PIPER4/10 Issue

2 Q&A With Dan Barnett: Spring Carnival To Have a Twist 3 University Celebrates Campaign 1000plus in Singapore and India U NIVERSITY COMMUNITY CELEBRATES DAY OF SERVICE 9 Ken Chu Takes Center Stage in CFA’s Costume Shop 10 Staff See Development Day as Opportunity To Learn

Fischbeck Honored As Elite Educator

■ Bruce Gerson For Professor Paul Fischbeck, an expert in decision analysis and determining chance and probability, being named this year’s recipient of the university-wide William H. and Frances S. Ryan Award

for Meritorious Teaching was a decision PHOTOS BY GLENN BROOKES whose time had come. He will receive M ORE THAN 1,000 VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATED IN THE “1000PLUS” ANNUAL DAY the award at the Celebration of Teach- OF SERVICE AT TWO DOZEN PITTSBURGH SITES ON SATURDAY, MARCH 27. AMONG ing at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 21 in THE WORKERS AT HOSANNA HOUSE SHERWOOD CAMP IN WILKINSBURG WERE Rangos 1 & 2. SOPHOMORES FORREST GRINSTEAD (ABOVE, FROM LEFT), DAVID SOAMCHAND AND AMY ADETORO “TORO” ADEYEMI. SUZANNE LAURICH-MC I NTYRE (AT RIGHT), It’s a fi tting award for Fischbeck, an out- ASSISTANT VICE PROVOST FOR GRADUATE EDUCATION, JOINED THE STUDENTS AND standing teacher in two departments and OTHER FACULTY AND STAFF DURING THE DAY. “IT IS EXTREMELY AFFIRMING TO SEE two colleges who is praised by his peers SO MANY PEOPLE FROM CARNEGIE MELLON ENGAGE IN SERVICE AND SHOW THE and pupils for his mastery of the class- CITY OF PITTSBURGH HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE BEING PART OF ITS COMMUNITY,” room and his astute expertise in leading SAID LUCAS CHRISTAIN, COORDINATOR OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT. FOR MORE team project-oriented courses that teach PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT, VISIT HTTP://BIT. LY/CMUPIPER. C ONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE Census 2010: Nair To Retire After Decades of Teaching Innovations Making Sure ■ Heidi Opdyke Vice President and Provost Mark Kamlet a research associate and has served in a in an email to the university community. variety of roles in EPP including associ- For 32 years, Indira Nair has champi- “For her, the key question has always ate department head and professor. She oned change at the university. Respect- You Count been ‘how do we educate our students to was named vice provost of education in ed by students and colleagues alike, become aware, socially responsible global 1998. ■ Shilo Raube she has helped transform citizens of tomorrow’s world?’ Indira truly “I came here [the vice provost’s Carnegie Mellon from a regional uni- Once a decade, the government sets out has touched nearly every aspect of this offi ce] being exposed to a very inter- versity into a world-class institution. to fi gure out how many people there are university.” disciplinary kind of environment,” Nair Nair is ready for her own change. in the United States. The count, required Nair started at Carnegie Mellon in said. “I always had a tendency to think She is retiring in July. During her by the Constitution, is used to allocate 1978 in the newly created Department of broadly about the context of the seats in the House of Representatives, tenure, she has worked as a researcher, Engineering and Public Policy (EPP) as C ONTINUED ON PAGE SEVEN determine the boundaries of congres- professor and administrator, but those sional districts, decide where hospitals, titles do little to refl ect the stamp she among other things, are built and dis- has made on the university’s mission. tribute more than $400 billion in federal “As anyone who has had the funds — some of which have direct opportunity to interact with Indira implications for education and research. in any of her educational roles at the All households should have re- university will know, her approach to ceived Census Bureau forms on March education has always been as a means 15. By law, each household is required of refl ection, ethics, access, inclusion

C ONTINUED ON PAGE TEN and understanding,” said Executive O NE Q&A With Dan Barnett: Spring Carnival To Have a Twist

■ Heidi Opdyke What’s new at Spring Carnival? set aside to celebrate many of The biggest addition and change for Dan Barnett is the director of On- the out-of-classroom successes this year’s Spring Carnival & Reunion Campus Programs for Alumni Rela- unique to Carnegie Mellon. Weekend is the reunion schedule, which tions. As part of his responsibilities, he ironically has the theme “History with Where can people go to oversees the coordination and planning a Twist.” fi nd more information about of Homecoming Weekend and Spring In past years, reunions had been cel- Spring Carnival? Carnival & Reunion Weekend April ebrated at both Homecoming and Spring There are two main Web sites 15-17. Barnett also supervises the On- Carnival. Last January, the Alumni www.cmu.edu/alumni/carnival Campus Programs team and advises the Association Board voted unanimously where you can register for Student Homecoming Committee. This to move all reunions to the spring. This Spring Carnival and www.cmu. year’s Carnival has a few new “twists,” decision was based on years of feedback edu/carnival, which features so we caught up with Barnett to hear from alumni and recent attendance trends information about Midway and what’s new. at both of the weekends. Now, all re- performances throughout the weekend. What is your role in Spring Carnival? unions are celebrated at Spring Carnival In partnership with Student Activities, & Reunion Weekend. The format of reunion celebrations Why is it important to regis- the Sweepstakes and Spring Carnival ter for Spring Carnival? has also changed. Each reception is open committees, Alumni Relations assists By registering, even for activi- to the entire decade and is hosted by PHOTO BY KEN ANDREYO with the coordination of the overall ties that don’t require a cost, it those classes celebrating their reunions. D AVID LEWIS, A STUDENT IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND schedule of events for alumni and stu- gives us an idea as to how many Because many alumni returning to ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING, PUSHES dents, specifi cally focusing on incor- people to expect and who is on campus were not in a reunion class, K AMIKAZE, ALPHA EPSILON PI ’ S BUGGY, DURING porating and planning opportunities for campus for the weekend. Some changing the format of the reunions now LAST YEAR’ S SWEEPSTAKES RACES. THE FRATERNITY interaction between students and alumni. of the activities have maximum gives every alumnus and alumna a home WAS AWARDED THE CHAIRMAN’ S CHOICE AWARD. Additionally, now that all reunions capacities so it’s best to register when they return for the weekend. are being celebrated at Spring Carnival early. & Reunion Weekend, we work with the Is there anything else new? class planning committees to create the What’s next for your team? volunteers for the classes ending in We’re recognizing our most engaged reunion experience for each decade. We have already begun the planning 1s and 6s who will be celebrating their alumni and students this year with a new Staff members within Alumni Relations process for Homecoming 2010 with reunion at next year’s Spring Carnival program called the Loyal Scots. To be also work with student organizations the Student Homecoming Committee, & Reunion Weekend. recognized as a Loyal Scot, there are four and alumni interest groups to organize and are actively recruiting our alumni simple steps. Members are people who reunions and receptions. have provided up-to-date information to stay connected with Carnegie Mellon, attended an event or volunteered for SPRING CARNIVAL EVENTS AT A GLANCE the university, made a cash gift of any PRIL amount and show their Tartan pride. A 15-17 [Please visit any of the alumni associa- Scotch’n’Soda Production: Final MOBOT Slalom Races tion welcome areas for more information “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” Noon, Friday, April 16 PIPER or www.cmu.edu/LoyalScot.] 4/10 Issue Thursday: 8 p.m. the Quad (outside of Wean Hall)

P UBLISHER Friday: 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. Teresa Thomas What does Spring Carnival offer for Saturday: 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. President’s Address & Student staff and faculty? E DITOR Rangos Ballroom, Life Panel Spring Carnival & Sweepstakes Races, Bruce Gerson University Center (UC) 2-2:30 p.m., Friday, April 16 also known as Buggy, are an amazing op- M ANAGING EDITOR Tickets are available online at Connan Room, UC Heidi Opdyke portunity for faculty and staff to see how www.SNStheatre.org. W RITERS talented and gifted CMU students are Activities Board Spring Jocelyn Duffy Shilo Raube outside of the classroom environment. Carnival Concert Bruce Gerson Abby Ross Spring Carnival Midway Melanie Linn Gutowski Byron Spice These traditions are embedded in the Opening Ceremony 8 p.m., Friday, April 16 Abby Houck Chriss Swaney culture of Carnegie Mellon and the num- CFA Lawn (Rain location: Heidi Opdyke Andrea L. Zrimsek 3 p.m., Thursday, April 15 ber of students participating in events Wiegand Gym) D ESIGNER Spring Carnival Midway Melissa Stoebe surrounding Spring Carnival Weekend is Communications Design Group always impressive. Kiltie Band Concert Sweepstakes Final Races P HOTOGRAPHY Additionally during the Sweepstakes 4 p.m., Thursday, April 15 & KidZone Activity Area Ken Andreyo Tim Kaulen Races, there are family activities at the Spring Carnival Midway Tent 9 a.m. – Noon, Saturday, April 17 The Communications Design and KidZone tent, not to mention all of the Schenley Park (Course is on Tech Photography Group excitement of the rides, great food and Activities Board Spring Street, Frew Street and Schenley To contact The Piper staff, call 412-268- Carnival Comedy Show Drive.) 2900 or email [email protected]. booths on the Midway. Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and Carnegie All faculty and staff are invited to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 15 Mellon University is required not to discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities Spring Carnival Midway Tent Holi on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in the Alumni Association All Campus BBQ violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Noon – 4 p.m., Saturday, April 17 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or other federal, state, or local laws from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., on Friday, or executive orders. Preliminary Sweepstakes Final Flagstaff Hill In addition, Carnegie Mellon University does not April 16, between the tennis courts and discriminate in admission, employment or administration of its programs on the basis of religion, creed, ancestry, belief, Races & KidZone Activity Area www.cmu-om.org age, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity. the University Center. Carnegie Mellon does not discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders. However, in the judg- 8 a.m. – Noon, Friday, April 16 ment of the Carnegie Mellon Human Relations Commission, the Presidential Executive Order directing the Department Schenley Park (Course is on Tech Spring Carnival Alumni of Defense to follow a policy of, “Don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t How do activities like Spring Carni- pursue,” excludes openly gay, lesbian and bisexual students Golf Outing from receiving ROTC scholarships or serving in the military. val pull the community together? Street, Frew Street and Schenley Nevertheless, all ROTC classes at Carnegie Mellon University are available to all students. 8 a.m., Sunday, April 18 Inquiries concerning application of these statements Spring Carnival is one of those activities Drive.) should be directed to the Provost, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412- Murrysville Golf Club, Murrysville 268-6684 or the Vice President for Campus Affairs, Carnegie that while classes, colleges and depart- Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Alumni Association All Campus telephone 412-268-2057. Registration Required/Event Fee: $95 Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus ment have individual reunions, there are security report describing the university’s security, alcohol and Barbeque drug, and sexual assault policies and containing statistics opportunities to see what else is happen- about the number and type of crimes committed on the campus during the preceding three years. You can obtain a 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Friday, To register, visit www.cmu.edu/ copy by contacting the Carnegie Mellon Police Department ing throughout the campus. The tradi- at 412-268-2323. The security report is available through the April 16 World Wide Web at www.cmu.edu/police/. alumni/involved/events/carnival/ Obtain general information about Carnegie Mellon University tions of the Sweepstakes Races, Booths by calling 412-268-2000. Merson Courtyard & Loggia, UC registration-golf/index.html. Produced for Media Relations by the The Communications and Scotch’n’Soda appeal to all ages. Design and Photography Group, March 2010, 10-361. T WO It’s one of those times where work is Campaign Goes Global

