March 9, 2005 Techtalk S ERVING T HE M I T C OMMUNITY Macvicar Day Offers Glimpse Into Future of MIT Education

Volume 49 – Number 20 Wednesday – March 9, 2005 TechTalk S ERVING T HE M I T C OMMUNITY MacVicar Day offers glimpse into future of MIT education

Sasha Brown Each year, faculty and students gather to explore issues A little more than a year ago, the Task Force on the News Office in undergraduate education at MIT and celebrate the fac- Undergraduate Educational Commons began a review ulty members named as MacVicar Fellows. This year’s of the General Institute Requirements (GIRs) and other MacVicar fellows are Professors Haynes Miller of math- aspects of the common undergraduate experience with a Providing students more choice in their undergraduate ematics, Ruth Perry of literature and David Pesetsky of view to recommending changes to better serve MIT stu- core requirements may be the key to expanding the scope linguistics. dents. of a four-year MIT education, according to a report from “I am sure Margaret would be interested and excited Currently all undergraduates are required to take six the Task Force on the Undergraduate Educational Com- about what is going on at MIT right now,” said current science core subjects -- two each in physics and calculus, mons made during MacVicar Day on Friday, March 4. Dean for Undergraduate Education Robert Redwine. one in chemistry and one in modern molecular biology. MacVicar Day celebrates the achievements of Profes- Room 6-120 was filled to capacity with faculty, students See MACVICAR sor Margaret MacVicar, the first dean for undergraduate and staff eager to explore the question “What Should We education, who died in 1991. Achieve in a Four-Year MIT Education?” Page 4 Wilczek sizes up universe Probes mysteries in Ford lecture Sasha Brown vides is strange in many ways,” said News Office Wilczek, who spent the first part of his hour discussing the 5 percent of the universe we do understand the matter In a talk that focused on his work, comprising our bodies and other "ordi- the future of physics and his own life nary matter" like stars and galaxies. since winning the Nobel Prize last fall, The other 95 percent of the universe Nobel laureate and physics Profes- is a mystery, composed of 25 percent sor Frank Wilczek gave the seventh mystical “dark matter,” which is only and final installment of the Ford/MIT understood through its gravitational Nobel Laureate Lecture Series to a pull on ordinary matter, and 70 percent capacity crowd gathered in Kresge “dark energy,” which exerts negative Auditorium on Monday, March 7. pressure. Wearing a blazer over a black T- Wilczek presented two questions: shirt purchased at a “head shop in “What is the dark stuff?” and “How do Amsterdam,” Wilczek gave his speech, you think about such a question?” The “The Universe Is a Strange Place,” to rest of his talk focused on the quest to roughly 1,200 people. The lecture was understand these mysteries, a task Wil- also broadcast live on the Internet. czek believes might be accomplished Wilczek, who shared the 2004 by “demanding more beautiful equa- Nobel Prize in Physics with David J. tions.” Gross and H. David Politzer “for the With so much left to understand, discovery of asymptotic freedom in the Wilczek looks forward to the contin- theory of the strong interaction,” spoke ued creativity and hard work of his PHOTO / DONNA COVENEY for about 90 minutes, focusing the first fellow researchers. “The world is very hour of his lecture on what we do and Nobelist in physics Frank Wilczek explored the mysteries of the universe for an audience of 1,200 do not understand about our universe. See WILCZEK at Kresge Auditorium on Monday, March 7, during his talk, ‘The Universe Is a Strange Place,’ the “The picture modern physics pro- Page 6 last in the Ford/MIT Nobel Laureate Lecture Series. Student drafted Muh winner opens a window on the mind Sarah H. Wright serving for six years as chair of the philosophy section in News Office the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy. for basketball flick Philip S. Khoury, Kenan Sahin Dean of the School of Sasha Brown Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and professor of his- News Office “What is consciousness in the brain?” tory, presented the award. “Ned Block is a natural for the According to MIT alumnus Ned Block, whose talk last award. After his undergraduate work at MIT, he went on week explored the reaches of what is known about the to become one of the leading analytic philosophers of his human mind, “A lot of our conscious experience is experi- generation. And he helped to build our doctoral program When MIT comparative media major Daniel ence we don’t even know about. That is experience that in philosophy into a national leader.” Kanamori ’06 took more than a year off school to happens very quickly fades before it gets to our concep- Block's expertise is in the philosophy of mind and the move to Los Angeles, he never expected to wind up tual, cognitive system." philosophy of cognitive science. Alex Byrne, associate sharing screen time with A-list movie star Samuel L. A professor of philosophy and psychology at New York professor of philosophy and friend and former colleague Jackson, but that is exactly what happened. University, Block received the Robert A. Muh Alumni of Block, framed Block’s role in the field as “absolutely The aspiring actor and screenwriter had only Award and delivered his talk on Wednesday, March 2, in fundamental in shaping the research agenda in the philos- been in Hollywood for a few months last year when Bartos Theater. ophy of mind over the past three decades. He has made he lucked into an audition for “Coach Carter.” The The Muh Award honors an MIT graduate for notewor- important contributions to our understanding of mental See KANAMORI thy achievements in the humanities, arts and social sciences. Block received the S.B. degree in physics and humani- See BRAIN Page 6 ties in 1964 and taught philosophy at MIT for 25 years, Page 5

NEWS NEWS ARTS

HELPING SOLDIERS EXCELLING AT WORK MONK’S CODE Students from MIT and West MIT employees are lauded for outstanding service at Thomas DeFrantz taps into Point show off new gadgets in the annual Excellence Awards ceremony. Thelonious Monk’s jazz in the Soldier Design Competition. Page 3 “Monk’s Mood.” Page 2 Page 7 A LITTLE DAB WILL DO RATE INCREASE Melatonin is generally sold in quantities too large ZITHER AND FLUTE The MIT Corporation announces tuition will go up to work effectively, says Richard Wurtman, who The Wind Ensemble will premier Evan Ziporyn’s new 4.9 percent for 2005-2006. recommends a small dose of the sleep aid. piece juxtaposing ancient and modern poetry. Page 2 Page 5 Page 7 PAGE 2 March 9, 2005 NEWS MIT Tech Talk Power scavenger wins soldier prize Eve Downing $3,000 went to the “Ancile” team, also from Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies West Point, for its computerized tracking system that provides soldiers with advance warning of incoming strikes through small Power, cooling and casualty evacuation radio pagers. Team “ATLAS” from MIT were recurrent themes at the final judging took the SAIC third-place award of $3,000 of the second annual MIT Soldier Design for its powered rope ascender. Competition—a reflection of the harsh One fourth-place award of $2,000 went realities of soldiers’ lives in combat. to each school: Team “Joe Proof” from About 200 people gathered last Tuesday West Point took the Charles River award to watch 15 teams of students from MIT for its hands-free casualty carriage system, and the U.S. Military Academy at West and team “Grapefruit” from MIT took the Point demonstrate prototypes of practical, Hudson River award for its battery scav- non-weapons devices of use to soldiers, enger and recharge system. A director’s as well as to police, firefighters and other award of $1,000 for special achievement emergency first responders. The compe- went to the “Cool Warrior” team for its PHOTO / L. BARRY HETHERINGTON tition is sponsored by MIT’s Institute for cooling system for Interceptor body armor. Soldier Nanotechnologies. “This competition is about putting new Owen Fogarty (center), a member of a West Point team competing in the Soldier Design The five undergraduate cadets of team technology into soldiers hands soon,” Competition, demonstrates his team’s hands-free, casualty-carriage system for Lt. Col. “Supercharged” from West Point won the said Professor Ned Thomas, director of Shawn Reinwald of the U.S. Marine Corps, who judged the competition. Team members Raytheon-sponsored first-place award of the MIT Institute for Soldier Nanotech- Jamie Pittman (wearing the device) and Venkat Motupalli look on. $5,000 for their battery scavenger system nologies. “These are real problems we’re for recovering the power remaining in addressing, and the Army is very inter- to continue development. dier protection, noting that fresh ideas can depleted batteries. Pocket-sized, rugged ested in the innovations that are coming The judges for the finals included uni- often bring solutions to old problems. and inexpensive, the device could reduce out of these student teams.” formed and civilian representatives of “These ideas have direct application to soldiers’ battery needs by 15 percent to 20 The Army was so impressed with one the Army and Marine Corps, as well as the challenges of today’s Army,” said Grif- percent, providing significant savings in of last year’s winning inventions—a sys- individuals from MIT and industry. Gen. fin, who is commanding general of Army weight carried in the field, environmental tem to digitize soldiers’ hand-arm commu- Benjamin Griffin, senior Army guest at the Materiel Command. “From where I sit, impact and cost. nications signals—they have funded the event, was very impressed with the stu- there is nothing more important than what The Boeing second-place award of team with a small-business research grant dents’ and cadets’ efforts on behalf of sol- you’re doing here tonight.”

