91ֱ�� to Offer Bachelor of Science Degree Beginning Fall 2026</h1> <article> <h1>91ֱ�� to Offer Bachelor of Science Degree Beginning Fall 2026</h1> <p>mreed — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 19:20:14 +0000</p> <span>91ֱ�� to Offer Bachelor of Science Degree Beginning Fall 2026</span> <span><span>mreed</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-10-16T15:20:14-04:00" title="Thursday, October 16, 2025 - 15:20">Thu, 10/16/2025 - 15:20</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The new degree gives students pursuing a wide range of eligible majors—from biochemistry and computer science to psychology and economics—the opportunity to graduate with either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS), depending on the balance of their coursework. Students who complete at least one BS-eligible major and 16 full courses carrying the Natural Science and Mathematics designation may choose to receive the BS degree.</p><aside class="pull obj-right"><div class="basic-box basic-box--light"><h2 class="small-headline">Majors Eligible for</h2><h2 class="small-headline">the Bachelor of Science:</h2><ul class="list--clean"><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="5124b507-99df-4595-9104-bdb9c6a22310" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Chemistry and Biochemistry">Biochemistry</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="5954f263-77c8-4106-80db-2cb993408d8a" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Biology">Biology</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/business/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="8ad7fc7e-532c-4cd8-9b35-8391defc685b" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Business">Business</a></li><li><a href="/biochemistry" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="755c73bb-f2ba-4bbe-bfb4-8fc57b94dd7c" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Biochemistry">Chemistry</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="b1e2c8e5-2a8b-4967-8a6d-f8ce5cea4476" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Computer Science">Computer Science</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="fe3d12fe-2a64-4438-b738-5fe696675b00" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Data Science">Data Science</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="30752c27-cce4-4efa-9ba3-c310d98b61a7" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Economics">Economics</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-science/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="66900a61-06bd-4aa7-9555-e85efa26654b" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Environmental Science">Environmental Science</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/finance/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="6911f8f3-bb76-4a72-a710-9869a094b462" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Financial Economics">Financial Economics</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/geosciences/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="0a12379d-58d4-489b-a75d-68d46edd4214" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Geosciences">Geosciences</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/global-health" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="cf90288b-047f-4d2f-ac3a-91691901fde1" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Global Health">Global Health</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="50eb3820-b9e6-4a08-b060-92ebf3b1a4eb" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Mathematics">Mathematics</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/neuroscience/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="8e28996c-7931-4f76-912f-28f4ec621121" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Neuroscience">Neuroscience</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/physics-and-astronomy/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="d36e1693-1165-4e42-ac58-9f9bfb1b9a0d" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Physics and Astronomy">Physics</a></li><li><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology/curriculum" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="2655a549-4d67-4820-a808-9a7fb471e11f" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Academic Program in Psychology">Psychology</a></li></ul></div></aside><p>“This is an important evolution for 91ֱ��,” says David Kamitsuka, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “The Bachelor of Science degree reflects the strength of our existing programs and the multidisciplinary nature of scientific work today. It gives our students new ways to signal the depth of their scientific training. For example, in all of the eligible majors, undergraduates routinely co-author with their faculty mentors in scholarly peer-reviewed scientific journals.”</p><p>Kamitsuka noted that several programs outside traditional STEM areas—such as economics, business, and psychology—also qualify for the BS. “That reflects how today’s problems are solved,” he says. “Understanding markets, managing complex organizations, and studying human behavior all require the same analytical and evidence-based thinking we teach in the natural sciences. The BS degree captures that spirit of interdisciplinary inquiry grounded in the liberal arts tradition that is at the heart of an 91ֱ�� education.</p><p>The new degree will also broaden 91ֱ��’s appeal to prospective students. Across U.S. higher education, more than half of all international students pursue <a href="/arts-and-sciences/sciences-at-oberlin" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="6b83b150-0f8e-435b-9594-08382bdb4e2f" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Sciences at 91ֱ��">degrees in STEM or science-related fields</a>—a trend that makes 91ֱ��’s new BS degree especially attractive to global applicants.</p><p>For people like Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Jason Belitsky, the degree represents a way to better acknowledge the work many students already do.</p><p>“Our students in chemistry, physics, biology, and related disciplines already engage in extensive lab work, data analysis, and scientific problem-solving that meet the expectations of a Bachelor of Science education,” Belitsky says. “This new degree formally recognizes that rigor and affirms the quality and breadth of scientific preparation our students bring to graduate study and professional work.”</p><p>Belitsky emphasizes that the BS option doesn’t change 91ֱ��’s approach to teaching—it enhances it. “What’s exciting is that students will be able to show both sides of their education: deep technical and analytical expertise, and the creativity and communication skills that come from a liberal arts environment.”</p><p>The degree was endorsed by the college’s Educational Plans and Policies Committee earlier this year and approved by the College Faculty. The Bachelor of Science will be available to students beginning in fall 2026.</p><hr><h3>How to Qualify for the BS Degree</h3><p><em>To earn a Bachelor of Science at 91ֱ��, students must:</em></p><ol><li>Declare at least one major from the list of BS-eligible programs.</li><li>Notify the Office of the Registrar of their intention to convert their Bachelor of Arts degree to a Bachelor of Science.</li><li>Complete at least 16 full courses designated as Natural Science and Mathematics.</li></ol><p><em>Students who meet the criteria may choose to graduate with either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science—but not both.</em></p><hr></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The new degree option expands academic pathways in the sciences, social sciences, and interdisciplinary fields. </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-10-16T12:00:00Z">Thu, 10/16/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p> 91ֱ�� will begin offering a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/bachelor-of-science" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="122754f5-47f5-4c43-a02d-0fce89dcb008" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Bachelor of Science (BS) at 91ֱ��">Bachelor of Science</a> degree option to students in the<a href="/arts-and-sciences" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c6983a98-0d9e-4cc8-b7f9-ba6f11fa4cbb" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="College of Arts and Sciences"> College of Arts and Sciences</a>, expanding pathways in the natural sciences, social sciences, and emerging interdisciplinary fields. Students may elect to pursue the BS program beginning in fall 2026.