President Jared L. Cohon and other members of the university recently traveled to Singapore, Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi, where they met several hundred alumni, parents and friends as part of “Inspire Innovation: The Campaign for Carnegie Mellon Univer- sity.” For more information, visit at www.cmu.edu/campaign.

P ARENTS MALATI SHAH AND

A LKA KHANNA ATTENDED THE

N EW DELHI EVENT. THE EVENT

FOCUSED ON THE CHALLENGES

AND OPPORTUNITIES OF GREEN

LEADERSHIP IN NEW DELHI AND

AROUND THE WORLD. SPEAKERS

INCLUDED FORMER CARNEGIE

M ELLON FACULTY MEMBER V.S.

A RUNACHALAM, NOW CHAIRMAN

AND FOUNDER OF THE CEN-

J AMORN HO (HSS’09), MING FEI YAN TER FOR STUDY OF SCIENCE,

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY PHOTOS COURTESY (CMU’09) AND EI EI MIN THU (CMU’09) POSE T ECHNOLOGY AND POLICY;

T EPPER ALUMS PRATIK NANAVATY (TPR’04) (CENTER) AND NIRAV MODY (TPR’03) (BACK, FOR A PHOTO DURING THE MARCH 3 EVENT IN AND PRADEEP K. KHOSLA

RIGHT) ENJOY A PANEL DISCUSSION ABOUT SMART GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY IN TO- S INGAPORE. THE EVENT FOCUSED ON THE CHANG- (CIT’84,’86), THE PHILIP AND

DAY’ S URBAN CENTERS. SPEAKERS AT THE MUMBAI EVENT INCLUDED DONALD K. CARTER ING DYNAMICS OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY AND M ARSHA DOWD UNIVERSITY

(CFA’67), THE DAVID LEWIS DIRECTOR OF URBAN DESIGN AND REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT; S INGAPORE’ S POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL P ROFESSOR AND COLLEGE OF

AND PARAG PAREKH (CFA’94), ARCHITECT AND OWNER OF J.P. PAREKH & SON. CENTER OF TRADE AND COMMERCE. E NGINEERING DEAN.

Order of the May Honors Longtime Supporters

■ Heidi Opdyke Stephen Brockman, under this program. Certainly my mod- time. I devote my time and my talent to the professor of German est contributions will never match those work we do here. Some people think that A new donor society will have its debut “I think if one benefi ts, or begin to pay for the rich is enough. But, I am compensated for that. at Spring Carnival. The Order of the works for a non- learning environment Carnegie Mellon Going beyond that to fi nancially support May recognizes donors with 25 years or profi t organiza- provides. But because I have been its the institution is how I demonstrate I truly more of consecutive giving. tion and gets paid benefi ciary in so many ways, I am glad believe in the work.” Named for Albert C. May (E’21, reasonably well to help support CMU.” ’22), who founded the Annual Fund at by the non-profi t Mahadev Satyanarayanan, the Carnegie Carnegie Tech in 1947 and contributed and can afford to Lester Lave, the Harry B. and James Group Professor of Computer Science to it every year until he passed away in do so, one should H. Higgins University Professor of “I direct my gifts to 1998, this special order honors those also support the Economics at the Tepper School of the School of Com- who embody all of the best characteris- non-profi t fi nancially. Obviously such Business; director, Carnegie Mellon puter Science because tics for which May is remembered. Green Design Initiative; co-director, support becomes even more crucial in an this is a place where Members receive special commu- Carnegie Mellon Electricity Industry economic downturn.” people are constantly Center nication and invitations from Carnegie striving for excellence “I give to Carnegie Mellon. Those who achieve two, fi ve, Norma Clouse, fi nancial in research and educa- Mellon each year 10, 15 and 20 years of consecutive giv- coordinator for Payroll Services tion. I am surrounded because I believe ing will receive personal recognition “I love to read, by highly talented and in what we do and from the university. Those who reach and I contribute to hardworking people at all levels: faculty because I know the 25-year milestone will be formally University Li- colleagues, staff and students. Their drive my contribution inducted into the Order. Inaugural braries because I and effort inspires my support.” makes a differ- members of the society include Donald believe that my gift ence. CMU is an Wilkins and Alfred Blumstein. can help meet the Donald Wilkins, professor emeritus idea-rich, faculty- The Piper asked eight longtime do- academic needs of of Music rich university. nors about why they think it’s important students and enrich “Carnegie Mellon I can see that my contribution is put to to donate to Carnegie Mellon. Here’s the quality of life has been a part of good use and makes CMU a better place what they have to say: for the university community.” my family for many for the students, faculty, staff, Pittsburgh years. My father Alfred Blumstein, the J. Erik Linda Kauffman, teaching professor and the world.” studied cello at the Jonsson University Professor in in the Department of Biological university in 1917, the Heinz College Donna Marano, director of fi nance Sciences and my mother took “Having made my “I believe that learning is the most excit- and administration for Civil & Environmental Engineering art classes before she long-term career ing thing I will ever do, and institutions “I donate to was married. I was a commitment to of learning deserve our support. And so, Carnegie Mellon student here, and so CMU and to the during the years that I have worked at because I believe was my sister, daughter and son. I believe Heinz College, I CMU, I used payroll deduction to make the work we do in Carnegie Mellon and I give as a way to have always felt it a monthly contribution to the university, here will change repay some of the benefi ts I received both important to sup- even though my own salary was not the world one as a student and a professor. When my port that institu- very large. In addition, I felt an obliga- student at a time, mother died, my family endowed Carnegie tion to make it stronger and thereby to tion to try to repay the benefi ts of tuition one discovery at a Mellon with the George and Mary Wilkins encourage others to do similarly.” remission — my two sons attended CMU Scholarship for a cello student.” T HREE A Common Ancestry: C ARNEGIE MELLON PHILHARMONIC RETURNS TO NYC’S CARNEGIE HALL

■ Kristi Ries fahrenden Gesellen.” both professional and student orchestras just a few short years before music From intense studio classes, ensemble Maestro Ronald Zollman, the new as a key element of his artistic career. began to echo through the ornate halls rehearsals and the multitude of hours in director of Orchestral Studies, will lead “I have always mixed activities, of the College of Fine Arts. solitary practice, students in Carnegie the university’s fl agship ensemble on as I feel that working with students is a For those unable to travel to New Mellon’s School of Music have spent this auspicious evening, which happens happy complement to the work with a York, the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic years honing their talent for moments to coincide with his 60th birthday. professional orchestra, and vice versa,” will present a Pittsburgh preview concert like these. The concert will open with a New he said. “The energy one encounters in featuring Bonner at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, On April 8, the Carnegie Mellon York premiere performance of Jacob a youth orchestra compensates for tech- April 6 in Oakland’s Carnegie Music Philharmonic will once again return to Druckman’s “Demos,” a piece that nical weaknesses one may encounter. Hall. Tickets for the NYC Carnegie Hall New York City’s storied Carnegie Hall, carries the audience through folksongs On the other hand, the routine one may performance are $15 to $25; to order, a venue built by CMU’s founder in of 12 European countries. Zollman, fi nd in a professional orchestra can be call CARNEGIECHARGE at 212-247- 1891, and a venue where many music who calls Druckman “an imaginative, positively shaken by the energetic 7800 or visit www.carnegiehall.org or alumni have performed over the years. inspired composer,” fi rst premiered the dynamism experienced when working http://music.cmu.edu. Tickets for the One such alumnus is Liam Bonner, piece as music director of the National with younger musicians.” Pittsburgh preview concert are $5 for a rising Metropolitan Opera star who Orchestra of Belgium in 1992. The concert closes with Igor general admission and can be ordered at will be a guest soloist in this year’s To date, Zollman has led more than Stravinsky’s vibrant and fanciful http://music.cmu.edu. program. Bonner will lend his rich 160 orchestras on fi ve continents. Yet “Petrouchka.” Parisian audiences fi rst Admission is free for students who baritone voice to Mahler’s “Lieder eines he cites this experience of working with heard the Russian ballet in 1911 — show their college ID.

