Mentions
2026
May
Cook praised for pulmonary assist system
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
The Congressionally Directed Medical Resource Program recently highlighted work from BME Head Keith Cook on a lightweight pulmonary assist system that could provide life support for soldiers and civilians. The CDMRP held up Cook’s ongoing work to bridge the gap from prototype development to clinical application as a success story of its Peer Review Medical Research Program.
Samaras delivers Stanford Energy Seminar
Stanford University
On April 27, Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras delivered a Stanford Energy Seminar at the university’s Precourt Institute for Energy. The talk centered on how the US can expand its energy capacity to meet the increasing demand of data centers and how these policies can be broadened to benefit the entire electric grid.
Muller highlighted for economic data center analysis
Fortune
Fortune referenced EPP’s Nick Muller in his recent working paper for the National Bureau of Economic Research, where he reveals the indirect economic effects of data centers on the health and increased mortality of residents near these sites. By converting premature mortality rates and severe adverse health effects caused by the data centers into monetary values, Muller estimates $25 billion in economic damages from environmental pollutants and energy consumption.
Tsamitis presents keynote at CAE Community Symposium
Information Networking Institute
INI Director Dena Haritos Tsamitis gave a keynote presentation at the 2026 National Centers for Academic Excellence (CAE) Community Symposum. The INI partnered with the National Cryptologic University National Centers for Academic Excellence Program Managment Office on the event, which brought together more than 700 cybersecurity experts from across CAE partner schools to share insights through presentations, workshops, and discussions.
April
Sriraman receives Anita Borg Award
Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE’s Akshitha Sriraman is the 2026 recipient of the Computing Research Association (CRA) Anita Borg Early Career Award for her work advancing efficient, sustainable and fair hyperscale data center systems.
CMU-Africa and exchange program featured in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
CMU-Africa and its exchange program between the Kigali, Rwanda and Pittsburgh locations was featured by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. CMU-Africa student Sheila Wafalu discusses her experience in Pittsburgh. CMU-Africa faculty members Keith Straughan and Jesse Thornburg talk about CMU-Africa and Kigali.
Bockstaller quoted on Reju textile recycling
Retail Brew
MSE’s Michael Bockstaller comments on Reju, a polyester recycling company, in Retail Brew, noting that the company’s work is very promising. “De-polymerization [is] the holy grail in polymer recycling,” Bockstaller said. “This is going to be the critical step in the circular economy if we want to make this a reality as far as polymers are concerned. I’m happy to see this progress.”
Qian featured on NFL Draft traffic
CMU News
CEE’s Sean Qian comments on the issues Pittsburgh’s infrastructure, especially bridges and tunnels, could face due to the massive influx of people coming for the NFL draft. He also proposes possible solutions, which include recommending that travelers shift their peak travel times and prioritize public transit, biking, or walking over private vehicles and ridesharing apps.
Nature Africa features work on culturally-sensitive robots
Nature Africa
Nature Africa recently highlighted CMU-Africa research associate and alumnus Birhanu Shimelis Girma for his work in culturally-sensitive social robotics.
Samaras weighs in on Maine’s proposed data center ban
Maine Morning Start
Costa Samaras, Director of the CMU Scott Institute for Energy Innovation and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, spoke with the Maine Morning Star about the potential impact of Maine’s proposed bill to ban data centers larger than 20 megawatts through November 2027. The legislation has passed both the state's Senate and House of Representatives and now awaits the governor’s decision, potentially making it the first statewide data center moratorium in the U.S.
O’Connor facilitates “Squishy Science Sunday”
APS News
MSE’s Thomas O’Connor recently helped to facilitate “Squishy Science Sunday,” an outreach event inviting kids to better understand research through hands-on activities, in conjunction with the American Physical Society Global Physics Summit.
McComb collaborates with Pittsburgh schools
TribLive
MechE’s Chris McComb collaborated with Pittsburgh-area high schools on a human-centered AI initiative, guiding the development of student-designed tools aimed at improving K–12 education outcomes.