Tuition and Alumnus to bankroll winning idea Jay Chrepta making some funding available to make once his new company was successful. fees set for Department of Mechanical Engineering it happen,” said Hatsopoulos, who added “This would never happen today. But, that the award-winning thesis topic must sure enough, the company was success- 2005-2006 focus on a practical—and patentable—pro- ful,” Hatsopoulos said. An MIT alumnus and entrepreneur cess or mechanism. In 1999 Hatsopoulos retired from Ther- MIT has set tuition and fees for the whose doctoral thesis provided the basis In his doctoral thesis written in 1956, mo Electron, which by then had become 2005-2006 academic year at $32,300, for what is now a $2 billion high-tech firm Hatsopoulos demonstrated the principal a diversified, multinational high-tech com- an increase of 4.9 percent over the will fund a $50,000 prize for the best idea of direct conversion of heat into electric- pany with more than $2 billion in annual current year. The new figures were for independent research or a doctoral ity that led to development of the thermo revenues and offices around the globe. announced at the March 4 meeting of thesis proposed by a graduate student in electron engine, which became the tech- Mechanical engineering graduate stu- the MIT Corporation. mechanical engineering. nological and commercial cornerstone for dents are encouraged to submit a pro- “This year’s tuition increase will George Hatsopoulos (S.B. 1949, S.M., his company. posal of no more than five pages outlin- enable MIT to maintain the high Sc.D.), who founded the Waltham, Mass.- At the time, MIT held a 50 percent inter- ing an idea for an innovation or invention quality of its educational programs based Thermo Electron Corp. almost 50 est in the engine’s patent, which Hatsopou- that has the potential for being patented for all students,” said Dean for years ago with early financial assistance los offered to buy back. Instead, Dean of and becoming the core of a doctoral dis- Undergraduate Education Robert P. from the Institute and $50,000 from an Engineering C. Richard Soderberg gave sertation. Proposals may be sent to Leslie Redwine. “It is especially important angel investor, will present the first $50,000 the Institute’s interest back to Hatsopoulos Regan (Room 1-106, [email protected], 253- in light of this increase that we make prize at a ceremony later this year. in exchange for a gentleman’s agreement 2291) by May 15. certain there will not be a negative “It occurred to me that when someone that Hatsopoulos would endow a profes- E-mailed submissions should have the impact on those who cannot afford has a thesis idea associated with an inven- sorship in mechanical engineering (a chair words “Hatsopoulos $50,000 Prize” in the to pay more. We will provide the tion and it requires funding, I thought of currently held by Professor Ian Hunter) subject line. additional financial aid to ensure that all of our undergraduates, regardless of their family resources, can afford an MIT education. MIT remains committed to its principles Doyle chosen for Doherty Professorship of need-blind admissions, need- based financial aid, and meeting Patrick Doyle, assistant professor in the suring elongational viscosities and comparing the full demonstrated need of all Department of Chemical Engineering, has been these to molecular simulations, Doyle expects undergraduates.” awarded the 2005 Doherty Professorship in to increase that understanding and the ability Approximately 16 percent of Ocean Utilization from the MIT Sea Grant Col- to effectively reduce drag. MIT’s undergraduates come from lege Program. Every year, the program selects In 2004, the two-year Doherty was awarded homes with incomes of less than one or two new faculty members for a supple- to Anette Hosoi, an assistant professor in the $41,000. More than ninety percent of mental award of $25,000 per year for two years. Department of Mechanical Engineering. Hosoi’s undergraduates receive some form of Doyle’s research focuses on understanding Doherty-funded research focuses on the experi- financial aid, including scholarships, the dynamics of single polymers and biomol- mental and numerical investigation of oceanic loans, and jobs, from all sources. ecules under forces and fields. His Doherty- particle-laden flows. The findings should increase Fifty-eight percent of undergraduates funded work will focus on reducing the friction- understanding of the potential risks in offshore receive a need-based scholarship al drag on ships and underwater vehicles. construction, ocean exploration, and options for from MIT. In the marine environment, suppressing tur- eliminating waste products. “An average aid package at MIT bulence is key to reducing drag. Controlling The Doherty Fellowship, endowed by the next year will be $31,500. Total turbulence can also help limit the associated Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foun- undergraduate financial aid from all noise that may disturb the environment, affect dation, encourages promising, non-tenured pro- sources will top $88 million, of which sonar in a submarine, or inhibit the fine-scale fessors to undertake marine-related research MIT will provide $65.5 million, a $7 maneuvering of a vessel. that will further innovative uses of the ocean’s million increase over last year,” said While it is known that the addition of a small resources. The area of research may address Elizabeth Hicks, executive director of amount of polymer to a fluid can reduce turbu- any aspect of marine use and/or management, Student Financial Services. lence, the precise mechanism of that phenom- whether social, political, environmental, or Patrick Doyle enon is poorly understood. By reliably mea- technological.