Don Marinelli Refl ects on Randy Pausch, ETC in Upcoming Book

■ Eric Sloss helped them conceptualize and create his secrets for living life to the fullest the ETC, which Pausch referred to as a for millions of folks who needed such In his forthcoming book “The Comet “Dream Fulfi llment Factory.” guidance” … Comet Pausch left millions and the Tornado” (April 2010), Don Marinelli’s book covers the six of people stunned, amazed, happy, giddy Marinelli, executive producer of the En- years he spent sharing an offi ce with and seeing light where there had been tertainment Technology Center (ETC), Pausch and how their time spent togeth- only darkness … before this amazingly refl ects on his early days as assistant er taught him about thinking with both beautiful comet hurtled off into the uni- head of the Drama Department as well sides of your brain, embracing change, verse,” said Marinelli in his new book. as the years he spent building the ETC the importance of self-refl ection, the Sterling Innovation published “The with his late colleague and co-founder importance of a shared vision and facing Comet and the Tornado.” Pamela Horn, Randy Pausch. our fears of mortality. (H’88) editorial director at Sterling In- In his book and talk, “The Last In coming up with a one-word de- novation, discovered Marinelli’s book Lecture,” Pausch affectionately referred scription for Pausch, Marinelli decided idea and helped him publish the book. to Marinelli as the “Tornado,” a whirl- on a comet. The book is available at Amazon. wind of energy and creativity, and spoke “Comet Pausch burst upon the com, Barnes & Nobles and Carnegie of their yin-yang relationship, which scene like an astral body … illuminating Mellon bookstores. PHOTO COURTESY OF STERLING PUBLISHING PHOTO COURTESY

L&D Session Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day Upcoming Events David J. Bohan, associate vice president of The annual event is sponsored by Staff Council. University Advancement, will give an update Thursday, April 22 on Inspire Innovation: The Campaign for www.andrew.cmu.edu/org/todtw Carnegie Mellon University. The Robotics Institute will celebrate both its 30th anniversary and the fi rst National Noon – 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 13 University Lecture Series Robotics Week, April 10-18, with a program called Robot 30 on April 15-16. Conan Room, UC The Tepper School’s Allan Meltzer will discuss “Lessons about Economic Policy from History” A highlight of Robot 30, which coincides with Spring Carnival and Reunion Week- Spring Carnival with a special introduction by Associate Profes- end, will be an open house on April 16 that includes a 3 p.m. lecture by Matt Mason, April 15 – 17 sor Kiron Skinner of the Department of Social & director of the Robotics Institute, tours and demonstrations from 4 to 6 p.m., and a For more, see page 2. Decision Sciences. reception from 5 to 7 p.m. 4:30 p.m., Thursday, April 22 School of Drama Production Porter Hall 100 (Gregg Hall) For details, please consult the Robot 30 Web site at www.ri.cmu.edu/event_detail. Assistant Professor of Acting Matt Gray will html?event_id=135&&menu_id=241&event_type=events. The site also includes a direct “Richard III.” University Lecture Series link for pre-registration, which is required by April 12. For information about National 8 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 Michael Kammen of Cornell University will Robotics Week, visit www.nationalroboticsweek.org/. p.m., Saturday, April 15 – 24 discuss “What Happens When Art Provokes Philip Chosky Theater American Society — and Why.” 7 p.m., Thursday, April 22 University Lecture Series University Lecture Series Humanities Center Panel Discussion Porter Hall 100 (Gregg Hall) Anne Applebaum, a columnist for the Edward Tufte, an expert on visual thinking and “The Causes of Poverty and Global Obligations Washington Post and Slate, will discuss analytical design, will talk about his career as to the Poor: What is the Link?” with Nicole School of Art Lecture Series “Putinism: The Ideology.” a scholar and an artist. Hassoun, assistant professor of philosophy. Janine Antoni’s work blurs the distinction 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 6 7 p.m., Thursday, April 8 4:30 p.m., Monday, April 19 between performance art and sculpture, Adamson Wing, 136A Baker Hall Rashid Auditorium, Gates and Hillman centers Porter Hall 100 (Gregg Hall) transforming everyday activities such as eating, bathing and sleeping into ways of making art. University Lecture Series CAUSE Lecture Series L&D Session 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 27 Edward Tufte, an expert on visual thinking Leslie Brown of Williams College will discuss Karen Beaudway, a communications specialist Kresge Recital Hall and analytical design, will discuss how “Plenty of Opposition … Which Has Been in Human Resources, will lead “Communicating to make sense of information in terms of Growing Daily: Gender, Generation and via the Web II: Improve Your Web site.” Buhl Lecture science and art. Change in the Jim Crow South.” 1 – 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 20 William M. Gelbart, distinguished professor 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 7 4:30 p.m. refreshments, 5 p.m. lecture, Rangos 3, UC of chemistry and biochemistry at UCLA, will Rashid Auditorium, Gates and Hillman Friday, April 9 present “Viruses From Scratch.” centers Baker Hall A53 Celebration of Teaching Awards 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 28 The Ryan Award, Gelfand Award and Barbara Mellon Institute (MI) Auditorium, Reception to Humanities Center Lecture Series Innovation and Invention in Science Lazarus Award will be presented. College teach- follow, MI Lobby University Lecture Series & Technology Lecture Series ing award recipients also will be recognized. See page 12 for more information. Solomon Benatar, a professor of medicine Gail K. Naughton of San Diego State University 4:30 p.m. reception, 5 p.m. awards at the University of Cape Town, will discuss will discuss “Bringing Regenerative Medicine presentation, Wednesday, April 21 Meeting of the Minds — Undergraduate “Global Health and the Global Economic Therapies from Lab Bench to Clinical Practice.” Rangos 1 and 2, UC Research Symposium Crisis.” 4:30 p.m., Monday, April 12 Wednesday, May 5 4:30 p.m., Thursday, April 8 Porter Hall 100 (Gregg Hall) University Center Porter Hall 100 (Gregg Hall) www.cmu.edu/uro/MoM/ F OUR Paul Fischbeck Recognized Among Elite Educators C ONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

students problem-solving skills, one of life as a topic of study, DADSS provides the hallmarks of a CMU education. students with a fundamental knowledge A faculty member in the College of of decision analysis, and hands-on experi- Engineering’s Department of Engineer- ence with analytical methods and pro- ing and Public Policy (EPP) and the Col- cedures while learning to work in small lege of Humanities and Social Sciences’ groups. Students have studied usage of Celebration Department of Social and Decision the library and weight room, jaywalking Sciences (SDS) since 1990, Fischbeck is and eating habits on campus. Once com- known across campus for his Decision pleted, the studies often inspire campus of Analysis and Decision Support Systems improvements. Teaching (DADSS) and EPP project courses. Howard Heinz University Profes- Using different aspects of campus sor Baruch Fischhoff, said students in PHOTO BY KEN ANDREYO

Fischbeck’s classes “use more of Excel’s P AUL FISCHBECK capabilities than most people realize is possible.” leagues in EPP and SDS believe he is among C ELEBRATION OF TEACHING Also legendary is Fischbeck’s grad- the elite professors at Carnegie Mellon. In ing system for multiple-choice exams their nominating letter, Emeritus Professor William H. and Frances S. Ryan Award for Meritorious Teaching in DADSS. Rather than just picking the Francis Clay McMichael and professors M. Paul S. Fischbeck, professor, departments of Social & Decision correct answer, students must assess the Granger Morgan, head of EPP, and John Sciences and Engineering & Public Policy probability of each answer being correct. Miller, head of SDS, wrote that he is an Students and colleagues agree that “accomplished educator of the highest rank. Barbara Lazarus Award for Graduate Student and Junior Fischbeck gets the most from his students Faculty Mentoring “His enthusiasm for pedagogy, in- William J. Hrusa, professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences and they get the most from him. novative teaching methods, articulate and “He is able to understand what his expressive style, unfailing dedication to Mark Gelfand Service Award for Educational Outreach students need on an individual basis and students in and out of the classroom, and Kenya C. Dworkin, associate professor of Hispanic Studies, connect with each and everyone of them,” his ability to generate genuine excitement Department of Modern Languages senior business administration and deci- among students all qualify Paul for this sion sciences major Raunaq Palejwala signifi cant recognition as a teacher,” wrote in an email supporting Fischbeck’s C OLLEGE TEACHING AWARDS they said. nomination. “The way that he teaches While his teaching talents are unques- College of Engineering material, especially material as diffi cult tioned, he’s also an exceptional client for Benjamin Richard Teare, Jr. Richard Moore Education Award to grasp as this [in the DADSS course] seniors in the capstone project-based course Teaching Award for Substantial and Sustained is truly unique. He uses everything he’s “Information Systems Applications,” said Contributions to Education Jack L. Beuth Jr., professor, done in the past as part of his unique information systems professors Randy Richard Holman, professor, Department of Mechanical academic palette, which makes learning Weinberg and Jeria Quesenberry. Students Engineering; Department of Physics form him extremely fun, down-to-earth in the course work in small teams to design Priya Narasimhan, associate and easy to relate to. and implement an information system to professor, Department of Electri- School of Computer Science “Professor Fischbeck is the fi n- help solve a problem for a local non-profi t cal and Computer Engineering Herbert A. Simon Award for Teaching Excellence in est professor I have ever had. He is the organization or university client. unique breed of professor that gives this College of Fine Arts Computer Science Quesenberry said Fischbeck has con- Henry Hornbostel Teaching Victor S. Adamchik, associate university the reputation it has earned,” sistently supplied innovative challenges as Award teaching professor, Department Palejwala said. a client, and provides exceptional supervi- Mark Baskinger, associate of Computer Science “It [DADSS] was a stimulating, sion, guidance and assistance to the student professor, School of Design challenging, ‘dig into your brain and teams. One project involved investigating Tepper School of Business your psyche’ class whose subject matter, traffi c fatalities based on gender and de- College of Humanities & Social Excellence in the Classroom, B.S. techniques and real-world applications mographic issues. Another involved using Business Administration Program Sciences I will remember for the rest of my life,” gender and demographics to investigate Teaching Award Elliott Dunlap Smith Award for said Laura Seitz, a 2008 graduate who mortality rates in general. Teaching and Educational Service Joachim Vosgerau, assistant majored in civil and environmental engi- The Web site www.DeathRiskRank- in Humanities & Social Sciences professor of marketing neering and EPP. ings.com allows users to query publicly Yueming Yu, teaching professor Junior Kate Smith said DADSS em- available data from the United States and of Chinese Studies, Department Excellence in the Classroom, bodies the Carnegie Mellon philosophy of Modern Languages B.S. Economics Program Europe, and compare mortality risks by Teaching Award of practical, technical learning. gender, age, cause of death and geographic Heinz College Onur Kesten, assistant professor “I think Paul’s passion for education region. The Web site not only gives the risk Martcia Wade Teaching Award of economics is responsible for my own appreciation of dying within the next year, but it also Stephen F. Roehrig, teaching of — and commitment to — rigorous ranks the probable causes and allows for professor MBA Teaching Award/George quantitative research, my desire to pursue quick side-by-side comparison between Leland Bach Excellence in a Ph.D. to continue pursuing important groups. Teaching Award School of Information Systems & research questions, and my desire to teach “I have seen, time and time again, how Burton Hollifi eld, professor of Management Teaching Award with the same interest in my students skillfully Paul works with our students and fi nancial economics Michael D. Smith, associate and passion for my subject,” wrote Ryan faculty advisers,” Weinberg said in a sup- professor of information Menefee (HNZ’09). porting letter. “His vision has driven several technology and marketing Graduate Student Teaching Award Michael Cushman, a mechanical en- IS student projects to fruition in recent gineering and EPP major who earned his years and it has been a great delight to see Mellon College of Science Benjamin Jantzen, Department bachelor’s degree last year, took DADSS some of these projects receive national, and Julius Ashkin Teaching Award of Philosophy as well as an EPP project course with Catalina Achim, associate profes- indeed, international attention. Fischbeck. “He has an amazing ability sor, Department of Chemistry Graduate Student Service Award “Very simply, I would say Paul Fisch- Chad Ellis, Department of to bring order and consistency to what beck is the ‘best of the best.’ He is tireless Chemistry can be unclear and confusing. During the and his dedication to student achievement project course, Professor Fischbeck let at the undergraduate and graduate levels us decide where it was going, but told us is, at least within my fi eld of vision, almost how we could get there,” he said. unsurpassed.” Like his students, Fischbeck’s col-

