Professor Alexander Kaplan (Electrical & Computer Engineering), with colleague Peter Shkolnikov at SUNY-Stony Brook, has developed a theory proposing a potential source of nuclear-time-scale electromagnetic bursts, called the "lasetron." If successfully developed, the lasetron would enable investigating events inside atomic nuclei. This includes such processes as neutrons and protons coming together to form a nucleus, or coming apart during nuclear fission. According to Dr. Kaplan, one of the ultimate ideas behind this capability would be trying to control nuclear reactions. This may one day help scientists in a wide range of applications from scanning the human body to generating experimental new states of matter with an extremely high magnetic field generated by the lasetron. Additional information is available at: http://psi.ece.jhu.edu/~kaplan

Professor Andreas Andreou (Electrical & Computer Engineering) and team are developing a faster and more cost-effective way of getting data on and off computer chips-without using wire. The new technique relies on fiber optic technology, which beams information to its destination rather than sending it through wires, as current computer chips do. According to Dr. Andreou, this new method promises to revolutionize the way computer systems are put together. Read more about this new computer chip technology at: http://www.jhu.edu/~gazette/2002/14jan02/14beams.htm

The JHU Information Security Institute (JHUISI) is developing a new master's degree in Security Informatics and will begin accepting students in the fall of 2002. Designed to prepare students to assume the responsibilities of chief security and privacy officers as well as other professionals concerned with information security and assurance, the degree is uniquely designed to draw upon a foundation of multiple Hopkins divisions for content and instruction. The program will include the availability of modular and non-traditional courses in areas such as policy studies, legal issues, and health privacy, to better meet the practical needs of the business and government communities. Over forty existing and new courses are already associated with the new master's program. For additional information, please contact Deborah Higgins at 410-516-8251 (dhiggins@cs.jhu.edu).

Professor Michael Miller and Assistant Research Professor Tilak Ratnanather in the Center for Imaging Science are developing computerized tools for computational anatomy analysis of brain substructures in schizophrenia. This project, in conjunction with Yale and Washington University, is funded by the Conte Feasibility Center for Neuroscience Research at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The Conte Center, one of a handful of such NIMH centers in the U.S., will unify and oversee several major brain-mapping projects that are attempting to locate and identify anatomical differences in patients with schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. Taken together, the projects will lead to a better understanding of the early phase of schizophrenia and an improved ability to make early diagnoses of such illnesses.

Earlier this spring, the Engineering Research Center for Computer Integrated Surgical Systems and Technology (ERC CISST) organized an event to bring together local area teachers with university faculty. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, and held in conjunction with the Howard County Community College the "Research Experience for Teachers" program enables teachers to participate in a research experience with an NSF-funded principal investigator during the summer months. This year more than 45 teachers have applied to work with Hopkins' professors. For additional information about the RET program at Johns Hopkins, contact Leigh Abts, Director of the ERC CISST, at: leighabts@aol.com

PTE welcomes visitors to its spring round of Open House events starting in April. The first Open House will be held on April 18th, from 4-7 p.m. at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center. For additional information, and to review the full schedule of events, please visit: http://www.jhu.edu/pte

The new PTE course catalogue will be distributed starting the first week of April. Reflecting PTE's new brand identity, "Where Excellence Surrounds You," the catalogue lists more than 450 courses available in 13 different subject areas. To request a catalogue, please e-mail Lionel Lourenco at: pte@jhu.edu

HeadsUP, the Hopkins Engineering ADvanced Summer University Program for pre- and early-college students is going strong in its second year in Montgomery County. 51 high school students have already signed up for courses this summer, with more anticipated by the April 30 deadline. Many of the students have requested an internship allowing them to work in an environment where they will preview some aspect of engineering as they begin their college career and make decisions about their future. If your organization is interested in providing an internship for one or more of these students, please contact Richard Scott, HeadsUP Director, at 301-294-7070 or headsup@jhu.edu. For additional information visit: http://www.wse.jhu.edu/headsup

Professor Carey Priebe (Mathematical Sciences) hosted "Nose Day 2" earlier this spring on the Homewood Campus. This one-day colloquium offered Dr. Priebe and colleagues the opportunity to discuss applications of a chemical sensor, or 'artificial nose,' developed at Tufts University. Potential uses for the artificial nose include: detection of chemical warfare agents; detection of carcinogenic groundwater contaminants; detection of explosives for airport security; and, finally, landmine detection. Priebe and his colleagues discussed the interplay between the chemistry of the sensor and the mathematical statistics required for the analysis of the sensor output. The colloquium was made possible by funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Defense Science Organization, and the Applied and Computational Mathematics Program.

Congratulations to Professor Murray Sachs (Biomedical Engineering) and Professor Gordon "Reds" Wolman (Geography and Environmental Engineering), both of whom will be inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in October 2002. Drs. Sachs and Wolman join a small and prestigious group of colleagues as Academy members--one of the highest honors an engineer can receive.

Professor Gordon "Reds" Wolman received another honor this spring when he was awarded the Nevada Medal by the Desert Research Institute, in association with the University and Community College System of Nevada.

Dean Ilene Busch-Vishniac was named one of "Maryland's Top 100 Women" in 2002, an award sponsored by The Daily Record. The award is in recognition of outstanding achievement by women who are leaders in their profession.

Professor Benjamin Hobbs (Geography and Environmental Engineering) has been appointed to the California Independent System Operator Market Surveillance Committee, which monitors the performance of the competitive electricity supply industry in California

The April 11-14, 2002 Reunion/Homecoming is just around the corner. The Society of Engineering Alumni will have a table in the hospitality tent, please be sure to stop by. For more information about Homecoming visit: https://alumni.jhu.edu/homewood/

Attention alumni…if you know of any organizations interested in sponsoring summer internships for engineering students, please contact the WSE Development Office at 410-516-8723.

Congratulations to Georgette L. Gaskin, who received the Black Engineer of the Year Award this spring. A 1990 graduate of WSE, with a double major in biomedical engineering and materials science and engineering, Ms. Gaskin's award was for "Outstanding Technical Contribution in Government." Ms. Gaskin is the key Navy specialist in structural bonding and adhesives issues involving the nation's most advanced military aircraft.