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Science and technology news.. 10-12 PittNewspaper of the University of PittsburghChronicle Volume VIII • Number 15 • April 29, 2007 BRADEN WOLFE/CIDDE

Commencement 2007 Continued on Page 6  • Pitt Chronicle • April 29, 2007 Feick Named UCIS Director

BRADEN WOLFE/CIDDE By Amanda Leff

Pitt professor Lawrence Feick has sesses the necessary experience and integrity been named senior director of International to build on the center’s strengths and priori- Programs and director of Pitt’s University ties and is keenly aware of the importance Center for International Studies (UCIS), of global awareness and experience for our effective Aug. 1. Feick is a professor of busi- students.” ness administration in the Joseph Feick has served as a consultant M. Katz Graduate School of to a number of profit and nonprofit Business, where he teaches firms and has done extensive marketing management and work in executive education. international marketing. He is coauthor of Country At the Katz School, Manager, an international Feick served as director of marketing simulation game, the International Business and has published articles in Center for six years, where a number of professional jour- he oversaw a variety of inter- nals, including the Journal of national programs, including Consumer Research, Journal of Pitt’s Plus3, a joint business and Marketing, Journal of Marketing engineering program that won the Lawrence Feick Research, International Journal of 2005 Andrew Heiskell Award for Research in Marketing, Psychologi- innovation in international educa- cal Bulletin, and Public Opinion tion. A member of the Pitt business school Quarterly. Feick has served as president faculty since 1982, Feick has served as the of the Association for International Busi- interim dean of the Katz School and Col- ness Education and Research and the Sheth lege of Business Administration and as an Foundation. associate dean. Feick received the Ph.D. degree in “I have great confidence that Dr. Feick agricultural economics from Pennsylvania will provide thoughtful academic leader- State University and the M.S. degree in ship to UCIS and insight on the University’s agricultural economics and B.A. degree concerted efforts on international programs,” in psychology, magna cum laude, from the said Pitt Provost James V. Maher. “He pos- University of Delaware. Mark A. Nordenberg Pitt to Cosponsor Family Support Conference Pitt to Hold 2007 Commencement By Sharon S. Blake What does the state of a child’s family, using community resources. Speakers will Today in the Petersen Events Center school system, and overall community have include Evelyn Harris, director of New to do with that child’s success in school? York’s Department of State, Division of Tom Ridge, former Pennsylvania governor and the nation’s first Secretary of the Department of This and other child-related issues will be Community Services (speaking at 12:15 p.m. Homeland Security, will give commencement address explored during the 14th Annual Family May 16 and 1 p.m. May 17); Paul Gasser, a Support Conference May 16 and 17 in the marriage and family therapist and instructor By Amanda Leff Westin Convention Center Hotel, 1000 Penn at the University of Wisconsin at Platteville Ave., downtown. (9:30 a.m. May 17); and Lynn Amwake, University of Pittsburgh Chancellor during the commencement ceremony. Her Attendees will hear presentations on program specialist at the SERVE Center, Mark A. Nordenberg will welcome graduat- talk will be followed by an address by Brian national trends and challenges behind the University of North Carolina at Greensboro ing members of the Class of 2007, faculty, Generalovich, (CAS ‘66, DEN ‘68), president family support movement, which encourages (10:30 a.m. May 17). Afternoon discussions trustees, alumni, staff, and invited guests, of the University of Pittsburgh Alumni Asso- families to build on their own strengths, are scheduled May 16 on parent leadership, family, and friends attending Pitt’s 2007 ciation, who will welcome the graduates as advocacy, and other topics. On May 17, Commencement at 1 p.m. today in the Pitt’s newest alumni. attendees can choose among 28 workshops Petersen Events Center. Pitt is conferring approximately 6,000 on topics ranging from the effect of violence Tom Ridge, the nation’s first Secretary undergraduate, graduate, and professional on children to helping children develop of the Department of Homeland Security degrees this year to students on the Pitts- Chronicling social and emotional skills. and the Governor of Pennsylvania from burgh campus and approximately 1,000 Admission for each day is $75. To 1995 to 2001, will deliver the University’s undergraduate degrees to students on the An ongoing series highlighting University of Pittsburgh history register, call 412-244-5358. Among the 2007 commencement address and Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown, conference’s cosponsors are Pitt’s Office of receive the honorary Doctor and Titusville campuses, which Child Development, School of Education, of Public and International hold their own commence- and School of Social Work. Affairs degree from Norden- ment ceremonies. berg and Provost and Senior President George W. Vice Chancellor James V. Bush named Ridge Assis- Maher. tant to the President at the Chief University new Office of Homeland Marshal John J. Baker Security in the weeks PittNewspaper ofChronicle the University of Pittsburgh will open the ceremony, following the Sept. 11, leading a procession of 2001, terrorist attacks. His PUBLISHER Robert Hill faculty, staff, the Council charge was to develop and ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER John Harvith of Deans, trustees, adminis- coordinate a national strat- EXECUTIVE EDITOR Linda K. Schmitmeyer trative officers, and graduating egy to strengthen the United EDITOR Bruce Steele class members in full academic States against terrorist threats or ART DIRECTOR Gary Cravener Tom Ridge regalia; Baker is a professor of oral attacks. When the U.S. Department STAFF WRITERS Sharon S. Blake biology in the School of Dental of Homeland Security was formally April 27, 2003—Pitt’s 2003 commence- John Fedele Medicine and president of the University created in 2003, Ridge became its first sec- ment is celebrated in the University’s new Morgan Kelly Senate. Music will be provided by the retary. He worked with more than 180,000 Amanda Leff Petersen Events Center, as the annual convoca- University Symphonic Band, under the employees from a combined 22 agencies Patricia Lomando White tion returns to the Pitt campus for the first time in direction of Pitt Director of Bands Jack R. to create a department that facilitated the CONTRIBUTING WRITERS E. J. Borghetti Anderson. flow of people and goods; instituted layered 34 years. Paul H. O’Neill, former U.S. Secretary of the Stephen Byers After Ridge receives his honorary security at air, land, and seaports; developed Treasury and former CEO of Alcoa, gives the commence- Clare Collins degree, Pitt alumnus Ralph J. Cappy a unified national response and recovery ment address. “To put us in the context of where we Sophia Duck (CAS ‘65, LAW ‘68), chief justice of the plan; protected critical infrastructure; and are today,” he says, “we can win war with munitions Jocelyn Uhl Duffy Pennsylvania Supreme Court and chair of integrated new technology and improved but we can only win the peace with ideas.” Jim Swyers Pitt’s Board of Trustees, will present the information-sharing worldwide. HAPPENINGS EDITOR Audra Sorman University Citation honoring him. Ridge will Before 9/11, Ridge was twice elected then deliver the commencement address. governor of Pennsylvania. His aggressive The Pitt Chronicle is published throughout the year by After the awarding of diplomas by Nor- technology strategy helped fuel the state’s University News and Magazines, University of denberg, Maher, and the deans of the schools advances in economic development, educa- Pittsburgh, 400 Craig Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, and colleges, Andrea E. Youngo will speak tion, health, and the environment. Ridge Phone: 412-624-1033, Fax: 412-624-4895, E-mail: [email protected] on behalf of the graduating class. Youngo, also implemented a program that continues Web: www.umc.pitt.edu/media/pcc/ who is a recipient of the ODK Senior of the to provide a predictable flow of state support Year Award and a student in the School of for capital projects at Pitt and Pennsylvania’s The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, Arts and Sciences and College of Business other state-related universities, and he com- equal opportunity institution that does not discriminate Administration, will receive the Bachelor mitted the funds that made possible the con- upon any basis prohibited by law. of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees struction of Pitt’s Petersen Events Center. April 29, 2007 • University of Pittsburgh • 

Varia Permyashkin Student(For profiles of other remarkable students receiving ProfilePitt degrees today, see pages 4-6 and 9.) Born in Kazakhstan and raised in Lewis- burg, Pa., she came to Pitt to pursue her passion for learning languages

“When I first visited Pitt, I’d had no experience of city life,

JOE KAPELEWSKI/CIDDE and it was a little intimidating. But soon, I fell in love with this University. Here, I didn’t feel exotic or awkward. There are so many other foreign-born stu- dents at Pitt. I’ve made friends with students from all over the world here—from Korea, Brazil, France, Norway, Denmark, India… .” —Varia Permyashkin Permyashkin studied Sanskrit through an independent-study arrange- ment with a professor in Pitt’s Depart- ment of Classics. “I’ve made a lot of Indian friends since coming to Pitts- burgh. I was interested in their culture, and some Indian languages still use Sanskrit script. So, I figured if I studied Sanskrit, maybe I could in the future study other Indian languages that also use that script,” she explains. Working 20 hours per week as an immigration document manager in Pitt’s Office of International Services, Permyashkin helps foreign-born stu- dents with visa applications and other paperwork—complex and potentially confusing stuff in post-9/11 America. “Working in that office has been edu- Varia Permyashkin cational as well as personally reward- By Bruce Steele ing for me,” she says. “By talking with students from countries like Indonesia Please. in the new language. go on to Bucknell. But I wanted to get away and various African countries, I’m learning Thank you. Permyashkin’s parents, ethnic Rus- from Lewisburg, which is small and very about their cultures. It’s also helping me to Hello. sians and Pentecostal Christians who left bland. When I first visited Pitt, I’d had no develop my ear for accents. For example, if Goodbye. the Soviet Union to escape religious per- experience of city life, and it was a little I hear someone speaking with an Eastern Those were the only English words that secution, did not allow a television in their intimidating. But soon, I fell in love with European accent, I can adjust my English Varia Permyashkin’s parents knew when house. So, family members learned English this University. Here, I didn’t feel exotic or to sound more like theirs so they don’t find they emigrated from Kazakhstan to the by conversing with their new American awkward. There are so many other foreign- it so difficult understanding me.” United States in 1989, bringing with them neighbors, classmates, and coworkers, and born students at Pitt. I’ve made friends with When she’s not studying or working Varia and her younger brother, Aleksandr. by reading. students from all over the world here—from in the International Services office, Per- Varia, who was 5 years old at the time, “As a girl, I read a lot—a lot,” recalls Korea, Brazil, France, Norway, Denmark, myashkin volunteers to tutor fourth- and spoke no English at all. Permyashkin, who today speaks unaccented India… . fifth-graders at Breachmenders Ministries, Placed in a private school in Lewisburg, English but carries herself and dresses with “When I first came to Pitt, I lived in a nonsectarian community-development Pa., by the Pentecostal church that had an elegance more characteristic of Slavic Holland Hall. It’s a very quiet building, all organization that serves low-income fami- sponsored her family’s move first to Vienna, women than their U.S. counterparts. “I read girls, but I made my best friendships there. lies in West Oakland and the Hill District. then Rome, and finally to the United States, the entire ‘Baby-Sitters Club’ series” of I’m still friends with those girls.” “It’s very rewarding work,” she says. “I’ve Permyashkin initially felt lost. “In Lewis- children’s books by Ann M. Martin. “I just Today, Permyashkin shares a Shadyside enjoyed tutoring, and I may pursue a career burg, I was the only foreigner in the entire read a lot of ‘girly’ things, you know? A lot apartment with a cousin named Oxanna. in teaching English to immigrants. school,” she says. “I remember that I had of series. I really enjoyed series of books.” “We’re best friends, we grew up together, “Actually, I haven’t decided on a career trouble communicating with my teacher. Permyashkin believes her current love and we’ve been roommates since our fresh- yet. I’m waiting to hear back from several She would try to tell me things, and I would of studying languages was inspired by her man year,” says Permyashkin, adding that companies I’ve contacted about job pos- just laugh and be comfortably clueless. It intense childhood effort to master English. she occasionally zips over to Squirrel Hill sibilities. I’m hoping to find work on the was bad. But she was kind and patient. In addition to being fluent in English and and its three Russian food stores when she’s West Coast because it’s more ethnically “Because they didn’t know English Russian (still spoken in the Permyashkins’ craving home-style treats. diverse than the Eastern United States, and yet, my parents couldn’t help me with Lewisburg home by Varia, her parents, and Not only was Pitt her first choice among I think there are more language-oriented homework assignments, so I basically had her 11 siblings), Permyashkin speaks and universities to attend, it was the only school job opportunities out there. Also, I’ve lived to teach myself. It took me two weeks to writes Modern Greek (she visited Greece last Permyashkin applied to. “I like to make my almost my whole life in the Eastern part of learn enough English to keep up with the summer to polish her skills in that language), life complicated sometimes,” she says with the country, and I’d like to make a dramatic rest of my class.” Spanish, and Sanskrit. a laugh, preferring not to think what she relocation while I’m still unattached.” Two weeks? “The truth is that linguistics was not would have done if Pitt had rejected her. Permyashkin today will become the “Remember, learning languages comes my major of choice,” Permyashkin confides. “I wanted to go to a big, urban school, and first member of her family to graduate from easily to young children,” says Permyash- “I ended up taking it because there was no I was looking for someplace that offered college. But, with 11 younger brothers and kin, who will graduate from Pitt today with such major as ‘study a bunch of foreign lan- Spanish, Russian, and a lot of less commonly sisters, she almost certainly won’t be the a bachelor’s degree in linguistics. “Some guages.’ I took linguistics as a core major, offered languages. And Pitt offers a crazy last, she says. Aleksandr, the oldest of her of my classes here have focused on how something to make my various language number of languages,” including more than siblings, is completing his sophomore year quickly kids, with their still-developing studies possible.” a dozen—Arabic, Hindi, Irish Gaelic, and in Pitt’s School of Arts and Sciences. brains, can absorb new languages when Lewisburg is the home of Bucknell Uni- Modern Greek among them—that are taught “Pitt, for me, has been an inspirational they’re surrounded by people who are versity, Permyashkin points out, “and half through the linguistics department’s Less place,” Permyashkin says. “I’m really glad speaking it and when they’re reading a lot” of the students at the high school I attended Commonly Taught Languages Center. I came here.”  • Pitt Chronicle • April 29, 2007