F IVE Burkert To Serve as Next Vice Provost for Education

■ Bruce Gerson

Amy Burkert, an assistant dean for the “Whether in a traditional class- and apply it in a public health service Health Professions Program and Educa- room, a roundtable discussion room, a activity. Students collected items for care- tional Initiatives at the Mellon College research laboratory or an advising offi ce, giver kits that were shipped to the clinic of Science, and a teaching professor in Amy strives to convey to her students in Africa and given to AIDS workers to the Department of Biological Sciences, a passion for learning, an enthusiasm take on their rounds. The diabetes module will become vice provost for education for scientifi c discovery and her sincere class distributed healthy food to under- Aug. 1, succeeding Indira Nair, who has commitment to their personal, academic served communities through the Produce announced her retirement after 12 years and professional development. She will to the People project at the Greater in the role. bring this same passion, enthusiasm and Pittsburgh Foodbank. Burkert seems to be a perfect fi t for innovation to her new job,” Grotzinger Serving others comes naturally for the position. For more than a decade she said. Burkert — it was a large part of her has been dedicated to serving the needs Burkert’s innovative accomplish- upbringing. Her father was a minister and of Carnegie Mellon’s students, faculty ments include helping to create new her mother was a nurse. Both modeled the and programs. As a pioneering teacher, interdisciplinary courses of study, such fulfi llment of working hard to serve the advisor, mentor and administrator, she’s OF AMY BURKERT PHOTO COURTESY as the Bachelor of Science and Arts and A MY BURKERT needs of others and one’s community. helped to create novel opportunities and the Science and Humanities Scholars Working with and for students has new paradigms that have been nation- programs. She helped to establish the True to the Carnegie Mellon ethos, been one of Burkert’s greatest joys. She ally recognized. unifi ed major in biological sciences and Burkert is always looking for ways to said it will be diffi cult giving up her daily In announcing her appointment, psychology, the biomedical engineering advance the cutting edge in education. and direct interactions with students Executive Vice President and Provost minor for non-engineering students and She recognizes the unique elements of but she hopes through her work as vice Mark Kamlet cited her commitment and the minor in health care policy and man- Carnegie Mellon that make it an ideal provost, she will be able to have an even innovative approach to education. agement. She also was on the team that place for collaborative innovation. Many broader impact. Her former students are “We are fortunate to have Amy developed the intercollegiate bachelor’s of the educational initiatives she was confi dent she will succeed. Burkert, an enormously dedicated and degree program in computational biol- a part of were the result of realizing “I feel immensely excited that this talented educator, to fi ll this important ogy and the master’s degree program in a need, partnering with students and entire institution will be able to benefi t role,” Kamlet said. “Amy brings to the biotechnology, policy and management. faculty to imagine what could be done, from the dedication that Dr. Burkert has position much experience and enthu- Burkert was instrumental in devel- and then taking action to work together to education the way I have benefi tted siasm as an award-winning student advi- oping the global health course Biotech- to make it happen. these past years,” said Elizabeth Young, sor and teaching professor in Biological nology Impacting OurSelves, Societies Burkert has very much enjoyed a senior biology and health professions Sciences — she is a recipient of both and Spheres (BIOS3), and EUREKA, BIOS3, which she developed with major. the University Advising Award and the a fi rst-year seminar for MCS students Grotzinger and the late Bill Brown in “Her excellence in mentoring, com- MCS Julius Ashkin Teaching Award — that combines the disciplines of bio- response to President Jared Cohon’s municating, educating, problem solving and as an associate department head logical sciences, physics, chemistry and Global Course Initiative. She said the and leading will surely make her success- and dean, who’s been a creator and mathematical sciences. She was part of class is one of her “favorite projects ful as the vice provost for education. I developer of successful new courses the team that created the Diabetes World because it brings together many elements could not be more thrilled with the news, and programs.” Service-Learning Project with Chil- including teams of interdisciplinary stu- and am only sorry that I will not still be MCS Dean Fred Gilman agrees. dren’s Hospital, which provided students dents exploring science in context, global at this institution to see the improvements “Amy is a great choice for vice in the Health Professions Program the connections via technology and impact in educational objectives that she will provost for education. She’s been an opportunity to experience fi rst-hand through service learning.” instill,” Young said. invaluable member of the faculty of the the challenges faced by patients with Taught by Burkert and her col- Sheila Prakash, an MCS graduate Mellon College of Science. She excels chronic disease. leagues for the past three years, BIOS3 who was recently hired as a science writer in whatever she takes on, showing time Under her leadership, both the focuses on different global health topics for The New York Times, credits Burkert and again that her heart is in the work Health Professions Program and the including HIV/AIDS and diabetes. for academically rescuing her. of educating, advising and mentoring undergraduate program in Biological Students in the class on HIV/AIDS “Carnegie Mellon is home to some Carnegie Mellon students,” Gilman Sciences have grown in numbers and collaborated with an alumna in a clinic standout individuals. I don’t know of said. reputation. She has developed and in Africa and the diabetes class learned another school that takes better care of its MCS Associate Dean Eric nurtured numerous partnerships across from health offi cials in Qatar, both via students. As vice provost for education, Grotzinger says Burkert’s love for campus and throughout the region. videoconferencing. Dr. Burkert will be able to reach more teaching and compassion for students Thousands of students have been Through the BIOS3 service-learning students than she did before — and that will serve her well in her new role. impacted by her work. component students take their knowledge C ONTINUED ON PAGE ELEVEN Videoconferencing Allows Pittsburgh, Qatar Students To Have Joint

■ Abby Houck El Samahy and Torello are team (Qatar) taught the fi rst course, “U.S.– as well as H&SS’s David Kaufer and teaching Middle Eastern Cities, a new Arab Encounters.” Nair taught “Global Danielle Wetzel. It’s 9:30 on a Wednesday morning in course that uses case studies to merge Issues–Local Solutions” with former Most classrooms at Carnegie Mellon Pittsburgh. A member of Computing Ser- urban analysis with urban history. About Carnegie Mellon Qatar faculty member Qatar are equipped with cameras and vices’ MediaTech team wheels an LCD two dozen students are enrolled. Count- Faheem Hussain. Joanna Dickert from two large screens — one for displaying TV with a small camera mounted on top ing el Samahy’s Egyptian roots and the Offi ce of the Dean of Student Affairs course materials and the other for view- into a fourth-fl oor classroom of Margaret Torello’s Italian citizenship, 12 nation- (Pittsburgh) was the primary instructor ing Pittsburgh classrooms. Professors Morrison Carnegie Hall. Students quietly alities are represented in this “global for “Privilege, Social Responsibility and on the Pittsburgh campus may utilize fi ll in seats with coffee cups in hand. classroom.” Community,” with assistance from fel- similar setups in Gates 4307 or Baker Francesca Torello, an adjunct architecture Joint courses have been taught at low Student Affairs staff Renee Camer- Hall’s Giant Eagle or Steinberg audito- faculty member, boots up her laptop. Pittsburgh and Qatar since 2005. The ini- lengo (Pittsburgh) and David Stanfi eld riums. If these rooms are not available, A few moments later, Rami el tiative was the brainchild of Indira Nair, (Qatar), as well as visiting instructor a mobile unit provides a similar effect. Samahy, an assistant teaching professor vice provost for education and professor Kira Dreher (Qatar). Instructors can display course materials of architecture, is visible on the LCD of engineering and public policy. Several faculty members have as well as the Qatar classrooms through screen and says “hello” from Carnegie College of Humanities & Social taught a simulcast course from a “picture-in-picture” option on a mobile Mellon Qatar. Behind him a lively group Sciences (H&SS) professors Laurie Pittsburgh individually. They include the unit’s screen. of students begins to fi nd seats. It’s 5:30 Eisenberg (Pittsburgh) and Ben Reilly College of Fine Arts’ Kelly Hutzell, Teaching a course via videoconfer- p.m. in Doha. S IX Nair To Retire After Decades of Teaching Innovations C ONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE immediate work that I do. That fi t very experience, and by the ways that she has versity recently received the 2010 U.S. well with engineering and public policy.” intentionally worked to infuse an aware- Senator Paul Simon Award for Com- Nair said EPP’s goal was to teach ness of, and a commitment to, diversity, prehensive Internationalization from how engineers and society impact each sustainability and globalization across NAFSA: Association of International other. the curricular and metacurricular experi- Educators. Nair helped lead the interna- Professor M. Granger Morgan, head ences of our students. For me Indira has tional curriculum development that was of EPP, hired Nair. Nair said Morgan been a true mentor who personifi es all honored. was instrumental in letting her learn by that is good in higher education; and I “Carnegie Mellon excels in chal- allowing her to be involved in many of will miss her immensely.” lenging our students to become aware, the programs that were being invented at While Nair is moving to New socially responsible global citizens of a time when the department was just get- Mexico to be closer to family, she will tomorrow’s world,” Nair said. “Carnegie ting started. continue to work with Carnegie Mellon Mellon’s focus on internationalization is “She quickly proved invaluable,” on some projects. refl ected not only through a curriculum Morgan said. “We worked together on a Nair said she didn’t approach her that enhances global understanding, but