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Roger Donaghy MIT Tech Talk PEOPLE March 9, 2005 PAGE 3 Robert Langer shares $1 million Dan David Prize Elizabeth A. Thomson fessor C.N.R. Rao of the Jawaharlal Nehru novel biomaterials,” such as shape memo- 20 scholarships of $15,000 each to out- News Office Centre in Bangalore, India, won in the ry polymers and a smart surface that can standing doctoral students throughout the future category of the Dan David Prize, reversibly switch properties. world in the chosen fields. which this year is dedicated to the field of Whitesides won for “having bridged the The three $1 million awards will be pre- Institute Professor Robert Langer is materials science. fields of chemistry, chemical engineering sented at a ceremony May 23 at Tel Aviv having quite a year, and it’s only the begin- Tel Aviv University annually awards and biology to new heights through the University. Winners are selected by inde- ning of March. three Dan David Prizes of $1 million each development of novel functional materials pendent review committees comprising MIT recently announced that Langer has for achievements that have “outstanding and systems.” Rao won for his “sustained members of the international academic been named an Institute Professor, the high- scientific, technological, cultural or social record of scientific accomplishments in and business communities. est honor awarded by the MIT faculty and impact on our world.” The laureates for solid state and materials chemistry.” The Dan David Prize was founded in administration. Now he will share the $1 mil- a given year are chosen for three time The Dan David Prize is unique in its 2001 by international businessman and lion Dan David Prize for his pioneering work dimensions—past, present and future. flexible definition of dynamically chang- philanthropist Dan David. His goal, accord- in tissue engineering and biomaterials. Langer was honored for “having pio- ing fields of human knowledge and in its ing to the foundation, “is to aid and foster Langer, along with Professor George neered the development of tissue engi- process of fostering the next generation those involved in developing and advanc- Whitesides of Harvard University and Pro- neering and the creation of numerous of scholars. The laureates annually donate ing world knowledge.” Reid, artist organizers, more honored for MIT excellence Denise Brehm service in the “Creating Connections: Mak- not they attended one of his life-changing News Office ing a Difference in our Communities” cat- programs. Certainly, he is a model for our egory of the Excellence Awards. Altogether, young African-American people.” 20 awards in five categories were presented Reid’s office also runs MIT’s Saturday Showcasing the talents of others is a tal- to 14 teams and six individuals. Engineering Enrichment and Discovery ent in itself, one that the winners of this year’s Reid is responsible for directing the (SEED) academy for local urban high MIT Excellence Awards have in abundance. Minority Introduction to Engineering, school students and the Science, Tech- Karl Reid, executive director of Spe- Entrepreneurship and Science (MITE2S) nology, Engineering and Mathematics cial Programs for the School of Engineer- program, a six-week residential summer (STEM) academic enrichment program ing, and the core team of the organizing program for talented high school juniors. for middle school students. The three committee of Artists Behind the Desk “Karl and his team change students’ programs together reach hundreds of stu- (ABD)—Minday Baughman, Mary Gal- paradigms in just six weeks to help them dents annually, helping them to improve lagher, Anne Hudson, Debra Kedian and believe in their abilities and reach higher their academic performance and encour- Judith Leonard—have helped hundreds of than they have ever imagined,” said Lorelle aging them to apply for admission to MIT. individuals reach their scholastic and artis- Espinosa in her written recommendation In her recommendation to the Artist Karl Reid, executive director of Special Pro- tic potential. Reid, the ABD committee and of Reid. “Karl has touched many lives and Behind the Desk organizing committee, grams for the School of Engineering, was 45 other MIT employees were honored for has made the goal of higher education a Margaret Ann Gray said that while the their service to the community in a cer- among 51 MIT employees honored March reality to those who face the greatest chal- membership of the committee fluctuates, emony March 2 in Kresge Auditorium. lenges in this country. He is much more this core team has been responsible for 2 with MIT Excellence Awards. Reid directs President Susan Hockfield presented than a leader in the professional realm; he the comeback of ABD since 1999. the Minority Introduction to Engineering, Reid and the ABD committee members with is also an amazing role model. He inspires “Without the work of these five individu- Entrepreneurship and Science program. $2,000 checks and certificates marking their young people on this campus, whether or als, ABD may not exist and, if it did, most likely would not have the depth and breadth it does today. These five members have dedicated their efforts and volunteered uncounted personal hours for five consecu- tive years. Today, they continue in their original roles, persistently building, shaping, bending, filling in the holes and evolving with the Artists Behind the Desk program to support the arts at MIT,” wrote Gray. At last week’s ceremony, Laura Avaki- an, vice president of Human Resources, emceed, Hockfield gave opening remarks, and Tom Magnanti, dean of engineering, gave the keynote speech. “I never cease to be amazed by the simply superb quality of [MIT] and the remarkable people who make the Institute what it is: the students, faculty and especially the staff,” said Magnanti. “MIT would be a mere shadow of itself without such dedicated and exceptional staff. Each one of our award recipients today has learned the secret of joy in work,” said Magnanti. The band BJ Magoon and Driving Sideways (featuring artist Brian Magoon of Audio Visual Services) performed during the buffet luncheon that followed in Kresge Lobby. Four ABD visual artists exhibited their work in the lobby as well— Mindy Baughman, Betty Bolivar, Judith Daniels and Heather Kaufman. “People couldn’t stop praising the band, and loved having the artwork as part of PHOTO / DONNA COVENEY the event. It turned it into a real party,” said Kande Culver, administrator of the The Artists Behind the Desk organizing committee (left to right), Debi Kedian of Campus Activities, Judy Leonard of IS&T, Anne Hudson MIT Rewards and Recognition Program of chemistry, Mary Gallagher of LFEE, and Mindy Baughman of DMSE, received an MIT Excellence Award March 2. and organizer of the event.

Two professors elected to NAE Teng receives Levitan Prize Emma Teng, associate professor of for- emeritus member of the MIT Corpora- Two MIT professors are among the neering education.” eign languages and literature and Class of tion and of-counsel at the law firm of 74 new members of the National Acad- MIT’s new members are: ’56 Career Development Chair, has been Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and emy of Engineering. Dimitris J. Bertsimas, the Boeing awarded the 2005 Levitan Prize in the Flom of New York City. The prize, first Election to the NAE is among the Professor of Operations Research in Humanities, announced Philip Khoury, awarded in 1990, supports innovative highest professional distinctions an the Sloan School of Management, “for eean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and creative scholarship in the humani- engineer can receive. Academy mem- contributions to optimization theory and Social Sciences. ties by faculty members in the School bership honors those who have made and stochastic systems and innovative Professor Teng received her Ph.D. in of Humanities, Arts and Social Scienc- “important contributions to engineering applications in financial engineering and East Asian Languages and Civilizations es. theory and practice” and who have dem- transportation.” from Harvard University in 1997, and Professor Teng will research her book, onstrated accomplishment in “pioneer- Shafrira Goldwasser, the RSA Profes- joined the MIT faculty as an assistant pro- “The Chinese Eurasian: East-West Interra- ing new fields of engineering, making sor of Computer Science and Engineering, fessor in the Foreign Languages and Lit- cialism at the Turn of the Twentieth Cen- major advancements in traditional fields “for contributions to cryptography, num- eratures Section in 1998. tury,” which she describes as “a compara- of engineering, or developing/imple- ber theory and complexity theory, and The $25,000 prize was established tive study of Chinese and Chinese Ameri- menting innovative approaches to engi- their applications to privacy and security.” through a gift from James A. Levitan, can representations of Chinese-Western a 1945 MIT graduate in chemistry, an interracialism.” PAGE 4 March 9, 2005 NEWS MIT Tech Talk MACVICAR