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4112">New Programs</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25246">Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25251">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=187731">Business</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25306">Chemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25321">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=415031">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25341">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=468171">Financial Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25366">Geosciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25401">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=4861">Neuroscience</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25411">Physics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25286">Psychology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry-biochemistry" hreflang="und">Chemistry and Biochemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology" hreflang="und">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/business" hreflang="und">Business</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science" hreflang="und">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-science" hreflang="und">Environmental Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/finance" hreflang="und">Financial Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/geosciences" hreflang="und">Geosciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/global-health" hreflang="und">Global Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/neuroscience" hreflang="und">Neuroscience</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/physics-and-astronomy" hreflang="und">Physics and Astronomy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology" hreflang="und">Psychology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Mike Crupi</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Active Learning, Transformative Education</h1> <p>awillia2 — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 03:17:08 +0000</p> <span>Active Learning, Transformative Education</span> <span><span>awillia2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-03-08T22:17:08-05:00" title="Saturday, March 8, 2025 - 22:17">Sat, 03/08/2025 - 22:17</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>“In the first vote, maybe 50 percent get the question right, but after peer discussions, 80 to 90 percent do,” Taylor says. “It’s amazing to see the shift.” </p><p>For Taylor, computer science isn’t just a technical skill—it’s a “fundamental literacy” for the modern world, she says. Yet the teaching of computer science is not keeping up with the rapid advance of the field.</p><p>“We have overwhelming evidence that active learning is better than standard lectures for all students,” Taylor says. “It closes race and gender gaps, helps first-generation students, and improves outcomes across the board.” </p><p>The real challenge, she’s found, is getting professors to embrace teaching methods that work better. This conviction underpins her two-pronged research mission: to measure how much of the material students comprehend and to understand how programming concepts are most effectively taught.</p><p>Researching computer science teaching methods stemmed from her work on developing a Concept Inventory (CI) for Basic Data Structures Inventory (BDSI), which she <a href="https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3291279.3339404" target="_blank">presented at a 2019 conference</a>. This is a multiple-choice instrument for researchers to measure conceptual understanding of core concepts—for example, linked lists, hash tables, and trees—beyond traditional test performance. Now widely adopted by entities including Google, the BDSI was developed after six years of interviews, open-ended surveys, and testing with thousands of students. Taylor published results of this research in a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1145/3470654" target="_blank">2021 article</a> in <em>ACM Transactions on Computing Education</em>.</p><p>More recently, Taylor’s work extends beyond assessment tools to course design. In her coauthored 2023 paper “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1145/3545945.3569779" target="_blank">How Do I Get People to Use My Ideas? Lessons from Successful Innovators in CS Education</a>,” Taylor identified the “novice effect” as one of the pitfalls of computer science pedagogy. </p><p>“Experts and novices speak different languages,” she explains. “Peers can explain things in ways novices understand because they’re closer in their learning journey. As experts, we can’t unlearn what we know, so we lose touch with what it’s like to struggle with the basics.” </p><p>As an example, Taylor cites a 2007 <em>Journal of Science Education and Technology</em> article where professors, graduate students, and undergraduates watched the same lecture. The researchers were shocked to find the groups didn’t just interpret the topics differently—they disagreed about what topics were even covered.</p><p>Taylor’s research proved that interactive, student-centered teaching methods were most effective. Even small changes, like pausing during lectures to give students a moment to reflect, discuss, or think of a question, made a big difference. “It’s simple, but you’d be shocked how much more interaction you get,” Taylor says. For professors willing to go further, she recommends peer instruction, or “think-pair-share”: posing a question, then having students discuss it in small groups and share their insights with the class. </p><p>The research also highlighted the barriers professors face when integrating new teaching methods. The optimal time to embed active learning, paired instruction, and other newer protocols is early on in course development. Departmental culture also plays a role. When one professor adopts new methods and shares materials with colleagues, professors are “more likely to try and help each other through the learning curve,” Taylor says. This peer support is especially important in the first semester, when everything feels more experimental. </p><p>At 91ֱ��, Taylor has led efforts to make introductory courses more accessible by moving away from traditional math-heavy examples. “Computer science frequently has come out of math departments,” she says. “We tried to really separate out, ‘Do students need this math, or are we just using this as an example where we could use something else?’” </p><aside class="pull obj-right"><div class="basic-box basic-box--light"><h2 class="small-headline">Student Researchers</h2><ul class="list--clean"><li data-list-item-id="e1c24081cc3dca858e86cd822864b303d">Alisha Akhtar ’28</li><li data-list-item-id="e72fdf9054055bdbfa868c8a970480516">Madison Kekic ’26</li><li data-list-item-id="e492c491e70f92fb5ead6043ea4305968">Maxann Neiger ’26</li><li data-list-item-id="ee8f5b07fbc7db6488d62016f09e9748f">Ben Newman ’25</li><li data-list-item-id="e6a78fb0f76b22714ef2080f8e8934d79">Miriam Rairick ’25</li><li data-list-item-id="ee6b6d3c1d53278d954a73c5bf85a9669">Austin Rockwell ’27</li><li data-list-item-id="eec2eb079fbed4ab96c9d123e20e0c92a">Tanisha Shende ’26</li><li data-list-item-id="e84298c028b6fb37cd06a4de27ea1e591">Lawrence Wright ’25</li></ul></div></aside><p>Her team now emphasizes creative projects and real-world applications. Students might analyze datasets or create art through code, she says. This also helps dispel what she calls one of the biggest myths about computer science—that it’s only for “math people.” </p><p>“People categorize themselves as, ‘Oh, I’m a humanities person; I’m not a STEM person.’ But in computer science, you’re just building a thing. It’s still a creative practice.” She would know; Taylor majored in creative writing as an 91ֱ�� undergraduate. </p><p>Taylor sees programming becoming as necessary a skill as writing. “So much of our lives are mediated by code,” she says. “Understanding programming, even at a basic level, makes you so much better at your job and more informed about the technology shaping our world—it’s as much art as science.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Cynthia Taylor ’02 is identifying the most effective ways to teach computer science—and understanding how to make it easier for professors to adopt them.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-03-21T12:00:00Z">Fri, 03/21/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Sarah Grant</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The students in the introductory computer science course of Associate Professor of Computer Science Cynthia Taylor ’02 don’t scroll through social media in her lectures. Instead, they’re holding iClickers, small devices that enable them to vote on questions posed during class. Then they discuss the problems in small groups, collectively working out the complex concept.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4292">91ֱ�� Research Review</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25321">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/cynthia-taylor" hreflang="und">Cynthia Taylor ’02</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-cte-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes (Individual Images)</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Ohni Lisle</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-40348" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <hr><p><em>Research by Cynthia Taylor’02 has received funding from the National Science Foundation and her research spans active learning, assessment tools, and making computer science education accessible and effective for all. She earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in computer science and engineering at the University of California, San Diego.