wide variety of projects including a series vocation with a career path in mind. She PHOTO BY KEN ANDREYO also through our international students of studies in the area of possible health said it’s more about looking at the op- here, our international research and I NDIRA NAIR effects from power-frequency electric and portunities in front of her, making sense education partnerships, and through our magnetic fi elds. She became associate of what needed to be done and learning relationships with alumni all over the department head in EPP and was tenured what she needed to complete the job at seems we need to have different kinds of world.” in the department on the basis both of her hand. literacies,” Nair said. “Everybody needs Nair helped create courses and research and her outstanding contributions “And then I just do it. That’s how to know some common facts about the activities on the Pittsburgh campus that to education here at Carnegie Mellon, and I’ve done all my jobs,” Nair said. environment and our actions. They need enhances students’ global understanding elsewhere across the country and around In doing so, she’s reshaped the uni- to know that they have to think refl ec- of issues in various disciplines. One of the world.” versity’s plan for creating well-rounded tively about their job and have responsi- those courses is Biotechnology Impact- Under her guidance, she has de- students. bility embedded toward the world — ing OurSelves, Societies and Sphere, veloped programming for undergradu- which Amy Burkert has taught. Burkert ates such as the “Odyssey” program for will step into Nair’s role as vice provost A CELEBRATION OF INDIRA NAIR’ S 32 YEARS OF SERVICE sophomores and “Big Questions” for for education this summer. fi rst-year students. WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 6. MORE INFORMATION When it comes to teaching ethics, She also has spearheaded the Univer- WILL BE EMAILED TO THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY. among other projects, Nair founded Stu- sity Lecture Series and overseen opera- dent Pugwash, a group to help engineers tions of the Leonard Gelfand Center for and scientists think responsibly and ethi- Service Learning and Outreach; graduate cally about their work and how it affects support programs; graduate diversity; Rethinking Education toward the world’s people. And similarly the world around them. She also pushed undergraduate research and fellowships; Nair said reading and writing were you have to have a knowledge how other students to think how they might act in the Eberly Center for Teaching Excel- skills everyone was expected to know people might think, how other cultures real-world situations while they are still lence, Academic Development and the in the past. But because of the economy, might think. So from the beginning, my sitting in the classroom. Intercultural Communications Center; expanded travel and advancements in thinking has been that no matter what “I would tell students most often, the Carnegie Mellon Advising Resource communications technology, awareness subject area you teach, there’s always when professionals think about these Center; and the Offi ce of Technology for of the world is vital. room to introduce those elements.” things, it is in times of distress of some Education. “Understanding how to live together To address these concerns, Nair kind, when they are confl icted and “I have had the distinct pleasure of in the world has become so important. worked on a variety of programs. One they are facing confl icting decisions,” working closely with Indira throughout And so that knowledge, that you’re not focused on the greening of early under- she said. “And that’s really a bad time her tenure as Vice Provost for Educa- the only person — and yours is not the graduate education. to start thinking about something that tion,” said Dick Tucker, the Paul Mellon only way of thinking — is really impor- “We introduced environmental should be such a core value for your University Professor of Applied Lin- tant to point out to students,” Nair said. aspects into different courses of different work.” guistics at Carnegie Mellon, who has She described the need for everyone kinds: modeling, design, English, art, For future students, Nair has this been named interim dean for Carnegie to have functioning knowledge of the architecture,” she said. wisdom to share. Mellon Qatar. “I have been continually environment, the world and ethics. Her legacy also is entwined in the “Look around, look within and struck by the depth and the breadth of “To function as a full citizen, innovations that have made Carnegie refl ect on what you are and what you her commitment to improving the student especially as a learned citizen at that, it Mellon a global institution. The uni- do,” she said.

Classroom Experiences encing presents some challenges, but said. “But in this format, I’m at my com- students are learning new approaches to our peers who are already familiar with Torello and el Samahy agree that the puter a lot.” problem solving and are developing a the Middle East.” experience is worth the extra time and El Samahy is free to move about the better understanding of how individuals Student Batoul Kalife said a group creativity needed to manage a course that classroom since the course’s teaching as- of other cultures view the world. project on Jerusalem impacted her. She spans continents. sistant, fi fth-year architecture student and “Both campuses are very interna- initially was apprehensive about the “It’s amazing that we can do this,” el technology whiz Spencer Gregson, is in tional and cosmopolitan, but in different assignment because of strong opinions Samahy said. “Technology has changed the Doha classroom. Torello’s gradu- ways,” el Samahy said. about Israeli-Palestinian confl icts. El so fast.” ate teaching assistant, Nathan Shepley Ian Newborn, a student in the Samahy and the project group challenged The pair of professors developed Streed, focuses most of his time on help- Master of Urban Design Program, her to be objective when collecting and their own course Web site to share pre- ing students with writing assignments. appreciates the opportunity to interact presenting data about the city. sentations and allow students to upload Scheduling confl icts occasionally with classmates who have lived in or “It was so fascinating to see how course assignments. arise. For example, when Pittsburgh was visited the cities they are exploring. Jerusalem, even though it is divided, Technology in the classroom also snow covered on Feb. 10, class was can- “As we step into the classroom we has parts in it where Jews and Arabs required Torello to change her teaching celed for all students. In addition, spring are immersed in our topic of study,” he coexist together,” Khalife said. “I would style slightly. break is observed during different weeks. said. “Videoconferencing with Doha not have known that if I hadn’t worked “I like to move around the room and Students on both campuses have allows us in Pittsburgh to connect across with two students from the Pittsburgh use my hands when I lecture,” Torello benefi ted from peer interaction. The cultural and geographical barriers with campus.” S EVEN Biomedical Students Develop Ways To Help Brains, Babies

■ Chriss Swaney Two biomedical engineering gradu- bleeding during most operations,” said engineers ranging from entrepreneurship at knocking down obstacles in the way ate students, Matt Oberdier and Sanna James Burgess, a neurosurgeon at Al- to fi eld research. Specifi cally, I also hope of her research goals. She is poised to Gaspard, are taking entrepreneurship legheny General Hospital and an adjunct that this award will encourage young have great impact in the biomedical de- to another level as they both seek to lecturer in Carnegie Mellon’s Biomedi- women to pursue careers in the transfor- vice community,” said Todd Przybycien, develop novel products to improve the cal Engineering Department. Burgess mational fi eld of engineering,” Gaspard a professor of chemical and biomedical health and work environment of patients also serves as Oberdier’s co-advisor. said. engineering and Gaspard’s Ph.D. and physicians. “This new tool will save time and has To ensure that her pediatric technol- adviser. Oberdier said his idea is designed to the potential to benefi t more than 35 mil- ogy will make it to hospitals and home A native of the Caribbean island help surgeons readily clear excess blood lion patients worldwide.” nurseries where it could help infants, of St. Lucia, Gaspard had initially and control bleeding during critical Oberdier earned a bachelor’s degree Gaspard founded a startup company wanted to be a neonatologist, but she stages involving brain operations. in chemical engineering in 2003 and called TLneoCare LLC. Through TL- was uncomfortable working in a hospital “We are creating a device that will a master’s degree in biomedical engi- neoCare she is commercializing a new environment. Her fascination with sci- house a clear, hermetically sealed dome neering in 2005 from the University of neonatal physiotherapy unit that is de- ence and a natural drive to deconstruct through which instruments may be Akron. signed to soothe and improve the health objects as a child led her to pursue passed, and a special pump to apply fl uid Gaspard, who was recently chosen of newborns. To complete her studies, a graduate degree in biomedical pressure and monitor the fl ow to the as the 2010 Engineer’s Week “Face of she is also developing a diagnostic medi- engineering in 2004. surgical area,” Oberdier said. Engineering,” is developing a pediatric cal instrument for early pressure ulcer She is a member of the IEEE’s Surgeons need a clear view during device to improve the overall health and detection. Engineering in Medicine and Biology brain operations because they have to survival rate of newborn babies. “Sanna’s unique mix of creativity, Society, IEEE’s Instrumentation and navigate deep inside the skull and con- “I was extremely excited about the resourcefulness and drive coupled with Measurement Society and she founded trol very small blood vessels. accolade, I hope this award will encour- her strong work ethic make me think the award-winning Graduate Biomedical “About half of all surgeons’ time age young engineers to explore the of the ‘Energizer Bunny’ of biomedical Engineering Society of Carnegie Mellon. is spent trying to control some level of wealth of career options that exist for engineering — she is particularly good

