Technology's Faces of the Future

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

VOLUME 32 / NUMBER 12 www.uicnews.uic.edu

facebook.com/uicnews twitter.com/uicnews UIC NEWS youtube.com/uicmedia For the community of the University of Illinois at Chicago

Photo: Roberta Dupuis-Devlin Photo: Roberta Dupuis-Devlin Photo: Lance Long

Rachel Harsley, Marco Maggioni and Victor Mateevitsi, all UIC graduate students in computer science, are among this year’s “Fifty for the Future,” chosen by the Illinois Technology Foundation for their innovative use of technology. Harsley is creating learning apps; Maggioni’s research focuses on quick solutions to complex problems; Mateevitsi developed a suit that helps users sense their surroundings. Read more on page 6. Technology’s faces of the future

Sheela Raja combines psychology Pay your dues, follow your From briefs to court, Student Soccer on top, headed to Horizon with dentistry dreams, says actor Kal Penn Legal Services can help tournament More on page 2 More on page 3 More on page 5 More on page 12 2 UIC NEWS I www.uicnews.uic.edu I NOVEMBER 13, 2013

profile Send profile ideas to Gary Wisby,[email protected] Sheela Raja blends psychology, dentistry to help patients By Gary Wisby

When the news media are doing a story on stress or anxiety, they seek out psychologist and College of Dentistry professor Sheela Raja. It keeps her busy. In a recent two-month span, Raja: • gave an invited talk for Schweitzer Foundation Health- care fellows on the importance of trauma-informed care in a health setting • spoke with a freelance reporter from England who was working on an in-depth piece on post-traumatic stress disorder — in particular, the role of multiple deployments on mental health and suicide • was interviewed by a reporter for a local parenting magazine on the role of mindfulness, exercise and posture in stress management • did segments for CBS on back-to-school anxiety, one providing tips for parents on the weekend before school started — “We can’t expect our kids to focus when they have to walk through a war zone to get to school” — and one ad- dressing students’ fears that they won’t have friends, won’t fit in or won’t be able to keep up with homework • appeared on the CBS Chicago evening news advising how to help kids cope with school closings and talking about the Chicago Public Schools “safe passage” program • talked on CNN about the Ariel Castro rape/kidnapping case and the psychological impact on his victims • spoke on CBS Chicago about how daylight saving time can affect our moods and ways to stay healthy with the shorter Photo: Joshua Clark daylight hours. Sheela Raja is an assistant professor of pediatric dentistry and clinical psychologist. “When I got into this position, I realized that most health Raja is an assistant professor of pediatric dentistry, which care providers don’t receive much training on how to successfully engage traumatized patients,” she says. wouldn’t seem to have much to do with anxiety or PTSD. “I actually teach broadly in the dental school as a whole,” she explained. getting evidence-based psychology out there, and I know a and Ph.D. at UIC. She did post-doc work at the National “I teach students how to take a good health history, how lot of people get their information through media and blog Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Boston. to work with anxious or depressed patients, how to deal with posts. And I enjoy doing it.” She wrote a book, Overcoming Trauma and PTSD, pub- acute and chronic pain (from a behavioral standpoint) and She has a small private practice that focuses on stress lished last December. how to talk with patients about bad news or adverse events. management. “It’s for the public and therapists who want to use it in “When I got into this position, I realized that most health As for her own stress, Raja said, “I have a great support conjunction with their clients,” she said. care providers don’t receive much training on how to success- system — a very supportive family and several very close Raja lives in Oak Park with her husband, Nur, a retire- fully engage traumatized patients. friends. ment planner, and their two daughters, ages 10 and 7. “There is lots of evidence that traumatized patients — sur- “I’m working on setting limits on my work time. That’s “I really think I have an amazing job here at UIC,” she vivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, combat — tend to a challenge to all of us, as access to iPhones, iPads and all of said. use medical care a lot, but they underutilize preventive care.” our technology keeps us connected to work 24/7. It’s impor- “Being a clinical psychologist and teaching health psy- Raja blogs every few months for Huffington Post on such tant to set boundaries.” chology opens up so many amazing opportunities — to be diverse topics as the Newtown school shootings, helicopter She added, “Being involved with my children is a great involved in research, teaching and service. parents, the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse case and the ques- way to manage stress. Children are always in the moment.” “It’s also great to be able to take my educational efforts tion, “Can women have it all?” Raja, who grew up in Villa Park, earned her bachelor’s to a broader audience through media and print.” “I post whenever I have time,” she said. “I’m committed to degree at the Urbana-Champaign campus and her master’s [email protected]

quotable

“I realized at a very early age how important “We [undocumented youth] started realizing that “There are no quick fixes. There are no easy ways education is and I am proud to have a college degree.” the more public we were about our status, the more to do these things. But with patience, perseverance militant our actions, the more we could put pressure and good people working on a daily basis and on Curtis Granderson, UIC graduate and New York Yankee on people.” the same page … we were able to have a season centerfielder who donated funds for a new baseball stadium like last year.” on campus, Nov. 8 Parade.com Lulú Martinez, UIC student and immigration reform activist, named a 2013 Chicagoan of the Year, December Howard Moore, head men’s basketball coach, on Chicago magazine prospects for this year’s season, Nov. 7 Chicago Tribune NOVEMBER 13, 2013 I UIC NEWS I www.uicnews.uic.edu 3

