March 2009

Welcome to seasnews@columbia.edu, the monthly electronic newsletter for alumni, parents, and friends of Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. We hope you enjoy the digest of news, research and information about the School that is contained below and we invite you to send us your comments. send us your comments.

NEWS

"Dream Team" Quants Discuss Financial Engineering

Nobel laureate Robert C. Merton '66 joined Professor Emanuel Derman, director of the School's financial engineering program, and Goldman Sachs director and University Trustee Armen A. Avanessians '83 in an informal and lively discussion about the future of financial engineering. Read more. See the photos.

Graduate Programs Web Site Launches
The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science has launched a new Web site for Graduate Programs. The new site will provide better access to information for prospective students and others, says Tiffany Simon, Assistant Dean of Graduate Admissions. Read more. Go to the new Web site.

PitchFest Spotlights Entrepreneurs

The culture of entrepreneurship, while still young at Columbia SEAS, is off to an impressive start. Nearly 200 spectators witnessed 41 enthusiastic entrepreneurs take 90 seconds each to "pitch" their ideas for new products at PitchFest, sponsored by the School, the Center for Technology, Innovation and Community Engagement (CTICE), and the Society for Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation, a student group. Read more.

Columbia SEAS in California
Columbia SEAS in California featured receptions in San Francisco and Los Angeles for nearly 300 alumni and incoming members of the Class of 2013. Interim Dean Gerald A. Navratil hosted a cocktail reception at Yoshi's in San Francisco and a similar reception at Spago in Los Angeles. Read more.

RESEARCH

John Taylor Wins Sloan Fellowship
John E. Taylor, assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, is one of three young researchers to receive a prestigious 2009 Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Industry Studies Fellowship. The award will allow Taylor to expand his current National Science Foundation- and Construction Industry Institute-funded research on global engineering design services to optimize complex knowledge system exchanges in globally-distributed, cross-cultural teams.

Kartik Chandran on Biodegradable Credit Cards
The New York Times environmental blog Green Inc. quotes Kartik Chandran, an assistant professor of Earth and Environmental Engineering, in the story "Making Credit Cards Landfill-Friendly" about biodegradable credit cards developed by BIOPVC. Chandran told the Times the process is not only plausible but that it has been proven to occur. Read more. Read the story.

NPR Features Bridge Testing Program
A Feb. 23 NPR story features the effort to test bridge cables led by Professor Raimondo Betti. Leaders of the Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics have launched a unique corrosion-testing project on one of the largest cables ever built in a laboratory. In the Carleton Laboratory at The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Betti called the project the beginning of a new era of infrastructure testing. Hear the NPR story. Read the Dec. 23 story

Computer Science Students Win Awards
Six computer science students have won awards and fellowships for research work at Columbia SEAS. They include undergraduates Sahar Hasan and Ivan Vo, and graduate students Miklos Bergou, Charles Han, Patrick Lee and Snehit Prabhu. Read more.

CAREER ASSISTANCE FOR ALUMNI

Career development and management is a lifelong process that continues beyond graduation from SEAS. As a result, The Center for Career Education's Alumni Career Development Department offers various types of career assistance to support alumni during all stages of their working lives. Find out more about alumni career services.

TELE-SEMINAR SERIES (access by phone)
Build Your Unique Brand Identity
Monday, March 23, 7:00 - 8:00 PM (ET)
Speaker: Laura Allen, co-founder of 15 Second Pitch.com
You are the most important asset you've got. Don't be shy about letting people know what makes you a remarkable job candidate or loyal employee ready for a big promotion. But how do you build your own unique and professional brand while still remaining honest and authentic? Laura Allen, co-founder of 15SecondPitch.com, has more than 15 years of marketing, branding, promotions and online experience. She'll give you the Seven Steps you need to know to Build Your Brand Identity Platform (B.I.P.). Whether you are a job seeker, employee or entrepreneur, branding yourself effectively will help you achieve the highest levels of success. Sign up.

WORKSHOPS ON CAMPUS
Job Search Techniques for Alumni: How to Make Yourself Stand Out in the Crowd
Wednesday, March 18, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Center for Career Education, East Campus, Lower Level Conference Room
Is it time to begin looking for a new job? In this small-group workshop, which is appropriate for alumni of all ages, participants will learn how to jump-start their job search with a dynamic resume and powerful cover letter that will increase one's chances of landing interviews. Various methods of looking for jobs, including utilizing effective networking techniques, will be discussed. Fee: $30 for materials and food. Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in advance in order to receive a refund. Sign up now.

Finding Balance: Career Options for Current and Future Parents
Tuesday, March 31, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Center for Career Education, East Campus, Lower Level Conference Room
How does one balance parenting with employment? This workshop allows parents to explore various career options and work arrangements that are more conducive to raising children. Participants evaluate their life and career values, goals, priorities, skills and interests through insightful discussions, exercises and assessment tools. These results are then applied to the working world and family-friendly employment possibilities. Sign up now.

YOUNG ALUMNI EVENT

First Blue & White Gala Sponsored by CEYA
CEYA, Columbia Engineering Young Alumni, is hosting The Blue & White Gala on Friday, March 20 at the Helen Mills Event Space, 137-139 West 26th St. from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $40 per person for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, live music and dancing. CEYA was formed in 2008 to strengthen bonds between The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and its young alumni. Be sure to watch for your e-mail invitation to this new event!

REUNION 2009

REUNION 2009 IS JUNE 4 - 7
Celebrating Years Ending in '4 or '9 and All Golden Lions
Reunion activities are being planned for all SEAS and College alumni whose graduation years end in '4 or '9 and for all SEAS Golden Lions--alums who have celebrated the 50th anniversary of graduation from Columbia. All SEAS alumni are invited to join in academic and social events scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 5 and 6. Golden Lions will be guests of the School for the Saturday Dean's Day Luncheon and will have programming options especially for them. Individual classes with graduation years ending in ‘4 or ‘9 are planning special events. The Reunion Registration Web site will be launched by mid-March.

Bob Bakish '85, '89BUS, president of MTV Networks International, will deliver the Magill Lecture in Science, Technology and the Arts on Sat., June 6. Mr. Bakish has day-to-day management responsibility for MTVNI, overseeing all MTV Networks operations outside of the U.S. MTVNI includes Music Television, VH1, Nickelodeon, TMF (The Music Factory), VIVA, Paramount Comedy and Game One, and is seen in 560 million households in 171 countries and 28 languages.

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We want to hear from you. Please send your comments or questions to: Margaret Kelly, Associate Director of Communications, at mk321@columbia.edu.