News

pro-environment protest signs
"Science Revealed" Program, February 6, Tackles Environmental Contaminants

In "Reaping What We Spill, Leak and Spew," our expert panelists from various schools at the University of Pittsburgh will discuss how researchers can measure levels of contaminants in the environment, how they can determine the health effects that result, and how these factors are or can be affected by policy and regulations. RSVP required--visit as.pitt.edu/sciencerevealed.

Samantha Shipeck
Dietrich School Alum Receives 2022 German Embassy Teacher of Excellence Award

Samantha Shipeck (A&S '15) is the recipient of the 2022 German Embassy Teacher of Excellence Award. This award recognizes up-and-coming teachers for excellence in teaching, creativity, outstanding dedication, and enthusiasm for the German language.

NEH logo
World Historical Gazetteer Project Awarded NEH Digital Humanities Advancement Grant

Ruth Mostern, director of the World History Center in Pitt’s Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, was awarded a $350,000 Digital Humanities Advancement Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Mostern’s grant will fund the expansion, development and outreach of the World Historical Gazetteer — a digital platform containing an index of world historical place names within a network of linked data and user tools to facilitate collaborative research.

excellence graphic
Dietrich School Faculty Receive Kaufman Foundation Awards for New Initiatives

Andrea Berman, an associate professor in the Dietrich School's Department of Biological Sciences, and Michael Hatridge, associate professor in the school's Department of Physics and Astronomy, have received two-year, $300,000 New Initiative Research Grants from the Charles E. Kaufman Foundation.

Pittsburgh Skyline
Startup Co-founded by Dietrich School Grad Won 2022 TransTech Showcase

Ecotone Renewables, a startup co-founded by Kyle Wyche (A&S ’19), won first place at the 2022 TransTech Energy Evolving Energy Technology Showcase.

Armin Schikorra
Dietrich School Faculty Member Named Humboldt Fellow

Armin Schikorra, an associate professor in the Dietrich School's Department of Mathematics, has been named a Humboldt Research Fellow.

Pitt flags in the snow
Dietrich School Faculty Members Honored for Graduate Mentoring Excellence

The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences recently recognized two faculty members with the 2022 Award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring: Jamie Hanson, an assistant professor of psychology and Cory Holding, a teaching professor in composition.

Jennifer Bertetto
Dietrich School Alumna Named 2022 Publisher of the Year

Dietrich School alumna and Trib Total Media president and CEO, Jennifer Bertetto (A&S ’97), received the Publisher of the Year award from Editor and Publisher during the 2022 News Media Business Summit in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Bertetto has led Trib Total Media, a digital newspaper platform serving Southwestern Pennsylvania, since 2015. Under her leadership, the company has won three regional Emmy Awards.

Lise Vesterlund
The Times UK Names Dietrich School Professor's Book One of 2022’s Best

“The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead-End Work,” the latest book by Dietrich School Mellon Professor of Economics Lise Vesterlund, was listed by The Times as a top 12 business book for 2022.

environmental activists and their signs
Science Revealed Presents "Reaping What We Spill, Leak and Spew," February 6

In "Reaping What We Spill, Leak and Spew"--part of the Dietrich School's Science Revealed series--expert panelists from schools across the University will discuss how researchers can measure levels of contaminants in the environment, how they can determine the health effects that result, and how these factors are or can be affected by policy and regulations. RSVP by February 3

partnership gears
Nominations Open for Partnerships of Distinction Award

Once again, Pitt’s Award for Partnerships of Distinction is open for nominations. The award, now in its 5th year, recognizes outstanding partnerships that are exemplars of community engagement, demonstrating significant community and institutional impact. Up to three awardees may be chosen annually. Each award consists of a $2,000 operating grant to support partnership activities. All awardees are honored publicly. In 2023, the award will be conferred during the University’s annual Community Engaged Scholarship Forum on March 7, 2023.

Cathedral of Learning in the background of Frick Fountain
Honorees Announced for Provost's Award for Diversity in the Curriculum

Olga Klimova, Teaching Assistant Professor and Director of the Russian Program in the Dietrich School's Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, is among the recipients of the 2022 Provost's Award for Diversity in the Curriculum. This award is sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the University Center for Teaching and Learning to showcase excellence in creating a learning environment for our students that recognizes diversity and is inclusive of all.

Frick Fountain and CL
Dietrich School Faculty Member Receives $500,000 Grant

Haitao Liu, a professor in the Dietrich School's Department of Chemistry, is the recipient of a $500,00 grant to explore using DNA to create computer memory.

Ryan Hardesty, right, accepts his award
Dietrich School Alumnus Named 2023 PA Teacher of the Year

Dietrich School alumnus Ryan Hardesty, who received a BA in Political Science and History in 2008, has been named Pennsylvania's 2023 Teacher of the Year. Hardesty teaches world history and U.S. history at Highland Middle School in the Blackhawk School District. Hardesty is seen in the accompanying photo, in the right of the frame, receiving his award from Acting Secretary of Education, Eric Hagarty.

Jim Cassaro
Dietrich School Faculty Member Receives Grant to Digitize Silent-Movie Music Collection

The Mirskey Collection Digitization Project, led by Dietrich School Department of Music Professor James Cassaro, aims to process and digitize aging sheet music for silent — technically “mute” — film accompaniment held in Pitt’s University Library System’s Theodore M. Finney Music Library.