He awarded AIMBE Professional Impact Award for Leadership
AIMBE
BME’s Bin He is among the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering’s (AIMBE) 2026 award winners, honoring individuals whose groundbreaking contributions have advanced the fields of medical and biological engineering. He was awarded the Professional Impact Award - Leadership for outstanding leadership in establishing and advancing the field of neural engineering. These prestigious awards will be presented during the AIMBE Awards Banquet on April 12, 2026, at the AIMBE Annual Event in Washington, D.C.
Samaras on climate-resilient water systems
Politico
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras spoke with Politico on the importance of publicly available climate data to make our drinking water infrastructure more resilient.
Nock on Resources Radio podcast
Resources Radio podcast
CEE and EPP’s Destenie Nock discusses measures utilities and policymakers can take to better capture energy-accessibility and affordability metrics.
CMU ranked in Forbes New Ivies
Forbes
Carnegie Mellon University took a spot in Forbes’ third annual list of the New Ivies: 20 top schools whose alums rate highly with employers. CMU, which is a known leader in AI, was ranked among the top 10 private institutions by the more than 100 C-Suite and hiring executives who were asked not only to rate schools, but also how AI was changing their hiring of new grads.
He quoted on brain-computer interfaces
The Wall Street Journal
BME’s Bin He spoke with The Wall Street Journal about brain-computer interfaces to control devices with thoughts. He predicts that researchers will overcome both the hardware and software challenges that will eventually enable billions of people to use brain-computer interfaces to do everything from messaging friends to switching on the lights and making coffee.
March
Data Analytics Center supports traffic incident management modernization project
The Daily Courier
CEE’s Sean Qian and CMU researchers partner with Westmoreland County to develop an AI-enabled system to protect first responders and reduce fatalities on PA roads.
Westinghouse CTO speaks at Energy Week
Pittsburgh Business Times
Westinghouse Electric Company’s Lou Martinez Sancho, chief technology officer, delivered a keynote at CMU Energy Week, hosted by the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation. The Pittsburgh Business Times covered Martinez Sancho’s session, which touched on nuclear energy prospects.
Samaras comments on new AI data centers in Alabama
WBRC News
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras offers his input on Alabama building new data centers to fuel the rise in AI. He notes that with the appropriate protective measures, these data centers can offer multiple opportunities and benefits for the community.
Fischoff comments on self-vaccination
Baltimore Sun
EPP’s Baruch Fischhoff collaborated on an article highlighting painless yet effective methods for self-vaccination. He recommends investing in oral, nasal, and skin patch versions of the injected vaccines.
Canton named among Women of Influence 2026
Pittsburgh Business Times
Rita Canton, director of engineering outreach for the College of Engineering, was selected as a 2026 Women of Influence award winner by the Pittsburgh Business Times. This program honors businesswomen who are helping to lead their organizations into the future, making significant, impactful change in the region and getting deeply involved in their communities. An awards celebration is planned for May 14 at Acrisure Stadium.
February
Karplus speaks at National Academies webinar
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
EPP’s Valerie Karplus was a panelist during a webinar hosted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that explored the promise and potential of energy parks. The National Academies posted a related story on their website.
Torres highlighted for research on optimal recycling plants
Rare Earth Exchanges
ChemE’s Ana Torres and her Ph.D. student Chris Laliwala were highlighted for their research on designing optimal recycling plants for various materials. They and their colleagues developed a superstructure optimization model to compare end-of-life magnet-recycling routes and determine the most economical pathway before building billion-dollar facilities, testing it on hard disk drives versus EV/HEV motors.
Feinberg featured for ARPA-H research
3D Printing Industry
BME/MSE’s Adam Feinberg’s work was described by 3D Printing Industry in their coverage of ARPA-H teams. Feinberg aims to FRESH 3D bioprint immune-compatible livers for acute liver failure, aiming for first-in-human trials within five years and eventually addressing all forms of liver failure.
Chase quoted on pressure and athletic performance
The New York Post
BME’s Steve Chase had research referenced in The New York Post about the pressures that affect athletes’ performance, in response to the surprising falls from Ilia Malinin, an Olympic U.S. figure skater. Chase’s neuroscience study with University of Pittsburgh partners found that the brain can become overly cautious in high-pressure scenarios.