Pay your dues and follow your dreams, actor tells students sentations of diversity in the with five people, got fat and got robbed at media,” he said. gunpoint. “There are not a lot of “Then I went back to LA.” characters who necessarily Actually, during his three-or-so years at look like me. It gave me a lot the White House, he focused on outreach more motivation.” to youth, the arts community and the Asian His first major movie American and Pacific Islander community. role was in “National Lam- “I was working in a very official capac- poon’s Van Wilder,” where ity,” Penn said, recalling a phone conference he played a character named where, for the first time, “I made a decision Taj Mahal — which, Penn on behalf of the president of the United said, he initially found so States.” offensive he had to be talked Which led to another piece of advice: “If into auditioning. you’re meeting your boss, dress appropri- But that role led to “Har- ately and shave,” Penn said. old and Kumar,” which led Apparently, like many other White to the critically acclaimed House staffers, Penn adopted a casual ap- “The Namesake,” directed by pearance for work. No one seemed to care; Mira Nair and based on the when he passed Obama in the hallway, the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri. president just nodded hello. “The director’s 13-year- Then Penn met with the president for a old son was a big ‘Harold personal briefing. and Kumar’ fan,” Penn said. “He looked at me and said, ‘Hey, look This illustrated his first who decided to shave today,’” Penn recalled, Photo: Joshua Clark piece of advice: sometimes still embarrassed. Actor and former White House adviser Kal Penn speaks to students Friday during the Student Activities Board-sponsored Fall you have to work at some- Three little-known facts Penn also men- Lecture at the UIC Forum. “Try to enjoy doing the things you don’t necessarily want to do,” he says. thing “less than ideal” to get tioned: to something better. • He’s never read any Harry Potter books. By Sonya Booth that Common wasn’t picked. “Try to enjoy doing the things you don’t • His biggest inspiration is his grandpar- “I was asked to talk about civic engagement necessarily want to do,” he said. ents, who marched with Mahatma Gandhi. It was not Kumar Patel, stoner hero of the and politics in general, but that’s a little heavy Penn became a supporter and volunteer • He loves playing Kumar, who is “way R-rated scatalogical “Harold and Kumar” for Friday night,” Penn said, then went on to early in Barack Obama’s first presidential cooler than I will ever be. I wouldn’t mind comedies, who appeared before a student talk about those topics anyway, interspersed campaign, returning as co-chair of Obama’s doing Harold and Kumar when we’re 60.” audience at the UIC Forum Friday evening. with anecdotes about the “Harold and Kumar” reelection campaign in 2012. And some final advice from the actor, Instead, it was actor Kal Penn/former films, working in the White House and ap- “I’d read his books. I did some research: who recently completed a graduate certifi- White House adviser Kalpen Modi who pearing on the television medical drama the Democrats didn’t like him and the Re- cate in international security from Stanford showed up and — along with a few pot refer- “Hou s e .” publicans didn’t like him. He was against University: ences — dispensed advice about the impor- Born in New Jersey — “I was an aver- the Iraq war. I thought he was the real deal,” “It’s OK if people call you crazy,” he said, tance of hard work, paying your dues and age kid, not good at math or science, which Penn said. citing friend and Olympic speedskater Joey following your dream. for a brown dude was really weird” — Penn In 2009, Penn left “House” to become as- Cheek, who left competition to go to col- Penn was chosen by student vote to give majored in film and sociology at UCLA. He sociate director of the White House Office of lege, then start a nonprofit foundation. the first Student Activities Board-sponsored worked odd jobs while going on auditions Public Engagement. “I’ve never had a friend who was called Fall Lecture. He said he’d followed the discus- where he was complimented on his English or “I applied for a job at the White House, crazy who didn’t also do something awe- sion on Twitter and read some of his favorite asked to wear a turban, he said. got it, quit my job on ‘House,’” he said, “sat s om e .” tweets to the crowd, including one grousing “At first, it really bothered me, the repre- at a desk, drank lot of coffee, shared an office [email protected] Could drug overdose therapy protect against chemical attack?

By Sharon Parmet medicine and a co-primary investigator on the grant. A team of UIC researchers in medicine, The researchers are looking at injecting engineering and pharmacy will study wheth- lipid emulsion into the bone marrow, which er a therapy now used to treat drug overdoses has a rich blood supply and should allow it may protect against chemical attack. to diffuse rapidly throughout the body. The researchers are investigating a high- “First responders can give shots of lipid fat liquid, called a lipid emulsion, already emulsion to large numbers of people very approved as a nutritional supplement and quickly using a specialized injection device used off-label to treat overdoses of anesthet- that looks a bit like a gun that can poke ics, beta blockers, calcium-channel blockers right through clothing,” Feinstein said. and certain antidepressants. The research is funded by a five-year, The team, led by Douglas Feinstein, re- $3.5 million CounterACT grant from the search professor of anesthesiology, believes National Institutes of Health. the lipid emulsion may be effective as protec- “We are hoping that this grant is just the tion against chemicals that have potential to first step in establishing a chemical-coun- be used as weapons, preventing long-term termeasures center here at UIC,” Feinstein Photo: Joshua Clark neurological damage. said. A team of UIC researchers led by Guy Weinberg (from left), Douglas Feinstein and Israel Rubinstein is “Right now, lipid emulsion is given in- Guy Weinberg, professor of anesthesi- seeking countermeasures to chemical weapons, using a therapy for drug overdoses. travenously, but starting IVs and setting up ology who discovered the lipid-emulsion Center, where Rubinstein is a staff physician linda Akpa, assistant professor of chemical to administer infusions for large numbers treatment for drug overdoses, is co-primary and associate chief of staff. engineering, and Richard Van Breemen, pro- of people in an emergency scenario is im- investigator on the grant. He is also a staff Other investigators on the grant are Dale fessor of medicinal chemistry. practical,” said Israel Rubinstein, professor of physician at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Pelligrino, professor of anesthesiology, Be- [email protected] 4 UIC NEWS I www.uicnews.uic.edu I NOVEMBER 13, 2013

campus news Send campus news to Sonya Booth, [email protected]