Continued from Page 1 Students are also required to satisfy a laboratory requirement, take two additional subjects in science, mathematics or technology, and take at least eight subjects in the humanities, arts and social sciences (HASS). In addition, a four-subject commu- nication requirement is satisfied through specific subjects in HASS and in the major. “This is a rigorous undergraduate education,” said the task force chair, Dean of the School of Science Robert Silbey. During the course of its early delibera- tions, the task force identified a number of working principles about MIT’s educational philosophy in order to frame its review. The first principle, Silbey said, was that an MIT education should foster “a persistent pas- sion for learning.” He said the task force addressed a lengthy list of subject areas suggested by members of the community for inclusion in the commons experience. “It is impossible to get everything we want to give to our students in four years,” said Silbey. “More things are essential to an MIT undergraduate education, but we are uneasy about adding more require- PHOTO / DONNA COVENEY ments. This is our design challenge.” Dean of Science Robert Silbey talked about possible changes to the undergraduate educational commons, as part of MacVicar Day. Silbey said he wanted to use MacVicar Day to highlight emerging recommendations and to hear audience reactions. Other task force members on hand were Professors Dava Newman of aeronautics Three named MacVicar Fellows and astronautics, Heidi Nepf of civil and Three faculty members were recognized for their outstanding gives an annual scholar’s allowance to each Fellow to use for environmental Engineering and chair of teaching abilities last Friday when they were named MacVicar developing ways to enrich the undergraduate learning experience. the subcommittee on balancing majors Faculty Fellows: Haynes Miller of mathematics, Ruth Perry of lit- Fellows serve 10-year terms. and the GIRs, and Charles Stewart, head erature, and David Pesetsky of Linguistics and Philosophy. The March 4 ceremony at the Faculty Club was followed by of political science and chair of the sub- The fellowships were established in 1992 to honor the life and a talk on “What Should We Achieve in an MIT Four-Year Educa- committee on the HASS experience. contributions of Margaret MacVicar (S.B. 1964, Sc.D.), MIT’s tion?” by Dean of Science Robert Silbey and Professor Charles Silbey said that the subcommittee exam- first dean for undergraduate education and founder of UROP (the Stewart of political science, both of whom serve on the Task Force ining the core requirements in science and Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program). The program on the Undergraduate Educaitonal Commons. engineering have recommended that the current Institute Laboratory Requirement be replaced with a project-based experience. The subcommittee also provided a number of possible models that would expand the educational scope of the core science and engineering requirements. One plan would offer more choices to undergraduates than are currently available, but many in the audience were con- cerned that the option to choose might encourage students to pass over subjects they are not interested in, thereby losing something fundamental to an MIT education. “We do have to prioritize,” said Silbey. Professor Charles Stewart talked about his subcommittee’s ideas for changes to the HASS requirement. Part of the problem with the current requirement, Stewart said, is that students often do not take HASS courses as seriously as their courses in science and engineering. To some extent, Stewart suggested, this might be due to the con- fusing nature of the requirement. The current requirement is succeeding “retail, but not wholesale,” he said. “The complexity HAYNES R. MILLER RUTH PERRY DAVID PESETSKY really undermines it.” Mathematics Literature Linguistics and Philosophy Currently, freshmen choose from among 75 HASS-Distribution subjects. One • B.A. from Harvard University in • B.A. cum laude from Cornell Uni- • B.A. summa cum laude from Yale idea explored by Stewart’s subcommittee 1970; Ph.D. from Princeton University in versity in 1963; M.A. in physiological psy- University in 1977; Ph.D. in 1983 from MIT. is to create a “faceted” first-year common 1974. chology from Cornell in 1965; M.A. in lit- • Associate professor, 1988-1994; pro- experience, allowing students to select • Professor, 1986 to present. erature in 1970 and Ph.D. in literature in fessor, 1994-99; Ferrari P. Ward Professor from one of five themes – for instance, cre- 1974, both from the University of Califor- of Modern Languages and Linguistics, ativity or democracy. Over the course of Colleague comments: nia at Santa Cruz. 1999-present. the semester, students would explore that • “I see his office full, every day, of • Instructor, 1972-73; assistant profes- topic from a variety of disciplines within students who come to him for help. He sor, 1973-80; associate professor, 1980-82; Colleague comments: HASS with a group of up to 200 other has an open door in the best tradition of director of Women’s Studies Program and • “David can make the most compli- freshmen in small classes studying com- Margaret MacVicar.” senior lecturer in literature and women's cated material easy to understand. I love mon material. • “[He is] currently the de facto studies, 1982-87; director, WSP, 1991-93 listening to him and watching him teach, Stewart also discussed another model department leader in educational innova- and 1996-98; professor, 1987-present. even if it is material that I have taught in which students would select one dis- tion.” many times myself.” cipline-oriented subject within the same Colleague comments: • “Without exaggeration, he is the theme as an option in their second year. Student comments: • “Her enthusiasm for bringing new best teacher of linguistics I have encoun- For all other semesters, students would • “Not only did Professor Miller want subject material to students is contagious, tered in my 25 years of teaching.” choose six or seven additional subjects, us to appreciate math, but he sincerely and I count myself fortunate to have had with a concentration. wanted us to be able to understand it, as her for a colleague and informal mentor Student comments: By introducing students to the humani- opposed to caring about whether we could since my arrival here as a junior faculty • “He manages to teach not just the ties, arts, and social sciences in a unified simply solve equations.” member.” conclusions, but also the sort of thought way, the subcommittee hopes to inspire • “He would ask us hard questions • “She is a superb discussion leader processes and evidence necessary to students to continue discussions with their and not accept the simple ‘I don’t know.’ as well as an insistent critic and successful reach those conclusions.” peers outside the classroom. Because he wasn’t afraid to do this, I, in improver of student writing. She is a peer- • “David was one of the most enthusi- “We are distinct in requiring more turn, wasn't afraid to think and figure out less mentor.” astic teachers I had as an undergraduate, than a science core,” said Stewart, adding answers on my own.” and his energetic teaching and his ability that the requirement attracts students to • “Work didn’t feel like work anymore; Student comments: to radiate a tremendous sense of excite- MIT who have a broader set of interests. it felt like joy.” • “Ruth is the professor you hope you ment at the discoveries of linguistics theo- “[MIT students] lead. They don’t just sit • “Professor Miller leaves students have at least once in your life.” ry had significant effect on my interest.” in a cubicle for the rest of their lives.” expecting more, not only of their other • “Professor Perry’s enthusiasm for • “Most instructors are good at teach- Student members of the task force and professors, but also of themselves.” her subject is inspiring and contagious; I ing either introductory-level courses or the Student Advisory Committee will submit loved every minute I spent in her classes.” advanced classes, but not both. Professor their report and recommendations to the • “She listens with benevolence, with Pesetsky is one of the rare people who task force in the next few weeks, Silbey said. a mind open to the possibility of gaining are equally comfortable in both environ- More information is available at http:// new perspectives from her students.” ments.” web.mit.edu/committees/edcommons MIT Tech Talk RESEARCH March 9, 2005 PAGE 5 Sleep aid gets a nod from MIT study Elizabeth Thomson contain 10 times the effective amount. the experiments reported in each paper in much higher dosages, “even though we News Office And at that dose, “after a few days it stops had to satisfy specific criteria. For