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div class="field field--name-field-bio-card-el-biography field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="biography-card"> <figure> </figure> <div class="biography-card__content"> <h2><span>Cynthia Taylor ’02</span> </h2> <ul class="item-list list--clean" style="margin-top: 0px;"> <li class="professional-title">Associate Professor of Computer Science</li> <li class="professional-title">Chair of Computer Science</li> </ul> <a class="view-more" href="/cynthia-taylor">View Cynthia Taylor ’02’s biography</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-40378" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <div style="padding:56.25% 0 0;position:relative;"></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script><hr><h2 class="small-headline" style="margin-top:1.25rem;">About the Illustration</h2><figure class="captioned-image obj-right" style="margin-bottom:1.75rem;" data-cte><p></p><figcaption><em>Click the image to expand</em></figcaption></figure><p class="subhead" style="color:var(--darkgray);margin-bottom:0;">Illustrator: Ohni Lisle</p><blockquote data-add-quotes data-no-attribution><p>When thinking about creating a visual for collaborative learning, I wanted to somehow convey that moment when another person’s outside perspective, thought, or musing is the missing puzzle piece to something you’ve been agonizing over. This led me to create this visual of fantasy puzzle of pieces coming together in space to make a face, with the mind area lighting up with solutions.</p></blockquote><p class="icon-text"><span class="icon-text__icon fas fa-fw fa-link" style="color:black;" aria-label="Phone"></span><a href="https://ohnilisle.com/" target="_blank">ohnilisle.com</a></p><p class="icon-text"><span class="icon-text__icon fas fa-brands fa-instagram" aria-label="Instagram"></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ohnilisle" target="_blank">@ohnilisle</a></p><hr class="hr--light" style="clear:both;margin:1.25rem 0;"><p><a class="view-more" href="/node/488025">Return to <em>91ֱ�� Research Review</em></a></p> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-40349" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p class="header-tag no-show" id="header-tag">91ֱ�� Research Review</p> <style> .no-show { display: none } </style> <script> (function() { var header = document.querySelector(".story-header"); var headerTag = document.getElementById("header-tag"); header.insertBefore(headerTag, header.firstElementChild); headerTag.classList.remove("no-show"); })(); </script>  <script> (function() { var credit = document.querySelector(".top-combo__figure .figure__credit"); credit.innerText = credit.textContent.replace("Photo credit","Image credit"); })(); </script>  <style> aside .list--clean li { margin-bottom: 0.25rem; } aside ul.list--clean { margin-top: .5rem; font-family: var(--font-sans-serif); font-size: 0.875rem; } aside .basic-box { margin: .5rem 0; max-width: 240px; } aside .basic-box .small-headline { font-size: 1rem; } </style> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Agents of Change</h1> <p>awillia2 — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:02:31 +0000</p> <span>Agents of Change</span> <span><span>awillia2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-03-07T06:02:31-05:00" title="Friday, March 7, 2025 - 06:02">Fri, 03/07/2025 - 06:02</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>“A wildfire could pop up in a place you’re not expecting—or the winds could shift, and now it’s heading toward a population center,” Eck says. “The world around us is so dynamic: How do we model that, account for it, and make decisions in the presence of that?”</p><p>In artificial intelligence terms, these robots are known as autonomous agents and possess humanlike qualities. “An autonomous agent is an AI that acts independently on its own,” Eck says. “It gathers information from the world, makes its own decisions about how to accomplish its goals and tasks, and then takes actions to physically change the world.”</p><p>When the robots are figuring out how to put out wildfires, cooperation is key, which is where Eck’s research comes in: He studies the social side of artificial intelligence, where multiple autonomous agents gather in what’s called a multiagent system. </p><p>“We want the robots to come up with strategies to fight fires together, to put everything out as fast as possible,” he says. “A big part of this social side is modeling what the other AIs are doing, predicting their actions, and then trying to cooperate with them. If they all choose to fight individual fires, then they’re not going to be nearly as strong as if they do things together.”</p><p>For the robots, this is easier said than done. These multiagent systems are in turn operating within a complex open agent system that’s always changing. It’s likely the robots aren’t setting up rules or coordinating actions ahead of time; as a result, they must predict all potential scenarios they might face in a wildfire. Autonomous agents also shift in and out of these open systems, requiring the robots to first predict who’s around and then try to figure out how to work with that group. </p><p>Complicating matters further is that these open agent systems have task openness, which means the set of tasks someone is trying to accomplish changes over time. “The wildfire-fighting robots might get picked up and moved to a whole new area,” Eck explains. “In that case, they’d have to reorient themselves and say, ‘OK, I’ve got different fires I need to fight now. How does that change my behaviors?’”</p><p>Eck notes these open agent systems also possess type openness, where the capabilities of the agents change over time. “Maybe the robots get damaged and can’t fight fires as well anymore. How does that change their decision making? How do you continue working with someone who has new capabilities?”</p><p>To date, Eck and his students are doing this research via computer simulations of wildfires, based on software that approximates how the real world works using either numbers or a visualization. While artificial intelligence is at the core of this research, Eck’s lab uses human insights to inform hypotheses. For example, they incorporated information about how fires spread and under what conditions from past simulations built by wildfire domain experts.</p><p>“We use human thinking as inspiration and try to imagine, ‘If I were to tackle this problem, what would I do?’” he says. “Afterward, it’s fun to see how the AI ends up solving it. It’s inspired by humans to begin with, but it might come up with entirely new ideas and do it in a different way that people hadn’t thought of before.” </p><p>Eck isn’t building robots and sending them into the field to fight wildfires yet. The decision-making abilities of these autonomous agents aren’t quite fast enough for the unpredictable nature of the real world. Eck stresses that these multiagent systems are enormously complex and challenging to scale up. </p><p>“It’s one thing for a robot to decide independent of everybody else, ‘What fire do I want to fight?’” he says. “But once you have to start modeling everybody else, the more neighbors that we have, the more time I have to allocate to predicting for each one of them. That slows down my own decision-making.”</p><aside class="pull obj-right"><div class="basic-box basic-box--light"><h2 class="small-headline">Student Researchers</h2><ul class="list--clean"><li data-list-item-id="eda6fb7fdbc29051829fa78357e56ef58">Dung Do ’24</li><li data-list-item-id="e796d8d9a609bc60fd5115c609ff4a4a5">Kenean Yemane Kejela ’25</li><li data-list-item-id="e32b395631d3a59ef9af86e658b859e96">Graham Lazorchak ’24</li><li data-list-item-id="e5b1cf8f0ebc45f40a2d700caa8c2688a">Dat Le ’25</li><li data-list-item-id="e84404b529172395887a27e433d788d2a">Quan Nguyen ’24</li><li data-list-item-id="e1bc18b43023fee42d219c05c9861645c">Benjamin Rapkin ’25</li><li data-list-item-id="e121a2cc7587469be1c72444589645ac7">Menard Simoya ’27</li><li data-list-item-id="edea4dd71f07edfa077cc14e185ea935b">M. Daud Zarif ’28</li></ul></div></aside><p>Eck has received two National Science Foundation (NSF) research grants to study open agent systems, leading to multiple publications. Along with collaborators at the University of Georgia and University of Nebraska, he published a paper with the <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=_DksRmEAAAAJ&sortby=pubdate&citation_for_view=_DksRmEAAAAJ:ZeXyd9-uunAC" target="_blank">2020 AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence</a>. Eck has also published work focused on decision-making in open systems, including a paper at the 2022 UAI Conference on Uncertainty in Artificial Intelligence and a <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/aaai.12131" target="_blank">2023 article in <em>AI Magazine</em></a>.</p><p>He’s also looking at other applications of these open agent concepts, including decision-making around dynamic ride sharing of autonomous cars; supporting business managers over time as they gain new responsibilities within complex organizations; and coordinating behaviors of cybersecurity agents protecting critical infrastructure.</p><p>“Much of AI is building on previous solutions,” Eck says. “You start by tackling simpler problems, and then you can get harder and harder and harder as you go along. We’re trying to model even more complicated environments to get closer to what the real-world situation is to make these problems easier to solve.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Adam Eck is studying whether artificial intelligence-powered robots can fight wildfires more efficiently.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-03-21T12:00:00Z">Fri, 03/21/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Annie Zaleski</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Fighting wildfires is difficult, dangerous work that puts the lives of firefighters at risk. But what if we had a more efficient way to extinguish these fires while putting fewer people in harm’s way? David H. and Margaret W. Barker Associate Professor of Computer Science and Business Adam Eck just might have the solution: highly specialized robots, powered by artificial intelligence, that have learned how to respond to and suppress these unpredictable natural disasters.