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Tech Connection - A monthly e-newsletter for MIT Alumni

June 2007

	SPOTLIGHTS
		Solar Dome Lighting Electric Porsche Travel New Zealand

In This Issue:

So, How Was Reunion?

At Technology Day, Corey Fucetola '04 discusses his Solar Decathlon 2007 team project with Larry Buckland '52, left, and graduate student Arlis Reynolds.

Just great, many of the 3,400+ alumni and guests would attest. But see for yourself. Watch and hear alumni via Tech Reunions 2007: An MIT Alumni Audio Scrapbook or check out class slide shows. Read about the June 7-10 festivities and celebrate class giving.

Following tradition, the 50th reunion class donned red coats and marched into Commencement. See the creative caps and a hack featured in the Commencement photo gallery. Read how the newest alumni describe the surprises of undergraduate life.

RESEARCH & DISCOVERY

• Sloan Model Tackles Resistance to Alternative Cars
  Repeated attempts to introduce alternative fuel vehicles during the past century have nearly all failed. In gauging the market-efficiency of alternative fuels, researchers propose that the key to change is long-term policy incentives—and patience.

• Embryonic Stem Cells Created Without Destroying Embryos
  Potentially defusing controversy, researchers have demonstrated that embryonic stem cells can be created without eggs. By genetically manipulating mature skin cells taken from a mouse, the scientists transformed these cells back into a state identical to that of an embryonic stem cell.

• Handheld Device Sees Damage in Concrete Bridges, Piers
  Using a tool akin to a Star Trek tricorder, engineers have developed a new technique for detecting damage in concrete bridges and piers that could increase the safety of aging infrastructure by allowing easier on-site inspections.

MULTIMEDIA MIT

• Building Entrepreneurial MIT
  Learn how entrepreneurship permeates MIT culture through a new ZigZag episode. Students, faculty, and alumni drive the entrepreneurship ecosystem through the 100K Competition, Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation, Enterprise Forum, Venture Mentoring Service, and more.

• The Red Coats Are Coming
  Learn about the red jackets proudly worn by MIT graduates beginning with their 50th reunion through a bit of history and a very tall poster of Walter Frey '56.

• Untravel Stata
  A multimedia mini-tour of the Stata Center was created for Ray Stata '57 and his reunion classmates by Untravel, a company founded by MIT alumni. The tour, which features interviews and images about the building and the academic discoveries under way, is available online.

What Matters: Dr. Mom—The Truth about the Mommy Track

Fending off guilt at becoming a highly educated stay-at-home mom, Tara Bishop '97 threw herself into the job of mothering full time—from gourmet dinners to developing a spreadsheet of local nursery schools. Then she realized that the choice to leave her work is the first of a series of decisions about balancing work and family.

Looking Forward to a Good Summer Read?

What book are you most looking forward to reading this summer? Share your pick for the August issue of Quick Take.

THREE ALUMNI ACCEPT TOP MIT POSTS

• Suresh to Become Dean of Engineering
  Subra Suresh ScD '81, the Ford Professor of Engineering in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, is slated to become dean of the School of Engineering July 23. A strong proponent of innovative international collaborations in teaching and research, Suresh has won prestigious awards for his materials science work and is lauded as an academic and education innovator.

• Lerman Appointed Dean for Graduate Students
  July 1 is the first day of a new job for Steven R. Lerman '72, SM '73, PhD '75—dean for graduate students. The Class of 1922 Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering has played a leading role in innovative educational uses of technology, and serving as a graduate housemaster has introduced him to key issues.

• Ruiz Named Finance VP
  Israel Ruiz SM '01, MIT's director of finance, has been appointed vice president for finance. Ruiz, a native of Spain who has held international posts with Hewlett-Packard, has advised MIT's senior administration on financial matters and has a leadership role in the financial aspects of institutional planning and analysis.

The Alumni Fund Needs You!

MIT would not be the fine institution it is today without the support of people like you. As the end of the fiscal year approaches, your help is vital. To meet this year's participation goals, just over 1,100 alumni donors are still needed. If you have already made your annual gift, thank you! To ensure credit for fiscal year 2007, please make your gift to the Institute before June 30. Please make your gift online today.

EVENTS

• Northern CA: Path to Entrepreneurship, July 10
  This event, hosted by the Association of MIT Alumnae, is focused on early career development and will feature women who have led start-up ventures.

• Baltimore: Tour a Waste-to-Energy Plant, July 11
  Join Lori Simpson SM '06, club energy chair, for an exclusive tour of the Wheelabrator Baltimore waste-to-energy facility that provides environmentally safe disposal of municipal solid waste while generating clean electricity.

• Class of 2004 Pi Reunion, July 27-29
  Join your 2004 classmates for a reunion at the Wynn Las Vegas, the world's only casino to earn top Mobil and AAA ratings.

About Tech Connection

Tech Connection, a monthly e-newsletter for alumni and friends of MIT, is available in HTML and text-only formats. Please email mitalum@mit.edu to request the text-only format or to subscribe.

Please email comments to:
Nancy DuVergne Smith
Editorial Director
MIT Alumni Association