exam- knew they wouldn’t work,” Wurtman said. working,” said Wurtman, director of MIT’s ple, each had to be placebo-controlled and As a result, until recently the hormone Clinical Research Center and the Cecil include objective measurements on at least was commercially unavailable to the pub- A new study by MIT scientists and H. Green Distinguished Professor. When six adult subjects. lic in small doses. “People who knew that colleagues confirms that melatonin is an the melatonin receptors in the brain are “A meta-analysis essentially tells ‘yes’ small doses were best often bought the effective sleep aid for older insomniacs exposed to too much of the hormone, they or ‘no’—that a treatment does or does not high-dose pills, then divided them with a and others. Misuse of the hormone had become unresponsive. have a significant effect,” Wurtman said. knife,” Wurtman said. “But that’s not very led some to question its efficacy, but the As a result of these inadvertent over- “When a meta-analysis says ‘yes,’ there accurate.” latest work (published in the February doses, “many people don’t think melatonin should no longer be any controversy about The company Nature’s Bounty has since issue of Sleep Medicine Reviews) could works at all,” said Wurtman, who is also whether the treatment works.” licensed the work, and now the hormone is jump-start interest in the dietary supple- affiliated with the Department of Brain The melatonin meta-analysis delivered easily available in the effective dosages. ment and help more people get a good and Cognitive Sciences. This belief, cou- a definitive “yes.” Wurtman’s colleagues in the meta-anal- night’s sleep. pled with potentially serious side effects Wurtman notes that some of the 17 ysis work are Amnon Brzezinski of Hadas- In earlier research, scientists led by related to high doses such as hypother- studies included in the analysis involved sah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Professor Richard Wurtman, principal mia, has earned the hormone a bad repu- very high doses of the hormone over long Israel; Mark G. Vangel, a visiting scientist investigator for the current study, showed tation in some quarters—“and something periods, a “situation where we know it’s not at the Clinical Research Center; Gillian that only a small dose of melatonin (about that could be very useful to a lot of people going to work.” Yet the meta-analysis still Norrie and Ian Ford of the University of 0.3 milligrams) is necessary for a restful isn’t,” said Wurtman, who said that he and showed that the hormone’s positive effects Glasgow in Scotland; and Irina Zhdanova of effect. Taken in that quantity, it not only his wife have been taking melatonin every on sleep “are statistically significant.” the Boston University School of Medicine. helps people fall asleep, but also makes night for about a year now. When Wurtman first discovered the The work was supported by the Nation- it easier for them to return to sleep after To determine conclusively whether mel- efficacy of small doses of melatonin, he al Institutes of Health, the Center for Brain waking up during the night—a problem atonin works or not, the scientists in the and MIT patented its use for dosages up to Sciences and Metabolism Charitable for many older adults. current study analyzed 17 peer-reviewed one milligram. Because the FDA defined Trust, and the Womens’ Health Center The researchers also found, however, scientific papers about the hormone. To the hormone as a dietary supplement, of Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical that commercially available melatonin pills be included in this study, or meta-analysis, however, manufacturers were free to sell it Center. Ketterle’s Killian talk a very cool matter Nobel laureate Wolfgang Ketterle, one of the first observers of a new state of matter called the Bose-Einstein condensate and creator of the first atom laser, will present the 33rd Killian Lecture next Tues- day, March 15, at 4:30 p.m. in the Kirsch Auditorium. Ketterle, the John D. MacArthur Pro- fessor of Physics, was named the 2004- 2005 recipient of the James R. Killian Jr. Faculty Achievement Award at a faculty meeting last May. Upon receiving the award, Ketterle said, “Winning this award means to be appreciated not just as a scientist but as a colleague and member of the MIT community. I have always been proud to be at MIT, to be part of a wonder- ful community of excellent people.” Ketterle will speak on “When Freezing Cold Is Not Cold Enough.” His talk will discuss new forms of matter existing only at extremely low temperatures that open a new door to the quantum world where particles behave as waves and “march in lockstep.” In 1925, Albert Einstein predict- ed such a new form of matter, the Bose- Einstein condensate, but it was realized PHOTO / L. BARRY HETHERINGTON only in 1995 in laboratories at Boulder and MIT. The lecture will link MIT’s decade- Robert A. Muh Alumni Award winner Ned Block gives his talk, ‘What Is Consciousness in the Brain?’ at Bartos Theater on Wednesday, long tradition in this frontier with recent March 2. Block, who received his S.B. degree in physics and humanities in 1964, received the prestigious award for noteworthy achieve- advances. ments in the humanities, arts and social sciences. Now a professor at New York University, Block taught philosophy at MIT for 25 years. Ketterle was a co-recipient of the 2001 Nobel Prize in physics with MIT alumni Eric Cornell and Carl Wieman for their work with Bose-Einstein condensation in BRAIN dilute gases of alkali atoms and for fundamental studies of the properties of the Continued from Page 1 sciences, in advancing research in the sor of philosophy (1971-77), worked as condensates. neural basis of consciousness. Kanwisher, associate professor of philosophy (1977- imagery, the computer model of the mind he noted, located the “fusiform face area 83), professor of philosophy (1983-96) and and the causal power of mental states.” on the bottom of the temporal lobe. When served as chair of the philosophy section Block easily demonstrated why his your perception is of a face, all the cells in (1989-95). He has been a professor in the courses receive rave reviews as engaging, this area are firing. But when the percep- departments of philosophy and psychol- lively events. He presented visual images tion is of a place-like stimulus, e.g. a house, ogy and at the Center for Neural Science of experiments as well as diagrams of the then the fusiform face area quiets down at New York University since 1996. underlying neural activity so those present whereas cells in a different area are most- The Robert A. Muh Alumni Award was could experience examples of the visual ly firing. So it looks like these two areas first announced in October 2000 at the phenomena on which some of the latest might be part of the neural correlates of 50th anniversary celebration of the School research in his field is based. distinct specific conscious contents.” of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Block’s Muh Award talk outlined cur- Block summarized recent experiments Muh (S.B. 1959), a life member of the rent challenges in doing research about suggesting that some conscious phenom- MIT Corporation and longtime chair of the consciousness, asking, “Are the conscious ena might have a brain basis that is not Humanities Visiting Committee, endowed states we can report the same as those we available to “consuming systems in the the award to honor an MIT alumnus or can’t? There is evidence that there are con- brain such as reasoning, planning, memo- alumna who has made significant contri- scious states to which our access is lim- ry and voluntary direction of action.” butions to education, scholarship or per- ited, even conscious states that are com- “We often have the sense in our own formance, academic administration or pletely inaccessible. Of course they must experience of far richer phenomenal con- arts management in the humanities, arts in some way have a different neural basis tents than we can get a conceptual grasp or social sciences. The award will rotate from the conscious states that we can on. If the results of research come out as among the three major areas in SHASS. report, but the question is how we know I am suggesting, this will vindicate our Muh and his wife, Berit, have two that this difference in neural basis doesn’t introspective judgment,” he said. daughters, Alison and Carrie. Carrie make them unconscious?” Block received the Ph.D. degree in phi- received the S.B. in biology from MIT in Block credited work by Nancy Kan- losophy from Harvard University in 1971. 1996 and the S.B. and S.M. in political sci- wisher, professor in brain and cognitive He came to MIT as an assistant profes- ence in 1997. Wolfgang Ketterle PAGE 6 March 9, 2005 NEWS MIT Tech Talk