Solomon Quaynor This biostatistics graduate student StudentProfile refused to allow physical disabilities and cultural prejudice to interfere with his pursuit of a health-sciences career

intelligence and desire could not overcome societal assumptions Quaynor, 34, has a condition about people with serious physical disabilities—more benignly, that similar to cerebral palsy that BRADEN WOLFE/CIDDE they are weaklings to be sheltered limits his movement and coordi- and protected. “When you have a culture nation. He gets around with the that says certain people belong in certain categories, it’s not easy to aid of crutches and a mobility surmount that,” he says. Quaynor’s father insisted that scooter. In Ghana, he says, many his son attend regular school. Aside from a rough beginning in elemen- people with physical disabilities tary school (“Kids can be cruel, no find their options limited to learn- matter what the country,” Quaynor points out), Quaynor proved himself ing such trades as basket weav- to be a good student. His instructors and the school’s headmistress sup- ing, or they end up as beggars. ported and encouraged him, and, eventually, his classmates came to Instead, Quaynor will receive know him as Solomon Quaynor, not just a kid with a disability. his Master of Science degree in But when Quaynor entered biostatistics from the University high school, he found himself excluded from activities and events of Pittsburgh today. He plans to in which people assumed he could not or should not participate. pursue his Ph.D. degree at Pitt in “I can’t speak as to why the dif- ference between grade school and human genetics. high school was so stark, but it was more painful,” he recalls. In the 10th grade, Quaynor English. An advisor had suggested that he tried out for the drama club, certain combine his flair for science and his writing that he would be rebuffed. After all, talent (honed during his drama club days) to he told himself, how many Shake- write science textbooks. spearean roles were written for kids After graduating from Oklahoma State, on crutches? But the drama teacher Quaynor discovered biostatistics. In that gave him a chance. Quaynor stayed field, he says, he can assist in diagnosing in the club for the rest of high school, genetic diseases by finding correlations exhibiting talents for soliloquy, between particular disorders and the genes projection (despite his otherwise and genetic flaws that might cause them. reserved demeanor), and dramatic “Let’s say you start with 1,000 genes,” writing. Although public speaking he says, excitedly. “Someone like me can still makes him nervous, Quaynor whittle that down to 25 or 50 genes, then credits his theatrical experience whittle it down even further. I wish I would with helping him to give academic have thought of what I wanted to do earlier.” presentations in college. Because it’s computer-based, biostatistics “The ability to command a gives Quaynor access to the medical field stage is a very important skill,” without pushing his physical limitations. Quaynor says in his hushed but Quaynor enrolled as a biostatics gradu- sturdy West African patois. “What ate student in Pitt’s Graduate School of I learned in that drama group has Public Health in 2004, spending the bulk helped me ever since. That teacher of his days this year in a computer lab in told me much later that at first she Parran Hall. He has participated in some was not sure about me. I’m glad student activities at Pitt, most notably as she gave me a chance. Some others an ambassador for the University’s Office might not have.” of International Services last year, meeting As challenging as life was with incoming students. for him in Ghana, at least there After spending most of the last 16 years Quaynor could depend on his in school, Quaynor remains only a few years family’s support. It wasn’t until from the health-sciences career he yearned Solomon Quaynor 1991, when he began his studies at for as a child. He hopes, after completing his By Morgan Kelly Kent State University—including doctoral studies at Pitt, to work for an inter- lab courses that were extremely national health organization or teach and In keeping with the culture of his native Bachelor of Science degree in zoology at demanding for him, physically—that he conduct research at a university. Quaynor Ghana, Solomon Quaynor modestly prefers Kent State and a Master of Arts degree in realized just how much that support had is considering remaining in Pittsburgh after not to talk about himself. The reason he English at Oklahoma State—in order to meant. “Once I got here and was without my completing his doctoral studies. He does not agrees to be interviewed, he says, is so survive. That’s all. The accolades, he says, family, I wanted to give up,” he confides. “I want to go anywhere else, he says—unless he can thank the people who have helped should go to his family, who supported and didn’t realize how important the emotional it’s back to Ghana. him. encouraged him, and to the instructors who support was until I didn’t have it. If I had Quaynor has not returned since leav- Quaynor, 34, has a condition similar have looked past his physical limitations. grown up in a different family, I probably ing in 1991 to study in the United States. to cerebral palsy that limits his movement “There are many people who have would have given up. He loves his country, misses it, and shares and coordination. He gets around with the gotten me to where I am now. If I mentioned “I haven’t had an easy time at all since I its rich culture with non-Ghanaians when aid of crutches and a mobility scooter. In names, I would leave some out, and you came to the United States, but I knew others he can. But he vowed 16 years ago not to Ghana, he says, many people with physi- don’t have enough space to write them down would suffer if I failed,” Quaynor adds. “If I return home until he could prove wrong that cal disabilities find their options limited to anyway,” Quaynor says with a deep laugh had gotten this far and failed, some people element of his culture that had perceived learning such trades as basket weaving, or and a shy smile. “I can’t call my academic in Ghana would have said to my family, ‘We him as helpless. they end up as beggars. career a ‘great achievement’ because I did told you so. What was the point of you taking “I can’t go back empty-handed,” Instead, Quaynor will receive his what I had to do. I would rather express him to school?’” Quaynor declares. “I left Ghana a very Master of Science degree in biostatistics gratitude to the people who supported me So, Quaynor persevered. After gradu- headstrong kid who thought he could do from the University of Pittsburgh today. He than talk about myself.” ating from Kent State in 1996, he spent anything. The issue of my disability being plans to pursue his Ph.D. degree at Pitt in Quaynor was born in Accra, Ghana’s two years conducting postundergraduate an issue was never okay with me. I resolved human genetics. capital, to a family of medical profession- research. In 1999, in a sharp departure from to get to the highest level of education I Quaynor says he has earned his aca- als. He dreamed of becoming a doctor his original ambition of becoming a doctor, possibly could. demic degrees—which also include a like his father. But, in Ghana, Quaynor’s he enrolled at Oklahoma State to study “Now, I’m this close.” April 29, 2007 • University of Pittsburgh • 

Dawn Hartman Psychology major’s academic achieve- StudentProfile ments defy a stereotype about foster children

By Sharon S. Blake

Dawn Hartman will receive a bachelor’s Hartman’s mother died the following while interning this year in the Allegheny life. But she found she couldn’t limit herself degree in psychology from Pitt today with a year, but Hartman persevered, earning a 4.0 County Department of Human Services, only to academics. G.P.A. of just under 3.7. grade average at Reading (Pa.) High School. working with teens transitioning out of “It just ate at me not to be doing any Not bad for a young woman who Her SAT scores were slightly below what foster care. service work at all, so I actually worked shouldered an unusual burden during ado- Pitt required, but an essay she submitted as “Some foster children don’t have the for the University of Auckland’s volunteer lescence—namely, running a household and part of the application process—describing financial resources for college,” Hartman office, trying to get people to do community caring for three younger siblings. her home life—earned her admission to the says. “Often, they’ve moved from foster service around New Zealand,” she recalls. Hartman’s father died suddenly when University’s School of Arts and Sciences. home to foster home, which means moving Dawn says the trip to New Zealand she was 14, and when her mother became Among her Pitt academic accomplish- to a lot of different school districts. People opened her eyes about her goals in life. too despondent to care for her children, ments was serving as a teaching assistant, want them to go to college, and sometimes “It helped me realize my desire for Dawn stepped in. Shopping, cooking, rare for an undergraduate. This spring, she they get accepted, but then they realize they service is more than breaking away from a cleaning, and running errands became the taught two recitations of the course Russian just can’t handle it.” stereotype” of foster children, she says. “It’s norm for Hartman, whose siblings were 9, Fairy Tales, with a total of 40 students. This, While Hartman was interning at the my passion and my calling in life.” 8, and 6 years old at the time. Unfortunately, while holding down a a job as a waitress at Department of Human Services, she was Hartman’s schoolwork suffered, and she Pamela’s Restaurant in Squirrel Hill. interviewed by a young film student produc- entered foster care at age 16. Simply by completing her degree here, ing a documentary on foster children. Only Suddenly, after two years of playing Hartman beat the odds against foster chil- late in the interview with the filmmaker did Leon Sanders III: Pursuing His the role of a parent, Hartman was separated dren succeeding in higher education. Only Hartman reveal that she herself had been in from her siblings and expected to conform half of all foster children complete high foster care. Passions for Japanese Culture to a 10 p.m. curfew. She found it difficult to school, according to the National Asso- “The filmmaker was really intrigued by surrender her independence. “When you’re a ciation of Social Workers; only 11 percent that and wanted to have me as part of her And Scientific Research foster child, you don’t have the same faith in pursue postsecondary education, and, of documentary,” says Hartman. “It’s me and adults that other people do,” says Hartman, those, 4-7 percent graduate. Hartman dis- another person she’s following around.” a fast-talking, focused young woman. covered those bleak statistics for herself The filmmaker has interviewed Hart- man at home, in the classroom, and while conducting a workshop at The Bridge, a downtown transition organization for foster teens. Hartman says she’s reluc- tant to talk about her experience in foster care because many people MIKE DRAZDZINSKI/CIDDE pigeonhole foster children and teens as troublesome. She’s been on the receiving end of rude and misin- formed comments more than once, she says. “I forgive people for their igno- rance because there’s not enough known about foster care, especially in the college arena. There are not enough foster care kids here for people to develop good thoughts about,” Hart- man says, adding that she hasn’t met one other person at Pitt who, to her knowledge, had been in foster care. Hartman believes she has found her professional niche in community service. During her years at Pitt, she has taught and read to young children through the Jumpstart early-education project, worked at a YMCA day camp, performed com- munity service work during an alternative spring break, and tutored Somali refugee children in language, social, and cultural skills. “These children had only been in the United States for three years,” Hartman explains. “Some of them were 12 or 13 years old before they got any kind of schooling. As a Pitt undergraduate, Leon I was trying to bridge the gap between Sanders III (left) has had the what they knew and what they needed to opportunity to immerse himself know.” in two of his passions, Japanese Mary Lou Kline, who teaches business courses at Reading Area Community Col- culture and scientific research. Sanders, who recently lege, became Dawn’s mentor when Dawn returned from studying in Tokyo, coauthored a sci- was 14 through the Mentors for Berks Youth entific paper titled “Neural Network for Automated organization. System to Diagnose Blood Clots,” which he presented “It was like finding your soulmate in during the International Conference on Artificial life,” Kline says of her relationship with Intelligence and Applications in Innsbruck, Austria, Dawn over the past nine years. “The events in February. He is pictured with the conference’s leading up to her mother’s passing, through keynote speaker, Dieter Fensel, director of Austria’s the funeral and a complex foster-care situ- Digital Enterprise Research Institute. ation…Dawn’s composure and focus were Sanders’ research focused on the develop- incredibly mature.” Kline and at least 20 other friends and relatives from the Reading ment of a device to diagnose one of the 10 most area plan to attend Pitt’s commencement life-threatening blood clot disorders. The device also ceremony today to celebrate with Dawn. provides diagnostic techniques to target a specific Reflecting on her four years at Pitt, disorder, information a person can take to a doctor’s Hartman says her time abroad—studying at office for verification. Sanders will graduate from Pitt the University of Auckland in New Zealand, today with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese and with side trips to Australia, Thailand, Eng- a certificate in Asian studies. He plans to pursue a land, and China—was the highlight. Her master’s degree in biology and a Ph.D. degree in the original purpose in traveling Down Under study of viruses, with his primary focus on HIV/AIDS was to take a break from public service and and Ebola research. waitressing work, focus on her studies, and Dawn Hartman reflect on where she wanted to go with her  • Pitt Chronicle • April 29, 2007

David Totten This former radio journalist enrolled in StudentProfile Pitt’s GSPIA to prepare for a career in public service

David Totten poses with a glacier during a summer 2006 visit to Valdez, Alaska By Amanda Leff