January
Samaras and Rounce give insight on managing Pittsburgh's extreme weather
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras and CEE’s David Rounce discuss how severe weather patterns in Pittsburgh require immediate action to protect local communities. Rounce warns that the city’s century-old pipe system is unequipped for the modern “extreme precipitation” events. As new plans are being developed, Samaras emphasizes that “people are looking to Pittsburgh for leadership.”
Fischhoff featured on overconfidence and cognitive bias
Open Culture
EPP’s Baruch Fischhoff was featured by Open Culture for an interview about the dangers of overconfidence and cognitive bias. His study from the 1970s, which revealed the vast disparity between accuracy and perceived certainty, continues to be highly relevant today.
Gueye and Fanti featured in Security Boulevard
Security Boulevard
CMU-Africa’s Assane Gueye and Giulia Fanti served as advisors for a joint research initiative between the CyLab-Africa team and Upanzi Network to assess the security of common financial applications in Africa. This project, featured in Security Boulevard, highlights the security issues in Android packages, as well as provides strategic guidance for improvement.
Feinberg addresses breakthroughs in regenerative medicine
Tomorrow's Cure
BME/MSE’s Adam Feinberg, in conversation with Saranya Wyles, of Mayo Clinic, kicked off the season four premiere of Tomorrow’s Cure. The podcast episode explores advances in 3D bioprinting living, humanized skin models built from real human cells, and what it will take to translate this technology into clinical use. Together, they discuss applications ranging from improved wound healing to better ways to test therapies before they reach patients.
Bauer named 2025 ACM Fellow
Association for Computer Machinery
ECE’s Lujo Bauer has been named a 2025 Association for Computer Machinery Fellow for contributions to access control, usable security and privacy, and the security of machine learning.
Samaras talks data centers and energy use
WUWM 89.7
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras spoke with WUWM 89.7—Milwaukee’s NPR—to unpack all things data centers, including what they do, how they consume energy, where the hubs are, and how they might evolve. “As the dramatic increase of computing has grown, it has required the construction of new data centers. Data centers are the main energy story that's happening right now. That's because computers use electricity and data centers are full of computers,” Samaras told the outlet.
2025
December
McComb on AI tools
Professional Engineering Magazine
MechE’s Chris McComb reminds new engineers to learn AI tools while still building deep expertise in core engineering principles in Professional Engineering Magazine.
Halilaj collaborates with AI at Meta
AI at Meta
MechE’s Eni Halilaj worked with AI at Meta to capture and analyze human movement in clinical settings, opening the doors to personalized, data-driven insights in the recovery process.
Jen collaboration studies algae emissions in the Gulf of Maine
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
ChemE’s Coty Jen was spotlighted by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences for a collaborative field study of particle formation in the air over the Gulf of Maine. The team is working to understand what kinds of particles are forming in the atmosphere, how quickly, and how that process is controlled by marine algae. Their measurements are critical in predicting how ocean microbial communities influence climate.
Four Engineering alumni among Alumni Award winners
Carnegie Mellon University
Four College of Engineering alumni were selected to join this year’s cohort of Carnegie Mellon University Alumni Awards honorees: Samantha Allen (INI 2015), Recent Alumni Service Award; Halil Kulluck (ENG 1985), Alumni Service Award; Joanna M. Livengood (ENG 1980, 1991), Alumni Achievement Award; and Tyelisa Shields (INI 2010), Alumni Service Award.
INI alumnus sells two startups
Information Networking Institute
INI alumnus Karthik Suresh has successfully sold two of his startups, Ignition and DoubleO.ai.
November
Niepa’s magnetic capsules offer a novel way to study microbes
Chemical & Engineering News
ChemE/BME’s Tagbo Niepa developed tiny magnetic capsules that can grow unculturable microbes in soil or ocean water and then be retrieved. The technology, which could move research out of the lab, was featured in Chemical & Engineering News.
