely to hear fewer on Amazon. Jennifer Breheny Wallace drew upon sooner than “I got more than him.”) cries of “It’s not fair!”

K i c k i n g B u t t i n C o m p u t e r S c i e n c e n Byron Spice, Shilo Rea that you need to change the curriculum to suit women — to make it female Fewer women than men pursue friendly — based on the idea that men computer science, but correcting that and women relate to computer science imbalance won’t be accomplished via differently,” she said. “But that’s just quick fixes or by making coursework not true. Cultural factors play a more less strenuous. Rather, the culture of important role than gender differences. computer science departments must Indeed, here at CMU in a more balanced change, as outlined in a new book, environment we’ve not seen the familiar, “Kicking Butt in Computer Science: simplistic gender divide in computer Women in Computing at Carnegie science. Mellon University.” “Rather we’ve found men and women A cultural makeover at Carnegie relate to computer science through a Mellon’s School of Computer Science, spectrum of attitudes and with more a top-ranked computer science pro- similarities than differences,” Frieze said. gram, is one of the reasons why the “Those similar attitudes even extend school consistently attracts and gradu- Carol Frieze (left) and Jeria Quesenberry detail the cultural makeover that took to identifying with the image of ‘geek’ ates a higher percentage of female place in the School of Computer Science in their new book. — a word once shunned, but now computer science students than the embraced as a point of pride by both national average, according to authors manities and Social Sciences, explain the write this book,” said Frieze, who has men and women,” Quesenberry said. Carol Frieze and Jeria Quesenberry. rationale and methods of this approach worked on diversity issues in the School “What’s critical,” Frieze said, “is Frieze, director of the school’s in their book. of Computer Science for 15 years. that you don’t marginalize women, that Women@SCS faculty/student orga- “We have encountered so many Their book includes many years of you integrate them into the school so nization, and Quesenberry, associate questions about this over the years — observations and several case studies, that they receive the same opportunities, teaching professor of information and so many misconceptions. It’s why many told through the voices of students. systems in the Dietrich College of Hu- we became convinced we needed to “There’s a lot of thinking out there c o n t i n u e d o n p a g e t w e l v e

f i v e Hard Hat Tour

The Piper caught up with Bob Reppe, director of design for Campus Design and Facility Development, to take a tour of several construction projects underway. Reppe led several staff members on a tour of the Cohon University Center addition, Hamburg Hall renovations and Scott Hall, the new home of the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, the Biomedical Engineering Department and the Institute for Complex Engineered Systems. Join the tour …

(Top right) Bob Reppe discusses the exterior components of Scott Hall, which will officially open this spring.

(Above) The staircase in Hamburg Hall was brought up to current building codes by adding onto the original Hornbostel railings and posts.

(Right) From the fitness area on the second floor of the Cohon Center addition, Reppe points to the structure that will mark the university’s new front door on Forbes Avenue.

PHOTOS BY COOPER KOSTELIC

s i x (Left) Hamburg Hall 1000, formerly known as “the rotunda,” is being transformed into a grand entrance and lobby area.

(Below) The Mall walkway has been extended to give pedestrians easy access to Scott Hall.

(Above) Reppe noted that landscaping in front of the Cohon Center will include a new sidewalk, planting beds and a vehicle pull-off in front of the building.

(Middle left) The glass-enclosed Cohon Center lobby will face Forbes Avenue.

(Left) The Cohon Center Black Box Theater will be used by student performance groups.

PHOTOS BY COOPER KOSTELIC

s e v e n Powerful Lineup c o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e o n e

