February 2, 2006

Vol. 16, No. 28

The "8 1/2 x 11 News" is published each week by the University Advancement Division. News of campus interest should be sent to one of the following editors:   Ed Delaney, 412-268-1609 (ed47@andrew.cmu.edu)
  Bruce Gerson, 412-268-1613 (bg02@andrew.cmu.edu)
  Susan Cribbs, 412-268-7521 (cribbs@andrew.cmu.edu)

The newsletter is available on the official.cmu-news and cmu.misc.news bulletin boards.

2001 Editions are available online.

2002 Editions are available online.

2003 Editions are available online.

2004 Editions are available online.

2005 Editions are available online.

Previous editions are available online.

A pep rally to wish the Pittsburgh Steelers well in Super Bowl XL will be held from noon to 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3, at the Fence. Participants will receive free giveaway items, like Eat 'n Park Steelers Smiley Cookies and Steelers black-and-gold beads. You can also enter a free drawing to win Steelers prizes. And best of all, you can join the sing-a-long to "Here We Go!" The rally is sponsored by Student Affairs and Housing & Dining Services.

—The School of Music's performance of the Pittsburgh Steelers Opera "Cowherman," an adaptation of "Carmen," will air at 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, on WTAE-TV. It will also air on the Discovery Channel at various times on Friday. The Discovery Channel TV segment will be available to view this Saturday at http://www.discoverychannel.com.

U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY TO SPEAK ON CAMPUS

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez will speak to students and business leaders at 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3, in the lower level of the Collaborative Innovation Center. Gutierrez will highlight President Bush's State of the Union address and discuss the importance of innovation and competitiveness to the U.S. economy.

NON-INVASIVE TECHNIQUE DEVELOPED TO DETECT TRANSPLANT REJECTION

Biological Sciences Professor Chien Ho and his colleagues have developed a promising tool that uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to track immune cells as they infiltrate a transplanted heart in the early stages of organ rejection. This pre-clinical advance, described in an upcoming issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), ultimately could provide a non-invasive way to detect transplant rejection in patients. "We have reported for the first time the ability to monitor single immune cells in a live animal using MRI. This could revolutionize the management of transplant patients," Ho said.

—He adds that, once the technique reaches the clinic, it could reduce the number of biopsy procedures, improve the quality of life for cardiac transplant patients and allow doctors to provide more personalized care. See http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases06/060124_transplant.html.

DATA STORAGE SYSTEMS CENTER ADDS FOUR RESEARCH PARTNERS

Fujitsu and Alps Electric Co. Ltd. of Japan and U.S.-based Western Digital and Quantum Corp. recently joined forces with the Data Storage Systems Center (DSSC) to tackle a variety of projects designed to help industry create nanometer-scale technology that will lead to fast, low-cost compact information storage devices. For the past decade, the DSSC has worked closely with more than 15 other industry affiliates to define projects to help the $60 billion information storage market continue to grow and expand. "The DSSC is an important multidisciplinary resource center for the region, and our new affiliates will help stimulate continued growth," said Jim Bain, associate director of the DSSC.

—Further information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases06/060125_dssc.html.

CARNEGIE MELLON WILL CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE IN APRIL

Carnegie Mellon will recognize 50 years of computer science at the university with a campus-wide celebration April 19 - 22. The birth of computer science at Carnegie Mellon dates back to 1956, when Herbert Simon established the Computation Center in the basement of the business school with a new IBM 650. The Computation Center led the university into the forefront of computer science and artificial intelligence. Today, Carnegie Mellon is a world leader in software development, applied research, computer architecture and robotics.

—For more on the anniversary celebration hosted by the School of Computer Science, visit http://www.CS50.cs.cmu.edu.

NEWS BRIEF

—Graduate Student Teaching Award nominations are due Monday, Feb. 27. The award recognizes exemplary teaching by a graduate student. Nomination details are at http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/eberlycenter/awards/ Contact Michelle Pierson at 8-2896 or mg2e@andrew.cmu.edu with questions.