Transportation plans How does transportation around campus affect you? Campus tree population is growing in numbers Share your opinions through Dec. 31 in a By Humaa Siddiqi survey created by the UIC Office of Sustainability, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and Shovels in hand, volunteers from the Active Transportation Alliance. Visit http://uic. Office of Sustainability and representatives metroquest.com from Tree Campus USA planted two trees The groups are planning a transportation plan outside the Daley Library Thursday, add- for the UIC campus and surrounding area. ing to more than 5,300 growing on the east Driver’s services on and west sides of campus. In 2012, UIC was recognized as a Tree campus today Campus — one of only a few hundred uni- The mobile Illinois Secretary of State office will versities and colleges across the country to be on campus today from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in hold this title. the Student Center East concourse. Administered by the Arbor Day Foun- Students and employees can renew their driv- dation, the Tree Campus USA program er’s license or state ID, buy vehicle license plate recognizes colleges and universities in the stickers, register to be an organ or tissue donor, U.S. that effectively manage their campus and buy specialty UIC license plates to support trees and host community events to spread student scholarships. healthy urban forests. “Our office can only do so much; the Interested in journalism? Photo: Lisa Sanzenbacher university is really about the students,” said Volunteers William Lui (from left), Timothy Nguyen, Rebecca Walter, Vignesh Raguraman, Jakez Rolland, UIC News seeks two interns to add a student Lisa Sanzenbacher, program coordinator Adali Ramirez, Anjali Shah, Jullie Ham and Nish Patel plant trees Thursday. voice to its work in news and social media. for outreach for the Office of Sustainability. It’s a great opportunity to gain experience “It’s important to do it through student tags to show their value and give information said. “Of course we don’t want to cut down writing for print and online, including news and life to get the message across of why sus- about the tree. trees — they’re useful! feature writing, video and social media. tainability is important.” Tree Campus USA is one of many ways the “Sustainability gets pushed to the side Applicants should have experience in writing UIC has more than 100 species of trees, Office of Sustainability works to make UIC for a lot of folks, so we’re here to emphasize for publications (online or print) and an interest said Cynthia Klein-Banai, associate chan- more sustainable, Sanzenbacher said. the importance.” in journalism. Video and photography skills are a cellor for sustainability. Some trees have “I like to call it logic, not sustainability,” she [email protected] plus. Interns must enroll in an internship course for elective credit. Email résumé and two samples of published work (print or online) to [email protected] Share great green ideas ship Symposium Planning Committee, set for A reception follows. What does sustainability mean for UIC? Thursday. For more information, email huminst@uic. Food and civil rights Share your thoughts at two upcoming town The planning meeting will be held from noon edu A talk Monday spotlights the problems of food hall meetings. to 1:30 p.m. in 850 University Hall. Lunch will be access in the rural South during the Civil Rights The campuswide strategic thinking meetings, served. RSVP to [email protected] Urban Forum ahead Era. “Going Beyond Green: Excellence through Sus- The symposium is scheduled for June 5 in The 2013 UIC Urban Forum will examine “Let Them Eat Politics” takes place at 3 p.m. tainability at UIC,” will identify and explore ways Student Center East. the role of technology in metropolitan re- in the Institute for the Humanities, lower level, to incorporate sustainability at all campus levels. gions’ emerging economic, political and social Stevenson Hall. Angela Jill Cooley, assistant pro- The town halls are scheduled from 3 to 4:30 Gender inequality at work changes. fessor of history at Minnesota State University, p.m. Thursday in Stukel Towers Training Room A seminar Dec. 9 examines the role of gender Co-chairs for the event, held Dec. 5 at will speak. and noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday in 713 Student in hiring practices. the UIC Forum, are Toni Preckwinkle, Cook The lecture is sponsored by the UIC Chicago Center East. “Why Are John and David More Likely to County Board president, and UIC Chancellor Area Food Studies Working Group and Institute Visit http://bit.ly/1707jJg for more informa- Become Department Chair than Joan or Jamal?” Paula Allen-Meares. for the Humanities. tion. will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Moss Au- Admission is free for Chicago-area faculty For more information, email [email protected] ditorium, College of Medicine Research Build- and students; tickets for the general public are Future of RTA ing. $25. It’s International Education Transportation experts will examine the fu- Speaker is Molly Carnes, professor of psychi- Register and view the agenda at Week ture of the Regional Transportation Authority at atry and industrial and systems engineering and uicurbanforum.org UIC hosts several events through Friday for a panel discussion Dec. 3. director of the Center for Women’s Health Re- International Education Week. The event, sponsored by the Great Cities In- search at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Singing for scholarships Events include film screenings, information stitute and Urban Transportation Center, takes The event is sponsored by the UIC Building John McDermott, a founding member of sessions on studying abroad, trivia night and place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in 302 Student Center Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s The Irish Tenors, will headline the 13th annual more. View a complete schedule at http://tinyurl. East. Health Program and the Center for Research on S.E.E. Benefit Dec. 6. com/m9n8r38 Panelists include Frank Beal, executive direc- Women and Gender. The event will also feature the Dee Alexan- tor, Metropolis Strategies; Randy Blankenhorn, For more information, email abbykoch@uic. der Trio. Alexander is an award-winning jazz Want to be a doctor of executive director, Chicago Metropolitan Agency edu vocalist and UIC employee in the Office of the business? for Planning; Jacky Grimshaw, vice president Vice Chancellor for Research. Thinking about enrolling in a business doc- of policy, Center for Neighborhood Technol- Citizen vs. person The event, hosted by the Office of the Vice toral program? ogy; Steve Schlickman, executive director, UIC What are the conceptual distinctions between Chancellor for Student Affairs, funds schol- The Liautaud Graduate School of Business will Urban Transportation Center; and Peter Skosey, citizenship and personhood? arships for UIC students who demonstrate host the DocNet Forum Nov. 20 to present infor- executive vice president, Metropolitan Planning Ralph Cintrón, associate professor of English strong leadership skills. mation on careers in business academia. Council. and Latin American and Latino studies, exam- A reception, dinner and concert are in- A faculty and student panel starts at 5:30 p.m. Space is limited; RSVP at uic.edu/cuppa/gci ines that question in a talk Thursday. cluded in the $225 ticket price ($125 is tax- and a recruiting forum is scheduled from 6:30 to “Citizenship Versus Unauthorized Immigra- deductible). The event begins at 5 p.m. with the 7:30 p.m., all in the UIC Forum. Event planning tion,” the Institute for the Humanities Faculty concert starting at 8 p.m. in the UIC Forum. For more information, visit http://bit. Members of the UIC community are invited Fellow Lecture, takes place at 3 p.m. in the lower For information or tickets, call 312-413- ly/19BD0dY to the first meeting of the 2014 Women’s Leader- level of Stevenson Hall. 0077 or e-mail [email protected] NOVEMBER 13, 2013 I UIC NEWS I www.uicnews.uic.edu 5 Providing legal help to students, every step of the way