include energy storage and distribution, posters, policy films, dramatic shale gas development, smart buildings monologues, an energy technology and cities, electric energy systems, challenge and an energy innovation systems design optimization and jam, are scheduled throughout the technology and policy assessment. week. A sixth competition, the To discuss its work and the energy Allegheny Region Cleantech University industry, the Scott Institute is hosting Prize, sponsored by the Department of its first Energy Week, March 14- Energy with a $50,000 prize, is open 18 in the Cohon University Center. to college students in Pennsylvania, CMU researchers and energy leaders Ohio, Maryland and West Virginia. will share their work and engage Competitors range from undergraduate in discussions to swap ideas and to Ph.D. students, with the potential to perspectives through roundtables on win cash prizes. energy entrepreneurship and innovation, Friday is a day of field trips to industry energy efficiency, southwest regional power producers, utility E n e r g y W e e k L i n e u p Pennsylvania’s energy workforce, and companies, energy-related nonprofits energy education and research. and green buildings. More than 10 Monday – Research Day Participants will include industry and choices are available for participants to • Keynote Speaker Franklin “Lynn” Orr, Under Secretary for business professionals, policymakers, select from. Science and Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1:30-2 p.m. entrepreneurs, foundation leaders and “Field trip day is a good opportunity students, as well as the general public. to see energy activities that you may • “Andy” Talks — 20-minute TED Talk-style presentations “In the Pittsburgh area, energy is have only heard about on TV or video,” of innovative research, 2:30-5 p.m. often assumed by outsiders to be limited Stine said. “Seeing a wind turbine Tuesday – Policy Day • Energy Policy Forum with U.S. Presidential Candidate FIND OUT MORE: www.cmuenergyweek.org/ Surrogates, 9:45-11:45 a.m.