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4292">91ֱ�� Research Review</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25321">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/adam-eck" hreflang="und">Adam Eck</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-cte-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes (Individual Images)</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Nick Giammarco</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-40346" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <hr><p><em>Adam Eck’s research interests include decision making for intelligent agents and multiagent systems in complex environments, as well as interdisciplinary applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in public health and computational social science. The chair of the data science program, he earned a master’s degree and doctorate in computer science from the University of Nebraska.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div class="field field--name-field-bio-card-el-biography field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="biography-card"> <figure> </figure> <div class="biography-card__content"> <h2><span>Adam Eck</span> </h2> <ul class="item-list list--clean" style="margin-top: 0px;"> <li class="professional-title">David H. and Margaret W. Barker Associate Professor of Computer Science and Business and Data Science</li> <li class="professional-title">Chair of Data Science</li> </ul> <a class="view-more" href="/adam-eck">View Adam Eck’s biography</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-40380" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <div style="padding:56.25% 0 0;position:relative;"></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script><hr><h2 class="small-headline" style="margin-top:1.25rem;">About the Illustration</h2><figure class="captioned-image obj-right" style="margin-bottom:1.75rem;" data-cte><p></p><figcaption><em>Click the image to expand</em></figcaption></figure><p class="subhead" style="color:var(--darkgray);margin-bottom:0;">Illustrator: Nick Giammarco</p><blockquote data-add-quotes data-no-attribution><p>This piece reflects on design as a process, conceptually shaped by the article it accompanies. Using real fire data and AI-generated code, it serves as both a physical and visual manifestation of information. I was particularly interested in creating something that not only mimicked the way I imagine AI processes data to combat wildfires but also visually explored how AI might interpret vast datasets in a problem-solving scenario—analyzing patterns, predicting spread, and generating insights. By coding this visualization in p5.js, a JavaScript library that allows for creative coding and interactive graphics, I aimed to create a piece where the design itself emerges from the data, making the visualization both an artistic expression and a direct extension of the subject matter.</p></blockquote><p> </p><hr class="hr--light" style="clear:both;margin:1.25rem 0;"><p><a class="view-more" href="/node/488025">Return to <em>91ֱ�� Research Review</em></a></p> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-40347" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p class="header-tag no-show" id="header-tag">91ֱ�� Research Review</p> <style> .no-show { display: none } </style> <script> (function() { var header = document.querySelector(".story-header"); var headerTag = document.getElementById("header-tag"); header.insertBefore(headerTag, header.firstElementChild); headerTag.classList.remove("no-show"); })(); </script>  <script> (function() { var credit = document.querySelector(".top-combo__figure .figure__credit"); credit.innerText = credit.textContent.replace("Photo credit","Image credit"); })(); </script>  <style> aside .list--clean li { margin-bottom: 0.25rem; } aside ul.list--clean { margin-top: .5rem; font-family: var(--font-sans-serif); font-size: 0.875rem; } aside .basic-box { margin: .5rem 0; max-width: 240px; } aside .basic-box .small-headline { font-size: 1rem; } </style> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>91ֱ��’s Tanisha Shende Named National Student Employee of the Year</h1> <p>eburnett — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 14:42:55 +0000</p> <span>91ֱ��’s Tanisha Shende Named National Student Employee of the Year</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-04-11T10:42:55-04:00" title="Thursday, April 11, 2024 - 10:42">Thu, 04/11/2024 - 10:42</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Tanisha Shende, a second-year student majoring in computer science and mathematics, has been named National Student Employee of the Year and Student Employee of the Year for Diversity and Inclusion, twin honors conferred by the <a href="https://www.nsea.info/">National Student Employment Association</a> (NSEA) this week.</p><p>The accolades were made possible through the effort of the <a href="/human-resources/student-employment">Student Employment Office</a>, which coordinated the nomination process.</p><p>Originally from Lodi, New Jersey, Shende is a key supporter of STEM studies at 91ֱ�� and a driving force in the effort to ease the acclimation to college among first-generation and other underrepresented students. In the <a href="/undergraduate-research">Office of Undergraduate Research</a>, she serves as chair of the collective advocacy committee for Bridging Resources and Access to Nurture Community through Holistic Engagement in STEM (BRANCHES).</p><p>Shende is an active member of the <a href="/undergraduate-research/programs/strong">STRONG</a> (Science and Technology Research Opportunities for a New Generation) program and played a pivotal role in the successful merger of two other 91ֱ�� programs—Roots in STEM, an identity-based residence hall cluster, and the Center for Learning, Education, and Research in the Sciences, or <a href="/clear">CLEAR</a>—and improve student support in the process.</p><p>In her own research, Shende is part of a study examining classrooms and research spaces to identify barriers to STEM learning. She is also a member of a team working to make virtual and augmented reality technology more accessible to people with sensory processing disorders.</p><p>“Tanisha is one of those unique students who has a natural spark,” says Zach Slimak, <a href="/clear/employment">91ֱ��’s STEM program</a> coordinator, who nominated Shende for the NSEA honors. “She recognizes how hard it can be for a student to find a community and a sense of belonging. She cares deeply about her position and goes above and beyond every day. She’s always willing to learn, always willing to teach, and always willing to be a leader for change. I am honored to know Tanisha and be a small part of her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”</p><p>Shende learned of the honors at an April 9 gathering on campus that—to her surprise—was held in her honor. The guest list included 91ֱ�� President <a href="/node/48561">Carmen Twillie Ambar, </a>Vice President and Dean of Students <a href="/node/362451">Karen Goff</a>, and Shende’s staff colleagues from the Office of Undergraduate Research—part of the <a href="/node/396216">Center for Engaged Liberal Arts</a>, or CELA.</p><p>The honors coincide with 91ֱ��’s celebration of National Student Employment Week.</p><p>“I’m so grateful to everyone involved for making the reception such a special moment,” Shende says. “It’s an honor to be recognized for my efforts and be surrounded by incredible supporters. I’m looking forward to continuing my work!”</p><p>The NSEA is dedicated to promoting professional development, recognition, and advocacy for student employees in higher education. 91ֱ�� joined the organization in 2022; this year marked the first time it has submitted a nominee for Student Employee of the Year. The NSEA confers awards in five categories: Community Service, Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership, Technology and Innovation, and Critical Thinking, as well as the overall award for Student Employee of the Year.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Computer science and math double major is also a devoted advocate for other STEM students through her work with the Office of Undergraduate Research.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-04-12T12:00:00Z">Fri, 04/12/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3898">Stem</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25321">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25401">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Tanisha Shende, pictured with her awards for National Student Employee of the Year and Student Employee of the Year for Diversity and Inclusion, which were presented in conjunction with National Student Employment Week.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>He’s Feeling Lucky</h1> <p>tapplega — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 19:57:25 +0000</p> <span>He’s Feeling Lucky</span> <span><span>tapplega</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-02-28T14:57:25-05:00" title="Tuesday, February 28, 2023 - 14:57">Tue, 02/28/2023 - 14:57</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Matt Blankinship ’17 is a cybersecurity expert who began his career at Amazon before joining another tech giant: Google. Passionate about data privacy in this digital age, Blankinship works to improve security measures for a variety of Google products. His interest in the field intensified through his <a href="/node/3236">computer science</a> studies at 91ֱ��. Blankinship’s time here also included musical pursuits: He joined the percussion ensemble <a href="https://www.instagram.com/octaiko/?hl=en">91ֱ�� College Taiko</a> and created his own duo with a classmate.