PERSONAL MENTION

—Bahar Biller, assistant professor of manufacturing and operations management in the Tepper School, has received a five-year, $400,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development Program Award.The program supports the early career-development activities of those teacher-scholars who most effectively integrate research and education within the context of the mission of their organization.

—Mechanical Engineering Professor Norman Chigier will be the first recipient of the Arthur Lefebvre Award for distinguished, continuing and encouraging contributions to the field of atomization and sprays. The award will be presented at the International Conference of Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems conference in Kyoto, Japan, in August, where Chigier will deliver the plenary lecture.

—Joining Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar this spring are Yonina Cooper, associate teaching professor, J. Patrick McGinnis, lecturer of business communications, and Mark Stehlik, teaching professor. Cooper, who will teach computer programming, is a professor emeritus of the School of Computer Science at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. McGinnis, who has been teaching business communications in the Tepper School for six years, will teach business communications in Doha. Stehlik is a teaching professor and assistant dean for Undergraduate Education in the School of Computer Science. He teaches the first- and second- year computer science courses and advises students in the computer science undergraduate program.

—Andrew Caruso, president of Carnegie Mellon's chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), has been elected to the AIAS National Board of Directors for 2006-07. He will also take office as Northeast Quadrant Director for AIAS in July.

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

February is Black History Month. The full schedule of events is posted at official.cmu-news and cmu.misc.news, and on the Web at http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/multicultural/blackhistory.cfm

—Saturday, Feb. 4: The School of Music and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) present "Carnegie Mellon Night at the Symphony" at 8 p.m., in Heinz Hall. The evening will include performances of Edward Elgar's "Serenade for Strings" and Beethoven's Symphony No. 2. Concertmaster Andrés Cárdenes and Principal Cello Anne Martindale Williams will also take center stage to perform Johannes Brahms. Following the performance, PSO musicians and Carnegie Mellon guests will mingle and enjoy a post-concert dessert buffet. Discounted tickets for alumni, students, faculty and staff can be purchased at the University Center (UC) Information Desk. Tickets are $12 for the Gallery, $17 for Family Circle and $25 for Orchestra. Tickets must be purchased by 2 p.m., Feb. 3.

—Thursday, Feb. 9: School of Design faculty and students will present their work at "PGH 100," the annual show of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the AIGA, the professional association of design, at the Three Rivers Arts Festival Gallery in the Cultural District. Opens at 6 p.m. Admission: $20 for members ($30 for non-members) and $5 for student members ($10 for student non-members).

—Saturday, Feb. 11: Heinz School Information session for the Master of Public Management (MPM) and Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) programs. 10 a.m., Hamburg Hall (signage in Hamburg Hall will indicate the room). Learn more about the MPM and MSIT programs at http://www.heinz.cmu.edu/mpm and http://www.msit.cmu.edu. Snacks will be provided. RSVP to Bridget Jakub at 8-2164 or jakub@andrew.cmu.edu.

—Monday, Feb. 13: "Hurricane Katrina: A Documentary." Winter Alternative Break participants returned to campus this semester after their service trip to Bay St. Louis, where they supported the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Join them as they share their experiences and exclusive interviews with residents of coastal towns battered by the storm surges and floodwaters. 4:30 p.m., Doherty Hall 2210.

—Tuesday, Feb. 14: Environmental Health & Safety driver training class. 8:30 a.m., Dowd Room, UC. The class is designed for anyone who drives a vehicle on university business, including rental vehicles, university-owned vehicles or personal vehicles. Contact Jim Gindlesperger (jg57@andrew.cmu.edu or 8-3760) to register.

—Wednesday, Feb. 15: "Dr. Stress" comes to campus. Bruce Rabin (aka - Dr. Stress) will help you understand and minimize the effects of stress on your mental and physical health. 9 a.m. - noon, Rangos 1/2. Register at http://hr.web.cmu.edu/current/ld.

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