By Matt O’Connor and the insects emerged from the floor. Williams and her team helped the stu- Are you up against a lousy landlord or strug- dent break the lease and move into a more gling with a legal problem and don’t know livable home, then referred the student where to turn? to John Marshall Law School because fair Attorney Melissa Williams and her team at housing rights had been violated. Student Legal Services may be able to help. “If you are not being treated fairly, do Student Legal Services takes about four or not be ashamed or afraid — contact SLS five cases a day. Every UIC student — involved because we do represent students in court in a case or not — pays for its legal guidance if and when necessary,” she said. through student fees. “I’ve worked in different areas before “There are so many people who, a legal prob- coming to UIC and that helps, because lem can come along and it can knock them off students come with every type of issue,” their square,” Williams said. said Williams, who graduated from John The legal service, established in the 1980s Marshall Law School in 2003. at the request of students, is bound by the rules She offered a few tips for students facing of confidentiality and attorney-client privilege. legal issues related to housing: Information is not shared with the university • Never sign a lease without viewing a unless requested by the client. unit first. “We go all the way from brief service and re- • Take pictures when you move in and ferral to actual representation in court,” she said. out. What was once a law office run by a single • Never pay in cash. attorney, without the assistance of law clerks, • Always get everything in writing. now handles 800 to 1,000 cases a year, Williams “The things we see on ‘Law and Order’ said. Photo: Roberta Dupuis-Devlin where everything gets resolved in an epi- Since she took the position in February, The Student Legal Services team includes Disa DIBuono (from left), a law student at John Marshall Law sode — that’s not going to happen,” she Williams has expanded the office and now School and one of 10 interns at the office, attorney Melissa Williams and paralegal Antoinette Mayfield. said. “It’s a process and it takes time.” uses more than 20 law clerks, many from law Legal representation is available to cur- schools in the area. Questions about housing seem to be the most common rent students who pay the student services “I have more of a legal clinic view of the position,” she said. concern for students, especially problems with unethical land- fee and have a legal matter for which the office provides ser- “We encourage students to call the office even if they’re not lords, Williams said. vice. sure whether we’ll be able to take a case. If we can’t, we refer One case involved a student who was blamed for bringing For more information, visit http://bit.ly/1hDzPup them to someone who can.” bedbugs into an apartment after the carpeting was pulled up [email protected] 6 UIC NEWS I www.uicnews.uic.edu I NOVEMBER 13, 2013

Computer science students among ‘Fifty for Future’

By Christy Levy and AT&T. She’s not sure whether she will work in the busi- and in computer science from UIC in 2009. Imagine a world where a firefighter could enter a smoke- ness world or enter academia when she finishes her Ph.D. He decided to stay at UIC for his Ph.D. studies in computer filled house and find the doors and windows. “I really enjoyed my industry experience and I know that I science and completed a concurrent master’s degree in bioinfor- Picture an app that teaches astronomy to third-graders. can be a great influence as a professor,” she said. “I’m still try- matics in 2012. Look forward to an algorithmic tool that solves all kinds of ing to sort it all out.” “I started working on problems in biology and I needed the complex everyday problems 10 times faster. When she’s not in her lab, you can often find Harsley prac- knowledge to be efficient and good in the field,” he said. All these scenarios are possible, thanks to technology ticing her hoop skills. Maggioni travels often for research. This year alone, he’s created by three UIC graduate students in computer science “I’m always at the Rec Center just shooting around,” she traveled at least 10 times for conferences around the world, honored as “Fifty for the Future” this week by the Illinois said. “I’m just glad I’m out of the lab.” from Spain to California. Technology Foundation. She also enjoys creating music and mixing up songs on her “I’m one of the most traveling Ph.D. students at UIC,” he Victor Mateevitsi, Rachel Harsley and Marco Maggioni are keyboard. said. among 50 winners of the award, which recognizes students “It’s sort of random — beats, techno, sometimes jazzy,” she who use technology in innovative ways. They were honored said. “I’m not a formal musician. I hear something in my head Making sense of surroundings Tuesday at a reception at the Chicago Cultural Center. and play it out.”

Trailblazer for women, minorities Solving complex problems faster Maggioni’s research is versatile — finding ways to solve complex problems quickly. “It’s a general problem solver,” he said. “You can apply it to basically everything — scheduling the landing of planes at airports, solving problems in finance.” His work involves developing efficient algorithms on graphic processing units, specialized electronic chips used in graphics that also have more general scientific uses. “I’m trying to provide a better solution to problems up to 10 times faster,” he said. Maggioni applies this efficiency tool to problems in computational biology, specifically kinship reconstruction. “It’s interesting to see which animals are from the same sibling group,” he said. “You can infer things about mating and behavior and it’s a very relevant research question.” He’s continuing research on zebras and baboons in Kenya after studying there in spring 2012 through “Field Course in Photo: Roberta Dupuis-Devlin Computational Population Biology,” a computer science doc- Rachel Harsley: ‘I love programming. It’s like putting together a puzzle.” toral course led by associate professor Tanya Berger-Wolf.