Faculty from Africa learn AWARDS AND HONORS Leslie Servi, technical staff at Lincoln Labora- tory, has been named a Fellow of the Institute for Sloan management lessons Operations Research and Management Sciences (INFORMS). The citation is “in recognition of out- Building upon the success of a nearly decade-old pro- than is the case at GIMPA.” He added, “I am anxious to standing contributions, achievements and service gram that has already brought more than 100 professors share my experience with my colleagues and to integrate it that have advanced the profession of operations from four Chinese universities to Cambridge to help them into my own teaching program.” Dugbenoo teaches human research and management science.” teach business and management at home, the MIT Sloan resources and general management as well as organiza- School is now offering similar opportunities to faculty tional behavior in Ghana. “Aviation Week & Space Technology” magazine from other developed and developing nations. And that, says MIT Sloan Senior Associate Dean Alan has selected Professor R. John Hansman Jr. of Management schools in Mexico and Korea began send- White, is precisely the purpose of the International Fel- aeronautics and astronautics as a recipient of a 2004 ing faculty members to Sloan a year ago. A professor from lows Program, which is supported by the Washington- Aerospace Commercial Air Transport Laurel. Hans- Ghana’s leading management school is an International based International Finance Corporation. While some uni- man was cited for his pioneering research on vertical Faculty Fellow this semester, the second one to come versities send their faculty to spend time at foreign institu- navigation displays. The magazine presents Laurels from his university to see firsthand how business is taught tions, White feels it is more effective for foreign faculty to individuals who “made lasting contributions to the at MIT. In the process, the visiting professors offer impor- to come here, where they can be fully immersed in MIT advancement of aerospace, and to those who applied tant lessons to MIT Sloan faculty about how management Sloan’s environment. navigation or space technologies to the betterment of students are trained in Africa. “We find that having faculty come here, where they can mankind.” Hansman is director of the MIT Interna- “In Ghana and most African educational institutions, take classes, sit in on faculty meetings and fully participate tional Center for Air Transportation. we tend to place more emphasis on the theoretical with students, is a much better way to assist another uni- aspects,” said Emmanuel Dugbenoo, a senior lecturer at versity in its institution building,” said White, who leads Subra Suresh, the Ford Professor of Engineer- the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Adminis- the China Management Education Program as well as the ing and head of the Department of Materials Science tration (GIMPA). “Here at MIT Sloan, I have seen that International Fellows Program at Sloan. “The more inter- and Engineering, has been elected an Honorary Fel- faculty link the theoretical with real-life cases in a way national faculty we can get to come to American manage- low of the Indian Academy of Sciences in Bangalore. that is much more effective. I also find that more time ment schools for training, the better they will be able to do The academy, founded in 1934 by Sir C. V. Raman, is given to discussion and contributions from students their important job at home.” the 1930 physics Nobel laureate of “Raman Spectros- copy” fame, annually elects no more than three Hon- orary Fellows who are citizens of foreign countries. The total number of living Honorary Fellows of the KANAMORI Academy currently stands at 45, of whom seven are Continued from Page 1 Nobel Prize winners. Suresh also has been elected in recent years to the U.S. National Academy of Engi- film about a real-life high school basketball coach who neering (in which he currently serves as chair of the benched his entire team for poor academic performance Materials Section), the American Academy of Arts opened in January. It has grossed $65 million at the box and Sciences, the Indian National Academy of Engi- office thus far. neering, and the Third World Academy of Sciences. Kanamori, a Brookline native and member of the MIT basketball team, was perfect for the part of one of the play- Ellen T. Harris, Class of 1949 Professor of ers. “Basketball is my one true love,” said Kanamori, whose Music, has won the 2004 Westrup Prize awarded by audition was essentially a basketball game. The familiar the British journal Music and Letters (Oxford Uni- activity helped calm his nerves. “It just felt like I was trying versity Press) for her article “Handel the Investor,” out again for one of the Brookline street leagues.” considered the “most distinguished” among those During more than three months of filming, Kanamori published in the journal. Harris’ article was based on said he learned much from Jackson, who has starred in extensive research in the Bank of England archives dozens of films, including “Pulp Fiction” and “A Time to and details the bank accounts and stock holdings of Kill.” Kanamori said he often pulled Jackson aside to talk George Frideric Handel (1685-1759). The abstract about the craft, something Jackson encouraged. Kanamori reads in part: “Handel kept both cash and stock was impressed by Jackson’s stage presence and by the accounts at the Bank of England. Never before fully way Jackson handled emotional and inspirational scenes. examined, these illustrate in their deliberate inter- “When he did his scenes, you could hear a pin drop on the locking Handel’s close control over his finances, set,” Kanamori said. from early in his first years in London through to During the film’s production in 2004, Kanamori stopped and including his will and the posthumous payment thinking of the actor as Samuel L. Jackson, famous actor, of his bequests.” According to Harris, the accounts and started to think of him as Sam, friend and mentor. show that Handel passed through periods of financial “Sam was such a great guy,” said Kanamori, who was sur- difficulty, but that he died a rich man due in part to prised to find that Jackson was also impressed by him. “He “his ability to deal conservatively in the speculative was always asking me about MIT and making jokes about investment environment of his time.” astrophysics,” Kanamori said. For a little more than three months, Kanamori was Daniel Hastings, professor of engineering sys- called to the set almost every day, making new friends and tems and aeronautics and astronautics and director of great contacts. Though the few lines he had were left on the Engineering Systems Division, has been named a the cutting-room floor, Kanamori is in nearly every scene. 2005 Giant in Science by the Quality Education for Last fall, he decided to return to MIT to finish his Minorities/Mathematics, Science and Engineering (MSE) Network. The award is given to individuals degree before returning to Los Angeles. An MIT basket- PHOTO / STANLEY HU ball game kept him from attending the movie premiere who have had a significant impact on students and party, but some of his on-set friends did take time to call Daniel Kanamori’s hoop skills paid off in Hollywood. their participation in MSE fields; those who are out- him during the premiere so he would not feel left out. “It standing mentors, teachers, and researchers; and was cool just to get the calls from them,” he said. has a couple of scripts being circulated by a well-known those who are strong advocates for quality MSE Overall, Kanamori has been pleased with his Holly- director. So, it looks like Kanamori is well on the way to education for all students, particularly those under- wood experience. In addition to his acting credits, which meeting his goals. “I am planning to be the next Matt served by the U.S. educational system. Hastings was include a role in a low-budget independent film, Kanamori Damon,” he said, smiling. specifically honored because of his “outstanding contributions to research and education.” Hastings received the award at a luncheon on Feb. 26 in Washington, D.C. He then participated in WILCZEK an interview session with middle school students. Continued from Page 1 The more than 30 years he waited to have the work recognized was at times frustrating, he said. “I was very Institute Professor Robert Langer received strange and very beautiful. We should admire it and be unhappy not to have this marvelous work recognized for the Washington Award from the Western Society happy to live in it.” so long.” of Engineers on Feb. 25. The award was created in Following the talk, a question and answer session However, since winning the prize, it’s been a whirlwind, 1916 to recognize the “devoted, unselfish and pre- focused largely on Wilczek’s personal experience winning he said. Wilczek shared a quick-time video of the Nobel eminent service in advancing human progress.” It the Nobel. Prize banquet he attended in Stockholm, Sweden, last is conferred annually upon an engineer whose pro- Wilczek told the audience that he was immediately December, a grand-scale affair attended by every member fessional attainments have advanced the welfare of aware of the significance of the 1972 find he and his col- of the Swedish royal family “down to third cousins,” joked all peoples. Past recipients include Orville Wright leagues made while still graduate students at Princeton Wilcek. (1927) and Neil Armstrong (1980). It was named the University. “I didn’t have complete confidence that it was For MIT's newest Nobel laureate, the title is going to take Washington Award as a reminder that the nation’s correct, but I did understand that if it was correct, it would time to sink in. “I haven’t really absorbed it yet,” he said. “I first president was an engineer. be very important.” haven't reached a steady state…but it is a lot of fun.”