Grad Student Uses Body as Machine With Skinput

■ Byron Spice tapping or scratching on tables, walls or perimposed buttons; in fact, Skinput can from the QoLT Foundry, he launched Chris Harrison has a knack for invention other surfaces. take advantage of proprioception — a a company, Invynt LLC, to market a and takes particular delight in those that For Skinput, highly tuned vibration person’s sense of body confi guration — technology he calls “Lean and Zoom,” “blur the line between technology and sensors, called cantilevered piezo fi lms, for eyes-free interaction. which automatically magnifi es the image magic.” And perhaps nothing he has in- are attached to the body. The sensors In a trial involving 20 subjects, the on a computer monitor as the user leans vented to date comes closer to obliterat- detect the sounds of fi nger taps and system was able to classify the inputs toward the screen. ing that line than Skinput, a bio-acoustic fl icks as they are carried by transverse with 88 percent accuracy overall. Ac- Harrison also has developed a tech- device that turns a person’s arms, fi ngers waves through the skin and by longitu- curacy depended in part on proximity nique to create a pseudo-3D experience and hands into the equivalent of a com- dinal, or compressive, waves through of the sensors to the input; forearm taps for videoconferencing using a single puter touchpad. the bones. could be identifi ed with 96 percent accu- webcam at each conference site. Another People can use Skinput to control “There’s nothing super sophisti- racy when sensors were attached below project explored how touchscreens can smart phones or other mobile devices by cated about the sensor itself,” Harrison the elbow, 88 percent accuracy when the be enhanced with tactile buttons that can fl icking or tapping their fi ngers, or by said, “but it does require some unusual sensors were above the elbow. Finger change shape as virtual interfaces on the rapping on their forearms. processing. It’s sort of like the computer fl icks could be identifi ed with 97 percent touchscreen change. “With Skinput, we can use our own mouse — the device mechanics them- accuracy. “Chris is a rising star,” said Scott skin — the body’s largest organ — as an selves aren’t revolutionary, but are used Testing indicates the accuracy of Hudson, HCII professor and Harrison’s input device,” said Harrison, a third-year in a revolutionary way.” Skinput is reduced in heavier, fl eshier faculty adviser. “Even though he’s a Ph.D. student in the Human-Computer Harrison and his colleagues found people and that age and sex might also comparatively new Ph.D. student, the Interaction Institute (HCII). “It’s kind of that the tap of each fi ngertip, a tap to affect accuracy. Since joining the HCII very innovative nature of his work has crazy to think we could summon inter- one of fi ve locations on the arm, or a tap in 2007, Harrison has developed a repu- garnered a lot of attention both in the faces onto our bodies, but it turns out to to one of 10 locations on the forearm tation for invention. Last year, with help HCI research community and beyond.” make a lot of sense. Our skin is always produces a unique acoustic signature with us, and makes the ultimate interac- that machine learning programs could tive touch surface.” learn to identify. These computer pro- Skinput thus could enable people to grams, which improve with experience, take better advantage of the tremendous were able to determine the signature computing power available in portable of each type of tap by analyzing 186 devices by foregoing the tiny keypads different features of the acoustic signals, and other miniature input surfaces typi- including frequencies and amplitude. cally used to control them, he said. In a prototype developed by Har- Harrison will describe the technol- rison, Tan and Morris, the acoustic sen- ogy in a paper to be presented at CHI sors are attached to the upper arm. The 2010, the Association for Computing armband also includes a small projector Machinery’s annual Conference on that can superimpose colored buttons Human Factors in Computing Systems, onto the wearer’s forearm, which can be April 10-15 in Atlanta. used to navigate through menus of com- Harrison developed Skinput last mands or can project a keypad onto the summer while an intern at Microsoft palm of the hand. Though the prototype Research, working with the company’s is bulky, Harrison said it could be easily Desney Tan and Dan Morris. It’s an miniaturized so that it could be worn extension of an earlier invention by Har- much like a wrist watch. Simple devices, such as MP3

rison called Scratch Input, which used OF CHRIS HARRISON PHOTO COURTESY

acoustic microphones to enable users to players, might be controlled simply by S INCE ARRIVING AT THE HCII, CHRIS HARRISON HAS DEVELOPED A REPUTATION FOR tapping fi ngertips, without need of su- E IGHT control cell phones and other devices by INVENTION WITH SEVERAL CREATIONS, INCLUDING HIS NEW PROJECT, SKINPUT. Ken Chu Takes Center Stage in CFA’s Costume Shop

■ Melanie Linn Gutowski Serendipity is a word that Ken Chu he said. “So I decided to come back.” never expected would defi ne his career. It turned out to be another lucky Chu, manager of the College of break. The College of Fine Arts was Fine Arts’ costume shop, got his start seeking a manager for its costume shop. in theater arts quite by accident. Through a faculty acquaintance, Chu As an undergraduate work-study learned of the position. student in the University of Massachu- Chu also teaches “Introduction to setts Amherst’s Theater Department, Costume Construction” for sophomores Chu got a taste of his future career as well as a “Costume Management during his sophomore year. Seminar” for upperclassmen. The other “There was a play that needed an part of Chu’s role as costume shop Asian actor, and no one else showed up manager is to serve as the bridge for auditions,” Chu said. “The people in between the creative and technical ends the department asked if I’d like the part.” of costuming. Though he had had no prior expo- “Usually, a designer is brought in sure to theater, Chu’s experience in the to do costumes for a show, whether a play led him to change his major to the student or professional,” Chu said. “The PHOTO BY TIM KAULEN discipline and embark on the program’s designer works with the rest of the artis- K EN CHU RUNS THE UNIVERSITY’ S COSTUME SHOP. survey course, which included costume tic team — sets, lighting, choreographer, design. director — to conceptualize the show. at the university in 2007. and Ken had, he came to all the meet- “After that, I decided to do this for They decide the look, the feel; how “The professionalism of that shop ings with me to help me make decisions. the rest of my life,” Chu said. they’re going to tell the story. has grown exponentially since his It’s good that he’s around a lot — he’s After completing his master’s degree “Then I’m brought in and the arrival,” Krostyne said. been a huge help in interfacing between in costume design at the University of designer walks me through what they’re “He’s still affi liated with a lot of the Pittsburgh Opera’s shop and me,” Texas at Austin in 1996, Chu moved to thinking. I get their renderings — draw- New York shops and can give his stu- Lorentz said. New York City, where he lived for the ings of the costumes — and, based on dents exposure to what they’ll experi- “He’s sort of a perfectionist, which next seven years, freelancing Broadway these elements, I fi gure out the budget ence in the profession,” Krostyne said. really helps a lot because many of us projects such as “The Lion King,” for our labor and material costs.” “He is constantly challenging them and are used to doing things more sloppily,” “Rent” and “Victor/Victoria.” Chu calculates how many hours are pushing them to the next level. Some- Lorentz said. “It’s making me better at However, Chu’s passion soon turned needed to handle the costume production times they think he picks on them, but construction and thus better at costume from design to management. work for each show. He then develops a he’s hard on the people who have the design, which is the ultimate goal.” “As soon as I graduated from school, production schedule. ability to do more. He recognizes ability.” Chu also volunteers his time around I decided that I like to be a project Occasionally, third-party contrac- Kim Lorentz, a second-year gradu- campus, having been elected Staff manager,” Chu said. “I do design, but tors are needed, especially if the show ate student in costume design, is one Council treasurer last year. In addition I’m really an administrative guy. I’m the calls for specialized work. such student. Chu picked her to work to managing the organization’s budget, interface between the people who make “That’s when he calls me in, when in Krostyne’s studio as a stitcher on a Chu hosts brown bag lunches for CFA stuff and the designers.” there’s too much work for his shop to professional show. staff as an opportunity to ask questions Chu came to Carnegie Mellon fol- do — that’s when he’ll outsource work,” Chu also helped Lorentz with her and express concerns, which he relays to lowing a two-year stint at Hong Kong said Marianne Krostyne, a professional off-campus project for the fall 2009 council. Academy for the Performing Arts, “the draper and owner of Krostyne Studio on term. She worked as a costume designer Though his career path has been Julliard of Asia,” as he calls it. Though the city’s North Side. for the Pittsburgh Opera’s production varied, Chu said he is content to stay in he thrived in Hong Kong, he returned to Krostyne has worked extensively of “The Rape of Lucretia,” which has education. the U.S. with Carnegie Mellon students, both completed its run at CAPA Theater. “I don’t imagine going back to the “The way the industry works, if on campus and in her studio. She was “Since my normal advisor had never profession,” Chu said. “I’m pretty happy you’re not current, it’s hard to fi nd work,” acquainted with Chu prior to his arrival worked with [the Opera’s personnel] here.”