During his 10 years as a radio journal- digital democracy.” with one of the center’s main projects, the ist in Alaska, David Totten reported on A Tuscon, Ariz., native who grew up Pittsburgh Neighborhood and Community “I wanted to take part in some issues ranging from aviation safety above in California, Totten studied screenwriting Information System, created for nonprofit of the exciting projects that the the rugged Alaskan landscape (“Those at California State University at Northridge and community-building organizations. The mountains are littered with broken planes,” before switching his major to journalism Web-based system displays such indicators people I was interviewing were he notes) to the impact on indigenous Inuit and enrolling at the University of Alaska, as vacant properties, crime reports, liquor people of the melting ice pack near the Anchorage. Like screenwriting, he rea- licenses, and erosion risk for Pittsburgh’s doing. I had covered city and state Arctic Circle; as the ice melts, Inuit villages soned, journalism offered the chance to neighborhoods. Users must complete train- literally are breaking loose and sinking into tell stories. ing sessions before they can secure a pass- politics heavily and wanted a the ocean. As his interest in journalism waned and word for access to the system. As news director of KENI-AM Anchor- he began looking at prospective graduate Totten helped to develop a database chance to be involved in running age/News 650 and in covering eco- schools, GSPIA rose to the top of his list for COPC managers that tracks those who nomic development issues for the because of its cross-disciplinary have completed the training programs. He a city or region, bringing in some Alaska Public Radio Network, curriculum. “I really like that also assists in the marketing of new training of the exciting new advances Totten also attended many they have the international programs to new and prospective users. In midnight sessions of the focus as well as the [focus addition, he recently completed a program in e-government and digital Anchorage Assembly on] public administra- evaluation of COPC. Totten and his evalua- and reported on such tion,” he says. tion group assessed COPC based on various democracy.” urban planning efforts A c c o r d i n g t o community-building goals, including con- as the Anchorage 2020 Totten, Pittsburgh is a nectedness, identity, participation, trust, and —David Totten Comprehensive Plan, great place to study how visioning/planning. which sought input cities work and how Last summer, Totten did research on report helped push them into holding a joint from Anchorage res- communities are built. how to incorporate land-use policy to revi- borough council meeting,” Totten says. “So idents on how they The city is a “living talize an underperforming shopping center if nothing else, we can get more cooperation wanted their city to laboratory on urban and in the borough of Crafton. He confronted between boroughs.” develop over the next regional affairs,” he says. challenging issues, including the fact that Totten says his journalism background two decades. “Pittsburgh has a lot going the shopping center crosses the Crafton has helped him at Pitt in a variety of ways. Over time, Totten grew for it, and a lot of changes borough line into Ingram; also, a 17-acre Not only has it made him a clear and con- interested in participating in ahead of it. It’s a neat place to parking lot made it difficult to get from one cise writer of reports, term papers, and city planning and economic devel- David Totten see where things are working and end of the shopping center to the other. In essay tests, he says, but it has taught him to opment projects, not just reporting where they aren’t working.” assessing the revitalization project, Totten take nothing at face value and to question on them. That interest led him to enroll in Totten is most interested in urbanism, worked with the shopping center’s owners, everything. He says he also has learned Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and Inter- regional approaches to problems, and “smart individual store owners, and officials from the importance of looking for connections. national Affairs (GSPIA), from which he growth,” which seeks to combat urban Crafton and Ingram. He also conducted a “Whose mind do you have to change to today will receive his master’s degree in sprawl. “These are all things that Pittsburgh survey to find out what purposes the shop- enact a policy?” he asks himself as he goes public administration. is striving towards,” he says. “The people ping center’s customers wanted it to serve. about his work. “How will one policy con- “I wanted to take part in some of the here get excited about new ideas and are Totten recommended that the shopping nect another?” exciting projects that the people I was inter- willing to try new things.” center get involved with the Main Street As a reporter, Totten would report on viewing were doing,” Totten explains. “I had At Pitt, Totten has indulged his appetite program, a nonprofit organization that new stories each day. He says his work in covered city and state politics heavily and for urban and regional affairs through a revitalizes downtown shopping districts. He GSPIA has the same flow. “I start on a proj- wanted a chance to be involved in running variety of projects, including his work at the also suggested that a comprehensive plan be ect, I finish a project, I move on to the next a city or region, bringing in some of the University’s Community Outreach Partner- established in cooperation with Ingram. one. It never gets boring. There is always exciting new advances in e-government and ship Center (COPC). Totten was involved “The borough manager told me that my something new,” he says. April 29, 2007 • University of Pittsburgh • 

to study Spanish language and art history at the Universidad de Alcala de Heneres in From Accra to Ulaanbataar, Alcala, Spain. Ross Y. Rader, a junior majoring in English writing and literature, has received the Savina S. Skewis Grant and will par- From Hungary to the Himalayas ticipate in an internship with a publishing company in London. Pitt students conduct research and immerse themselves in foreign cultures, thanks to Nationality Rooms scholarships Majoring in theater arts and studio arts, junior Lori Anne Sharpless will use the Caryl Kline Award for Mid-Career Women to study painting and drawing at the Paris American Academy and to study French in Paris. MARY JANE BENT/CIDDE The Japanese Room Committee Schol- arship will enable Athanasios G. Sikolas, a junior majoring in Japanese, to study Japanese language and culture at Waseda University in Tokyo. Sophomore philosophy and political science major Max B. Walko’s Hungarian Room Committee Scholarship, the Dr. S. Gomory/J. Arvay Memorial Award, will give him the opportunity to study the Hun- garian language and culture through the Lexia International program in Budapest. The Helen Pool Rush Award will enable Bethany A. Wenger, a junior majoring in French and communication science and disorders, to study French language and cul- ture through the Pitt-in-France Program in Nantes, France, and attend the international Congress for the Deaf in Spain. Stephanie Wieland, a junior majoring in German and psychology, has received the German Room Committee Scholarship to study German literature and culture at the Freie Universität Berlin.

Graduate Awards The Indian Room Committee Scholar- ship will enable Tarini Anand, a student in Pitt’s School of Medicine, to participate in healthcare activities with the Himalayan Health Exchange in rural areas in India near the Tibetan border. Julia A. Finch, a graduate medieval Pitt students who were awarded summer 2007 Nationality Rooms study-abroad scholarships gathered for an orientation session last month. Seated, from left: Rachel Belloma, Lori Anne art and architecture major, has received the Sharpless, Suzanne Adjogah, Max Walko, Sheila Isong, Athanasios Sikolas, Timothy Dempsey, Priscilla Liu, and Caitlin Henry. Middle row, from left: Nationality Rooms Programs Director Austrian Room Committee Scholarship to E. Maxine Bruhns, James Pesek, Teresa Nichols, Bethany Wenger, Lauren Bruce, Jenna Arment, Ross Rader, Zachary Morris, Matthew Carulli, Edward Kastenhuber, Abigail Buffington, Dana- research medieval illuminated manuscripts and participate in an internship with Öster- Leigh Puzio, Tanya Keenan, and Martin Doppelt. Top row, from left: James Quinn, Katherine Philp, Rebecca Waltner-Toews, Danielle Shuttleworth, Leslie Wallace, Zachary Zator, Darmendra reichische Akademie der Wissenschaften Ramcharran, Tarini Anand, Julia Finch, Zachary Moir, Penelope Nelson-Bissett, and Michelle Gibbons. Not pictured are Jessica Fischoff, James Johnson, and Stephanie Wieland. in Vienna. The Herbert E. Lieberkind/Danish By Patricia Lomando White Room Committee Scholarship will fund research by Jessica R. Fischoff, a creative University of Pittsburgh students will dad Catholica Madre y Maestra in Santiago, Nantes, France. nonfiction graduate student, at Christiania, jet to far-off places this summer to con- Dominican Republic. Junior political science and philosophy a 36-year-old commune in Copenhagen that duct research in clinics and laboratories, Sophomore English writing major major Sheila E. Isong has received the is undergoing dramatic change and possibly participate in archaeological digs, and Rachel E. Belloma will study the Hebrew Pauline Hickman Memorial Grant to study facing destruction. immerse themselves in the cultures and language and Jewish culture at the Rothberg African aesthetics and civilization and Michelle Gibbons, a communication languages of Africa, Asia, Europe, and International School of Hebrew University research the 1945 Pan African Congress in science and history and philosophy of sci- South America—all thanks to summer in Jerusalem under the Israel Heritage Room Accra, Ghana. ence graduate student, has received the study-abroad scholarships provided by the Committee Scholarship. The Italian Room Committee Grant James Affleck/Scottish Room Committee Pitt Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Lauren J. Bruce, a junior majoring in will enable Edward R. Kastenhuber, a Scholarship and will do research in Edin- Exchange Programs. philosophy, will use her Helen Pool Rush junior bioengineering major, to study Italian burgh on the popularization of scientific Among the students’ research interests Grant to study human trafficking and pros- language and history and participate in a ideas. are Freudian epistemology, tomb reliefs titution through the Denmark International writing course at the Mediterranean Center Eugene Manasterski Memorial Award- from the Eastern Han Dynasty, medieval Studies Program in Copenhagen. for Arts and Sciences in Syracuse, Sicily. winner James A. Johnson, a graduate stu- illuminated manuscripts, and the influence The Women’s International Club Award The Women’s International Club Grant dent in anthropology, will conduct research of environmental factors on health care. will enable Abigail F. Buffington, a sopho- will support junior Tanya E. Keenan, a in Kyiv and participate in an Iron Age Since 1948, Nationality Rooms com- more anthropology and religious studies neuroscience and political science major, archaeological dig in Bel’sk, Ukraine. mittee members and their friends have major, to study Arabic and participate in an as she studies HIV/AIDS and health care, Graduate French literature major Zach- raised nearly $1.7 million to award 933 archeological dig in Madaba, Jordan. as well as clinical interventions and com- ary A. Moir’s Marjorie Ransick Thomas scholarships, enabling Pitt students to expe- The Italian Room Committee Scholar- munity development, during the Children’s Memorial Award will enable him to study rience other countries through five weeks of ship will support junior accounting and Ital- Family Health International in Durban, the German language and will fund his cultural immersion and study. ian major Matthew D. Carulli as he studies South Africa. research of Freudian epistemology at the Following is a list of the 37 Pitt under- Italian language and culture through the Priscilla Liu, a sophomore majoring in Sigmund Freud Museum and Library in graduate and graduate students who have Pitt-in-Italy Program in Syracuse, Sicily. Chinese, will use the John H. Tsui Memorial Vienna. been awarded Nationality Rooms study- Sophomore Timothy M. Dempsey, a Award to attend the International Chinese Penelope Nelson-Bissett, a human abroad scholarships for summer 2007. history and philosophy of science major, Language Program in Taiwan. security major in Pitt’s Graduate School has received the William and Bernice Mc- The David L. Lawrence Memorial of Public and International Affairs, was Undergraduate Awards Keever Memorial Award to participate in an Award will enable Zachary A. Morris, awarded the African Heritage Room Com- HIV/AIDS field school sponsored by Ohio a junior majoring in urban studies, politi- mittee Scholarship; in Accra, Ghana, she Suzanne D. Adjogah, a sophomore University in Gaborone, Botswana. cal science, and philosophy, to conduct will research security systems within Budu- communication science major, has received English writing, psychology, and ethnographic surveys in the ger districts buram refugee camps and collect data for the African Heritage Classroom/Walter C. anthropology major Martin C. Doppelt, a surrounding Ulaanbataar, Mongolia. Pitt’s Ford Institute for Human Security. Worthington Foundation Scholarship to junior, will use the Mary Campbell Cross Anthropology and history and phi- Supported by the Frances and Sully study the Arabic language and Moroccan Memorial/Irish Room Committee Scholar- losophy of science major Teresa A. Nichols Nesta Award, Italian literature graduate culture at the School for International Train- ship to participate in a dig at the Deserted has received the Rachel McMasters Miller student James R. Pesek will research the ing in Rabat, Morocco. Village through the Achill Archaeological Hunt Award to conduct research on the “Men on Men” series, including publication The Savina S. Skewis Award will sup- Field School on Achill Island, Ireland. transmission of culture through museums and marketing plans in Turin and Milan. port Jenna L. Arment, a junior neurosci- The Ruth Crawford Mitchell Merit and to participate in a museum internship Katherine D. Philp, a student in Pitt’s ence major, as she takes advanced courses Award will fund Caitlin E. Henry, a in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia. Graduate School of Public Health major- in Spanish language, researches healthcare sophomore majoring in French and history, Junior Dana-Leigh Puzio, majoring in ing in infectious diseases, has received the issues, and participates in a community as she studies French language and culture psychology and administrative justice, will health practicum at the Pontifica Universi- through the Pitt-in-France Program in use the Women’s International Club Grant Continued on Page 14  • Pitt Chronicle • April 29, 2007

ScholarSchool-record 311 Pitt student-athletes earnAthletes GPAs of 3.0 or higher