</p> <p>In this interview, Blankinship reflects on his college experience, his journey to twin tech giants, his thoughts on the importance of digital privacy—and his most recent adventure: being a reality show contestant.</p> <p><strong>What do you do at Google?</strong></p> <p>I'm a software engineer on a cybersecurity team. I try to detect and fix software vulnerabilities in Google products by running thousands of scans every day on millions of different targets across Google and other Alphabet companies [the tech conglomerate that owns Google].</p> <p>My role is to build the scanning pipeline infrastructure, which ensures that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. I get to work on a range of different projects, including Google cloud instance scanning and dependency scanning for open-source repositories. I've learned more about the different software environments than I ever would on a more typical product team, and all through the funky lens of software security. It's a great gig, and I'm lucky I found this opportunity.</p> <p><strong>How did you get your start at Amazon right after college, and what led to your transition to Google?</strong></p> <p>Like most jobs out of college, I got a bit lucky. I cast my résumés far and wide, and one slipped through the Great Résumé Filter, and I got an interview with Amazon. In preparation, I spent a lot of time studying for coding interviews, and [the 91ֱ�� data-structures course] <a href="https://catalog.oberlin.edu/search_advanced.php?cur_cat_oid=46&search_database=Search&search_db=Search&cpage=1&ecpage=1&ppage=1&spage=1&tpage=1&location=3&filter%5Bkeyword%5D=csci+151&filter%5Bexact_match%5D=1">CSCI 151</a>, in particular, was incredibly helpful in preparing me. I believe if you really can understand that course, you’ll be more prepared than your competitors. After a year at Amazon, I wanted to move to a team that aligned with my enthusiasm for digital privacy and security. Given Google's reputation as a data organizer and the security responsibilities that come with that, it felt like a natural fit for me.</p> <p><strong>Tell me about your experience in computer science at 91ֱ��.</strong></p> <p>I initially wanted to study neuroscience, but I guess every class conflict happens for a reason. My favorite part of the program was how math-oriented it was. Looking at a graph of nodes arranged in flowers to prove that one complex problem is similar to another would blow my mind every time. Computer science allowed me to use computers as a medium to build a strong foundation in applied logic.</p> <p><strong>What did you learn at 91ֱ�� that has helped you most since graduating?</strong></p> <p>While it might sound strange, I'd say that the most useful skill I learned at 91ֱ�� was actually note-taking! It's the nature of software engineering to always be learning new systems and environments, so your ability to quickly understand and synthesize new knowledge is crucial. I can't tell you how many times good notes have saved me, and even if I never look at them again, taking notes helps me process the roaring cascade of information.</p> <p><strong>How did your mentors at 91ֱ�� help shape your career path?</strong></p> <p>A few friends and I got really interested in cybersecurity at one point, and were thirsty for opportunities to apply our new knowledge. We asked our professor for guidance, and they helped us find a security conference in Cleveland, provided us with prep materials, and even assisted in our registration for the competition part of the conference. I went in with zero expectations, but our team ended up winning the whole thing! This experience showed me the power of bringing ideas to mentors who can help them grow and flourish.</p> <p><strong>91ֱ�� encourages their students to participate in extracurricular opportunities. Were there any experiences you had that have stuck with you?</strong></p> <p>A friend of mine at 91ֱ��, <a href="/news/art-social-impact-thanisa-durongkaveroj-18">Thanisa Duronkaveroj</a>, approached me and another fellow student with an opportunity to travel to her home country and create a set of films about Thai culture, history, and education. I got to film and crew for the <a href="https://oberlinreview.org/14101/arts/peanut-sauce-film-project-explores-thai-education-system/"><em>Peanut Sauce Project</em></a>, and it was a dream come true. We interviewed various individuals, including students and educators, and captured their experiences on camera. It was amazing to see how three students from different academic disciplines could come together and create something meaningful. This project was a testament to the opportunities that 91ֱ�� provides for its students.</p> <p><strong>What’s your fondest memory of your time at 91ֱ��?</strong></p> <p>My favorite memory from 91ֱ�� was when my friend Luke and I started a comedy folk music duo. We wrote and performed songs like “Are You Gay,” about the struggles of ambiguous attraction, and “Asia House Ghost,” about the mysterious sounds we heard at night. We had so much fun making music together, and who knows, maybe we’ll bring back our duo—the Assless Chaps—someday!</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Photo credit: Robert Voets/CBS</figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>You are a contestant on season 44 of <em>Survivor</em>. Why did you audition?</strong></p> <p>I have watched and loved <em>Survivor</em> for over a decade and vowed to apply when I turned 18. When 18 came, fear held me back, and I failed to follow through. It felt like a personal failure that still bothers me almost 10 years later. Finally, I decided to roll up my sleeves and send in an audition tape. Playing the game I love on a beautiful tropical island was a magical experience, but the real victory was mustering up the courage to put myself out there.</p> <p><strong>How did your experience at 91ֱ�� prepare you for the challenges you faced on <em>Survivor</em>?</strong></p> <p>91ֱ�� is a condensed bundle of wildly varying humans, each with their own stories and perspectives, within which you find ways to express yourself. Add a dash of backstabbing and a lot more coconuts, and that's pretty much <em>Survivor</em> as well!</p> <p><em>Learn more about Blankinship’s </em>Survivor<em> experience on <a href="https://parade.com/tv/matt-blankinship-survivor-44">parade.com</a>.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Software engineer Matt Blankinship ensures digital privacy for Google’s 1 billion users.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-02-28T12:00:00Z">Tue, 02/28/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tyler Applegate</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After 91ֱ��</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25321">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Matt Blankinship</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-28840" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-photo-gallery paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="section--photo-gallery o-flex--photo-gallery"> <p class="header-tag">Photo Gallery</p> <div class="o-flex--photo-gallery__grid"> <div class="o-flex--photo-gallery--overlay"> <div class="o-flex--photo-gallery--overlay__content"> <h2> Matt Blankinship on Survivor </h2> <button class="btn js-modal" data-modal-prefix-class="fullscreen" data-modal-content-id="28840" data-modal-background-click="disabled"> View photo gallery </button> </div> </div> <div class="o-flex--photo-gallery__grid__img-wrapper"> </div> <div class="o-flex--photo-gallery__grid__img-wrapper"> </div> <div class="o-flex--photo-gallery__grid__img-wrapper"> </div> <div class="o-flex--photo-gallery__grid__img-wrapper"> </div> </div> </div> <div id="28840" class="photo-gallery-wrapper"> <div class="photo-gallery"> <div class="photo-gallery__slides"> <div class="photo-gallery__slide__wrapper"> <figure class="photo-gallery__slide"> <div class="photo-gallery__slide__image"> </div> <figcaption> <span class="figure__caption">Matt Blankinship in the Fiji wildnerness.</span> <span class="figure__credit">Photo credit: Robert Voets/CBS</span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="photo-gallery__slide__wrapper"> <figure class="photo-gallery__slide"> <div class="photo-gallery__slide__image"> </div> <figcaption> <span class="figure__caption">Matt Blankinship walks the beach with his tribe.</span> <span class="figure__credit">Photo credit: Robert Voets/CBS</span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="photo-gallery__slide__wrapper"> <figure class="photo-gallery__slide"> <div class="photo-gallery__slide__image"> </div> <figcaption> <span class="figure__caption">Matt Blanksinship stands with his tribe.</span> <span class="figure__credit">Photo credit: Robert Voets/CBS</span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="photo-gallery__slide__wrapper"> <figure class="photo-gallery__slide"> <div class="photo-gallery__slide__image"> </div> <figcaption> <span class="figure__caption">Matt Blankinship gets dirty as he crawls though the mud for a challenge.