Carnegie Mellon Qatar Aids Academy piper With Tablet PC Knowledge Congratulations to Donna E. Klaas, Jacqueline K. Goslin and Keghani Kristelle ■ Andrea L. Zrimsek Ananda Gunawardena is a computer teacher’s line of sight, so students cannot Kouzoujian for knowing Peter Stumpf takes care of 80 pianos at the university. When the seventh- and eighth-grade science professor, who has been be on Facebook or playing games such classes at Qatar Academy were given developing Tablet PC applications as Halo. Also, the Tablet PCs can be Go online to the Piper+ at Tablet PCs — but no instruction on how such as MathWiz, Flashcards and networked so assignments can easily http://bit.ly/CMUpiper for this month’s to use them — school offi cials turned to Lemonsketch. These applications are be exchanged between teachers and Carnegie Mellon Qatar for help. free for the educational community. students. Qatar Academy has a wireless question. Previous winners are ineligible. “If the students are given the “These machines can change projector so teachers can project from Winners will receive a prize from the technology, then the teachers need to the whole dynamic of the classroom. their machines to the whole class, Carnegie Mellon Bookstore. learn how to use it to aid them in the They allow teachers to communicate which Le Surf says keeps students more Connect with Internal classroom. That’s where we come in,” constantly with students,” said Mark engaged. said Professor Andreas Karatsolis. LeSurf, head of the technology The machine also allows teachers Communications “Carnegie Mellon has developed a lot of department at Qatar Academy. Le Surf to see what notes students take during the types of applications used on Tablet said seventh and eighth grade is a good a lecture and monitor the progression http://bit.ly/CMUnewsFacebook PCs, so we are able teach the teachers the age to introduce this kind of technology of a student’s work on a math problem. best ways to use the Tablet PCs to their because students are moving into a high Capturing the math work is an important http://www.twitter.com/CMUnews advantage.” level of thinking. aspect of WeMath, a platform to help CMU’s Pittsburgh campus is home With a Tablet PC, there is no teachers and students collaborate on to one of the leaders in Tablet PC. monitor blocking the student from the working through math problems. N INE Staff See Development Day as Opportunity To Learn

■ Heidi Opdyke Terri Jones Davis, administrative Finance, found the sessions helpful. fi nancial assistant in the Psychology “There were things that I had been While students were out for spring Department, called the day a total crash curious about and most of those ques- break, university employees were in the course for her. tions were answered in the session,” classroom. Learning and Development “There was a lot of good infor- Penak said. “There was a lot of good hosted its fi rst-ever Staff Development mation for me to think about,” Davis substance in the sessions.” Day on March 8, and more than 200 said. One of the sessions she took Tarr said he learned more about the people attended the event, which fea- was Interactive Theater, which allows university and met new people. tured three sets of concurrent sessions. audience members to view different “I’ve worked at quite a few places. Some of the most popular topics workplace and campus scenarios dealing A lot of times, you don’t get the oppor- were “Transitioning to Excel 2007,” with issues such as diversity, sexual tunity to learn about the place where “Getting Started with Social Media,” harassment and confl ict. After the skit you work,” Tarr said. “Does it Matter How People Feel in the has been performed, the actors stay in Heather Wainer, administrative Workplace?” and Michael Murphy’s character, allowing participants to ask coordinator for Learning and Develop- luncheon remarks on what it means to questions and gain insight into the mo- ment, said a second Staff Development work at Carnegie Mellon. Murphy said tives prompting their behavior. The skit Day is being planned for March 2011. In he was proud to be a part of the univer- she saw, “The Fix,” was one she had addition, the biannual Leadership Sym- sity, and said that we are collectively seen before. posium will be held in January, which is

creating the ideal community for HOLZEMER PHOTO BY DAVID “But seeing it a second time, al- a similar event with sessions geared to solving the world’s problems. R ON PLACONE, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESI- lowed me to pick up more things that university leaders and managers. “The work is in our heart. We are DENT OF LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT, were projected. I probably would see For more information on Learning passionate with what we are doing, and TEACHES A SESSION DURING THE STAFF it a third time,” she said. and Development programs, visit we are concerned with the outcome,” D EVELOPMENT DAY. Brian Penak and Greg Tarr, from www.cmu.edu/hr/learning/. Murphy said.

Census 2010: Making Sure You Count C ONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE to complete and return the 10-question information. Responding to the census is everyone at Carnegie Mellon — faculty, Fienberg had his students form survey, using April 1 as the reference a civic responsibility.” staff and students — understand how groups to target specifi c campus popula- date. It may sound fairly simple, but Add in the dynamics of a university they need to participate in the census,” tion segments. They have also created getting something close to an accurate community that has students living on Fienberg said. “For example, students vehicles, such as a Web site (www.cmu. count has proved to be quite diffi cult for and off campus and non-U.S. citizens, living on campus will get their forms edu/census) and videos, to help get the several reasons. The mail response rate and the process can get even more through the resident assistants under message out. They will work on follow- in 2000 was only 72 percent. confusing. To help ensure that Carnegie the supervision of the registrar. They’re up campaigns throughout April. “Convincing people to fi ll out the Mellon is accurately counted, Fienberg counted here, not at their parents’ house.” Fienberg also brought several form and send it in is a big challenge,” built a Humanities and Social Sci- Faculty, staff and graduate students speakers to the class including current said Stephen Fienberg, the Maurice Falk ences freshman seminar around it. This should have already received their forms U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert University Professor of Statistics and semester, his 13 students are not only at their residential mailing address. Groves and former U.S. Census Bureau Social Science and one of the country’s learning about the census and its history, “Everyone needs to complete and return Director Barbara Bryant. “This only leading census experts. “It’s all about controversies and methods, but they’re it — even non-U.S. citizens,” Fienberg happens once every 10 years,” Fienberg awareness. Not everyone understands also working on projects to help com- said. “Being counted will help give said. “It’s been fun to see the students the importance of accurate census data, municate census information to different Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and Penn- learn about the census and really start to and there are some who are wary of campus audiences. sylvania an accurate count, and is crucial become passionate and very knowledge- what the government will do with the “It’s important to make sure that for our future.” able about its role in our lives.”

N EWS BRIEFS

Skinner Appointed To Bush Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution at University Wins Prestigious Simon Award Project Advisory Board Stanford University. Carnegie Mellon is one of fi ve higher education institutions that will receive the 2010 U.S. Kiron Skinner, associate Carnegie Mellon Offers Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization from NAFSA: Association professor of social and Dual Ph.D. Program With of International Educators during the NAFSA annual conference June 4 in Kansas City, Mo. decision sciences and This prestigious award refl ects Carnegie Mellon’s position as one of the world’s elite top-tier head of the International University in Singapore global universities and recognizes the university’s accomplishments in preparing students to Relations and Politics Carnegie Mellon and Singapore’s Nanyang address society’s most pressing challenges. Program, has been ap- Technological University (NTU) have estab- “Carnegie Mellon’s focus on internationalization is refl ected not only through a curriculum pointed to the advisory lished a dual Ph.D. program in engineering. that enhances global understanding, but also through our international students here, our board of the offi cial oral Candidates who successfully meet the aca- international research and education partnerships, and through our relationships with alumni history project for former President George W. demic requirements of both NTU and CMU will all over the world,” said Vice Provost for Education Indira Nair, who has helped to lead inter- Bush. The project of the Miller Center of Public be awarded doctoral degrees by both universi- national curriculum development at the university. Affairs at the University of Virginia, the only ties. Students will spend at least two academic institution that conducts oral histories of former years at NTU and another two academic years presidential administrations, will document at CMU with a co-adviser from each university service and the extent to which the school of- University Makes Service the life and career of the 43rd president with to guide them in their research. fers academic service-learning courses. Honor Roll for Third Year a focus on the White House years. Unbiased “We are delighted that Carnegie Mel- For the third year in a row, Carnegie Mellon scholarly interviews will be done with individu- lon’s Mechanical Engineering Department will Bring Your Sons, has been named to the President’s Higher als who are the most familiar with the Bush be involved with this innovative dual Ph.D. Daughters To Work Education Community Service Honor Roll by presidency. Skinner, an international rela- degree program with Nanyang Technological the Corporation for National and Community Register now for “Take Our Daughters And tions and foreign policy expert, has authored University,” said President Jared L. Cohon. Service. This recognition from the highest Sons To Work Day” on Thursday, April 22. “Turning Points in Ending the Cold War” and “Carnegie Mellon has a longstanding tradition levels of the federal government acknowledges Sponsored by Staff Council, activities are co-authored “The Strategy of Campaigning: of collaborating with top universities around the the university’s commitment to service. Honor- geared toward children aged 9-14. University Lessons from Ronald Reagan and Boris Yelt- world to provide opportunities for our students ees are chosen based on scope and innova- events will include recreation time, a lunch sin” with former Secretary of State Condo- to learn in competitive and entrepreneurial en- tion of service projects, percentage of student program and other activities. To register, visit leeza Rice. Skinner is the W. Glenn Campbell vironments. This agreement will enable Ph.D. participation in service activities, incentives for www.andrew.cmu.edu/org/todtw. T EN Film Grows From Community G LOBAL PERSPECTIVES Gardeners’ Struggle

■ Shilo Raube choose topics that interest me and hope When director Scott Hamilton Kennedy as an artist other people are interested heard about a mysterious eviction notice in them. What’s really exciting is how that threatened the future of a 14-acre emotional people get after seeing it. Los Angeles community garden — the They ask questions, talk about it and largest of its kind in the United States — want to know more.” he decided to do something to help the Jolanta Lion, Carnegie Mellon’s South Central farmers. He picked up his International Film Festival director and camera and followed the story. Humanities Center assistant director, “After 12 years of amazing success isn’t surprised at the fi lm’s appeal. rebuilding a community after the ’92 “‘The Garden’ takes real people and