He’s headed back to Kenya in December to use a new tech- Photo: Raymond Matthes Harsley vividly remembers when her parents brought nology that uses unmanned aerial vehicles to fly over animals Victor Mateevitsi: “I’m researching ways to augment human senses.” home the family’s first computer — she was 5 years old. and collect data on them. “I was so intrigued, I was like, ‘How does it know when I’m Maggioni joined UIC in 2007 as an exchange student from clicking?’” she said. Politecnico di Milano in Italy. He received joint master’s de- At UIC’s Electronic Visualization Laboratory, Mateevitsi Her interest in computers continued during her under- grees in computer engineering from his university in Milan developed “SpiderSense,” a special suit that allows users to sense graduate studies at Vanderbilt University. Her teachers pushed objects around them without sight or sound. The suit began as a her to pursue computer science, even as she wondered wheth- class project in human augmentics led by Jason Leigh, professor er it was right for her. of computer science and EVL director. “I was hesitant — there were no other black females in the “If you have a vision or hearing impairment, you can feel computer science course,” she said. “I didn’t know if I would people or objects around you,” Mateevitsi said. “It can also be fit in. But I realized I love programming — it’s like putting used for simpler things, like just moving around your house together a puzzle.” and not bumping into things, even if you don’t have any impair- Harsley blends her passions for technology and education ments. There are a lot of possibilities. in her research. “I’m researching ways to augment human senses, how we She helped create an iPad app that teaches third-graders can use technology to do that, and how people perceive the new about the solar system through UIC’s Learning Technologies augmentation.” Group, led by computer science professor Tom Moher. Mateevitsi received his bachelor’s in computer science and More recently, she developed an intelligent tutoring system technology from the University of Peloponnese in Greece, that helps college-level students learn about computer science where he created tools for virtual museums. from their smartphones or tablets through her work in UIC’s He’s used his virtual reality background in his internships at Natural Language Processing Laboratory, led by Barbara Di Pixar Animation Studios and DreamWorks, developing soft- Eugenio, associate professor of computer science. ware tools for artists and animators to make movies. Harsley hopes her work brings attention to the opportuni- When he finishes his doctorate program, Mateevitsi isn’t ties for women and minority students in computer science sure whether he will join a research lab or a university. and engineering. She is mentor for undergraduate students “I like academics a lot because of the research part and the through the National Society of Black Engineers and the Mi- teaching,” he said. nority Engineering Recruitment and Retention Program. Mateevitsi is an avid sports player who enjoys snowboard- “I want to see more females and minorities entering into ing, sailing and ice hockey — he even competed with the Greek this field,” she said. “Some girls are willing to try it but are National Ice Hockey Team. isolated. He also likes tinkering with the latest technology. “I want to be a role model and a trailblazer. I can do that by “If there’s a gadget I want, I usually try to buy it so I can doing my research and encouraging people to enter the field.” Photo: Roberta Dupuis-Devlin play around with it — it helps me keep up with what’s going on Harsley has worked on mobility projects such as Android Marco Maggioni: “I’m trying to provide a better solution to problems around me,” he said. app and tablet development through internships at Intel, GE up to 10 times faster. It’s a general problem solver.” [email protected] NOVEMBER 13, 2013 I UIC NEWS I www.uicnews.uic.edu 7

International stage director shares expertise with students

By Brittany Musial “But she’s a sounding board for me, and I hugely Rob Clare, an internationally known expert when it value her opinion. So she’s comes to Shakespeare, brought his knowledge to UIC, been here to help out with ad- directing the UIC Theatre production of Shakespeare’s ditional text work for ‘Twelfth “Twelfth Night” that opens Friday. Night,’ too.” “I had no plans to be an actor or to direct,” Clare said. “I The couple recently per- was studying English literature at Oxford and my college was formed together in a simpli- all males. fied version of “Macbeth” at “I auditioned for plays to meet girls, really. Instead, I in- the American Shakespeare stantly fell in love with the theater.” Center in Staunton, Va., As an actor, Clare worked first with the Royal Shake- which houses a replica of the speare Company and the Royal Exchange Theatre, Britain’s indoor Blackfriars stage that leading regional repertory company. Shakespeare used. He came to the United States and appeared on Broadway, Although he enjoys travel- then became a staff director for the National Theatre in Lon- ing, Clare will remain in the don. He didn’t have a lot of experience directing at the time, States for now. but again, he fell in love with it. “I have dear friends and “By then, a lot of highly respected people had told me family back in Europe that I how to act Shakespeare,” Clare said. visit from time to time. But “And yet, they often contradicted each other. I wanted to I love the wide open spaces Rob Clare, a Shakespeare specialist, directs the UIC Theatre production of “Twelfth Night,” opening Friday. make sense of what they all said, and to apply it all in a way here,” he said. that made sense to actors.” He has no interest in going back to being an actor for Clare’s next step was a doctorate at Oxford University in hire. But after that, I have no definite idea. That’s part of what approaches to acting Shakespeare. “It’s a tough life. Good luck to anyone in that position,” he makes it all exciting.” “I began to apply the wisdom I had received, as well as said. “Twelfth Night” opens this weekend, with performances developing some more thoughts of my own,” he said. Right now, he’s enjoying his work with UIC students. He Friday, Saturday and Nov. 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, His work has taken him to India, Ireland, Australia and doesn’t like to think long-term about his plans. Nov. 20 and 24 at 2 p.m.; and Tuesday at noon, all at the UIC Germany, as well as the U.S. His home base is now New “I have a full and interesting résumé, sure, but it was be- Theatre, 1044 W. Harrison St. York, but Chicago is the hometown of his wife, actress Reiko cause I simply went with some great offers that came along,” Tickets are $11 for UIC students, $14 for UIC faculty and Aylesworth. he said. “In fact, I love not entirely knowing what is going to staff and $16 for the general public. To order, call 312-996- “She’s brilliant,” Clare said. “I absolutely love having her happen next. 2939. around in rehearsal — for many reasons, of course. “Being busy is good, and I’m booked straight until March. [email protected] 8 UIC NEWS I www.uicnews.uic.edu I NOVEMBER 13, 2013

calendar Send information about campus events to Christy Levy, [email protected]

NOVEMBER 13 IN HISTORY HIGHLIGHT NOVEMBER

Veterans Memorial dedication “Re-Thinking Soup”

Nov. 13, 1982: Nov. 19 S M T W T F S Thousands of veterans gather at the Hull-House site of the Vietnam series offers 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Veterans Memorial enlightening for its dedication in conversation 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Washington, D.C. and free bowl 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Yale University of soup. 6-7:30 architecture student p.m. Residents’ Maya Lin won a com- Dining Hall, petition to design the Hull-House monument, one of the Museum. most-visited sites in “Re-Thinking Soup” 312-413-5353 Washington.

