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Innovation

Ecosystem Research at Pitt's Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology

Pitt’s Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology is only one hundred miles north of the University’s bustling Oakland campus, but for some it seems like a different world. Surrounded by quiet forest on the shore of a fishing lake that straddles the Pennsylvania-Ohio state line, Pitt students and researchers have enjoyed field and laboratory experiences here for generations. Known informally as PLE, the facility has space for large-scale research and ecosystems studies where students and researchers can get their hands on plants and animals in their natural environments.

Fighting for Darker Skies: Diane Turnshek Brings Pittsburgh’s Night Back into Focus

On a clear night in Pittsburgh, it can be hard to find more than a dozen stars. But Diane Turnshek, adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, has dedicated her career to changing that. A longtime advocate for reducing light pollution, Turnshek is working to restore the brilliance of the night sky: one community, one policy, and one story at a time.

8 Dietrich School faculty developed new courses as Seminar in Composition fellows

This summer, eight faculty members in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences worked to develop new courses as part of the first Seminar in Composition Fellowship cohort.

The impetus of the fellowship is to expand Pitt’s Seminar in Composition (SC) course offerings. Focused on developing reading, writing and discussion skills, SC classes are required for most undergraduates at the University. All SC courses are guided by the same learning goals, regardless of the instructor or whether a specific discipline informs the course.

 

Summer Studio Design students are falling for Fallingwater

It’s a typical rainy day in Pennsylvania, but that hasn’t deterred any of the students in the Experiencing Architecture: Fallingwater Summer Design Studio. In fact, the rain has let up enough that one of the students, Claudia Engfer, has suggested walking to Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece, Fallingwater, from their current residence.

Join the Pittsburgh Quantum Institute for the Real-World Quantum Mechanics Event!

This year is the UNESCO International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, and to celebrate, the Pittsburgh Quantum Institute (PQI) and the Carnegie Science Center (CSC) are holding a joint event. The event, Real-World Quantum Mechanics, consists of a closed technical program with sessions that are open to the public and will take place on April 9 and 10 at the Carnegie Science Center.

Experiential learning focus of new position at Dietrich School

By SUSAN JONES

A new position in the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences is aimed at expanding experiential learning for students, and the person in the role, Abdesalam Soudi, is busy talking to faculty and others about their experiences and ideas in this area.

Soudi, a teaching associate professor in the Department of Linguistics, was named Dean's Fellow for Experiential Learning (ExL) in August 2024.

Pitt Stages is bringing this professor’s play to life for the first time

Pitt Stages is kicking off its spring season with “Morning Reckoning,” a play that harkens back to the 1990s, a golden era of boy bands and teen girl fandom — and formative years for playwright Kelly Trumbull.

Trumbull is a teaching assistant professor in the Department of Theatre Arts within Pitt’s Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. Though she has directing experience, she’s taken a hands-off approach to her show’s Pitt debut. It’s the first time “Morning Reckoning” has been performed in its entirety.