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ARTS NEWS A musical flowering DeFrantz taps into Monk Professor Tod Machover of the Program in Media Arts and Sciences, known for his innovations in composing and performing music, has designed an interactive music installation for the annual Marshall Fields with high-tech storytelling Flower Show at the chain’s flagship store in downtown Minneapolis. “Music in the Garden,” called an “inspired landscape of Associate Professor Thomas DeFrantz uses French post-impressionist art,” uses Hyperin- tap shoes and technology to tell the story of struments and automated pianos that switch the life and music of jazz pianist and composer sounds from Debussy, Satie and Stravinsky to Thelonious Monk (1917-1982). DeFrantz will Machover at the touch of a finger. The project reprise his solo tap dance “Monk’s Mood: A also uses what Machover calls “squeezy flow- Performance Meditation on the Life and Music ers that mix nature and electronica, magical of Thelonious Monk,” March 11-13 and 17-19 in indoor wind chimes that move and chime by Kresge Little Theater. blowing on a series of giant pinwheels, and a Conceived and performed by DeFrantz, substantial original composition that emerges “Monk’s Mood” explores tap dance as a narra- from the other overlapping experiences—all tive form augmented by digital technologies. surrounded by extremely elaborate flowers “One of my concerns is how to use technology and plants.” to enhance theatrical storytelling and not sim- The “South of France” environment ply as a sort of gimmick,” said DeFrantz. was designed by landscape architect Julie “Monk’s Mood” explores Monk’s person- Moir Messervy, who studied at MIT while al relationships with his wife, Nellie, and the at Wellesley and received masters degrees Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter, who in both architecture and city planning from befriended Monk and other jazz musicians of MIT in 1978. She taught landscape design at the bebop era. DeFrantz’ choreography por- MIT’s Graduate School of Architecture for a trays Monk’s isolation, melancholy, creative few years afterwards. genius and ultimately his madness. “Music in the Garden” is on view at Mar- “This piece also illustrates the potential shall Field’s (8th Floor Auditorium, 700 On of tap dance as a lyrical form of storytelling,” The Mall, Minneapolis), from March 12-26. DeFrantz said. “I intend to explore narrative possibilities within tap, a dance form typi- cally noted for its flashy tricks and rhythmic Photography talks at the MFA aspects.” The MIT Women’s League presents two The 50-minute work employs high-tech set upcoming art talks at Boston’s Museum of pieces designed by MIT and Stanford gradu- Fine Arts by Ann Allen, a member of the ate students to trigger sound and video images Council for the Arts at MIT and widow of the during the performance. Foot buttons original- late John Allen, former head of the Research ly designed for the video game “Dance Dance Lab for Electronics. Revolution” are built into wooden platforms on On Thursday, March 31, Allen will dis- the stage. Throughout the piece, DeFrantz con- cuss two photography exhibitions. One is trols sound and imagery through his dancing. by Czech photographer Josef Sudek, whose “Monk’s Mood” arose from DeFrantz’s fasci- misty, magical images document a private nation with Monk’s unique way of hearing and world of great beauty in ordinary things, playing. “Monk took a basic tonality, such as people and natural effects. The other is by a chord progression, and made it strange,” he Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, said. “When I dance the way that he played, whose arresting, minimalist images reflect even simple tap steps become very, very his fascination with the paradox of photo- strange. In a way, my steps are analogous to his graphing time. piano keys; I’m trying to find his rhythms with On Friday, April 15, Allen’s talk is on “Sets, my feet.” Series and Suites: Contemporary Prints,” a The work is presented by Slippage, an inter- show investigating theme and variation in 60 disciplinary performance collective. Founded original print series and portfolios by contem- by DeFrantz in 2003, Slippage: Interventions in porary European and American artists. Performance, Culture and Technology explores The price for each talk is $10 for MFA connections between performance and emer- members, $24 for non-members, $22 for PHOTO / CAMPBELL MILLER gent technology in the service of theatrical sto- seniors. Reservations will close one week in rytelling. advance of each event. Both talks are from 1- Associate Professor Thomas DeFrantz reprises his solo tap dance, ‘Monk’s Performances are at 8 p.m. except for a 2 2 p.m. For more information, call 253-3656 or Mood: A Performance Meditation on the Life and Music of Thelonious Monk,’ p.m. show on Sunday, March 13. Admission is e-mail [email protected]. this month in Kresge Little Theater. free; donations are accepted. New music by Ziporyn spans 1,000 years with voice, wind “The Ornate Zither and the Nomad highly lyrical and highly abstract.” The Flute” is the intriguing title of Professor piece features soprano Anne Harley, who Evan Ziporyn’s latest composition, which speaks Chinese. “I felt she could convey will receive its world premiere thanks to the stark power of the words in a lumi- the MIT Wind Ensemble this Saturday, nously beautiful way,” said Ziporyn. March 12, at 8 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium. A graduate of Yale University, Harley Commissioned by Richard D. Nor- received her master’s degree in voice from dlof (S.B. 1955) in memory of his wife, Boston University as well as the Certifi- Jody, “The Ornate Zither and the Nomad cate in Opera Performance from Boston Flute” juxtaposes two poems written more University’s esteemed Opera Institute. She than a thousand years apart that deal has since performed throughout Canada, with sensation, memory and the myste- the United States and England, specializ- rious ways one becomes the other. The ing in both contemporary and early music. Chinese poem “The Ornate Zither” by An accomplished clarinetist and com- Li Shangyin dates from the 10th century poser, Ziporyn, who is the Kenan Sahin and is sung in Mandarin; “The Nomad Distinguished Professor of Music at MIT, Flute” by the contemporary poet W.S. has had compositions performed by Merwin appeared in “The New Yorker” numerous contemporary artists including in November 2004 and is sung in English. the Kronos Quartet, Bang on a Can, the Lecturer Frederick Harris Jr., director Nederlands Blazer Ensemble, master pipa of the wind ensemble, brokered the match player Wu Man, Gamelan Sekar Jaya and between Ziporyn and Nordlof, a long- Maya Beiser. He has been associated with time supporter of the Wind Ensemble, to the Bang on a Can Festival since its found- honor Nordlof’s late wife. “My idea was ing in 1987, appearing as composer, soloist to have something for voice and winds,” and ensemble leader. As a performer and since Jody had been an amateur soprano, recording artist, Ziporyn has worked with Harris said. a range of master musicians from numer- As the piece uses two alternating piec- ous musical cultures, including Paul Simon es of poetry, Ziporyn, who selected the (with whom he toured throughout the fall PHOTO COURTESY/ILAVENIL SUBBIAH poems, has divided the Wind Ensemble of 2000), DJ Spooky, Matthew Shipp, Bali- into two identical, smaller groups of winds nese dalang (puppeteer) I Wayan Wija, A Vision of ‘Past Lives’ surrounded by metallic percussion situat- Darius Brubeck and Todd Reynolds. ed on either side of the stage. The chords The Wind Ensemble will also perform This detail from a handmade book by Ilavenil Subbiah can been seen at the ‘Past and melodies will oscillate between the Vaughn Williams’ “English Folk Song Lives’ exhibit on view at MIT in Room E51-095 March 9-10. This series of books two sides of the stage. Suite,” Charles Ives’ “Fugue in C” and brings together images and text created through various techniques, including print- Ziporyn characterizes “The Ornate Peter Mennin’s “Canzona.” Admission is making, painting, collage and sewing, and tells the stories of families, friends and Zither” as “beautiful and strange, both $5 at the door. strangers—of lives lost, shared and found. PAGE 8 March 9, 2005 CALENDAR MIT Tech Talk