EXHIBITS LECTURES/SEMINARS SPECIAL EVENTS

Through Nov. 16 Nov. 13 Nov. 15-17, 19-24

“Surviving and Thriving: AIDS, Politics and Culture” “Public Space in Chicago” “Twelfth National Library of Medicine exhibit poses questions about the Erma Tranter, executive director, Friends of the Parks. Noon-1 Night” relationship between science and politics as well as why sexuality, p.m. 230 SES. 312-413-3780 UIC Theatre race and gender matter in our understanding of the HIV/AIDS production of epidemic. Curated by Jennifer Brier, associate professor in gender Nov. 14 William Shake- and women’s studies. Library of the Health Sciences lobby. speare’s comedy 8 a.m.-midnight Mon.-Thurs.; 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri.; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. “Citizenship Versus Unauthorized Immigration: about twins, Sat.; 11 a.m.-midnight Sun. 312-413-0394 Personhood Versus Presence” triangles and Ralph Cintrón, associate professor of English and Latin American mistaken iden- Through Dec. 14 and Latino studies. Faculty Fellow Lecture. 3 p.m. Institute for the tity. Directed UIC Theatre’s “Twelfth Night.” Humanities, lower level, SH. [email protected] by Rob Clare. “It’s the Political 7:30 p.m. Nov. Economy, Stupid” “How Much Is Enough in Your Job Search?” 15-16 and 21-23; 2 p.m. Nov. 17, 20, 24; noon Nov. 19. Tickets: $11 for students, $14 for UIC employees and $16 for the public. The traveling group U of I Alumni Career Center webinar. 12:30-1 p.m. Alumni free; 312-996-2939 exhibition includes vid- others $15. Register at http://bit.ly/19X69UH eos documenting artist Dread Scott burning Nov. 14, 18 Nov. 19 dollars on Wall Street, flamenco flash mobs “Tuesdays-at-One” “Going Beyond Green: Excellence Through taking over Spanish Guitar Duo Moderno. 1 p.m. L060 EPASW bank lobbies, barbarism Sustainability” spreading through a Town hall meetings on campuswide strategic thinking process doomed hedge fund on sustainability, sponsored by the Office of Sustainability. 3-4:30 WORKSHOPS and other works from p.m. Nov. 14, Training room, JST. Noon-1:30 p.m. Nov. 18, 713 around the world that SCE. [email protected] Nov. 18 address the prolonged Photo: Jamel Mims economic crisis. Curated “It’s the Political Economy, Stupid,” Nov. 15 “PubMed in 30 Minutes” by Oliver Ressler and includes videos of artist Dread Scott Gregory Sholette. Gal- burning money on Wall Street. “Fractals, Power Laws and Networks: How Complexity Online library workshop. 3-3:30 p.m. http://library.uic.edu lery 400, ADH. Exhibit Can Help Better Plan Cities” Nov. 20 hours, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Fri.; noon-6 p.m. Sat. 312-996-6114 Sybil Derrible, assistant professor of civil and materials engineering and research assistant professor in the Institute of Environ- Through Dec. 20 mental Science and Policy. Urban Planning and Policy Friday “Intro to PubChem” Forum. Noon-1 p.m. 110 CUPPA Hall. [email protected] Online library workshop. 3-3:30 p.m. http://library.uic.edu “The Reason Why the Colored American Is Not in the World’s Columbian Exposition” Nov. 20 Nov. 20, 21 Interactive exhibit presents historical accounts of black Ameri- cans’ thoughts, feelings and experiences related to the Chicago “The Role of Histone Deacetylae 6 in DNA Damage “Keeping Grades in Blackboard Learn” World’s Fair. African American Cultural Center, 207 AH. 9 a.m.-4 Response” Online ACCC workshop. 2-3 p.m. http://bit.ly/16POgkH p.m. Mon.-Friday. Other tours by appointment. 312-996-9549 Xiaohong Zhang, associate professor of pathology and cell biology, USF Morsani College of Medicine. Biopharmaceutical Sciences seminar. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Room 134-2 Pharmacy. [email protected]

For more UIC events, visit www.events.uic.edu NOVEMBER 13, 2013 I UIC NEWS I www.uicnews.uic.edu 9 Exhibit tells veterans’ stories Former pool now tollway call center

Video: “The Things We Carried” youtube.com/uicmedia

An art exhibit by members of the Stu- dent Veterans Associ- ation at UIC this week offers a glimpse of life during deployment with photos, artwork and objects from past and present wars, including photos from the National Veterans Museum. “The Things We Carried” is on display through Friday at the African American Photo: S.K. Vemmer A new customer service call center for the Illinois Tollway, staffed by Chicago Lighthouse, will handle more than 10,000 contacts a day. Cultural Center, 200 Addams Hall. The exhibit is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. By Gary Wisby Student veterans will be on hand at selected times to give guided tours. The Illinois Tollway has opened a customer service call The exhibit is inspired by Tim O’Brien’s 1990 book,The center in Student Center East, in a space under the bowl- Things They Carried, a collection of related stories about a ing alley that once housed a campus swimming pool. platoon of American soldiers in the Vietnam War. The new facility doubles the number of customer ser- “We wanted to have our updated version of the book just vice work stations for the tollway to 200. to give people a look into the personal side of our lives,” said Located on campus under a 10-year, $3.7 million con- MBA student Mariceli Serrano, former Army staff sergeant. tract with UIC, the center will handle more than 10,000 Admission to the exhibit is free. For more information, customer contacts per day. call 312-996-9549. Paula Wolff, chair of the tollway authority, said the 22,000-square-foot call center in Student Center East re- places a facility in Lisle. It will be staffed under a $61.5 million, five-year con- The new call center is located in the basement of Student Center tract with the Chicago Lighthouse, which serves the blind East, in what was formerly a campus recreation swimming pool. and visually impaired. The 200 positions will be filled by people who are visually impaired, have other disabilities or are veterans, said tive director Kristi Lafleur. Janet Szlyk, Chicago Lighthouse president. Staffers will also process more than 27,000 toll and vio- The tollway expects the volume of calls and email to lation payments received by mail per month. increase after the all-electronic interchange at the Tri- [email protected] State Tollway and Illinois 57 opens next fall, said execu-

Photo: Anti-Cruelty Society Canine training Kenneth Adams, a UIC student and member of the Student Vet- erans Association at UIC, talks with Anti-Cruelty Society dog trainer Tracy Hamilton as the group volunteers to train dogs Sunday at the facility, 169 W. Grand Ave. Student veterans used positive reinforcement techniques to work with the dogs, who have suffered psychological trauma. “It’s a therapeutic process for both parties,” said Adams, a junior Photo: Roberta Dupuis-Devlin in biology/premed, who worked with Castro, a labrador/shepherd Cuatrista available for adoption. Quique Domenech, composer and master of the cuatro, performs Thursday with members of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Puerto Students taught the dogs socialization skills, helping make the Rico. The free Cuatro Festival concert, held in Gallery 1100 of the Art and Architecture building, was presented for the Chancellor’s dogs eligible for new homes. Lecture and Event Series in partnership with the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance. The cuatro, native to Puerto Rico, resembles a guitar but is “Everyone wants to do it again,” Adams said. “It was very satisfy- shaped like a violin. ing work.” 10 UIC NEWS I www.uicnews.uic.edu I NOVEMBER 13, 2013

people Send news to Sonya Booth, [email protected]