A school-record 311 Pitt NCAA student- athletes who earned grade-point averages (GPAs) of 3.0 or higher in the spring or fall of 2006 were recognized at the University’s annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Breakfast MIKE DRAZDZINSKI/CIDDE sponsored by the Pitt Alumni Association. Among the 311 honorees, a Pitt-record 23 achieved perfect 4.0 GPAs and 124 were named Big East Academic All-Stars—also a school record. The Pitt women’s volleyball team won the Academic Team Award and Top Women’s Team honors. The squad boasted 14 scholar-athletes, including two with 4.0 GPAs. The Top Men’s Team honor went to wrestling, which had 18 scholar-athletes and one 4.0 student. Thirteen team mem- bers were named to the Eastern Wrestling League Academic Honor Roll. With nine scholar-athletes, the men’s basketball team received the Most Improved Team honor. Also in 2006: • Thomas DeCato (men’s soccer) and Megan McGrane (volleyball) were named Big East Scholar-Athletes of the Year; • Nine gymnastics team members were named to the East Atlantic Gymnastics League’s All-Academic Team; • Six members of the softball team were honored as National Fast Pitch Coaches Association All-American Scholar Ath- Men’s Soccer letes; Tom DeCato, Matt Detzel • The National Association of Colle- Women’s Soccer giate Gymnastics Coaches/Women named Kristy Fultz, Jamie Pelusi five members of the gymnastics team as Softball All-American Scholar-Athletes; Valerie Mihalik, Kim Stiles • Three tennis team members were Volleyball named to the Intercollegiate Tennis Associ- Meagan Dooley, Megan ation’s All-American McGrane Team; Men’s Swimming and Diving • Two student- Among the 311 Jonathan Buchanan, athletes were honored Andrew Sheaff as second-team mem- honorees, a Women’s Swimming bers of the 2005-06 and Diving ESPN The Magazine Pitt-record 23 Kristin Brown, Amy Miteff Academic All-Dis- Tennis trict Team—Mau- achieved per- Becky Emmers reen McCandless Women’s Track and Field (women’s track and fect 4.0 GPAs Janelle Adams, Suzy Bossart, field) and Amy Miteff and 124 were Kelly O’Connell The Pitt women’s volleyball team received the Academic Team Award and Top Women’s Team honors during the University’s (women’s swimming Volleyball annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Breakfast, shown in the top photo. Seated, from left in the inset photo: team members Kelly Meagan Dooley, Megan McGrane and diving); and named Big East Campbell, Stephanie Ross, Azadeh Boroumand, Nicole Taurence, and Melissa Ferguson. Standing, from left in the inset photo: • Both the men’s Wrestling Academic All- Joe Ciampoli Pitt Athletic Director Jeff Long; WPXI-TV reporter Rich Walsh, who emceed the breakfast; Patty Carmen, manager of student and women’s swim- records/graduation in Pitt’s Office of the University Registrar (representing the Pitt Alumni Association); team members m i ng a nd divi ng s q u a d s r e c e ive d Stars—also a Gold Awards Melissa Stadelman, Jessica Moses, Kim Kern, Monica Macellari, Meagan Dooley, and Michelle Rossi; and Mike Farabaugh, Team All-American (3.5-3.99 GPA) Pitt director of academic support services. Awards f rom the school record. College Swimming Baseball Coaches Association Chad Baker, Justin Carli Brill, Jennifer DeLaHoz, Kendall Tim Konoval, Curtis Larimer, Mike Long, of America for their fall 2006 academic Cicatello, and Kyle Landis Enmark, Kristina Francois, Jenna Green- Matt Raquet, and Brian Woods achievements. Men’s Basketball field, Sara Gutting, Ashley Habbel, Erin Women’s Track and Field/ “Tremendous discipline and dedication Charles Small McFarling, Caitlin Moore, Erin Myers, Cross Country are required to achieve in the classroom Women’s Basketball Aimee Romasco, Corina Sebasta, Katie Joelle Ambrose, Monica Bhattcharjee, and in the athletics arena,” Pitt Athletic Karlyle Lim Surma, and Kylie Veverka Nikki Bielick, Rachel Botham, Ali Briggs, Director Jeff Long said at the University’s Cheer and Dance Team Softball Aly Brown, Erin Byrne, Marissa Dudek, Feb. 1 awards breakfast. “I am so proud of Beth Abbott, Megan Barna, Christina Laura Belardinelli, Sheena Hellon, Bailey Flask, Katelyn Fleishman, Akiesha our scholar-athletes. The commitment to Colalillo, Gina DiCicco, Verle Haines, Morgan Howard, and Kayla Zinger Gilcrist, Megan Heenan, Kristin Johnson, excellence demonstrated by these young Karen Inquartano, Nicole Kaminski, Rachel Men’s Swimming and Diving Maureen McCandless, Carron Mitchell, men and women will carry them forward King, Shawn Lucci, Lauren McCormick, B.J. Conklyn, Andrew Kyrejko, Jared Hayle Ritchey, Lauren Shaffer, Kathy Siuda, in serving their communities and in their Angela Russo, Samantha Schenk, Emily Martin, Patrick Mansfield, Andrew Natali, and Abby Zaylor careers after graduation. We are witnessing Spade, Kaitlin Turnley, and Kayla Younge Jeremy Stultz, and Charlie Zettel Tennis the development of the leaders of tomor- Football Women’s Swimming and Diving Anna Broverman, Annie Davies, and row.” Justin Acierno, Vernon Botts, Steve Kimmie Baird, Hanna Bratton, Katie Carlie Smith Following are the award winners. Buches, Jovani Chappel, Mark Estermyer, Butrie, Kristin Caiazzo, Lindsay Champ, Women’s Volleyball Ron Idoko, Frank Kochin, Conor Lee, John Kristin Criner, Amy He, Allie Horvath, Azadeh Boroumand, Madelyn Egan, Perfect 4.0 GPA Awards Pelusi, Kevan Smith, and Lucas Stone Kelli Krallman, Erin Meehan, Beth Newell, Melissa Ferguson, Monica Macellari, Gymnastics Kelly O’Hara, Kelly Redcay, Erika Rodri- Kim Norris, Stephanie Ross, and Nicole Cheer and Dance Team Dani Bryan, Samantha DeBene, Cassie guez, Kathy Siuda, Sara Sullivan, and Sarah Taurence Melissa Matthews, Aimee Moore Minick, April Pearson, and Lindsay Swan Wagner Wrestling Football Men’s Soccer Men’s Track and Field/ Tim Allen, Matt Darnell, Christo- Brian Bennett, Tyler Palko Tyler Bastianelli, Matt Langton, and Cross Country Gymnastics Conor Luskin Eric Burnett, Steve Gonzalez, Will Nicole Drane, Robyn Marszalek Women’s Soccer Grinstead, Keith Higham, Kyle Kaminski, Continued on Page 14 April 29, 2007 • University of Pittsburgh • 

TrueBrown, Palko honoredBlue- for representing the “student-athleteGold ideal” based on scholarship, athletic achievement, leadership, and citizenship

Kristin Brown A leader in the pool and in the classroom By Sophia Duck

Chuck Knoles, Pitt’s longtime swim- She also was invited dent-athlete ideal ming and diving head coach, enjoys talking to the NCAA Cham- based on academic about graduating senior Kristin Brown, and pionships to swim the scholarship, athletic he usually goes beyond using typical sports 200- and 500-meter free- achievement, lead- language in doing so. style events and to com- ership qualities, and “There is a well-known descriptor that pete as a member of the first citizenship. Winners’ has been used for many years to describe a Pitt women’s swimming team names are carved into the man who is well-rounded physically, men- invited to the NCAAs in more than stones along the Varsity Walk tally, and spiritually—‘Renaissance man,’” a decade. between the Cathedral of Learning Knoles says. “Kristin has similarly brought Brown’s senior year began at a home and Heinz Chapel. a well-developed persona to the swim team. meet during which she recorded three first- Brown says Pitt and its She is what I would call a ‘millennium place finishes. She went on to win another swimming program “have given woman.’ She is athletic, artistic, and very Big East title in the 200-meter freestyle; fol- me the best training, coaching, bright.” lowing that, she became the first Pitt woman education, and tools to succeed Four years ago, Brown joined a Pitt swimmer in 20 years to earn an outright academically and athletically. women’s swimming and diving team that bid to the NCAAs for a second consecutive Being named a Blue-Gold had gone 3-7 the year before. In her first year. At the national meet, Brown set Pitt Awardee is an amazing honor. season, the East Berlin, Pa., native led the records in the 200- and 500-meter freestyle There are so many great names “I’ve never been around a player squad to six wins and earned All-Big East events, boosting her total of school records carved into stone behind the Cathedral, and — college or professional — who pre- honors as part of its freestyle relay team. to five. Also for the second straight year, being included on that list is such an accom- pares the way Tyler does,” says Pitt Head She also held “top-five” times among the she was named her team’s Most Valuable plishment. I love the Pitt tradition—it was Football Coach Dave Wannstedt. Panthers in the 50-, 100-, 200-, and 500- Swimmer. something that really attracted me here.” When evaluating prospects, NFL teams meter freestyle events, setting the tone for Brown is exceptional in the classroom take into account brains and heart as well her career as one of Pitt’s most accomplished as well as in the pool. She was honored as a as brawn. Fortunately for Palko, he scores women freestylers. The Pitt News named 2006-07 Big East/Aeropostale Swimming highly in each of those categories. Brown its Pitt Female Athlete of the Year, a and Diving Student-Athlete of the Year. She For the last three autumns, Palko was rare honor for a freshman. also received the Pitt School of Arts and Tyler Palko Pitt’s starting quarterback. He finished his In her sophomore season, Brown Sciences’ Dean’s Award and Undergraduate One of the smartest—and toughest—quarter- collegiate career as the Panthers’ third all- improved her times in all four freestyle Studies Award. She will graduate from Pitt backs in Pitt history time leading passer, ranking just behind the events. She was ranked among the Taper today with a bachelor’s degree in studio arts legendary Dan Marino. and Shave College Quick 50 (a listing of and art history. By E. J. Borghetti Palko’s Pitt legacy, however, transcends the nation’s top times in given events) and “Kristin has achieved academically statistics. Many observers agree that he will earned two All-Big East honors. After the and performed with the best in her major,” Like many recent college graduates, go down as one of the smartest—and tough- season, Pitt swimming coaches named Knoles points out. “Her leadership skills Tyler Palko spent an afternoon a couple of est—quarterbacks in the school’s illustrious Brown the team’s Most Valuable Swim- grew with her social and physical develop- weeks ago preparing for a job interview. football history. mer. ment. In her senior year, she was one of the Unlike most of those other graduates, He was twice selected to the All-Big “She performed daily in practice with best captains, male or female, Pitt’s swim he was being interviewed by a National East Conference Team for his play on the the swim team and in the weight room, team has seen. The standards she set for Football League franchise, the Baltimore field, and twice named to the Big East’s always striving to make the most gains she herself and her teammates were very high Ravens. All-Academic Football Team for his excel- could,” says Knoles. “And she did all of that and will serve as a benchmark for future Before heading south, Palko studied a lence in the classroom. Palko completed his day by day, week by week, and year by year. teams.” little extra game film and talked with Pitt Bachelor of Arts degree in communication She is a tough cookie.” During the Pitt athletics department’s offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh, who and rhetoric last May and took economics With two seasons behind her and her Senior Awards Banquet on April 9, Brown won a Super Bowl as a Ravens assistant courses here last fall while quarterbacking team’s fortunes improving, Brown took over was named the female recipient of the coach earlier this decade. the Panthers in his final year of NCAA as the team’s leader in her junior year and University’s Blue-Gold Award for 2007. The Palko’s reputation for preparation and eligibility. became just the third woman Panther to win awards are presented annually to male and study is legendary in these parts. He never a Big East title in the 200-meter freestyle. female Pitt seniors who represent the stu- leaves anything to chance. Continued on Page 13 10 • Pitt Chronicle • April 29, 2007 Science&Technology Where the Boys Aren’t University of Pittsburgh study notes decline in male births in the United States, Japan By Clare Collins