</span> <span class="figure__credit">Photo credit: Robert Voets/CBS</span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="photo-gallery__navbar"> <figure class="photo-gallery__navbar__item"> </figure> <figure class="photo-gallery__navbar__item"> </figure> <figure class="photo-gallery__navbar__item"> </figure> <figure class="photo-gallery__navbar__item"> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Cybersecurity is Topic of President’s Lecture by Stephen Checkoway</h1> <p>anagy — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 16:12:13 +0000</p> <span>Cybersecurity is Topic of President’s Lecture by Stephen Checkoway</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-02-24T11:12:13-05:00" title="Friday, February 24, 2023 - 11:12">Fri, 02/24/2023 - 11:12</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Associate Professor of Computer Science <a href="/stephen-checkoway">Stephen Checkoway</a>, a scholar of cybersecurity systems, will present his research in the annual <a href="https://calendar.oberlin.edu/event/presidents_lecture_with_professor_stephen_checkoway">President’s Lecture</a> on Friday, March 3. The talk will be held at 12:15 p.m. in Dye Lecture Hall in the 91ֱ�� Science Center.</p> <p>In his talk, “Thinking like an Adversary to Protect Computer Systems,” Checkoway will explain how computer systems control everything from access to sensitive health and financial information to a car’s anti-lock braking system. It is critical that these systems operate safely and correctly, especially in the presence of an adversary with a strong motive (usually financial) to make the systems misbehave in some way.</p> <p>Checkoway will describe one of the key tools computer security researchers and practitioners use to secure these critical computer systems: adversarial thinking. He will give examples of how thinking like an adversary can demonstrate the existence of vulnerabilities, and suggest defenses against attacks in multiple domains, including examples from his work hacking computers used in cars and general aviation.</p> <p>In 2021, Checkoway received the prestigious <a href="/news/computer-science-professor-stephen-checkoway-receives-golden-goose-award">Golden Goose Award</a> from the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his role in research that led automakers to adopt new security practices. While a PhD student at the University of California, Checkoway was part of a team that investigated whether a vehicle’s computing systems could be hacked and how that would affect a driver's ability to control their car.</p> <p>The team published a pair of landmark papers showing how these vehicles could have their mechanical functions overridden by a remote attacker.</p> <p>The Golden Goose Award honors federally funded work that may have been considered obscure when first conducted but has resulted in significant benefits to society.</p> <p>Checkoway teaches courses in programming and security. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-02-24T12:00:00Z">Fri, 02/24/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2414">Faculty</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2390">Events</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25321">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/stephen-checkoway" hreflang="und">Stephen Checkoway</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Associate Professor of Computer Science Stephen Checkoway.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Building Encouragement for Careers in Science and Technology</h1> <p>anagy — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 17:38:06 +0000</p> <span>Building Encouragement for Careers in Science and Technology</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-11-11T12:38:06-05:00" title="Friday, November 11, 2022 - 12:38">Fri, 11/11/2022 - 12:38</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Abby Tejera Rocha wants young people around the world to feel empowered to pursue careers in STEM fields. One way to do that is to increase the visibility of contemporary scientists and leaders in technology—including women such as herself.</p> <p>A second-year <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/physics-and-astronomy">physics</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science">computer science</a> double major, Tejera is a <a href="https://womenawards.globant.com/2022/RisingStar/AbbyTejera">finalist</a> voted to be a “Rising Star” in the <a href="https://womenawards.globant.com/">Women that Build</a> awards program, sponsored by the international tech company <a href="https://www.globant.com/">Globant</a>. The award recognizes and promotes talented women leaders in technology. The Rising Star category distinguishes young women who are starting STEM careers and generating a positive impact on society.</p> <p>A native of Maldonado, Uruguay, Tejera graduated as a GeneXus Analyst from Plan Ceibal, a free training program sponsored by the Uruguayan government. She performed so well that she was hired to tutor an Introduction to Programming class for more than 400 students between the ages of 18 and 30. Then came an offer to work for Globant, where she trained as an Android and app developer, and learned other programming languages.</p> <p>Tejera was 16 when she founded an outreach project called Physic-ally Possible. Her goal was to disseminate knowledge of science and technology in accessible and entertaining ways. She interviewed scientists from all over the world, including the 2017 Nobel<br> Prize winners in physics, who are credited with having detected gravitational waves.</p> <p>She was invited by Uruguay’s Ministry of Education and Culture and other organizations to participate in a series of videoconference interviews highlighting the possibilities for study and work in science and technology, with the aim of encouraging young people—particularly girls—to venture into those fields.</p> <p>Tejera was admitted to 91ֱ�� as an <a href="/admissions-and-aid/arts-and-sciences/early-decision">Early Decision</a> applicant, making her dream of studying at 91ֱ�� College come true. Her commitment to service and mentoring continues at 91ֱ��, where she is a <a href="/bcsl/programs/bonner-scholars">Bonner Scholar</a>, an America Counts leader, a <a href="/undergraduate-research/programs/strong">STRONG</a> scholar, and a student researcher in the lab of Associate Professor <a href="/jillian-scudder">Jillian Scudder</a>, as well as a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/resources-and-support/pal#:~:text=Peer%20Advising%20Leaders%20(PALs)%20are,Year%20Seminar%20program%20(FYSP).">Peer Advising Leader</a>, a member of the <a href="https://www.oberlininclusiveexcellence.org/student-leadership-committee">Student Leadership Committee</a>, and a peer tutor.</p> <p>In the following Q&A, she discusses the importance of awakening vocations, motivating and supporting other young students, and giving visibility to contemporary role models in STEM.</p> <p><strong>How did you hear about the Women that Build awards program? What would this recognition mean to you?</strong></p> <p>I found out about the program when I received an email saying that I had been nominated in the “Rising Star” category of the awards. It was a great surprise, and I’ve been interested in the great work Globant does to recognize and highlight many women from STEM and information and computing technology.</p> <p>Having been nominated—and later finding out that I am a finalist, thanks to a people's vote—is a great joy, and I am very grateful to all the people who support me unconditionally. It is very gratifying and at the same time a challenge to continue learning and improving day by day. I am also very grateful to the entire educational community of 91ֱ�� College.</p> <p><strong>You started volunteering at a young age, and in your first two years at 91ֱ��, you’ve chosen experiences and taken positions that show your commitment to leadership and mentorship. What motivates you to help fellow students? </strong></p> <p>In my country, a program called Plan Ceibal was being implemented to bridge the existing digital gap in elementary schools. My parents were volunteers, and I accompanied them to distribute free computers with Linux and taught students how to use them. I will never forget those first smiles of the children—my peers—when seeing a computer for the first time. </p> <p>I have participated in science camps with people from several countries, and I have created an app to make it easier for young people to find opportunities for science education. I also volunteered with an organization called Ceautismo, which works with children and young people with autism and raises awareness.</p> <p>When I arrived at 91ֱ��, I found an incredible educational community that highly values the work of all students who are committed to society in one way or another. I have had the immense joy of being selected to participate in the Bonner Scholar program, which not only allows me to volunteer in various organizations, but trains us to do it in the best way. I would also like to highlight the great work that the Peer Advising Leaders Program (PAL) does to support all students during our first year at 91ֱ��, and I am really grateful for the opportunity of being a PAL and a member of that wonderful team that guides us.</p> <p><strong>What do you think are the most significant barriers to STEM education for young students, and what can be done to improve it?