REGISTER ONLINE: • Fireside Chats with U.S. Senate Pennsylvania Candidates, 1:45-3:30 p.m. https://tools.eventpower.com/reg/index/QImy3mGAQP • What Should be Pennsylvania’s Electricity Mix Now SEE THE FULL SCHEDULE: and in the Future? Deliberative Democracy Event, www.cmuenergyweek.org/Agenda 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Wednesday – Innovation Day to coal and shale gas. In reality, there in action, for example, can help you • Energy Innovation and Entrepreneurship Roundtable, are all sorts of exciting things going on understand so much more than a picture 9-11:45 a.m. in energy regionally, and I don’t think or a calculation.” • Visits to CMU’s energy research labs and centers, even the Pittsburgh public is aware of In the lineup of keynote including General Motors-CMU Connected Autonomous the diversity of activity within an hour’s presentations is Bunker Roy, founder drive of the city, including innovative and director of Barefoot College, TED Collaborate Research Lab and the Solar Fuels Lab, work coming out of CMU,” said speaker and one of Time magazine’s 1:15-3:15 p.m. Deborah Stine, associate director of 100 most influential people of 2010. • Allegheny CleanTech Collegiate University Prize the Scott Institute. Barefoot College trains Competition Presentations and Awards ceremony, “While some other universities impoverished, rural poor and 3-5:50 p.m. (final rounds) have hosted similar weeklong forums, many illiterate women to construct the CMU iteration is different in that and operate technologies in their it isn’t based on a panel discussion communities. For example, women model between researchers. We are trained in India as solar engineers Thursday – Education Day combining research, tech, policy, returned to their villages in sub-Saharan • Energy Tech Expo featuring regional energy-related student competitions and even the arts Africa and used their newfound skills industries and businesses, 10 a.m.-noon and for what we hope will be a lively event,” to install solar panels and provide 1-4:30 p.m. Stine said. electricity to homes, something that • Keynote Presentation by Bunker Roy, founder and Each day has a theme, so participants many believed to be out of reach. can select what topics are most Other highlights include Under director, and Meagan Fallone, CEO, of Barefoot College, interesting to them. Themes include Secretary for Science and Energy 4:45-5:45 p.m. research, innovation, education policy, Franklin “Lynn” Orr and Deputy and the Pittsburgh region’s energy Secretary Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall workforce, industry, and business from the U.S. Department of Energy; Friday – Field Trip Day activities. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto; visits • More than 10 choices for a morning field trip, including The energy policy-minded will to CMU’s energy research labs and visits to Shale Gas sites, green buildings in the city and want to consider attending Policy Day centers; and an Energy Tech Expo, utility companies, 9:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Presidential candidate in which students will have the surrogates and Pennsylvania candidates opportunity to network with industry • Southwestern Pennsylvania Energy Workforce Roundtable, for the U.S. Senate will be discussing professionals. 1:30-4:30 p.m. energy policy and their positions on CMU students (and those from energy issues. The day concludes with a any institution), faculty and staff may Deliberative Democracy discussion on a register for free. Lunch is not included, realistic energy mix for Pennsylvania. but can be purchased for an additional Five CMU student competitions, fee during registration. including energy-focused research e i g h t “Birdman” Lands at ETC Michael Keaton Immerses Himself In Student Projects n Kelly Saavedra about,” Fawaz said. “He asked insightful questions about how you would watch A familiar ‘ping’ announced the arrival this in the future. Would you need to do of the elevator onto the second floor this at home? Could you see it in a big of CMU’s Entertainment Technology theater? Would one person drive this and Center. But on this day, the door opened others be spectating on a screen? What to release a special visitor — award- would happen on a big screen? We might winning actor, director and Pittsburgh not be able to definitively solve or answer native Michael Keaton, who was, as those questions this semester.” usual, ready to get to work. Jun Wang’s team showed him Best known for his starring roles in their project sponsored by Legendary “Batman,” “Beetlejuice” and last year’s Entertainment, in which the user, playing multiple Oscar-winner “Birdman,” King Kong, reaches down to pick up a Keaton — making his first trip to the variety of small creatures, all of which ETC as a Visiting Scholar — strode down react differently. And Ding discussed his the hall to the office of Ralph Vituccio, Electronic Arts project through which an ETC professor and Keaton’s lifelong PHOTOS BY TIM KAULEN family members can use a tablet or their Keaton discusses a virtual reality project with students. buddy since they were 14 years old. mobile phones to connect with each There, he greeted a handful of guests, other for a virtual snowball fight. Both grade. Every time Michael would come inspired?” donned a virtual reality headset and, projects aim to demonstrate how virtual back to the ’Burgh, he would often make Then, Keaton told students, look for against the backdrop of the Monongahela reality can enhance storytelling and better the effort to get family and a small group the opportunities. And when they open, go. River outside the windows, stepped engage audiences through an interactive of friends together. He really didn’t have “It’s like when the offensive line into the role of a witness to a racially experience. to do it, but he always makes the effort. opens, run through it and just keep on motivated police brutality. “I was thrilled to meet Michael,” That is a rare thing in this day and age going. Don’t let people back you down. “This is tremendous,” Keaton said. Ding said. “I have long known him as a and says something about enduring Don’t let circumstances wear you down,” He was referring to the virtual reality brilliant actor. After meeting him, I found friendships that last a lifetime. he said, “because they’re gonna.” project “Injustice” being developed by him a charming, friendly and humorous “Michael’s roots are Irish-Catholic “In his talk,” Vituccio said, “Michael a team of ETC students including Tiffa person. While trying the demo, he was and mine are Italian-Catholic, and also mentioned that, in this phase of his (Xu) Cheng, Jahee Cho, Martin (Zixu) genuinely interested in the technology coming from such strong ethnic career, he wanted to start giving back. Ding, Atit Kothari, Elizabeth (Yeongmin) and asked us several in-depth questions backgrounds you grow up with certain Won and Stephanie Fawaz. “Injustice” about virtual reality and its potential values like being loyal and honest with uses 10 GoPro cameras on a rig that applications. I felt he is not only an actor, the people around you. And if you’re not “ This is an incredible capture every angle to give users a but a man who is constantly learning and grounded or ‘real,’ believe me, family or completely immersive 360-degree live friends would not allow you to get away opportunity for our has a vision of the entire entertainment video experience. with it.” industry.” students to get feedback “That’s what they did in ‘Birdman,’” After a short break for lunch, Keaton Keaton described CMU’s ETC said Keaton, who has worked steadily in and Vituccio wrapped up the day with an from one of the most students as “extraordinary” and “mind- film and television since 1977. entertaining and insightful Q&A session blowing.” “Potentially, if done right, this has with students. Vituccio prodded his creative and influential “They are the future,” he said. more impact, the immersive quality, as childhood pal, telling tales of their shared “This is an incredible opportunity for talents of our time.” opposed to watching a documentary,” history. our students to get feedback from one of he said. “You feel like you’re there, “I always thought Mike would do the most creative and influential talents — Ralph Vituccio especially when someone walks up close well, but I never ever thought he would of our time,” Vituccio said. “I’ve wanted to you. And it’s great that you’re doing become the star that he is,” Vituccio to get Michael involved with the ETC for that with social issues.” told the audience. “Not that I thought he some years now. Every time we would Keaton moved on to several more couldn’t do it. It’s just the chances of that And I know he would agree this is get together I would always talk about the project demos, including “Decisions happening are like winning the lottery. exactly what he had in mind. In future exciting projects I was working on with That Matter,” in which he played the Such a tiny percent in Hollywood get the visits, I would love to get Michael onto the students. He was always interested in role of a bystander who weighs how to good roles, and the rest are still waiting main campus to visit with my IDeATe hearing more and asking questions. One respond to a potential sexual assault. tables.” students and with the drama students as night when we were out together, I asked Kirsten Rispin and Fawaz produced the Keaton said it’s about timing. well. Mike loves Pittsburgh and CMU. him to become a Visiting Scholar, and project along with a team of artists and “Certain things happen in the world, In fact, his late wife, Carolyn he agreed.” programmers. and you’re in the right place at the right McWilliams, was a graduate of the Vituccio said, “What’s truly a time. And all you gotta do is just be “We definitely got to show him School of Drama and an accomplished wonderful and unique story is that we’ve locked in, and know that — or sense that things we’re excited about and proud actress in her own right.” remained close friends ever since 9th — it’s the right thing. And keep moving Drew Davidson, director of the ETC forward, stay focused and don’t back and a teaching professor, summed up the down,” he said. enthusiasm over Keaton’s visit. Keaton shared anecdotes from the set “We’re just really excited. One, of Batman, explanations for why he did because he’s a Pittsburgher and it’s and didn’t accept a variety of different nice to have him come back home. But work, and offered career advice and his what’s really valuable for us is having philosophy on life. people like Michael come in and share “The universal question for everyone their expertise and their experiences is what do I want? Always drop back to with our students, who hope to shape that question,” he said. “The problem is, the next generation to do the next big in the creative world it ain’t easy. And thing,” Davidson said. “It’s that type of it changes and shifts so fast now. You gotta just keep asking, what’s going to inspiration and challenge, in a way. He’s make me happy? And on a practical level, told them, ‘You can do better. You can do what’s going to keep food on the table? more.’ That’s what we’re excited about.” And as a creative person, am I going to Keaton’s latest film, “Spotlight,” won be fed by this? Is it going to keep me this year’s Oscar for Best Picture. Vituccio and Keaton hold a Q&A session with students. n i n e Hacking Into Gun Safety