During the past 30 years, the number “These results are not surprising, since of male births has decreased each year in the Black-White ratio in terms of infant mor- the United States and Japan, according to tality has remained the same for almost 100 a Pitt-led study published in the April 9 years,” said study coinvestigator Lovell A. online edition of Environmental Health Jones, professor and director of the Center Perspectives. for Research on Minority Health at the In a review of all births in both coun- University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer tries, the study found that significantly Center. “Given the higher mortality rates fewer boys than girls were born and that for African American males in the United an increasing proportion of fetuses that States, these results re-emphasize the need died were male. The researchers noted to determine all factors, including environ- that the decline in births is equivalent to mental contaminants, that are responsible 135,000 fewer White males in the United for this continuing health disparity.” States and 127,000 fewer males in Japan “Given the importance of reproduction over the past three decades. Environ- for the health of any species, the trends we mental factors may help to explain these observed in the United States and Japan trends, they said. merit concern,” added Davis. “In light of “The pattern of decline in the ratio our findings, more detailed studies should of male-to-female births remains largely be carried out that examine sex ratio in unexplained,” said Devra Lee Davis, smaller groups with defined exposures lead investigator of the study, profes- as a potential indicator of environmental sor of epidemiology in Pitt’s Graduate contamination.” School of Public Health, and director The study was supported by the Heinz of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Endowments, the University of Pittsburgh Institute’s Center for Environmental Cancer Institute, DSF Charitable Trust, the Oncology. “We know that men who U.S. Centers for Dis- work with some solvents, metals, and ease Control and Antidepressants Safe for Children pesticides father fewer boys. We also Prevention, and know that nutritional factors, physical the W. Alton health, and chemical exposures of preg- Jones Founda- nant women affect their ability to have tion. And Adolescents, Pitt Analysis Finds children and the health of their offspring. By Jocelyn Uhl Duffy We suspect that some combination of these factors, along with the older ages Antidepressants are safe and effective of these medications. of parents, may account for decreasing for treating anxiety, obsessive-compulsive “Antidepressants are safe and effec- male births.” disorder (OCD), and major depressive dis- tive for treating disorders like anxiety, Davis explained that environmental order in children and adolescents, according OCD, and depression in children and factors, such as prenatal exposure to to a meta-analysis of 27 major studies. adolescents,” Brent added. “While there endocrine-disrupting environmental The findings, published recently by is a small, increased risk of suicidal pollutants, may impact the SRY gene—a Pitt School of Medicine researchers thoughts in those who use antidepres- gene on the Y chromosome that deter- in the Journal of the American sants, it would be much, much riskier to mines the sex of a fertilized egg. Other Medical Association (JAMA), not treat these children and adolescents factors that also may affect the viability call into question the contro- dealing with these disorders.” of a male fetus include the parents’ versial “black box” warn- For the study, Pitt researchers weight, nutrition, and the use of alcohol ings placed on the drugs by extracted data on study characteristics, and drugs. the U.S. Food and Drug efficacy outcomes, and emergent suicidal In the study, Davis and her col- Administration (FDA); the events from 27 trials of second-genera- leagues reported an overall decline of warnings state that anti- tion antidepressants used to treat pedi- 17 males per 10,000 births in the United depressant medications atric major depressive disorder, OCD, States and a decline of 37 males per pose a small but signifi- and anxiety in children and adolescents 10,000 births in Japan since 1970. They cantly increased risk under the age of 19. also found that while fetal death rates of suicidal thoughts Researchers found that one in 100 have generally decreased, the proportion and behavior for participants in the studies included in of male fetuses that die has continued children and ado- the meta-analysis had new-onset suicidal to increase. In Japan, among the fetuses lescents. ideation, or suicidal thoughts, while on that die, two-thirds are male, up from “A s c l i n i - medication. Even fewer acted on these just over half in 1970. cians, our first con- thoughts, and there were no completed The study also examined the cern is for the health suicides. ratio of African American male- and safety of our patients,” said Pitt The results showed that antidepres- to-female births to that of Professor of Psychiatry David A. sants were most effective in treating Whites in the U.S. The Brent. “When the FDA placed the anxiety, moderately effective for treat- researchers found that ‘black box’ warning ing OCD, and modestly while the number of on antidepressants, it effective for depres- African American raised a great deal of “Antidepressants are sion. male births has concern about how “While I support increased mod- we were to treat our safe and effective for the FDA’s role in moni- estly over time, young patients who treating disorders like toring the safety of med- t h e r a t i o o f we thought could ications, in this case, the male-to-female possibly benefit from anxiety, OCD, and FDA should reconsider births for Afri- antidepressant ther- the ‘black box’ warning can Americans apy. Most clinicians, depression in children on these medications,” remains lower patients, and their fam- said Brent. “Our study t h a n t h a t of ilies found themselves and adolescents.” supports the cautious Whites. In addi- questioning whether —David A. Brent and well-monitored use tion, they noted or not they should be of antidepressant medi- t h a t A f r i c a n using treatments out cations as a first-line Americans have a of fear of the risks. By treatment for anxiety, higher fetal mortal- combining data from most of the sig- OCD, and depression.” ity rate overall and nificant studies of antidepressant use in The Pitt study was funded by the a higher proportion of adolescents and children, we’ve been able National Institute of Mental Health, one male fetuses that die. to examine a balance of benefits and risks of the National Institutes of Health.

April 29, 2007 • University of Pittsburgh • 11

Pitt-developed Vaccine Halts Progression Of Pancreatic Cancer in Some Patients

U.S. Critical Care Delivery System in Critical Condition Stakeholder group led by Pitt researchers calls for reorganization of critical care in the United States By Jocelyn Uhl Duffy

The demand for critical-care services anticipated mismatch between supply and By Clare Collins in the United States will soon outpace the demand is perhaps no different for critical- supply of specialists trained in intensive care services than for other medical care A dendritic cell-based therapeutic of three doses and were given a booster care—a situation that, if not remedied, may disproportionately serving elders—ranging vaccine for pancreatic cancer developed dose six months later. Four patients prove fatal for critically ill patients. The from emergency services to long-term care by researchers in Pitt’s School of Medicine demonstrated a stable and continuous solution to this problem lies not in recruiting services—but the opportunities for improv- has stalled the disease from progressing in presence of antibodies against MUC1 and training more personnel but in reorga- ing the efficiency of the existing system to a handful of patients three years after vac- and show no evidence of disease more nizing the critical-care system nationwide, meet demand are probably greater.” cination. than three years after the vaccination according to a report from a group of criti- The report, developed following a The results, announced during the was completed and close to five years cal-care stakeholders led by Pitt School of September 2005 meeting of critical-care annual meeting of the after diagnosis and sur- Medicine researchers. stakeholders called Prioritizing the Orga- American Association gery. The group’s report was published in nization and Management of Intensive Care of Cancer Research “Pancreatic cancer is The research team the April issue of the journal Critical Care Services (PrOMIS) Conference, calls for the April 14-18, provide also examined the spe- Medicine. creation of a tiered, regionalized system for promising evidence that extremely resistant cific immune response “The number of Americans over the critical-care services in an effort to central- the vaccine can trigger a to the vaccine by sam- age of 65 is expected to double by 2030. In ize expertise, equipment, and facilities. This patient’s own immune to chemotherapy and pling the blood of the addition to nonelective medical admissions would make the necessary critical-care system to rally against radiation and, as a patients involved in for critical illness among chronically ill services readily available to patients most pancreatic cancer and the study. They found elders, the growth rate in elective surgi- in need. offer new insights into result, has a very high that all the patients cal procedures requiring intensive care “Prior conferences aimed at addressing how the vaccine could had an active immune unit admission, such as bypass surgery, is this problem sought input only from critical- be made even more mortality rate. One response to the vac- growing fastest among this age group,” said care professionals, who are a fraction of all effective. cine. They also learned Amber E. Barnato, an assistant professor the stakeholders,” said Barnato, lead author “Pancreatic cancer strategy to improve the that the number of sup- in the Pitt medical school’s Department of of the PrOMIS report. “These groups often is extremely resistant to pressor T cells, a spe- Medicine. stated the need for more trained providers. chemotherapy and radi- odds of survival is to cial type of T cell that “All of this means more and more Surveying a wider group of interested par- ation and, as a result, help the immune system stifles the activation of people will demand already strained inten- ties, we found that this isn’t necessarily the has a very high mortal- the immune system, sive-care services,” Barnato said. “This best or only solution.” ity rate,” said Andrew recognize the presence increased following Lepisto, first author of each vaccine injection, the study and a post- of pancreatic cancer potentially limiting the doctoral researcher in greater efficacy of the the Pitt medical school’s cells and attack them. vaccine. Popular Herbal Supplement Hinders Department of Immu- “As we move for- nology. “One strategy Our study, although ward in this research, to improve the odds of small, demonstrates we will be looking at survival is to help the ways to improve the Growth of Pancreatic Cancer Cells immune system recog- that this strategy can be vaccine by preventing By Clare Collins nize the presence of pan- the activation of sup- creatic cancer cells and used with some success pressor T cells,” said A new study by the University of Pitts- was an extremely effective inhibitor of the attack them. Our study, Lepisto. “One way to burgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) suggests cancer process, inducing apoptosis in cancer although small, demon- in pancreatic cancer do this is to use addi- that a commonly used herbal supplement, cells,” said Sanjay K. Srivastava, the UPCI strates that this strategy tional therapies that triphala, has cancer-fighting properties that study’s lead investigator and an assistant can be used with some patients.” specifically target these prevent or slow the growth of pancreatic professor in the Pitt School of Medicine’s success in pancreatic —Andrew Lepisto cells in combination cancer tumors implanted in mice. Department of Pharmacology. “Triphala cancer patients by slow- with the vaccine.” The