</strong></p> <p>If we ask young people about their favorite athlete, surely they have a role model or someone who inspires them. On the other hand, ask them to name a scientist who they know or inspires them, it is most likely that they name scientists like Albert Einstein or Marie Curie. In general, most young people can’t name or identify with contemporary women scientists, even though there are many and they are doing great things. This is why making visible the work of contemporary scientists helps to inspire, motivate, and awaken vocations in students who believe it is unattainable.</p> <p>There is still a lot of work to be done to close the race and gender gaps that exist in some sectors. Just looking at the percentages of women who occupy management roles in research teams demonstrates that it is necessary to begin raising awareness and educating at a young age. </p> <p>At 91ֱ��, I found an academic community that offers students lots of amazing opportunities to prepare ourselves for professional experiences and for thriving at STEM. For example, the STRONG Scholars program, the <a href="/undergraduate-research">Office of Undergraduate Research</a>, the Student Leadership Committee, and different resources and groups that contribute to the STEM education and the inclusion and equity in these areas.</p> <p><strong>What excites you about your studies in physics and computer science?</strong></p> <p>Physics, although we do not always realize it, is immersed in every activity that we carry out daily. The discipline contributes to the conservation and preservation of resources, through the approach of the scientific study of matter, energy, time, space, and the interactions of its components. The analysis of these interactions makes it possible to explain the properties and behavior of matter, and to gain an in-depth understanding of nature.</p> <p>Personally, I’m really interested in astrophysics, an area that studies the bodies found in space, their movements, properties, and phenomena, but I am also interested in quantum mechanics and atomic physics.</p> <p>I also love doing research in these areas and am really grateful to all my professors, who with vocation and dedication, provide students with an excellent academic experience. Currently, I am a student researcher with my mentor, Professor Jillian Scudder in the Physics and Astronomy Department of 91ֱ��, giving me the opportunity to be a researcher for her laboratory, and I’m really grateful for this opportunity. This is a great motivation and daily learning experience that lets me prepare myself in the best way possible.</p> <p>I’m also excited about the future of computer science and how this profession can generate a positive impact on society. It’s important to educate people to be creative agents of the digital world and not just consumers. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Abby Tejera Rocha has promoted women in STEM since she was a girl. Now she’s earning acclaim from an international tech firm.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-11-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 11/11/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Nagy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2367">Science & Math</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25411">Physics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25321">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/jillian-scudder" hreflang="und">Jillian Scudder</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/physics-and-astronomy" hreflang="und">Physics and Astronomy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Abby Tejera Rocha is a second-year physics and computer science major. She is a finalist in an awards program sponsored by Globant, an international tech firm.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Osama Abdelrahman ’23 Receives Davis Projects for Peace Award</h1> <p>anagy — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 15:38:33 +0000</p> <span>Osama Abdelrahman ’23 Receives Davis Projects for Peace Award</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-04-28T11:38:33-04:00" title="Thursday, April 28, 2022 - 11:38">Thu, 04/28/2022 - 11:38</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>As a high school student in Cairo, Egypt, Osama Abdelrahman excelled academically and had an active social life, but at the same time he could see firsthand the ripple effects of political unrest over the last decade. </p> <p>In Egypt, academic achievement is the sole factor considered for college admissions. Consequently, extracurricular activities do not exist in many high schools, and Abdelrahman’s school was no different. While looking for universities abroad, he discovered the benefits of being involved in extracurricular activities. That inspired him to seek out activities that would broaden his personal development.</p> <p>“I was lucky enough to find an NGO (non-governmental organization) recruiting high school interns. Over a year later, after joining multiple organizations and gaining invaluable experience, I wanted to pay it forward and help more high school students join extracurricular activities and unleash their full potential just as I did,” says Abdelrahman, a 2022 recipient of the Davis Projects for Peace Award. He will use the award to further build and expand the reach of an organization he created, TEDxYouth@ABIS, which encourages high school students to step out of their comfort zones and engage in activities beyond their academics.</p> <p>Projects for Peace was founded by Kathryn W. Davis, who celebrated her 100th birthday by supporting 100 Projects for Peace, designed “to bring about a mind-set of preparing for peace, instead of preparing for war.” The student leaders of each project will receive $10,000 in funds to pursue innovative, community-centered, and scalable responses to the world’s most pressing issues. Most projects will be implemented between June and September this year. </p> <p>Abdelrahman, a double-major in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" target="_blank">economics</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" target="_blank">computer science</a> with a minor in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" target="_blank">politics</a>, founded TEDxYouth@ABIS in 2018, when he was still in high school. It was his school’s first-ever student organization. </p> <p>“When I started TEDxYouth@ABIS, I had no funds or support from my school. I only had a vision—a dream to help high school students in Egypt unleash their full potential,” he says. “And I could not have turned this vision into reality without my stellar team.”</p> <p>Since its founding, TEDxYouth@ABIS has recruited more than 150 team members, 70 speakers and performers, and 30 sponsors. Recently, for the fourth year in a row, it was one of only two TEDx organizations invited to take part in Traverse 2022, the biggest high school summit in the Middle East.</p> <p>“Our goal for this project is not for it to only happen this summer. Instead, we want to start an initiative that will transform how high school students in Egypt perceive and participate in extracurricular activities. To make this happen, we have a team on the ground in Egypt who has already started planning for the project and is ready to hit the ground running as soon as the summer starts.”</p> <p>At 91ֱ��, Abdelrahman is one of the founders of Twine, a mobile app that uses Artificial Intelligence to personalize campus life to each student based on their interests. He is also a resident assistant in Barnard Hall and a member of the Muslim Students' Association, and he served as a cochair of the 91ֱ�� Entrepreneurship Club last year. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The third-year international student from Egypt is working to fill a void in extracurricular activities at high schools in his home country.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-04-28T12:00:00Z">Thu, 04/28/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Nagy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25341">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25321">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Osama Abdelrahman is a third-year majoring in computer science and economics.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Abdelrahman</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Computer Science Professor Stephen Checkoway Receives Golden Goose Award</h1> <p>anagy — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 16:42:35 +0000</p> <span>Computer Science Professor Stephen Checkoway Receives Golden Goose Award</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-09-22T12:42:35-04:00" title="Wednesday, September 22, 2021 - 12:42">Wed, 09/22/2021 - 12:42</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Assistant Professor of Computer Science <a href="/stephen-checkoway">Stephen Checkoway</a> is among a team of researchers whose federally funded research into cybersecurity issues with internet-connected automobiles has been recognized with the <a href="https://www.goldengooseaward.org/">Golden Goose Award</a> from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). </p> <p>Golden Goose Award recipients demonstrate how scientific advances resulting from foundational research can help respond to national and global challenges, often in unforeseen ways. The award honors federally funded work that, according to AAAS, "may have been considered silly, odd or obscure when first conducted but has resulted in significant benefits to society." The award was established in 2012 to counter criticisms of wasteful government spending.