n Chuck Finder “It’s admirable that our students are trying to put Carnegie Mellon creativity The challenge is intricate yet extensive. and innovation to use for what I believe How can technology, robotics and to be one of the most important public innovation bring new ideas to public safety issues today. I’m excited to see safety and, more precisely, gun safety? what they present and most appreciative Liza Tresser, who will earn her MBA of their efforts,” Ogden said. this May, is organizing an event to host Because college and school campuses such a challenge — one accepted by have been the scene of such tragedies the City of Pittsburgh Police Bureau, around the globe, Tresser hopes that the University of Pittsburgh, the Tepper other business schools and universities School of Business, Carnegie Mellon take up this type of challenge. and others around the community. “It is a constant effort for universities “Last year was the first year of an to truly contribute to and take a vital event called CMU Idea Space; it was role in the communities around them,” a hackathon competition focused on Tresser added. “This type of competition, social impact issues,” said Tresser, bringing together bright minds and new who is heading the committee planning ideas, would be a great way to start. “Innovative Solutions for Gun Safety “The months I’ve spent working on and Gun Violence,” March 18-20 at the CMU Police Chief Tom Ogden says he’s excited to see what the students will present this initiative demonstrate the passion Posner Center. in the upcoming hackathon. and interest that exist over these issues, “Incredibly innovative ideas were and such an event allows people to designed around recycling, education There also are spots open for members Program Coordinator Chris Millard have a say. The concept — that a non- and even public safety at last year’s of the community to participate as of Alphalab Gear, Director Greg political platform can bring people of event. This year, we are narrowing well; the Urban League of Young Cottichia of the Blast Furnace at Pitt’s opposing beliefs together to work more the lens and focusing solely on gun Professionals and other organizations are Innovation Institute, and Renee Clark, constructively — has struck a chord with violence, gun safety and public safety working with Tresser and the committee former dean of student development so many around Pittsburgh. By bringing issues, and how tech or robotics might to find additional participants. at Community College of Allegheny together people from all walks of life be used to help. We want as many Already, an incubator called Zero County’s South campus, are among the and different disciplines, new ideas may people as possible to have a voice in Six Eight has agreed to work with a people who will serve as coaches. emerge,” Tresser said. this,” she said. winning team’s idea, and officials from Among the judges for the competition To register for the event, go to Some 120 graduate and the City of Pittsburgh Police’s Initiative will be attorney Khadija Diggs, deputy http://cmu-idea-space.eventbrite.com. undergraduate students from Carnegie to Reduce Crime wrote a challenge director of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Mellon and Pitt are expected to enter the for event competitors to try to tackle, Wolf’s Southwest Regional Office, and competitions on each day of the event. Tresser said. Carnegie Mellon Police Chief Tom Ogden.