Whitehead listed as Highly Cited Researcher
Clarivate
ChemE’s Kathryn Whitehead has been recognized on the Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list from Clarivate. The list celebrates the highest standards of impact and integrity in science and scholarship. In the field of pharmacology and toxicology, Whitehead has authored multiple Highly Cited Papers that rank in the top 1% by citations and publication year in the Web of Science Core Collection over the past 11 years.
Ren talks living robots on syndicated podcast
The Last Show with David Cooper
BME’s Charlie Ren was recently featured on “The Last Show” with David Cooper (Season 3, Episode 334), where he discussed his lab’s groundbreaking work on tiny “living robots” made from human lung cells. These AggreBots, or microscale, cell-based robots, are being developed to one day navigate the body’s complex environments and deliver targeted therapeutic or mechanical interventions.
October
INI faculty share cybersecurity insights
Information Networking Institute
INI’s Taha Khan, Michael Mattarock, David Varodayan, and Hanan Hibshi share their cybersecurity insights in honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Marom elected as APS Fellow
Carnegie Mellon University
MSE’s Noa Marom has been elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS), which recognizes excellence in physics and exceptional service to the community. “Noa’s election as a Fellow in the American Physical Society is a testimony to the caliber of her research and her interdisciplinary expertise,” said MSE Head Beth Dickey. “This honor is very well deserved and our department is fortunate to have her as part of our community.”
Grossmann delivers Shell Lecture at Rice University
Rice University
ChemE’s Ignacio Grossmann was a featured speaker in the Shell Lecture Series presented by the Department of Computational Mathematics & Operations Research at Rice University. His talk was titled “Challenges in the application of mathematical programming approaches to industrial enterprise-wide optimization.”
Carley discusses AI at Murrysville Community Library
TribLIVE
CyLab’s Kathleen Carley gave a presentation about the good and bad sides of AI for the American Association of University Women’s Murrysville chapter at the Murrysville Community Library. While AI can help with simple tasks like spell check or writing a paragraph, “our studies have shown that you as a human being have a difficult time recognizing if something is being posted by a ‘bot’ social media account, especially if it’s saying something you agree with,” Carley said.
Taheri-Mousavi quoted on new printable aluminum alloy
Multiple outlets
MSE’s Mohadeseh Taheri-Mousavi helped develop a new printable aluminum alloy that can withstand high temperatures and is five times stronger than traditionally manufactured aluminum. “If we can use lighter, high-strength material, this would save a considerable amount of energy for the transportation industry,” said Taheri-Mousavi, who led this research as a postdoc at MIT. This new aluminum alloy could have implications for the aviation industry, as researchers envision this material could be made into lightweight, temperature-resistant fan blades for jet engines. This work was covered in multiple outlets, including Tech Xplore, Metal AM, and WebWire.
Whitacre quoted in Marketplace
Marketplace
EPP/MSE’s Jay Whitare spoke with Marketplace about the shift battery producers and suppliers are making from products that powered electric vehicles to those that can hold electricity for the grid.
Samaras discusses electricity crisis
“Why is this happening?” podcast
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras was recently featured discussing the electricity crisis in the US on Chris Hayes’ podcast “Why is this happening?”
Grossmann addresses Mexican Society of Operations Research
Mexican Society of Operations Research
ChemE’s Ignacio Grossmann gave a plenary talk at the 2025 Congress of the Mexican Society of Operations Research in Leon, Mexico. His address was titled “Digital supply chains: The role of optimization techniques.”
Baruch Fischhoff book release and celebration
EPP’s Baruch Fischhoff is releasing a new book, Decisions: Studying and Supporting People Facing Hard Choices, on October 14. Join the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST) and the Department of Engineering and Public Policy (EPP) to celebrate on Tuesday, October 28, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m., in Posner Hall Grand Room (340). Fischhoff, a pioneer in decision research, will discuss the interplay between basic and applied research on topics including health, safety, environment, and personal and national security. EPP’s Granger Morgan will provide an insightful dialogue of the book. Register today for this free event.