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Environmental science professor dives into swimming, fishing potential of city's rivers

Among elements most associated with Pittsburgh — Steelers, Pirates, Penguins, a bevy of unique bridges, several universities, French fries on sandwiches — the scenically striking confluence of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers to form the mighty Ohio might be the city’s key physical trademark.

As crucial as the three rivers are to the evolution and continued vitality to the city, however, when it comes their viability as far as fishing and human immersion, aka “swimmability,” well, it’s complicated.

His PhD thesis solved a mystery — and may help turn a lake blue again

Growing up, Eli Hall’s family often visited the Allegheny Reservoir, a man-made lake that straddles the border between Pennsylvania and New York. Driving north along the shores, they’d see blue waters, boaters, swimmers, everything you’d expect from a summer lakeshore. But following that road into the Seneca Nation of Indians’ Allegheny Reservation, they’d see the reservoir change. Gone were the boaters and swimmers and gone were the blue waters. In their place was a mess of green algae. But why?

Picksburgh: The story of how Pittsburgh saved the NFL

When Rob Ruck moved to Pittsburgh in 1960, Pittsburgh was still the Steel City. But not for long. By the late 1970s, the city was struggling to maintain its identity as the mills began shutting down. Steel production and morale were at an all-time low, but during the 1970s, a transformation took place that would redefine Pittsburgh for generations to come.
 

Beth Shaaban Studies the Social and Biological Forces Shaping Brain Health

As a child, Beth Shaaban watched her mother, a nurse, open one of the first memory units in a long-term care facility in Sun City, Arizona. The compassionate care she witnessed there later catalyzed her own career in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research.

“Sometimes I would go with her to work as a kid and meet the folks who were there, and it felt very natural to me,” Shaaban said. “I’ve always had an affinity for helping people that way.”

Dietrich School professor featured on American Geophysical Union

Dr. Ian Flynn, a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Geology and Environmental Science at the Dietrich School, recently published a paper titled “The Usefulness of NotebookLM's Audio Overview for Planetary Scientists.”  The paper has now been selected by the American Geophysical Union (AGU)  Perspectives editorial board and is featured on AGU's social media platforms. This is an outstanding achievement as fewer than two percent of AGU papers are selected to be featured in this way.