study found that an extract of triggered the cancerous cells to die off and ing down, or even stop- Pancreatic cancer triphala—the dried and powdered fruits of significantly reduced the size of the tumors ping, the progression of is one of the most dif- the amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki trees— without causing any toxic side effects. cancer.” ficult cancers to treat because it is caused pancreatic cancer cells to die through “Our results demonstrate that triphala The Pitt team created a therapeutic undetectable by a physical exam, a process called apoptosis—the body’s has strong anticancer properties given its vaccine for pancreatic cancer made up of a asymptomatic, and progresses quickly. normal method of disposing of damaged, ability to induce apoptosis in pancreatic synthetic version of MUC1—a tumor-asso- Most patients die within six months unwanted, or unneeded cells. This process cancer cells without damaging normal pan- ciated protein that is expressed by pancreatic of diagnosis. These factors limit the often is faulty in cancer cells. creatic cells,” Srivastava continued. “With tumor cells—combined with the patient’s amount of data available for research, Triphala, one of the world’s most follow-up studies, we hope to demonstrate its own dendritic cells, which act as the quarter- hindering significant advances in the popular herbal preparations, is used to treat potential use as a novel agent for the preven- backs of the immune system by coordinating understanding and treatment of the intestinal disorders. Typically taken with tion and treatment of pancreatic cancer.” its attack against foreign invaders. disease. water, it is thought to promote appetite and Results of the UPCI study were pre- The current study, the fourth in a series The Pitt study was funded by digestion and to increase the number of red sented during the annual meeting of the of MUC1 vaccine trials at the Pitt School of grants from the Lustgarten Foundation, blood cells. American Association for Cancer Research, Medicine, included 12 patients with pan- the National Cancer Institute, and the “We discovered that triphala fed orally April 14-18, at the Los Angeles Convention creatic cancer who received the vaccine by Nathan Arenson Fund for Pancreatic to mice with human pancreatic tumors Center. injection once every three weeks for a total Cancer Research.

12 • Pitt Chronicle • April 29, 2007

Girly Fish? Natural Antioxidant Found in Many UPCI study finds that fish caught in Pittsburgh’s rivers contain substances that Foods and Red Wine Kills Leukemia mimic the actions of estrogen

By Clare Collins Cells While Sparing Healthy Cells By Jim Swyers A new study by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute’s (UPCI) Center for Environmental Oncology sug- A naturally occurring compound found subtypes that vary in their responses to gests that fish caught in Pittsburgh’s rivers in many fruits and vegetables as well as in treatment. According to the National contain substances that mimic the actions red wine selectively kills leukemia cells Cancer Institute, about 44,000 new of estrogen, the female hormone. in culture while showing no discernible leukemia cases will be diagnosed in the cells sensitive to estrogen. toxicity against healthy cells, according to Because fish are sentinels of the Of six bass extracts tested for estro- United States in 2007, and there will be environment and can concentrate chemi- a study by researchers in Pitt’s School of about 22,000 leukemia-related deaths. genic activity, four displayed a strong or Medicine. cals from their habitat within their bodies, moderate ability to bind with the estrogen Based on previous reports that these results suggest that feminizing These findings, published online March anthocyanidins—a group of naturally receptors. Of 21 catfish extracts tested, nine 20 in the Journal of Biological Chemistry chemicals may be making their way into displayed a similar ability to bind with the occurring compounds widely available and scheduled to be published in the print in fruits and vegetables as well as in the region’s waterways. estrogen receptors. The study also demonstrated that the version of the journal May 4, offer hope red wine—possess chemopreventive The researchers also examined whether for a more selective, less toxic therapy for chemicals extracted from local fish can the fish extracts could result in growth of properties, Yin and his collaborators cause growth of estrogen-sensitive breast leukemia. studied the effects and mechanisms of breast cancer cells cultured in the labora- Current treatments for leukemia, cancer cells cultured in the laboratory. tory, and found that two bass extracts pro- “ the most common type of a naturally Extracts of fish caught in areas heavily such as chemotherapy and radiation, often modified anthocyanidin, known as duced strong-to-moderate cell growth, as damage healthy cells and tissues and can polluted by industrial and municipal did five catfish extracts. cyanidin-3-rutinoside, or C-3-R (which wastes resulted in the greatest amount produce unwanted side effects for many was extracted and purified from black “We know that there are hundreds, years afterward. So, there is an intensive of cell growth. even thousands, of chemicals in the envi- raspberries) in several leukemia and search for more targeted therapies for lymphoma cell lines. “We decided to look at pisciver- ronment that can have estrogenic activity,” ous fish, those that eat other fish, for leukemia worldwide,” said corresponding They found that C-3-R caused said Eagon. “These chemicals usually come author Xiao-Ming Yin, a Pitt professor of this project because we know that they from industrial pollution, farm animals, about 50 percent of a human leukemia bioaccumulate contaminants from water pathology. cell line known as HL-60 to undergo farm chemicals, and municipal water treat- Leukemia is not a single disease but and their prey, which may include toxic ment plants. What surprised us most in this programmed cell death, or apoptosis, metals, farm and industrial runoff, and a number of related cancers that start within about 18 hours of treatment at low study was that these estrogenic materials in the blood-forming cells of wastes from aging municipal sewer sys- are present in such easily detected levels doses. When they more than doubled the the bone marrow. Mean- concentration of C-3-R, virtually all tems,” said the study’s principal investi- in local fish.” gator, Conrad D. Volz, a visiting assistant ing literally “white of the leukemia cells died. C-3- Volz said the next step in this research blood in Greek, professor in the Pitt Graduate School of is to identify the estrogenic chemicals and ” R also induced apoptosis in Public Health’s (GSPH) Department of leukemia occurs other human leukemia and their sources in the local water and fish. when there is an Environmental and Occupational Health. These findings have significant public lymphoma cell lines. “ excess of abnor- When the investiga- “The goals of this project are to use fish health implications, since we drink water as environmental sensors of chemicals in mal white blood tors studied the mech- from the rivers where the fish were caught,” cells. There are the water and the aquatic food chain and he said. “Additionally, the consumption anism of cell death in to determine the origins of these chemical both acute and the leukemia cells, they of river-caught fish, especially by semi- chronic forms contaminants.” subsistence anglers, may increase the risk found that C-3-R induced The study examined white bass and of leukemia, the accumulation of per- for endocrine-mediated health endpoints each with many channel catfish caught in the Allegheny, like some cancers and developmental prob- oxides, a highly reac- tive form of oxygen, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers. These lems.” fish are commonly caught as a food The work is part of a Community Based which, in turn, activated source by local anglers. Participatory Research project with several a mitochondria-mediated The experiments to determine partners, including Venture Outdoors and apoptotic pathway. Mito- whether estrogenic substances were Clean Water Action as well as individual chondria are specialized present in the fish were performed in the anglers who caught the fish. The members structures located within laboratory of Patricia K. Eagon, coprin- of the research team include scientists from all cells in the body that cipal investigator and a Pitt professor of the Pitt School of Medicine, UPCI’s Center contain enzymes needed by medicine. Eagon found that extracts from for Environmental Oncology, GSPH, and the cell to metabolize food- the fish acted like estrogen, a female hor- the VA Medical Center. stuffs into energy sources. In mone, by binding to estrogen receptors, The DSF Charitable Trust and The contrast, when the researchers the proteins within cells that render the Heinz Foundation supported the study. treated normal human blood cells with C-3-R, they did not find any increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species and there were no appar- ent toxic effects on these cells. Nutrients in Certain Vegetables May Previous studies have shown that C-3-R possesses strong antioxidant Provide Cancer-Fighting Benefit by activities, a characteristic shared by other polyphenols, such as those Cutting Off a Tumor’s Blood Supply found in green tea, which could be responsible for their chemo- By Clare Collins prevention effects. Yin’s work suggests that although C-3-R Chemicals in cruciferous vegetables beginning to understand the mecha- demonstrates antioxidant such as broccoli, watercress, cabbage, nisms by which certain vegetables effects in normal cells, it and cauliflower appear not only to stop like broccoli may help our bodies fight paradoxically induces an human prostate cancer cells from grow- cancer and other diseases.” oxidative “stress” in tumor ing in mice but also may cut off the Singh’s study is based on phytochemi- cells. This differential effect formation of blood vessels that “feed” cals, called isothiocyanates (ITCs), found of C-3-R may account for its tumors, according to a University of in several cruciferous vegetables and gen- selective toxicity in the tumor Pittsburgh Cancer Institute study. erated when vegetables are either cut or PEITC inhibits angiogen- cells. “The contribution of diet and nutri- chewed. Singh’s laboratory has found that esis, a process that plays According to Yin, these results tion to cancer risk, prevention, and treat- phenethyl-ITC, or PEITC, is highly effective an important role in the growth indicate that C-3-R has the promising ment has been a major focus of research in suppressing the growth of human prostate and spread of cancer by forming new blood potential to be used in leukemia therapy in recent years, because certain nutrients cancer cells at concentrations achievable vessels that pass oxygen and nutrients to with the advantages of being highly in vegetables and dietary agents appear through dietary intake. tumor cells. selective against cancer cells. “Because to protect the body against diseases such The current study follows previous “Angiogenesis is a major issue in this compound is widely available in as cancer,” said Shivendra Singh, lead research in which Singh’s laboratory found cancer metastases,” said Singh. “Our results foods, it is very likely that it is not investigator of the study and a professor that mice grafted with human prostate provide promising preliminary evidence toxic even in purified form,” he said. of pharmacology and urology in Pitt’s tumors that received a small amount of that constituents of many edible cruciferous “Therefore, if we can reproduce these School of Medicine. “From epidemiologic PEITC daily for 31 days had significantly vegetables may slow down, or even halt, anticancer effects in animal studies, this data, we know that increased consump- reduced tumor size when compared to a this process.” will present a very promising approach tion of vegetables reduces the risk for control group of mice. Now the researchers The study was supported by a grant for treating a variety of human leukemias certain types of cancer, but now we are have shown that treating cells in culture with from the National Cancer Institute. and, perhaps, lymphomas as well.”

