Pittwire

Monday, June 24, 2019

About Pittwire

Welcome to the University of Pittsburgh’s official news source, showcasing the most interesting and important stories from Pitt.
Learn more about Pittwire »

blue, black and purple illustration of a man on a treadmill with a heavy-looking backpack and wires attached to his body

Pittsburgh as a Human Performance City

Elite athletes and members of the military need to keep ticking in the most challenging of circumstances. Pitt scientists are looking to these super users of the human body in the search for ways to optimize human performance.

See how

a black and white image of a baby feeding with its mom

Breastfeeding Text Program

A text messaging program called MILK developed in the School of Nursing educates and encourages new parents who breastfeed. The lead researcher, Jill Demirci (NURS ’05, ’10G, ’12G), focuses on developing a variety of clinical and community-based interventions to help mothers meet their breastfeeding goals.

Bee Friendly Pitt Sets Campus Abuzz

After taking an environmental studies course focused on developing impactful sustainability projects in the community, a group of undergraduates installed seven bee houses across the Pittsburgh campus.

Inaugural Broadcast Course in Pitt Studios Gives Hands-on Experience to Students

Alumnus Kevin Smith (A&S ’82) brought his expertise back to Pitt after a 17-year Hollywood career writing movie and TV screenplays to instruct the innovative new course.

Learn more about broadcasting at Pitt

Pitt Dedicates the Philippine Nationality Room

The new Philippine Nationality Room, designed after consultation with scholars and architects from Manila, represents the influence of cultures that make up the nation, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands. The Pittsburgh community celebrated the room's dedication with Philippine food, music, dance and culture on June 9.

Bioengineer Receives Special Honor for Life-changing Inventions

Rory Cooper has received many honors throughout his career, but none quite like the recognition he received from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office this May. His work in Pitt’s Human Engineering Research Laboratories is changing the evolution of mobility technology.

learn more about his work

mom and baby flanked by the doctors who performed the surgery, both wearing white coats

Pitt Researchers Perform University’s First In Utero Spina Bifida Surgery

Baby Emery Green Mullen, named after the lead surgeons who corrected a neural tube defect before her birth, is doing well as the first patient in Pitt history to receive in utero surgery for spina bifida.

Learn more

Two students in blue HiberSense T-shirts and professor in white button-down shirt standing at work table. One student holds a smartphone.

A Smart Solution for Thermostat Wars

Powered by Pitt innovation pathways, HiberSense is a smart heating and cooling system that collects data on temperature, humidity, occupancy and air-quality and “learns” using predictive analytics to anticipate the desired temperature room by room.

Pittsburgh as a Human Performance City

Elite athletes and members of the military need to keep trucking in the most challenging of circumstances. Pitt scientists are looking to these super users of the human body in the search for ways to optimize human performance.

Program Supports and Encourages Breastfeeding, One Text at a Time

Bee Friendly Pitt Sets Campus Abuzz

Inaugural Broadcast Course in Pitt Studios Gives Hands-on Experience to Students

Alumnus Kevin Smith (A&S ’82) brought his expertise back to Pitt after a 17-year Hollywood career writing movie and TV screenplays to instruct the innovative new course.

Pitt Again Named Best Public University in Northeast, Best Public Value in State

The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance honored Pitt with top rankings, and 2017 brought important rankings from additional national organizations.

Wrestling Dental Student Visits ‘Parts Unknown’

Britt Baker has won several wrestling championships. But this spring, she expects to claim an even bigger title: doctor of dental medicine. See her interview on "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" as the show explores eclectic corners of Pittsburgh, airing Oct. 22.

'Pitt Tonight' and Tomorrow: Emmy-nominated Student Production Makes a Lasting Mark

Jesse Irwin (A&S '17) wanted to start a late-night talk show at Pitt. With a student crew and film studies Assistant Professor Robert Clift's support, he made it happen in three months — and snagged an Emmy nod.

Alumni

CNN ‘Hero’ Raises the Bar on Social Entrepreneurship

In less than five years, Samir Lakhani (A&S ’15) has kept hundreds of tons of soap out of landfills and created jobs for disadvantaged women, all while saving lives. Now, this young social entrepreneur wants to do even more: Help 2.5 million people by the end of 2020.
Innovation & Research

Pleasant Smells Can Help Smokers Reduce Cigarette Craving, New Study Finds

In a study that expands on previous work, a team led by psychology’s Michael Sayette found reduced urges to smoke in response to pleasant smells, as well as a connection to memory.
Students

First Class of Pitt-China Partnership Graduates

The Sichuan University-Pittsburgh Institute provides a world-class engineering education that focuses on design, innovation and an international outlook. Meet some of its first alumni.