APPOINTMENTS Dentistry faculty member awarded Golden Apple Pamela Quiroz, professor of sociology and educational policy studies, was named education is a wonderful co-editor of Social Problems, the journal By Bill Bike challenge,” he said. of the Society for the Study of Social Prob- As director of pre-doc- lems. Thomas Skiba, clinical assistant professor toral oral and maxillofacial AWARDS of oral and maxil- surgery, he developed a new lofacial surgery, was pre-doctoral clinic in oral awarded the Golden and maxillofacial surgery Stewart Shankman, associate profes- Apple Award teaching and a new curriculum for sor of psychology, received the early career award by the College patient evaluation and award from the International Society for of Dentistry’s Class of management. Research in Psychopathology. 2014. “For a private practice Shankman was recognized for his multi- “The apple is award- surgeon to come to UIC method research examining the relation ed to a faculty member after a career without any between depressive and anxiety disorders, whom students felt teaching experience, and the nature and familial transmission of went above and beyond be talented, dedicated and emotional disorders, and basic questions in to motivate students to motivated enough to be affective science. learn and achieve their honored with this award The award was presented at the group’s highest potential,” said from the student body, is annual meeting held in Oakland, Calif., in a testament to the type of class president Nisha Thomas Skiba, clinical assistant professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery, receives his September. individual that Dr. Skiba is,” Mehta. Golden Apple Award from College of Dentistry class president Nisha Mehta. “Dr. Skiba was cho- said department head Mi- The Voorhees Center for Neighborhood sen because he inspires retiring from private practice. chael Miloro. and Community Improvement received an students to become proficient clinicians He describes his position at UIC as his “He strives to make each student com- award for best practices from the Illinois and provides guidance when necessary.” “encore career.” petent in didactic coursework and patient chapter of the American Planning Associa- An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Skiba “Being an educator involved with students c are .” tion for Voorhees’ study of south suburban has taught at UIC for the last five years after who are motivated and passionate about their [email protected] retail. The reward was presented at an Oct. 4 reception at the DePaul Center. The center is co-directed by Janet Smith, associate professor of urban plan- Easter at CTA headquarters. police ning and policy, and Yittayih Zelalem, re- Panelists included CTA president Forrest search assistant professor of urban planning Claypool and representatives from other and policy. government agencies and the Active Trans- UIC Police emergency: 312-355-5555 Nov. 7: A man was arrested for criminal portation Alliance. Nonemergency: 312-996-2830 trespass at 10:12 p.m. in the Science and En- HONORS gineering Laboratory West. PUBLICATIONS Nov. 4–12 Nov. 8: A woman was arrested for drug possession at 916 S. Bishop St. Daniel Cervone, professor of psychol- Crimes reported to UIC Police A woman was arrested for theft at 916 S. ogy, was named founding program co-chair Ting-Wei Zhang, professor of urban Theft: 13 Bishop St. of the first International Convention of planning and policy, attended, as a con- Battery: 3 A man was arrested for theft at 11:20 a.m. Psychological Science, organized by the As- tributor, the book launch of Cities and Criminal damage: 3 at Student Center East, related to a Nov. 6 sociation for Psychological Science. Biodiversity Outlook, organized by the Royal Criminal defacement: 2 incident. The convention, scheduled for March Swedish Academy of Sciences. The Oct. 4 Criminal trespass: 1 Nov. 9: A man was arrested for aggra- 2015 in Amsterdam, is part of a broad effort event was held at UN-Habitat headquarters Drug possession: 1 vated battery to a police officer at 2:49 a.m. at to showcase new works in psychological in New York for World Habitat Day. Zhang 701 S. Western Ave. science from around the world and pro- contributed to the China section of the Arrests by UIC Police mote collaboration across geographic and book. Nov. 4: A man was arrested for battery at For more information on police activity, disciplinary borders. Jeff Gore, academic adviser in the 12:31 a.m. at 2340 W. Roosevelt Road. visit the UIC Police crime map, www.uic.edu/ A man was arrested on a warrant at 9:53 depts/police, and the Chicago Police CLEAR PERFORMANCES Global Learning Community program, contributed an essay to Chicago Shakespeare a.m. at the hospital. Map, http://gis.chicagopolice.org Theater: Suiting the Action to the Word, a Yasen Peyankov, head of the acting collection of articles exploring the study of program in the School of Theatre & Music, William Shakespeare during the theater’s UIC NEWS appeared in the Steppenwolf Theatre pro- first 25 years. duction of “The Wheel” through Nov. 10. Published on Wednesdays during the academic year Visual communications and design (monthly during summer) by the Office of Public Anna Dworzecka...... [email protected] Michael Brown, visiting professor of Affairs of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Associate graphic designer PRESENTATIONS mechanical and industrial engineering, is 1320 University Hall (MC 288), 601 S. Morgan St., Megan Strand...... [email protected] Chicago, IL 60607-7113. Editorial associates the author of A History of a cGMP Medical http://www.uicnews.uic.edu S.K. Vemmer...... [email protected] Tony Tasset, professor of art, discussed Event Investigation, which describes how the Matt O’Connor...... [email protected] his work in “Public Artist, Secret Avant- development and launch of a new drug can Editorial: ...... (312) 996-7758 Editorial interns Advertising:...... (312) 996-3456 Britney Musial, Humaa Siddiqi Garde” Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at Unity Temple in go wrong, with disastrous consequences. Fax:...... (312) 413-7607 Photography contributor Oak Park. In the book, he advocates engineering Timothy Nguyen design principles to ensure safe and effective Editor Advertising coordinator Steve Schlickman, executive director of Sonya Booth...... [email protected] Samella Wright...... [email protected] product design, development and manufac- Associate editor Interim associate chancellor for public affairs the Urban Transportation Center, moder- turing. Christy Levy...... [email protected] Bill Burton...... [email protected] ated a Sept. 13 panel discussion on sustain- Brown has more than 25 years’ experi- Assistant editor Photography able transportation hosted by U.S. Rep. Gary Wisby...... [email protected] Roberta Dupuis-Devlin, Joshua Clark ence in the biomedical industry in addition UIC Photo Services...... [email protected] Mike Quigley and University President Bob to his academic career. NOVEMBER 13, 2013 I UIC NEWS I www.uicnews.uic.edu 11