2010 INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, WWW. CMU. EDU/ FACES PHOTO BY KEN ANDREYO Former U.S. Ambassador to Finland Barbara M. Barrett and her husband, former Intel Corporation CEO and Chairman of the Board Craig R. Barrett, discussed their careers during a late March visit to L.A. riots, bulldozers were about to tear their lives and makes them the face of Carnegie Mellon. Barbara Barrett compared Finland’s transformation apart their land,” said Kennedy. “The environmental justice, race and politi- into a global technology power, to Pittsburgh’s transformation farmers wanted to fi ght.” cal issues,” she said. “That’s why it is from a steel city to one with an economy based on education and Kennedy’s camera followed them perfect to include in this year’s festival. technology. When asked by President Jared Cohon how Intel was as they organized and tried to fi gure out We’re screening fi lms that tell actual able to survive the dot com bust, Craig Barrett said that he believes what was happening. Why was the land stories about topics that can seem ab- in investing during a recession in order to come out of it stronger, sold for millions less than fair market stract — like climate change, global war, and that’s what Intel did instead of cutting back. value? Why did the city council make aging and border issues.” these decisions behind closed-door The 2010 International Film Fes- meetings? tival, “Faces of Globalization,” runs Burkert To Serve C ONTINUED FROM PAGE SIX “It’s a great American story on through April 24. Screenings of “The spells extraordinary things for the future of the university,” Prakash said. many levels,” he said. “It’s a classic Garden” will take place at 7:15 p.m., Burkert says she has a lot to learn and is eager to meet with each dean, depart- story about justice, race, class and how April 7 at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater ment head and director of the many units across campus “to put my fi nger on the we defi ne ourselves as Americans.” and at 7:15 p.m., April 8 at Carlow pulse of what’s happening, explore the key issues, determine what is working and The resulting fi lm, “The Garden,” University’s AJ Palumbo Hall. Kennedy to envision together ways we can improve and move forward.” went on to become a critical success, will be at both screenings to answer “At Carnegie Mellon we have been innovators in education just as we are in winning Best Documentary at the 2008 questions and discuss the fi lm. research. I hope to be able to continue to build on that legacy,” she said. “This is Camden Film Festival and the 2009 For a complete schedule of this an amazing environment in which bridges can actually be formed and sustained. Florida Film Festival. It received the year’s International Film Festival — There’s always something that can be improved or a new approach that can be 2008 Silver Docs Award for Best Docu- which consists of 14 critically acclaimed made possible through collaboration.” mentary and earned a 2009 Academy feature fi lms and a new International Burkert shared that she feels fortunate to have been mentored for many years Award Nomination for Best Documen- Student Short Film Competition — by the current vice provost, Indira Nair. She said one of the most important things tary Feature. visit www.cmu.edu/faces. To watch that Nair has told her is to approach the position as being the university’s voice for “The accolades were surprising,” a trailer of “The Garden,” visit education, a leader who serves the university by supporting and enabling all of its Kennedy said. “As a fi lmmaker, I www.thegardenmovie.com. students and faculty to do great things. Burkert stands ready to serve.

candidates, both in Pittsburgh and Singapore, effort aimed at making an impact on environ- Efros Receives Quality of Life Technology to work with some of the top minds in a variety mental quality through design. Finmeccanica Chair Foundry Receives NSF Grant of academic disciplines.” Civil engineering Ph.D. candidates Michael Alexei Efros, associate The Quality of Life Technology (QoLT) Foundry, Blackhurst and Jordi Vidal worked with Hen- professor of robotics which helps start-up fi rms that commercialize Hendrickson Leads Team drickson on the study, which was featured in and computer science, technologies associated with the QoLT Center, Tracking Water Usage the Feb. 23 edition of the journal Environmental has been awarded a is now expanding thanks to a three-year, $1.5 Science & Technology. Chris T. Hendrickson, the Duquesne Light Pro- three-year Finmeccanica million Innovation Award from the National fessor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Career Development Science Foundation. Established in 2008, Vol. 24 Factbook Is is leading a comprehensive study to determine Chair. the QoLT Foundry is directed by Curt Stone, Now Online how U.S. industry is using water. The study Since 1989, the Italian a veteran entrepreneur who is an executive- shows that most water use by industry occurs Volume 24 of the Carnegie Mellon University conglomerate Finmeccanica has endowed in-residence at Carnegie Mellon. This NSF indirectly as a result of processing, such as Factbook is now available at www.cmu.edu/ a chair to support outstanding young faculty funding will allow the foundry to expand its packaging and shipping of food crops to the ira/factbook/facts2010.html. This annual re- members in the School of Computer Science. programs by hiring people with experience supermarket, rather than direct use, like water- source is a compilation of commonly requested For the fi rst time, however, the endowment is as entrepreneurs within particular technology ing crops. data as well as comparative data from other now supporting two simultaneous chairs — one domains and to develop undergraduate and “The study universities. The Factbook is available both in fi lled by Efros and another that was fi lled last graduate internship programs. gives us a way to look at its entirety and in sections that are introduced year by Carlos Guestrin, associate professor of “Quality of Life Technologies may be creat- how we might use water by a table of contents with active links to the machine learning and computer science. ed with older people and those with disabilities more effi ciently and data tables. Read the introduction to each sec- “Alexei and his students have been do- in mind, but they often have broad applications allows us to hone in on tion prior to reading the data, as the introduc- ing amazing research on image analysis and that could enrich the lives of all people,” said the sectors that use the tion provides valuable defi nitions and assists in generation,” said Randal E. Bryant, SCS dean. Rick McCullough, Carnegie Mellon vice presi- most water so we can correctly interpreting the data tables. “Their feats include converting single, two-di- dent for research and principal investigator for start generating ideas mensional images into 3-D renderings, building the new NSF grant. “The QoLT Foundry already and technologies for better management,” said software tools for editing photos and automati- has spun off three fi rms based on QoLT-asso- Hendrickson, co-director of the Green Design cally identifying where a photo was taken.” ciated inventions, and we envision even greater Institute, a major interdisciplinary research success with the help of this new funding.”

E LEVEN LECTURE SPOTLIGHT: VIRUSES INTRIGUE CHEMIST

■ Jocelyn Duffy

Viruses are some of the most prevalent W HO: W ILLIAM M. GELBART, DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF

and deadly disease agents, causing dis- CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY AT UCLA eases like infl uenza, hepatitis and AIDS.

However, the physical structure of a W HAT: B UHL LECTURE, “VIRUSES FROM SCRATCH” virus is considered to be one of the most

beautiful, symmetric and astonishing W HERE: M ELLON INSTITUTE AUDITORIUM structures found in biology.

Chemist William M. Gelbart, a W HEN: 4:30 P . M ., WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 leader in biophysical virus research, will talk about viral physics at this year’s Buhl Lecture, at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, April decided to investigate viruses outside of the American Chemical Society and 28 in the Mellon Institute Auditorium. of their hosts, making simple viruses election to the American Academy of Gelbart, who is a distinguished “from scratch,” which they isolated in Arts and Sciences in 2009. He served as professor of chemistry and biochemistry test tubes. This method allowed Gelbart chair of the Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCLA, began his scientifi c career in and his colleagues to study the physi- departments at UCLA. the mid 1970s. He became a pioneer in OF WILLIAM M. GELBART IMAGE COURTESY cal properties of viruses; results of such The Buhl Lecture is sponsored work could provide new targets for by Carnegie Mellon’s Department of the fi eld of complex fl uids, making sig- I N AN IMAGE FROM GELBART’ S RESEARCH, disease prevention and treatment. Physics. The lecture is funded under the nifi cant contributions to the fundamental T5 VIRUSES ATTACH TO THE MEMBRANE Gelbart’s research has been rec- auspices of the Buhl Professorship in theory of liquid crystals, self-assembling OF AN EMPTY CELL, INJECTING THEIR systems, polymer solutions, nanopar- DNA. ognized with many awards, including Theoretical Physics, which was estab- ticles and biological membranes. the 1991 Lennard-Jones Medal of the lished at Carnegie Mellon in 1961 by Gelbart became intrigued by viruses infect their host organisms. To do this, he British Royal Society, a 1998 Guggen- The Buhl Foundation. The lecture is and set out to try to understand how they and his colleague, Charles M. Knobler, heim Fellowship, the 2001 Liquids Prize free and open to the public. Portugal G RADUATES CELEBRATE SUCCESS Energy Fuels Secretary ■ Chriss Swaney Chu’s Visit to Qatar Carnegie Mellon President Jared L. Cohon was on hand as 60 newly minted scholars from the prestigious Carnegie Mellon|Portugal Program were honored on Feb. 22 during a graduation ceremony in Portugal. Graduates were from the Universidade de Aveiro, the Universidade de Coimbra, the Universidade de Lisboa, the Universi- dade de Madeira and Carnegie Mellon. Students from the classes of 2008 and 2009 received professional master’s degree diplomas in information networking, software engineering, information technology and information security, and human-computer interaction. “We at Carnegie Mellon are pleased and proud of the great progress we have made in Portugal. We have forged strong partnerships and established world-class educational and research programs, which are already contributing to Portugal’s progress. There is no better indication of our success than the new graduates from our joint programs,” Cohon said. In October 2006, Carnegie Mellon and the Portuguese government, through its Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, entered into a long-term col- laboration to signifi cantly expand research and education in the area of information and communication technologies. PHOTO COURTESY OF CARNEGIE MELLON QATAR PHOTO COURTESY

U.S. SECRETARY OF ENERGY STEVEN CHU IS GREETED BY CARNEGIE

M ELLON QATAR DEAN CHARLES E. THORPE DURING CHU’ S VISIT TO

C ARNEGIE MELLON QATAR IN LATE FEBRUARY. CHU DELIVERED A LECTURE

TO STUDENTS, FACULTY, MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION CITY COMMUNITY

AND GUESTS FROM THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY. CHU’ S VISIT FOLLOWED

A VISIT BY U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, WHO

ADDRESSED STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF EDUCATION CITY. PORTUGAL PROGRAM PORTUGAL

| “I AM DELIGHTED TO BE HERE AT EDUCATION CITY AND

C ARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY IN QATAR,” CHU SAID. “INNOVATION

AND EDUCATION CAN PROVIDE THE WORLD WITH A NEW ENERGY SOLUTION.

W E HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIND THE SOLUTION.”

CHU TOOK QUESTIONS FROM STUDENTS AND GUESTS ON A RANGE

OF TOPICS INCLUDING U.S. ENERGY POLICY, ENERGY PRICING AND WAYS

TO REACH A GLOBAL AGREEMENT ON REDUCING EMISSIONS. CHU ALSO

DISCUSSED QATAR’ S LEADERSHIP ROLE IN LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS, BIO-

FUELS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP AND RESEARCH

NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES. PHOTO COURTESY OF CARNEGIE MELLON PHOTO COURTESY

P RESIDENT JARED COHON ADDRESSES GRADUATES DURING A RECENT CEREMONY IN

P ORTUGAL. T WELVE