Art That Rocks

n Jennie Dorris

The friends David Edward Byrd made at Carnegie Mellon ushered him into a world that would make him famous. Byrd moved to New York after graduating in 1966 and was part of an art commune when he received a call from a CMU friend, Joshua White. White had just received a residency for a creative lighting and projection project at a new rock venue called the Fillmore East. White would be performing behind Frank Zappa, the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin, among others. The venue — which would draw some of the biggest names during its run from 1968 to 1971 — needed posters. They gave Byrd his big break. Byrd’s third poster, for Jimi Hendrix, “I’m doing a musical about Jesus,” Byrd musical turned out to be successful, Byrd wasn’t sure — he had would become one of his best known. recalled Lansbury saying. ”I want that Lansbury would pay him $50 a week for been trained as a painter and hadn’t He also designed posters for Jefferson poster (Follies), but I want the image to the run of the show. experimented with graphic design. But Airplane, the Grateful Dead and the be Jesus.” The show ran for eight years. he found freedom in designing rock original Woodstock Festival. That musical was “Godspell.” At first, Schwartz wasn’t sure about posters. Byrd also began designing posters Stephen Schwartz, who attended CMU the art Byrd created. “When you created a rock poster, the for Broadway. His design work for at the same time as Byrd, was writing its “While I thought it was a great and subject matter was neither here nor there. “Follies” led to his poster being displayed music and lyrics. memorable image, I thought it didn’t It had to be wild, it had to be mysterious, prominently on the theater’s marquee. Lansbury offered Byrd $100 to create capture sufficiently the humor and it had to have fantastic colors, and it Edgar Lansbury, the producer of a the “Godspell” poster, which was a joyousness of the show. But obviously had to be difficult to read. I wanted to musical about to open on Broadway, fraction of Byrd’s usual fee. Byrd figured I was mistaken, and I came to love the establish a look that really punched you called Byrd into his office and pointed he’d take a chance on the musical, poster,” Schwartz said. in the face,” Byrd said. to the enlarged image on the building. and bargained with Lansbury — if the The rock and musical worlds collided t e n Rockin’ the Ph.D. c o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e o n e his hammer once and saying to my dad, during his undergraduate years at ‘Wow! He must be the strongest man in Oberlin College, where he balanced his the world!’” studies with his other passion — music. Roth is a second-year doctoral student “I had two friends who needed a bass in CMU’s Engineering and Public player, so I bought a bass, taught myself Policy Department. He recently finished how to play it, and we started a band his qualifying exams and has been called Cobalt and the Hired Guns. We working on research that centers on how recorded four studio albums,” he said. preserving nuclear power plants may be He toured with them for a total of a good strategy to avoid carbon dioxide nine years based out of Chicago, leaving emissions. the band only because he wanted to go

“ I’m not an engineer, so traditional engineering departments at other universities wouldn’t have been a good fit for me. CMU is very interdisciplinary and focused on exactly what I’m interested in.”