</p> <p>In 2009, Checkoway was a graduate student at the University of California, San Diego when Professor Stefan Savage approached him about working on an automotive computer security project. A collaboration between UC San Diego and the University of Washington (where, coincidentally, Checkoway earned his undergraduate degrees in mathematics and computer science) began investigating whether a vehicle’s computing systems could be hacked and how that would affect a driver's ability to control their car.</p> <p>As one of the lead senior PhD students, Checkoway and the team purchased a pair of identical 2009 Chevy Impalas. Over the course of about two years, they demonstrated that they were able to remotely take over the computers in cars and control all of the functions that are under computer control. The team published a pair of landmark papers showing how these vehicles could have their mechanical functions (including the engine, lights, and brakes) overridden by a remote attacker via a range of digital pathways. </p> <p>"The first paper asked what capabilities an attacker would have if they were able to compromise one of the components in the car,” Checkoway says. “We connected to the cars' internal networks to examine what we could do once they were hacked. The second paper explored how someone could hack the car from afar." </p> <p>Both papers were published in the top computer security conferences. Checkoway notes that in the computer science world, conference publications are peer reviewed and have more prestige than journal publications. </p> <p>Their seminal research led automakers to rethink car safety concerns and to adopt a range of new security practices as standard procedures.</p> <p>“The work had a lot of impact,” Checkoway says. “It prompted manufacturers to start considering car safety concerns.”</p> <p>GM appointed a vice president of product security to lead a new division. The Society for Automotive Engineers (SAE), the standards body for the automotive industry, quickly issued the first automotive cybersecurity standards. Other car companies followed, as did the federal government. In 2012, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency launched a new project geared toward creating hacking-resistant, cyber-physical systems.</p> <p>Checkoway’s current research focuses on the security of cyber-physical systems. “I have a long-term collaboration with colleagues at the University of Illinois, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Washington studying the computer security of computers used in aviation. Two of my fellow award winners, Stefan Savage at UC San Diego and Karl Koscher at UW, are part of this collaboration.”</p> <p>The other Golden Goose Award winners are Katalin Karikó (BioNTech) and Drew Weissman (University of Pennsylvania), for research and advancement of mRNA; and V. Craig Jordan (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center) for pioneering the scientific principles behind a class of drugs called selective estrogen receptor modulators, or SERMs.</p> <p>Checkoway says he is honored and humbled to receive the Golden Goose Award. “It's exciting to know that my work continues to have an impact 10 years later. I think the award illustrates the value of National Science Foundation funding, as this work would not have been possible without NSF support. My work builds on a body of prior research, much of it federally funded. I like to think that this award is recognizing the importance of continuing to fund basic scientific research.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-09-22T12:00:00Z">Wed, 09/22/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Nagy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2414">Faculty</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25321">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/stephen-checkoway" hreflang="und">Stephen Checkoway</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Assistant Professor of Computer Science Stephen Checkoway is a recipient of the Golden Goose Award for his role in research that led automakers to adopt new security practices.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Mark Stone/University of Washington</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Third-Year Gideon Ampofo Receives Davis Projects for Peace Grant</h1> <p>anagy — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 14:45:28 +0000</p> <span>Third-Year Gideon Ampofo Receives Davis Projects for Peace Grant</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-06-28T10:45:28-04:00" title="Monday, June 28, 2021 - 10:45">Mon, 06/28/2021 - 10:45</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>After winning the Davis Project for Peace prize of $10,000, rising junior Gideon Ampofo is gearing up to start the Springboard Scholars program in Accra, Ghana, this August. </p> <p>In 2007, internationalist and philanthropist Kathryn W. Davis created <a href="http://www.davisprojectsforpeace.org/">Projects for Peace</a> when she committed $1 million for one hundred Projects for Peace. Since then, the award has invited undergraduates at participating partner institutions to apply, and encourages student initiative, innovation, and entrepreneurship focusing on conflict prevention, resolution, or reconciliation.</p> <p>In his proposal, Ampofo explained that his home country, Ghana, has a strict emphasis on exam results and not on community engagement. As such, students cannot tap into their full potential.</p> <p>“I recall how under-preparation and limited exposure to career and personal development opportunities made my transition to college difficult compared to my peers in other parts of the world,” Ampofo wrote in his proposal. “Most Ghanaian public high school students' status quo is to complete their diploma and enroll in university programs based on their WASSCE (regional high school final exams) grades. These students have little thought for meaningful activities such as community service, career exploration, entrepreneurship, and innovation due to the unavailability and or the inaccessibility of such opportunities.”</p> <p>The Springboard Scholars Program seeks to be a selective, intensive solution: an eight-day youth empowerment program that gives high school students practical advice and the inspiration to take action in their communities. This “bootcamp,” according to Ampofo’s proposal, includes guest speakers, corporate visits, a community service day, financial literacy training, and more.</p> <p>After hearing about Davis Projects for Peace from a recent graduate who had also won the award, Ampofo was inspired to apply. He worked with his coordinators from the <a href="/bcsl/programs/bonner-scholars">Bonner Scholars Program</a> along with <a href="/nick-petzak">Nick Petzak</a>, the director of fellowships and awards at 91ֱ��, who showed Ampofo past proposals to guide his own project. </p> <p>Ampofo, who is a computer science and economics double major, explains how Springboard Scholars relates to his personal and professional interests.</p> <p>“Economics is basically learning about the scarce resources in society and how to allocate those resources, or how individuals or businesses make decisions that they make,” Ampofo says. “[Springboard Scholars] relates to giving back to society, development economics, making communities better, and empowering the youth who are the future leaders of the global economy.”</p> <p>He also designed his program to have breadth and depth: after gaining valuable community service, financial literacy, and leadership skills, students can then impart their knowledge to their classmates back home. The program creates a ripple effect where young people can inspire other young people to take action.</p> <p>Ampofo adds that the program’s guest speaker series will include other young people because he was personally inspired by youth leaders, all tying back to the theme of inspiration and empowerment.</p> <p>“[Springboard Scholars] will get to meet industry experts, and they will get to meet young leaders, like themselves, who are making an impact in society—because that was a breakthrough for me when I attended a conference in Madrid, where I saw what a lot of young people like myself were doing globally in their communities, and the impact they were making. I thought, ‘Okay, if young people like myself are doing it, I can also do it.’”</p> <p>The Project for Peace prize comes with $10,000, which Ampofo is allocating toward securing venues, food, resources, materials, and financial aid for applicants who need it.</p> <p>Ampofo is currently in New York, but is excited to return to Accra, Ghana, to meet the first group of Springboard Scholars in person when the program begins on August 14.</p> <p>For students who are interested in their own Project for Peace or fellowships, Ampofo encourages them to take advantage of the resources available, read and research programs, reach out to people for help, and “don’t be afraid to apply.” </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The award for undergraduates encourages student initiative, innovation, and entrepreneurship focusing on conflict prevention, resolution, or reconciliation.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-06-28T12:00:00Z">Mon, 06/28/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jaimie Yue '22</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25341">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25321">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Gideon Ampofo has received a Davis Projects for Peace grant for 2021.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>