Want to contribute a story? student voice Email Christy Levy, [email protected] UIC’s fall colors Shared on UIC Facebook facebook.com/uic.edu

Photo: Tanay Chowdhury

Photo: Kris Lori Fuentes Cortes

Photo: Evelyn Mateo

Photo: Roberto Carrizales Photo: Sujay Patel 12 UIC NEWS I www.uicnews.uic.edu I NOVEMBER 13, 2013

sports For more Flames sports, visit www.uicflames.com

Men’s basketball loses heartbreaker in opener The men’s basketball team (0-1) lost a heartbreaker Saturday night against Drake, 61-59, in front of 5,245 fans at the UIC Pavilion. The Flames struggled to contain Bulldog guard Rich- ard Carter, who put up a career-high 38 points, including 24 in the second half. Senior Hayden Humes’ attempt at a last-second finger roll rimmed in and out as the final horn sounded. UIC was paced by junior Marc Brown with 20 points on 6-of- 12 shooting, while dishing out five assists. “The basketball gods said we didn’t deserve the win tonight,” said UIC head coach Howard Moore. “To be honest, we shouldn’t let the game come down to one final play like that. Carter has great quickness, but we let him get to the rim way too many times and he stayed in attack mode. We’re not where we need to be and tonight was a wakeup call.” Kelsey Barlow performed well in his Flames debut with 11 points, seven assists and three steals. The Flames return to action at 7 p.m. tonight, hosting Photo: Timothy Nguyen Roosevelt at the UIC Pavilion. The Flames collected their ninth-straight win Friday against Green Bay. UIC competes in the league championships at 4 p.m. Friday. Women’s team falls Perfect end to league season in tough competitions The women’s basketball team played hard but lost its By Laura White UIC improves to 15-3-0 overall, with a 7-0-0 record in the matches against St. Xavier Friday, 80-79, and Northwest- Horizon League for the most conference wins in program his- ern Sunday, 79-63. The Flames host the semifinals and final rounds of the Ho- tory, in addition to the first undefeated season against confer- The Flames rizon League Championship at Flames Field beginning Fri- ence opponents. dropped their sea- day after finishing the season with an unblemished Horizon Green Bay moved to 7-7-3 on the season and 2-4-1 in the son opener Friday League record. Horizon League. on a game-winning The soccer team captured its ninth-straight win Saturday, The Flames battled in the first half to find and keep pos- three-pointer by St. 2-1, against Green Bay at Flames Field. The game marked session and create their chances. Junior Jesus Torres fired off Xavier’s (1-0) Sid- UIC’s 15th regular-season win, a program best. three shots to contribute to the Flames’ total of nine, as the ney Prasse with four “When you go into post-season play, you always want to be Phoenix made three attempts. seconds remaining. feeling good about yourself and there is no better way to do it UIC came out with urgency in the second half, collecting The high-scoring than by getting a win,” head coach Sean Phillips said. the first goal in the 55th minute when freshman Joel Leon game featured nine The Flames picked up several Horizon League awards: se- netted his first career goal off a pass from sophomore Joel players in double nior Bob Novak, 2013 Horizon League Co-Player of the Year Salmeron. After several attempts, Green Bay tied the game in figures, including (shared with Milwaukee’s Laurie Bell); senior Josh Beard, De- the 79th minute. UIC redshirt sopho- fensive Player of the Year; freshman Andrew Putna, Freshman “We got the goal and we had a couple of other chances to more Ruvanna of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year; and make it 2-0, but there is a reason Green Bay Campbell with Phillips, Coach of the Year. “The games just has not been shut out often this year — they a career-high 21 “It is always great to see individual are a great attacking team,” Phillips said. points. Senior Emily members of your team deservedly recog- get tougher Sophomore Jorge Alvarez headed in a Kobel tacked on 16 nized for their accomplishments over the pass from senior Aris Zafeiratos in the 84th points, while fresh- course of the season,” Phillips said. and tougher as minute for his fourth goal of the season and man Melita Eman- Nine Flames were named to the All- the game-winner. uel-Carr began her League First Team, All-League Second we go forward.” Putna made four saves during the contest Flames career with Team and All-Freshmen Team. for a .770 save percentage this season, while 15 points. Photo: Steve Woltmann The honors mark the first time in pro- allowing one goal for a 0.76 goals against The Flames Ruvanna Campbell scored 21 points in gram history that five Flames represent the field of 11 on the average. (0-2) fought against the Flames’ season opener Friday. All-League First Team, as seniors Slobodan Aleksov, Beard “I think the biggest thing was that it was good to get a win Northwestern (1-0) and Novak, junior Jesus Torres and Putna picked up this year’s against a good opponent going into the playoffs, because ev- in the first half before the Wildcats pulled away for a vic- honors. Sophomore Thomas Villamil collected the All-League eryone is 0-0-0 starting Friday,” Phillips said. tory Sunday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Flames had 23 Second Team nomination, while freshmen Gonzalo Romo, The Flames kick off the Horizon League Championship on offensive rebounds and outrebounded the Wildcats, 47- Kyle Hamann and Putna were named to the All-Freshman Friday in the semifinals, when they host the lowest remaining 40, but committed nine more turnovers (24-15). Team. seed from the quarterfinals at 4 p.m. at Flames Field. Senior Katie Hannemann and Campbell each had 14 “These individual awards reflect the tremendous amount Visit uicflames.com for the tournament schedule. points for the Flames. of work put in by each member of this team thus far. While “For this group to get to where they want to go, we are UIC returns to the UIC Pavilion Friday for a 7 p.m. individual awards are nice, team accomplishments are the going to have to be 1-0 on Friday and 1-0 on Sunday, and the contest with Idaho State. The Flames will take on the Ben- most gratifying and what it is really all about to this group,” games just get tougher and tougher as we go forward,” Phillips gals for the first time in program history. Phillips said. said.