— Mike Roth

“This is really important work,” said to graduate school. his adviser, Paulina Jaramillo. “Nuclear Twice. power, a carbon free source of electricity, He enrolled in Duke University for currently accounts for about 20 percent a master’s degree in environmental PHOTO BY ELLIE PRITTS of generation in the U.S. The plants are management focusing in energy. Then, being undercut by low electricity prices he moved back to Chicago to get another Mike Roth balances a music career with nuclear power plant research. and may be at risk of retiring. If this master’s degree, this time in public happens, they would likely be replaced policy. he said. “I learned how to talk about and and can be downloaded on Band Camp with carbon-emitting power plants.” “Being in a band was a great manage feelings and disagreements and for free. Roth became passionate about energy experience for me for a lot of reasons,” egos, and you know, the group dynamics Roth has toured extensively involved in working with people. It throughout the U.S., opening for artists really helped me learn to work with lots such as Josh Ritter, State Radio, Pete of different types of people despite us Francis of Dispatch and the Clarks. having very different backgrounds and A couple of summer internships with personalities. You’re living in a van with CMU’s Scott Matthews are what led people on tour for a month. You get to him back to Pittsburgh — where he now know them very well, and that can be plays guitar for local act Rachel B — and very challenging.” to the university he refers to as “the best Roth released his first solo album, place on Earth” for him to be doing his “Slow Down,” this winter. He filmed work. the music video for the single in Haifa, “I’m not an engineer, so traditional Israel, after he conducted research engineering departments at other on electric vehicle policy at Tel Aviv universities wouldn’t have been a good University. fit for me,” he said. “CMU is very “What’s cool about Haifa is it’s a city interdisciplinary and focused on exactly on a mountain. They have an incline, what I’m interested in, which is energy just like Pittsburgh, but it’s a subway and environmental issues where there’s incline, so it’s underground. So, we an intersection of social science and started at the top and over the course of engineering.” two days worked our way down to the A two-year stint teaching elementary beach,” he said. school ignited a spark in him for “We didn’t plan any of it. We didn’t teaching, meaning he hasn’t ruled out know whom we’d meet. We didn’t know following in his father’s footsteps and the what was going to be in it. The culture is idea of becoming a professor. when Byrd created a poster for The online — originals of his Jimi Hendrix a bit different from the U.S., in that the “I think about my dad a lot. I feel his Who when they brought their rock opera posters run from $8,000-$10,000. country was founded with Kibbutzim presence here,” he said. “It’s reassuring “Tommy” to the Metropolitan Opera. He While Byrd started out in the world and many socialist ideals, and so there when things get difficult, like when I was received a Grammy in 1973 for his work of fine arts, the world of graphic design is still an element of things being more taking my qualifying exams. I could feel on “Tommy.” embraced his work. For a time, he was communal there than they are here in him reassuring me, patting me on the Byrd went on to work as an illustrator conflicted that he was “selling out” by the U.S. Some people didn’t even speak shoulder, reminding me I can do this. and designer for Warner Brothers, where leaving the world of painting. English, but for example, we went to a I’m meant to be here.” he would help design the Bugs Bunny “I had very sentimental notions Haifa fire station and they let us stand Now, the bridge from Newell-Simon stamp and help create the style guides about painting and suffering and on all the trucks and capture video of Hall to Wean Hall, which leads to his for the first three Harry Potter movies, being a great artist — which is part of that. It was really fun.” past, also may lead to his future. among many other projects. being young — but now I am in a lot The video can be found on YouTube “Maybe I’ll have an office here Byrd continues to do posters — he of museums all over the world, and I and at www.mikerothmusic.com. The myself someday,” he said. “If I’m lucky.” has done recent work for Prince and don’t know if I would be there if I had rest of the album is on Spotify, iTunes Crosby, Stills & Nash. His work is sold remained a painter,” Byrd said. e l e v e n Composer Speed Dating Collaboration is Music to Their Ears