April 29, 2007 • University of Pittsburgh • 13 2007 Laureate Lectures to Feature Distinguished Biomedical Scientists TrueBlue- By Stephen Byers Gold Continued from Page 9 Four distinguished You can almost see NFL teams mark- biomedical scien - ing off the boxes on their evaluation tists, including one sheets. who shared a Nobel Productive QB? Check. Prize for research Accomplished student? Check. on the complexities Perhaps the ultimate testament to of the human olfac- Palko’s academic and athletic careers can tory system, will be be found on the Varsity Walk between the featured in the 2007 Cathedral of Learning and Heinz Chapel. Senior Vice Chancel- Carved into the Varsity Walk’s stones lor’s Laureate Lecture Linda Buck are the names of former Pitt student-ath- Series. letes who have promoted the University in a Following is this year’s Peter G. Schultz highly distinguished manner. Palko’s name lineup of lecturers. recently joined that select group when he May 2—“New Opportunities at the was named the male recipient of Pitt’s Blue- Interface of Chemistry and Biology” by Edward E. Harlow Gold Award for 2007. Blue-Gold Awards Peter G. Schultz, Scripps Professor of Carl F. Nathan are presented annually to male and female Chemistry at the Scripps Research Insti- including high throughput and unbiased ing as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory seniors who represent the student-athlete tute. screens for genes that affect key properties of of Richard Axel at Columbia University, ideal based on academic scholarship, ath- Upon being elected to the National cancer biology. In 1988, Harlow and his lab Buck identified a family of genes that letic achievement, leadership qualities, and Academy of Sciences in 1993, Schultz was discovered how small DNA tumor viruses encodes odor receptors in the lining of the citizenship. recognized for such pioneering contributions alter cell cycle control by synthesizing viral nose. They went on to independently study It’s the kind of honor that jumps off a at the interface of chemistry and biology as proteins that interact with and inactivate the organization of the olfactory system in résumé, whether one is applying for a job generating catalytic antibodies, develop- negative regulators of proliferation. Loss both the nose and the brain and eventually with the NFL or IBM. ing and applying combinatorial methods of these controls leads to cell proliferation shared the 2004 Nobel Prize in Physiology The NFL is putting a renewed empha- in chemistry and biology, and developing in inappropriate conditions. This model is or Medicine for their findings. In conjunc- sis on what the league calls “intangibles,” biosynthetic ways to introduce unnatural widely applicable to cancer, as the pathways tion with her Laureate Lecture, Buck will traits that can’t be measured by a stopwatch amino acids site-specifically into proteins. targeted by these viruses are frequently receive the 2007 Albert C. Muse Prize for or the number of touchdowns scored. In the This last initiative, which has effectively mutated in human cancer. Discovering how Excellence in Otolaryngology from the Eye wake of several high-profile disciplinary expanded the genetic code beyond the 20 these viruses subvert cell regulation also and Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh and the incidents off the field, league commissioner common amino acids on which all proteins provided new insights into how mammalian Eye and Ear Institute of Pittsburgh. Roger Goodell has reiterated that character are built, holds the potential to create a new cells control cell division. Nov. 7—“Can Immunology Contribute does indeed count. generation of proteins that work as novel Sept. 27—“Unraveling the Sense of to Chemotherapy? Challenges of Tuberculo- Put another positive check down catalysts and drugs and that are unrestricted Smell” by Nobel laureate Linda Buck, sis” by Carl F. Nathan, professor and chair for Palko. In March, he was selected a by the properties of naturally occurring member and associate director of the Divi- of microbiology and immunology, R.A. Coca-Cola “Community All-American.” amino acids. sion of Basic Sciences and a Howard Hughes Rees Pritchett Professor of Microbiology, Sponsored by the National Association of June 4—“Comparing the Roles of Medical Institute investigator at the Fred and professor of medicine at Weill Medical Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the award Protein Kinases Using High Throughput Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. College of Cornell University. is designed to help institutions recognize, Functional Screens” by Edward E. Harlow, The underlying molecular mechanisms Nathan’s research is focused on the celebrate, and applaud collegiate student- professor and chair of Harvard Medical of the olfactory system—its ability to detect molecular mechanisms of innate immunity athletes who are making a difference in School’s Department of Biological Chem- 10,000 or more distinct odors and translate and host-pathogen interactions. His interests their communities. istry and Molecular Pharmacology. them into what the brain perceives and include the workings of macrophages and As this year’s honoree, Palko was able Harlow, a leading cancer researcher remembers as specific smells—is the focus neutrophils, the role of inflammation in to select a charitable cause to be the recipi- best known for his work on cell-cycle con- of Buck’s research. Her studies extend to an immunity, and the function of nitric oxide as ent of a $5,000 donation by the Coca-Cola trol in mammalian cells, focuses on new exploration of how smells affect reproduc- Company. The donation will go to the TC approaches for functional analysis of cells, tive physiology and behavior. While work- Continued on Page 14 House Foundation, an organization Palko helped establish to raise funds for the con- struction of a group home for individuals with Down Syndrome in his hometown of Imperial, Pa. Palko teamed up with lifelong friend New Alumni: Stay Connected Chris McGough, a student at West Allegh- eny High who was born with Down Just four blocks from the Petersen The newest online service, the Pitt Career have funded such programs as the Alumni Syndrome, to form the TC House Founda- Events Center, where more than 3,000 Pitt Network, allows students and alumni Scholarship Endowment Fund, which tion. students will conclude their undergraduate to network with alumni volunteers. By awards more than $100,000 in scholarships This was the second time Palko has careers today, is Alumni Hall. This historic fostering beneficial partnerships within annually. been honored for his community service. building was named in honor of the devo- the alumni community, the association is The Pitt Alumni Association Last fall, he was one of 11 football players tion, support, and esteem of University of able to further support the University as an congratulates the Class of 2007 and named to the American Football Coaches Pittsburgh alumni. In recognition of these institution of higher learning. Cultivating encourages its members to stay connected Association “Good Works Team.” traits, the Pitt Alumni Association seeks to and inspiring financial generosity are an with Pitt by joining the alumni association. “You don’t have to be a football fan preserve student involvement in the Univer- integral part of the responsibilities the New graduates can join for the discounted to appreciate Tyler,” Wannstedt declares. sity community through far-reaching com- association assumes, while the rewards of fee of $20. The association has more than “Whether it has been as a student, an munication and educational programs. these efforts are evident throughout campus 100 alumni constituent organizations and athlete, or member of our community, The alumni association, which acts for both students and the University. area representatives worldwide to keep Tyler has made our University incredibly as the voice of more than 255,000 alumni The Alumni Legislative Network Pitt alumni connected to Pitt and to one proud. He leaves a great legacy at Pitt, worldwide, provides an opportunity for promotes higher education in Harrisburg. another. and we know he will continue to do great graduating students to benefit from and fur- In addition, the association cosponsors or New members can take advantage of things.” ther the goal of generating and maintaining plays key roles in such Pitt functions as valuable benefits and services, including Says Pitt Athletic Director Jeff Long, support for Pitt. The resulting relationship Lantern Night, Panther Sendoff, job fairs, complimentary subscriptions to Alumni “Tyler truly embodies what is great about between alumni and the association is a and networking receptions. Connections; savings on collegiate athletics.” synergistic one that benefits alumni and Members of the Blue graduate test courses; Someday, Palko will hang up his the University. and Gold Society act as access to online services; helmet for the final time. When that day Alumni association members are able student ambassadors for the discounts on insurance, comes, armed with Pitt degree in hand, to stay informed and in contact with each association. They also oversee continuing education, car Palko will be well prepared for the next other through a variety of means, including the new Student Alumni rentals, and hotels across chapter of his life. publications, online services, and coordi- Association (SAA). More the country; and discounts Many have predicted a brilliant coach- nated alumni events. than 700 students strong in at the Pitt Shop and The ing career for him should he choose that Alumni Connections and an annual its inaugural year, the SAA Book Center. Perhaps most path. Football has been Palko’s lifelong electronic Alumni Impact Report are is designed to help students importantly, membership passion, and he often says how much the filled with news and information about the build lifelong relationships keeps graduates informed game has taught him about life, about a achievements and successes of Pitt people, with Pitt. The SAA provides about and connected to their person’s own character. departments, schools, and programs. Pitt exclusive events, programs, alma mater. “I love this game,” Palko says. “I love Alumni Online Services makes it possible and networking opportunities For more information, the euphoria a victory brings, the sense of for alumni association members to contact that become a variety of ways stop by the Pitt Alumni accomplishment you get in the locker room other alumni all over the world. In addition, for students to get involved. Association at Alumni Hall, with your teammates. Chasing that feeling more than 70,000 alumni receive the Pitt P ro ce e d s f rom t he call 800-ALU-PITT, or visit is the reason a lot of us keep getting up after Connection, an e-newsletter, each month. association’s total efforts www.alumni.pitt.edu. we’ve been knocked down.” 14 • Pitt Chronicle • April 29, 2007 From Accra to Ulaanbataar School-Record 311 Pitt Student-Athletes Continued from Page 8 Continued from Page 7 pher DeSanctis, Francis Iorfido, Dave Stanley Prostrednik Grant to work with of natural and man-made disasters on the Kapetanovich, and Brandon the Kakamega Environmental Education indigenous population of Santiago Atitlan, Skonieczky Program to develop infectious disease Guatemala, and assess the need there for health-education programs for primary occupational-therapy-related services. Blue Awards grade students in Kakamega, Kenya. The John H. Tsui Memorial Award will (3.0-3.49 GPA) The Stanley Prostrednik Award will support graduate student Leslie V. Wal- fund James E. Quinn IV, an international lace, an Early Chinese art history graduate Baseball human rights law student in Pitt’s School of student, as she examines tomb reliefs from Mike Bassage, Law, in a United Nations internship in the the Eastern Han dynasty (20-225 C.E.) that Rob Brant, Seth Office on Drugs and Crime in Tashkent, depict hunting scenes and consults with Button, Sean Conley, Uzbekistan. Chinese scholars in Shaanxi. Daniel Ford, Dan With the James W. Knox Merit Award, Medical student Rebecca Waltner- Gardo, Ben Knuth, Darmendra Ramcharran, an epidemiol- Toews’ Stanley Prostrednik Grant will make Billy Muldowney, Nick ogy major in Pitt’s School of Medicine, it possible for her to do research on infec- Mullins, Paul Nardozzi, will conduct research in Rio de Janeiro, tious diseases in both clinical and laboratory Brendan Schubert, Jeff Brazil, on treatment methodologies for settings at the Hospital Nacional Cayetano Stevens, Matthew Tokarczyk, HIV/AIDS in combination with various Heredia in Lima, Peru. Dan Williams, and Max Zingle hepatitis strains. James W. Knox Memorial Award recip- Men’s Basketball Danielle S. Shuttleworth, an occu- ient Zachary A. Zator, a student in Pitt’s Marcus Bowman, Aaron Gray, Doyle MIKE DRAZDZINSKI/CIDDE pational therapy major in Pitt’s School of School of Medicine, will conduct research Hudson, Levon Kendall, Maurice Polen, Brian Generalovich (CAS ‘66, DEN ‘68), president of the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, has on environmental factors that promote and Ronald Ramon, Geoff Rizk, and Sam University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association, congratulates received the Ruth Crawford Mitchell Memo- impede access to health care in Hyderabad, Young Rande Stottlemeyer (left), head coach of the Pitt wrestling rial Award and will examine the effects India. Women’s Basketball team, which had 19 members with GPAs of 3.0 or Danielle Taylor, Sylvie Tafen, and higher in spring or fall 2006. Mallorie Winn Cheer and Dance Team Leanne Aurich, Brittany Austin, Christie Bonk, Christie Blondek, Amanda Rebecca Stottlemyer, and Jessica Thomas Three Pitt Law Students Named Burger, Rachel Collins, Tiffany Golonka, Men’s Swimming and Diving Jaime Hohn, Katelynn Jackson, Adam Michael Bernardi, Tommy Bird, Chris- Jones, Erin Lageman, Kesa Mayanja, topher Gallagher, Steve Jackson, Jason Lauren McPherson, Jessica Myers, Lori Miller, Adam Plutecki, and Chad White Inaugural Nordenberg Fellows Steranchak, Mary Sweeney, Chris Watkin- Women’s Swimming and Diving son, Megan Worbs, and Jodie Zangaro Shannon Barr, Sophie Cross, Kendra Football Decelle, Caitlyn Harrington, Ryann Kish- for European Studies in Calvin Allen, John Bachman, Aaron baugh, Collen Kristobak, Agnes Mago, Brussels as well as place- Berry, Shawn Besong, Jemeel Brady, John Tiffany Malatesta, Megan McCandless, ment with the German Brown, Martin Coleman, Mike DeLuca, Erin Meehan, Stacie Safritt, Ruth Seiffert, Foreign Ministry pres- Kelvin Drewery, Matt Flaus, Eric Fritz, Andrea Shoust, and Brittany Stevens ent opportunities for our Ricky Gary, Adam Gunn, Kashif Hen- Tennis students that simply do derson, Francis Johns, Frank Kochin, Dan Kristy Borza, Christie D’Achille, not exist at other U.S. Loheyde, John Malecki, Mark Mares, Marie Eanes-Fennelly, Leah Friedman, law schools,” said Ronald Brandon Mason, Scott McKillop, Gus Sarah Macausland, Jenna Suffoletto, and Brand, Pitt professor Mustakas, Mike Phillips, Austin Ransom, Sabrina Visram of law and director of LaRod Stephens-Howling, Tyler Tkach, Men’s Track and Field/ the law school’s Center Neal Tracey, Chris Vangas, Ross Ventrone, Cross Country for International Legal Joe Villani, Dustin Walters, Dave Weber, Chris Anderson, Sam Bair, Dave Education (CILE). “We and Dale Williams Donahoe, Eric Fleming, Kevin Gilpatrick, very much appreciate the Gymnastics A.J. Kielinski, Jeff Kiss, Ed Ruiz, Chris- support of Dr. Sbragia Andrea Arlotta, Pamela Bender, Alix tian Schmidt, Andy Tomaswick, and Josh through the Nordenberg Croop, Melissa Davidson, Jessica Garber, Zueger Professorship that has Jennifer Jones, Andrea Konesky, Nicole Women’s Track and Field/ made this initiative pos- Kujawski, Shannon McConnell, Victoria Cross Country sible.” McGuigan-Carl, and Sarah Thompson Nicki Angstadt, Ali Brown, Kendall The Nordenberg Men’s Soccer Butch, Mycaiah Clemons, Candice Cohol- Fellowships, awarded Samuli Ahola, Matt Baker, Chris Bas- ich, Leah Coveleski, Krystal Epps, Catie through CILE in cooper- tidas, Steve Cavalier, Chris Franczkowski, Hare, Kari Hedderick, Carolyn Kitchens, ation with the EU Center Matthew Grove, Justin Grubisha, Eric Erinn McMahon, Janessa Murphy, Astrid of Excellence, will ful- Jaeger, Pat Kerr, E.J. McCormick, Sean Pilgrim, Nicole Pitchford, Julianna Reed, fill Sbragia’s wish. Each Ryan, Brendon Smith, Adam Walkowiak, Kim Rorabaugh, Jenn Seitz, Danielle Alberta Sbragia Nordenberg Fellow will Chris Wilcox, and Gregory Wilcox Tuccio, and Sossena Wood receive $5,000 to support Women’s Soccer Women’s Volleyball By Patricia Lomando White his or her internship. Stephanie Davis, Lauren Engel, Erin Kelly Campbell, Kim Kern, Jes- Drabecki has served Hills, Lailah Issac, Jennifer Kritch, Niki sica Moses, Michelle Rossi, and Melissa Three second-year Pitt School of Law as president of the Pitt Law Women’s Society Walters, Megan Watson, and Eric Wright Stadelman students—J. Katherine Drabecki, Claudia and as a legal analysis and writing teaching Softball Wrestling Garman, and David Willey—are the recipi- assistant. She was a member of the Pitt team Megan Bostick, Heather Connor, Jes- Kyle Deliere, Joey Ecklof, Brad Gentzle, ents of the inaugural Nordenberg Fellow- that competed at the 2007 William C. Vis sica Dignon, April Ghiroli, Mary Hecker, Mike Heist, Justin Nestor, Nick Orio, Sean ships, funded by Chancellor Mark A. Nor- International Moot Court Competition in Christa Hunter, Leanne McCarron, Kelly Richmond, Zach Sheaffer, John Sutika, denberg University Chair Alberta Sbragia, Vienna. During the summer of 2006, she Murphy, Kaitlyn Schuster, Kelly Stiles, Ryan Tomei, and Julian Warshaw the first recipient of the professorship. The interned with the United Nations Interim Nordenberg Fellows will study in Europe Administration in Kosovo in the Legal Policy this summer. Division. She is the recipient of a 2007-08 “My fervent desire is to involve our Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowship, students further in international studies which she will use to study Polish in conjunc- 2007 Laureate Lectures and increase their passion for knowledge of tion with her legal studies. the world,” said Sbragia, Pitt professor of Garman has received the Truxall Fund Continued from Page 13 political science and director of Pitt’s Euro- Scholarship and a Nationality Room Schol- pean Union (EU) Center of Excellence and arship while at the School of Law. In 2006, a product of the immune system involved ture Series several years ago, my purpose European Studies Center. “I am delighted Garman spent the summer as an intern at the in host defense. Some of Nathan’s most was to bring some of the most gifted, cre- that these three outstanding law students European Roma Rights Center in Budapest. recent work concerns the development ative, and innovative scientists of our day will gain what I had hoped for—a deeper She has served as vice president of the Inter- of new approaches to discovery of drugs to campus on a regular basis,” said Arthur knowledge of Europe, which will help them national Law Society at the Pitt School of to treat antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis. S. Levine, Pitt senior vice chancellor for in their future careers.” Law and is an associate editor of the Journal For this and other neglected diseases, he the health sciences and dean of the School Drabecki will intern at the Institute for of Law and Commerce. advocates the pursuit of novel partner- of Medicine. “We continue to achieve that European Studies in Brussels; Garman will Willey has studied at the University of ships between university and industrial purpose with another outstanding panel work in the Human Rights Division of the St. Andrews in Scotland and the Federal scientists. of speakers this year, and I’m delighted to German Federal Foreign Office in Berlin; Armed Forces Academy in Munich. In All of the lectures, which are free welcome them, not only for the benefit of and Willey will conduct research at the Max summer 2006, he interned in the chambers and open to the public, will be presented our many scientists throughout the Univer- Planck Institute for Comparative and Inter- of Judge John A. Zottola in the Allegheny in Auditorium 6 of Scaife Hall. Buck’s sity but also because these visits provide national Private Law in Hamburg. County Court of Common Pleas. Willey lecture will begin at 3:30 p.m.; the others a wonderful opportunity for the speakers “The connections with the Max Planck was a member of the School of Law’s 2007 are scheduled for noon. themselves to discover what a dynamic Institute in Hamburg and the Institute Niagara International Moot Court team. “When I developed the Laureate Lec- research environment we have here.”