MIT EVENT HIGHLIGHTS MARCH 9 - 13

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY March 9 March 10 March 11 March 12 March 13

Science/ Performance Architecture/ Humanities Terrorism Festival de Las Pruning “A Needle Hoops Against Technology Planning Colonel Russ Americas Techniques Woman” Cancer Howard dis- Delicious treats for the Home Videos cre- Intercollegiate cusses terror- and various Garden ated between basketball tour- ism. Noon. Building E38, organizations. Noon- Talk featuring Roger 1999 and 2001 docu- nament featuring sev- 6th floor conference 2pm. Lobby 10. Cook of “This Old ment Kimsooja dressed eral contests. $5. Noon. Music Exhibit Reading Special room. 253-8092. House.” Noon. Emma in simple gray clothing Rockwell Cage. Interest MIT Chapel Rogers Room. standing rigidly on sev- Advanced Concert eral busy city streets. 29th Annual Music Guitarist Advanced Media Test Wall, Building Israel Folk Performance Glorianne Music 56. On view 24 hours. Dance Festival Student Recital Collver-Jacobson and Performance 253-4400. $12. 3pm. Business/ Film Sports Featured Graduate student percussionist Gerdes Student Tickets sold in advance. Money Event Amanda Wang on the Fleurant. MIT Chapel. Recital Collegiate Kresge Auditorium. 253- violin. 5pm. Killian Hall. Noon. Graduate student Caitlin Figure Skating 2982. 253-9800. Smythe sings. 5pm. Competition Clipper Ships: Killian Hall. 253-9800. 8am-6pm. MITHAS “Past Lives” The Design Johnson Athletic Center Concert Opening Process MIT Symphony Ice Rink. Uday Balwalkar, Reception Lecture in Orchestra dhrupad vocal- Exhibit of hand- conjunction with current Marco Betta’s MIT Wind ist, and Manik Mude, made books by Ilavenil exhibition. 6:30-8pm. world premiere Ensemble pakawaj. Presented by Subbiah. 5-7pm. Room MIT Museum. 253-4444. of “Lacrime,” Mozart’s World pre- MITHAS (MIT Heritage of E51-095. 253-9759. Adagio and Fugue; miere of Evan South Asia) in coopera- “The Bear” Brahms’ Symphony in D Ziporyn’s “The Ornate tion with Sangam. $20, “Hidden Dramashop Major. $5. 8pm. Kresge Zither and the Nomad $10 students, MIT stu- Warriors: student-direct- Auditorium. 253-9800. Flute” with Anne Harley, dents free. 4pm. Wong Voices from ed workshop soprano. $5. 8pm. Auditorium. 258-7971. the Ho Chi production of play by Thomas Kresge Auditorium. 253- Minh Trail” Chekhov. March 10-12. DeFrantz 9800. Documentary screening 8pm. Kresge Rehearsal Tap per- and talk by professor and Room B. 253-2908. formance: filmmaker Karen Turner “Monk’s Mood: A of Holy Cross College. Performance Meditation 7pm. Room 6-120. on the Life and Music of Thelonious Monk.” March 11-13, 17-19. 8pm, except 2pm on PHOTO / CAMPBELL MILLER March 13. Kresge Little ‘Monk’s Mood’ Theater. 253-4720. Professor Thomas DeFrantz will perform his piece, ‘Monk’ s Mood: A Performance Meditation on the Life and Music of Thelonious Monk,’ March 11–13, 17–19 in Kresge Little Theater.

Go Online! For complete events listings, see the MIT Events Calendar at: http://events.mit.edu. Go Online! Ofﬁce of the Arts website at: http://web.mit.edu/arts/ofﬁce.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

“OTHELLO” KILLIAN FACULTY THE DARFUR CRISIS Mar. 10 LECTURE Mar. 15 Mar. 16 Shakespeare Ensemble pro- Talk by Professor Wolfgang Col. Michael Smith talks duction directed by Kortney Sala de Puerto Rico Ketterle, “When Freezing Room 32-123 about “Successes and E38, 6th floor conference room Adams. March 10-12, 17-19. 8 p.m. Cold is Not Cold Enough.” Challenges in Planning an 253-0210. 4:30 p.m. $8, $6 students. Effective African Peace Noon Support Operation.”

MIT EVENT HIGHLIGHTS MARCH 14 - 20

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY March 14 March 15 March 16 March 17 March 18 March 19 March 20 Lecture A Report from Object Lessons: Saint Patrick’s Developing Retreat “Young on Islamic Behind the Better, Faster, Day Countries’ Based on Inventors at Architecture Scenes in More-Computer Wear green to Contribution Mind Training MIT” “Architecture Asia’s War on Memory avoid getting to the Climate Teachings Objects dis- in Lebanon: From Terror Curator of Science and pinched on this day cel- Change Buddhist retreat based played chronicle the Modernism to Talk by journalist and Technology Deborah ebrating all things Irish. Leena Srivastava, on “The Freedom from past decade of the Contemporary Trends.” filmmaker Tracy Dahlby. Douglas tells the story executive director of The the Four Attachments.” Lemelson-Student Prize 5:30pm. Room 3-133. Noon. Room E38-615. of Jay Forrester’s critical MIT Chapel Energy and Resources 10:30am-4pm. MIT winners, including James 253-1400. 253-1965. computer memory inven- Concert Institute, talks about Chapel. 324-6030. McLurkin’s SwarmBots tion from the 1950s. Noon. “Art and India. 2pm. Room 6-120. (2003), Amy Smith’s CAVS Artist’s The Idea of MIT Museum. 253-4444. Popular Song 452-3199. Easter phase-change incubator Presentation Universality in in Renaissance England” Breakfast (2000), and Saul Griffith’s Performance Linguistics and Artist Behind with Richard Maloney Advanced Easter Breakfast device for creating low- by the Center Human Rights the Desk on the lute and Maria Music followed by an cost eyeglasses (2004). for Urban Participation Talk by Institute Professor Readings by Georgakarakou singing. Performance egg hunt. Sponsored by Noon-5pm. 253-4444. (CUP), a group dedicated Noam Chomsky. 5pm. Kevin McLellan Noon. MIT Chapel. 253- Student Recital Westgate Community to increasing civic par- Room 66-110. 258-7614. of Facilities and Eric 9800. Ole Nielsen on the flute. Association. 10am. Capturing ticipation through art, Schwartz of the Lean 5pm. Killian Hall. 253- Westgate Lounge. 577- the Light: architecture, design and Architecture Aerospace Initiative. Varsity Men’s 9800. 5880. From Camera technology. Open Studios Lecture Series Noon. Killian Hall. 253- Lacrosse vs. Obscura to 3–6pm. Performance Artist-in- 9821. Wentworth Gallery Talk “Pavel Braila” Holography at 6:30pm. Room N52- Residence 4pm. Jack Barry Curator Bill Pavel Braila’s MIT holographer Betsy 390.452-2484. Marjetica Potrc’s work. Arts Field. 258-5265. Arning dis- first solo exhibi- Connors gives a brief 6:30pm. Room 10-250. Colloquium cusses the tion in the U.S. history of how light is Globalizing 253-7791. Jay Scheib, current exhibitions. is a large scale installa- captured to make pho- Inequality assistant pro- Musicians Jeff Song and tion which consists of tographs, film, and video Talk by P. St. Patrick’s fessor of Theater Arts, Curt Newton’s reveal their six 11’ x 7’ video projec- and holograms. Noon. Sainath, one of Day Contra speaks about his works. contemporary version of tions and a selection of MIT Museum. 253-4444. India’s most well-known Dance 5-7pm. Room 14E-304. traditional Korean instru- large-scale photographs. and influential journalists. Music by Reservations required by ments. 6pm. List Visual Noon-6pm. List Center. International 7pm. Room E51-111. Pandemonium. $5, MIT/ March 11. 253-9821. Arts Center. 253-4680. 253-4680. Folk Dancing Wellesley students free. (participatory) Latke- 8-10:30pm. Lobby 13. Advanced Norouz Spring Fling 8pm. Lobdell Hamentashen 354-0864. Music Celebration Dance Dining Hall. 253-FOLK. Debate Performance Traditional Evening of ball- Which is better– Student Recital Norouz (Persian room and latin the fried potato pancake Sherman (Xiaoming) Jia New Year) dinner. 6pm. dancing. Beginner lesson or the fruit-filled cookie? ’06 on the violin. 5pm. Walker Memorial. at 7:30pm. 8pm. Morss Professors debate. 7– Killian Hall. 253-9800. Hall. 686-0823. 8:30pm. Room 10-250.