n Bruce Gerson

Playwrights came looking for a score. Artists were in search of music to complement their visual creations. Roboticists were hunting for the right techno-vibe. And some attended out of curiosity. Whatever their reason, all came lending an ear, hoping to collaborate with just the right composer. The first “Composer Speed Dating” event in the Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry was a coming out party, of sorts, for 18 undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Music’s Composers Forum. Each Students in the Composers Forum held the first “speed dating” event seeking to meet and collaborate with PHOTO BY TOM HUGHES composer was on hand to talk to fellow fellow students on interdisciplinary projects. Soosan Lolavar (front row, third from left) came up with the idea. students from across campus about Rodrigo Castro (second from right) is the course teaching assistant. their work, the type of music they like to write and to hear about projects in “I’m looking for someone to compose master’s degree student, spoke to a musical. “I met some really fantastic which they may be able to help. music that will showcase a dynamic roboticist who is pioneering technology people. There’s a lot of talent here,” Soosan Lolavar, a native of the range,” Valley said. “When the singer that would enable a robot to not only she said. U.K. who is working toward her third hits higher notes that will make the skirt play music, but also to create music Welle, a Ph.D. candidate in master’s degree in music, came up move certain ways. Lower notes will on its own. the Engineering and Public Policy with the idea. make the skirt move other ways.” “Composing is a solitary venture at Department, works on agricultural “During my studies in the U.K. Alexander Panos, a sophomore times, so it’s great to get out and meet systems. everyone was encouraged to work with composer from Chicago who calls other people in different disciplines to “I came mostly because I was everyone in interesting ways. And I himself a “multi-genre artist,” met open up new avenues. It also gives us curious. It’s interesting to try to meet thought that would be a really cool a computer science and art major in a platform to show other departments composers and I’m hoping they have thing to do here,” said Lolavar, who the BXA program. This duo will be what we do,” English said. ideas on how to collaborate with me,” is specializing in Iranian music. putting their heads together around an Theodore Teichman, a double major he said. “Composers are quite isolated installation piece focusing on the solar in music composition and neurobiology, As the event came to a close, all people. We spend a lot of time alone system. A drama student also approached spoke to playwrights and visual artists. participants, composers and collaborators and a lot of people really don’t know him about writing music for a movie. “It’s not necessarily how art can alike, gave it a resounding thumbs-up. what we do. CMU is the only place Andrew Abrahamsen, an undergrad respond to or inspire music, but about “I think Soosan had an amazing in the U.S. and Europe where you can composer of jazz, contemporary and how visual art can be an element of the idea. We can’t thank her enough for study Iranian music and nobody knows classical music, is engaging with a fellow musical experience,” he said. being so innovative,” said Teaching that. And that’s a shame,” she said. student on an art project, putting music Some attendees, like Whitney Assistant Rodrigo Castro, who leads the Samir Gangwani, a junior composer behind animation. He also spoke to a Rowland and Paul Welle, came to talk Composers Forum. from North Carolina who specializes playwright interested in musical theater. to composers without a specific project “As composers we are always in sound installation art and hybrid “This has been really effective,” in mind. seeking collaborative efforts, but perhaps instruments, met Lauren Valley, a Abrahamsen said about the event. “A lot “I wanted to come and listen to all given our introspective nature and how junior art major from nearby Fox of people actually do need music to go the composers’ styles to see if I was busy we are working in close quarters Chapel, Pa. The two plan to work along with whatever they do, but they inspired by anything,” said Rowland, a we sometimes lack in knowing the right together on Valley’s unusual project don’t necessarily know how to find us.” playwright and graduate student in the approach to meet others. Soosan seems that features a singer and her skirt. Danny English, a second-year School of Drama who plans to write a to have the right ideas for that,” he said.

Kicking Butt c o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e f i v e

visibility and networking that have imbalance in high school or a university as if it was “This was not a small intervention worked well for most men. Integration in computer no big deal, while in Denmark, or the that occurred in a few months, but means women can help shape the culture science varied United States, young woman are feeling a sustained effort to make a change and environment.” from country out of place in computer science?” Frieze in the culture,” said Quesenberry, As Frieze and Quesenberry note in to country and Quesenberry wrote. who joined CMU in 2007 and whose their book, CMU’s approach began to and culture With leadership from students, research focuses on societal, cultural and change in 1999, when Lenore Blum, to culture. Women@SCS developed programs organizational influences on technology a longtime advocate for women in In Israel, for that helped women make connections and tech professionals. science and mathematics, joined the instance, some that men took for granted, such as “Lots of people have documented computer science faculty. She worked studies of discussing homework with roommates the problem of low female enrollment in with graduate students to form Women@ high school late at night, or receiving job and course computer science, but you don’t see a lot SCS, providing a way to connect students recommendations from fraternity files of sharing of success stories,” she added. women across the departments within found that computer science enrollments and upperclassmen. The organization Carnegie Mellon’s approach may the school. A year later, Blum recruited in Jewish sectors were just 28 percent developed activities to help all students not work for every computer science Frieze, who had a background in gender female, while enrollments in Arab — not just women — meet socially and program, Quesenberry acknowledged, and cultural studies, to help guide their sectors were 61 percent female. help develop each other’s professional but she and Frieze hope that their book efforts. “So, how could it be that an Arab-Is- skills. Women@SCS events and will provide insights that will help Frieze said she was fascinated raeli schoolgirl, or a young women from activities often draw equal numbers of more programs — and ultimately the by studies showing that the gender Mauritius, could study computer science male and female participants. profession — become more inclusive. t w e l v e