April 29, 2007 • University of Pittsburgh • 15

Lecture, “It’s Time To Act: The 14 Dorseyville Rd., Allison Park, Film Screening, Blue Umbrella Reality of Global Warming,” Bill 412-963-6100, www.aswp.org. (2005), directed by Vishal Bha- April 30-May 14, 2007 Perkins, Carnegie Mellon graduate radwaj, 8 p.m., Regent Square student and former U.S. Army Musical Performance, As I Lay Theater, 1035 S. Braddock Ave., Happenings officer, 6 p.m., Carnegie Library Dying, 7:30 p.m., Mister Small’s Edgewood, Silk Screen Asian of Pittsburgh, 4400 Forbes Ave., Fun House and Theater, American Festival, www.silk- Oakland, 412-622-3114, www. 400 Lincoln Ave., East Liberty, screenfestival.org. carnegielibrary.org. 412-821-4447, www.mrsmalls. Pitt, Pittsburgh Filmmakers to Host com. Ovarian Cancer Education May 12 9th Annual Russian Film Symposium Event, “The Hereditary Link and Musical Performance, “A Ph.D. Dissertation Defense by Dealing With the Guilt,” Darcy Very Grand Finale,” River City Michael Stephens, Department of By Audra Sorman Thull, genetic counselor, UPMC Brass Band, conducted by Denis Music, “Two Ways of Looking at Cancer Genetics Program, Colwell, 8 p.m., Palace Theatre, Messiaen’s ‘Vingt Regards Sur 6:30 p.m., Magee-Womens 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg, L’enfant Jesus, with Baptism,’” Pitt and Pittsburgh Filmmakers will host Hospital’s Conference Rooms A 412-434-7222, www.rcbb.com. 9:30 a.m., 302 Music Building. the 9th Annual Russian Film Symposium from and B, UPMC Ovarian Cancer Education Series; to register, Film Screenings, Vanaja (2006), April 30 to May 5 in Room 106 of Pitt’s David 412-802-8299. May 6 directed by Rajnesh Domalpalli, Lawrence Hall (DLH) and the Pittsburgh Film- Carnival for Kids, 11 a.m., 6 p.m.; Tuli (2005), directed by makers’ Melwood Screening Room, 477 Melwood Art Workshop, “Sculpting Crowne Plaza Hotel, 164 Aureaus Solito, 9 p.m.; Harris Ave., Oakland. Wood: A Reductive Process,” Fort Couch Rd., South Hills, Theater, 809 Liberty Ave., down- 6 p.m., Society for Contemporary [email protected]. town, Silk Screen Asian American The symposium, titled Melodrama and Kino- Craft, 2100 Smallman St., Strip Festival, www.silkscreenfestival. Ideology, will bring together some of the most District, 412-261-7003, www. Animal Adoption Fashion org. renowned scholars and critics currently working contemporarycraft.org. Show, “Tails on the Catwalk,” by in Russian film, including Dmitrii Saveliev and Stein Mart, 2 p.m., Holiday Inn, 4859 McKnight Rd., North Hills, May 13 Mikhail Trofimenkov, award-winning Russian May 3 benefits the Western Pennsylvania Musical Performance, Suphala, cinema critics from St. Petersburg; Oleg Sulkin, Seminar, “Current-Driven Phe- Humane Society, 412-321-4625 3 p.m., Carnegie Library of a New York-based Russian cinema and theater nomena in Molecular Electron- ext. 248. Pittsburgh’s Lecture Hall, 4400 critic; and resident film expert Marcia Landy, a Pitt ics,” Tamar Seideman, profes- Forbes Ave., Oakland, Silk Screen sor of chemistry and physics, Musical Performance, “Sunday Asian American Film Festival, Distinguished Service Professor of English/Film Studies. Northwestern University, noon, Night Jazz,” Salsamba Latin Jazz, www.silkscreenfestival.org. All Pitt screenings are free and open to the public. Admission to Pittsburgh Film- 1175 Benedum Hall, kim@engr. 7 p.m., Rhythm House Café, 3029 makers’ Melwood Screening Room films is $5. Film specialists will introduce each film, pitt.edu. Washington Pike, Bridgeville, Musical Performance, “A Very and discussion sessions will follow each screening. The symposium schedule follows. Pittsburgh Jazz Society, 412-343- Grand Finale,” River City Brass Musical Performance, “A 9555, www.pittsburghjazz.org. Band, directed by Denis Colwell, April 30—Man of No Return (2006), directed by Ekaterina Gorokhovskaia, Night of Guitars,” guitarist Earl 3 p.m., Pitt-Johnstown’s Pasque- 10 a.m.; and The Italian (2005), directed by Andrei Kravchuk, 2 p.m.; both in DLH. Klugh, 7:30 p.m., through May 6, rilla Performing Arts Center, 412- May 1—Relations (2006), directed by Avdotia Smirnova, 10 a.m., and Inhale— Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, May 7 434-7222, www.rcbb.com. Exhale (2006), directed by Ivan Dykhovichnyi, 2 p.m.; both in DLH. 1815 Metropolitan St., North Side, Comedy Performance, “Mark 412-322-0800, www.mcgjazz.org. Pipas As The Sleaze,” 10:30 p.m., Film Screening, The Beautiful May 2—The Spot (2006), directed by Iurii Moroz, 10 a.m., DLH; and Transit Club Café, 56 South 12th St., Country (2004), directed by Hans (2006), Aleksandr Rogozhkin, 7 p.m., Melwood. Theatrical Performance, South Side, 412-431-4950, www. Petter Moland, 4 p.m., Regent May 3—Free Floating (2006), directed by Boris Khlebnikov, 2 p.m., DLH; and It Intimate Apparel by Lynn Not- clubcafelive.com. Square Theater, 1035 South Doesn’t Hurt (2006), directed by Aleksei Balabanov, 7 p.m., Melwood. tage, 8 p.m., through May 27, Braddock, Edgewood, Silk Screen City Theatre, 1300 Bingham St., Asian American Festival, www. May 4—Two in One (2007), directed by Kira Muratova, 10 a.m., DLH; Polumgla South Side, 412-431-2489, www. May 8 silkscreenfestival.org. (2005), directed by Artem Antonov, 2 p.m., DLH; and Alive (2006), directed by Alek- citytheatrecompany.org. Theatrical Performance, Urban sandr Veledinskii, 7 p.m., Melwood. Cowboy: The Musical by Aaron Musical Performance, “Sunday May 5—Euphoria (2006), directed by Ivan Vyrypaev, 7 p.m., Melwood. Latham, 7:30 p.m., Blaisdell Night Jazz,” Craig Zinger Quartet, May 4 Hall’s Bromeley Family Theater, 7 p.m., Rhythm House Café, 3029 The symposium also will include two roundtable sessions with academic papers Workshop, “The First Step: Pitt-Bradford, 814-362-7540, Washington Pike, Bridgeville, delivered by leading U.S. and Russian experts on melodrama. The first discussion Mechanics of Starting a Small www.upb.pitt.edu/UrbanCowboy. Pittsburgh Jazz Society, 412-343- will take place at 11 a.m. May 3 in the back room of Hemingway’s, 3911 Forbes Ave., Business,” 7:30-10 a.m., Mervis aspx. 9555, www.pittsburghjazz.org. Oakland. Papers will be presented by symposium guests Saveliev, Trofimenkov, Sulkin, Hall, Pitt’s Small Business Development Center; to register, and Landy. The second roundtable, an overview of the film series, will take place at the 412-648-1542. May 9 May 14 same location, at 11 a.m. May 5. Pitt Staff Association Council Ph.D. Dissertation Defense by All films have English subtitles. For more information, visit www.rusfilm.pitt.edu. Children’s Literature Confer- Meeting, noon, 1175 Benedum Benjamin Haller, Pitt Department ence, authors Susan Camp- Hall, www.pitt.edu/~sac. of Classics, “Landscape Descrip- bell Bartoletti, Bruce Coville, tion in Homer’s Odyssey,” Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard, Lecture, “Diabetes and Depres- 11 a.m., 1518 Cathedral of and Mary Bartek; 8 a.m.-3 p.m., sion,” Sara Fleet, research princi- Learning. Pitt-Greensburg’s Powers Hall; to pal, Western Psychiatric Institute April 30 box, 4104 Penn Ave., downtown, register, 724-836-7159, www.pitt. and Clinic’s Neurobiology Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Theatrical Performance, 10th Annual Dowd Lectures, 412-621-4900. edu/~upglib/webclc.html. Psychosis Department, 6-8 p.m., by Naoko Gunji, Pitt Depart- ArtsPower’s Anne of Green www.chem.pitt.edu. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s ment of the History of Art and Gables, written and directed Theatrical Performance, Ph.D. Dissertation Defense by 1st-Floor Quiet Reading Room, Architecture, “Amidaji: Mortuary by Greg Gunning, 10 a.m. and Art Exhibition, In Full Bloom, The Missionary Position by Theresa Wilson, Pitt Intelligent 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland, WPIC Art, Architecture, and Rites of noon, Pitt-Johnstown’s Pasque- through May 12, Space, 812 Keith Reddin, 7 p.m., continues Systems Program, “Fine-Grained Mental Health and Wellness Lec- Emperor Antoku’s Temple,” rilla Performing Arts Center, Liberty Ave., downtown, through May 20, City Theatre, Subjectivity and Sentiment Analy- ture Series, 412-622-3151. 1 p.m., 104 Frick Fine Arts 814-269-7200, www.upj.pitt. 412-325-7723, www.spacepitts- 1300 Bingham St., South Side, sis: Recognizing the Intensity, Building. edu/ArtsCenter. burgh.org. 412-431-2489, www.citytheatre- Polarity, and Attitudes of Private company.org. States,” 10 a.m., 5317 Sennott May 10 Fundraiser, “Celebrate Life, Ph.D. Dissertation Defense by Cultural Exhibition, Jump Square. Lecture, “The Perils of Girl Celebrate Art,” 6 p.m., Carnegie Eun-Young Jung, Pitt Depart- to Japan, through May 13, Theatrical Performance, Altar Talk: How to Survive in a Man’s Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes ment of Music, “Transnational Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Boyz by Gary Adler, Michael Ph.D. Dissertation Defense World,” Melissa A. McNeil, Ave., Oakland, 412-441-9786 ext. Cultural Traffic in Northeast 10 Children’s Way, Allegheny Patrick Walker, and Kevin Del by Yan Lin, Pitt Department of chief, UPMC Section of Women’s 224, www.cmoa.org. Asia: The Presence of Japan in Square, North Side, 412-322- Aguila, 7:30 p.m., through Biostatistics, “Statistical Issues in Health 7:30 a.m., S100 Thomas E. Korea’s Popular Music Culture,” 5058, www.pittsburghkids.org. May 6, Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Family-based Genetic Associa- Starzl Biomedical Science Tower, Film Screening, Summer Palace 11 a.m., 302 Music Building. St., downtown, Pittsburgh Cul- tion Studies With Application to Pitt Office of Academic Career (2006), directed by Lou Ye, Photography Exhibition, tural Trust, 412-456-6666, www. Congenital Heart Defects in Down Development’s Sunrise Series, 8 p.m., Regent Square The- Ph.D. Dissertation Defense by Paris on the Seine: Photographs pgharts.org. Syndrome,” 10:30 a.m., 109 www.oacd.health.pitt.edu. ater, 1035 S. Braddock Ave., Irina Makoveeva, Pitt Depart- by Bruno Réquillart, through Parran Hall. Edgewood, Silk Screen Asian ment of Slavic Languages May 26, Silver Eye Center for Musical Performance, Musical Performance, “A Very American Festival, www.silk- and Literatures, “Visualizing Photography, 1015 E. Carson St., “JazzLive Backstage Bar,” Kevin Good Friday at the Warhol Grand Finale,” River City Brass screenfestival.org. Tolstoi’s Anna Karenina,” 1 p.m., South Side, 412-431-1810, www. Howard, 8 p.m., Backstage Bar at Museum, 5-10 p.m., special late Band, directed by Denis Colwell, 1401 Cathedral of Learning. silvereye.org. Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave., hours and cash bar, 117 Sandusky 7:30 p.m., Heinz Hall, Sixth and Comedy Performance, “Mark downtown, 412-456-6666, www. St., North Side, 412-237-8300, Penn avenues, downtown, 412- Pipas As The Sleaze,” 10:30 p.m., Lecture, “A Cross-Campus Scientific Exhibition,Risk , clocabaret.com. www.warhol.org. 434-7222, www.rcbb.com. Club Café, 56 South 12th St., Community Model for Entre- through May 28, Carnegie Sci- South Side, 412-431-4950, www. preneurship,” 1:30 p.m., Michael ence Center, 1 Allegheny Ave., Theatrical Performance, The Art Presentation, Flat Out @ clubcafelive.com. Morris, Writing Chair in Entre- 412-237-3400, www. Glorious Ones by Lynn Ahrens Unblurred, 6-9 p.m., Community May 11 preneurship and chair, Syracuse carnegiesciencecenter.org. and Stephen Flaherty, 8 p.m., Activity Center, 113 North Pacific Musical Performance, Scott University’s Department of continues through May 20, Ave., Garfield, Digging Pitt Miller, 7 p.m., Club Café, PUBLICATION NOTICE Entrepreneurship and Emerg- Photography Exhibitions, O’Reilly Theatre, 621 Penn Ave., Gallery, 412-605-0450, john@ 56 South 12th St., South Side, The next ing Enterprises, Sennott Square Capture the Moment: The Pulit- downtown, Pittsburgh Public diggingpitt.com. 412-431-4950, www.clubcafelive. edition of the Pitt Chronicle Auditorium, Pitt’s Joseph M. zer Prize Photographs, through Theatre, 412-316-1600, www. com. will be published May 14. Katz Graduate School of Busi- Aug. 5; Soul Soldiers: African ppt.org. Art Exhibition, Allure of Japa- The deadline for submitting ness, www.katz.pitt.edu. Americans and the Vietnam nese Glass, through Film Screenings, Undoing information is 5 p.m. May 9. Era, through Oct. 31; Senator Audubon Print Exhibition, Blue Sept. 19, Pittsburgh Glass Center, (2006), directed by Chris Chan Items for publication in the Pitt Lectures, “Enzyme Cata- John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional Bird, through May 7, Hillman 5472 Penn Ave., East Liberty, 412- Lee, 7:30 p.m.; Shanghai Kiss Chronicle, including informa- lysts and the Design of New History Center, 1212 Smallman Library ground floor, Pitt Depart- 365-2145, www.pittsburghglass- (2007), directed by Kern Kon- tion for Happenings, should Enzymes,” Kendall N. Houk, St., Strip District, 412-454-6000, ment of Special Collections, center.org. wiser and David Rea, be submitted to chron@pitt. researcher, University of www.pghhistory.org. 412-648-7715, www.library.pitt. 9:30 p.m.; Harris Theater, 809 edu. Happenings items should California at Los Angeles’ Houk edu/images/audubon. Liberty Ave., downtown, Silk include the following informa- Research Group, 1:30 p.m.; May 5 Screen Asian American Festival, tion: title of the event, name “The Inner Space of Molecules,” May 1 Volunteer Opportunity, www.silkscreenfestival.org. and title of speaker(s), date, Julius Rebek Jr., researcher, Musical Performance, May 2 Oakland Floral Bed Planting, time, location, sponsor(s), The Scripps Research Institute, “JazzLive Cabaret,” Sean Jones, Workshop, “Ingredients for 9-11 a.m., Pitt’s Volunteer Pool, Film Screening, Inner Circle and a phone number and Web 2:50 p.m.; and “Applications 5 p.m., Cabaret at Theater Success: The Right Mix of 412-624-7709, www.pitt. Line (2006), directed by Eunhee site for additional informa- of Total Synthesis to Problems Square, Seventh Street and Penn Family Values and Business edu/~govtrel/volunteerpoolhome. Cho, 7:30 p.m., Melwood tion. Items also may be faxed of Biological Consequence,” Avenue, downtown, 412-456- Sense,” 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The htm. Screening Room, 477 Melwood to 412-624-4895 or sent by Samuel Danishefsky, professor, 6666, www.clocabaret.com. Duquesne Club, 325 Sixth Ave., Ave., Oakland, Silk Screen Asian campus mail to 422 Craig Columbia University’s Depart- downtown, Pitt’s Small Business Plant Sale, Audubon Society of American Festival, www.silk- Hall. For more information, ment of Chemistry, 4:30 p.m.; all Art Workshop, “Drink and Development Center; to register, Western Pennsylvania’s native screenfestival.org. call 412-624-1033. in 12 Chevron Science Center; Draw,” open studio live model 412-624-2271, ieeregistration@ spring plants, 9 a.m., Beechwood Pitt Department of Chemistry’s drawing session, 6 p.m., Brillo- katz.pitt.edu. Farms Nature Reserve,

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16 • Pitt Chronicle • April 29, 2007

“They shall find wisdom here and faith— in steel and stone, in character and thought—they shall find beauty, adventure, and high victory.” — John G. Bowman, Pitt Chancellor, 1921-45 Congratulations to the Class of 2007

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