The strength of the College of IST is demonstrated through the successes and accomplishments of its students, faculty, alumni, and programs. Read more about how the college and its people are driving innovative change and taking on the challenges of the Information Age.
If you have a story idea or questions about IST news, contact the Office of Marketing and Communications.
Amazon Alexa skill offers supportive care to breast cancer patients
April 27, 2021
Penn State researchers have developed an Amazon Alexa skill to remotely deliver validated interventions to metastatic breast cancer patients in the comfort of their own homes. Named Nurse AMIE, which stands for Addressing Metastatic Individuals Everyday, the platform is aimed at providing supportive care interventions to supplement medical treatment and improve the quality of life for its users.
AI Hub to help enhance Penn State's global leadership in artificial intelligence
April 23, 2021
Penn State has launched an expanded initiative in Artificial Intelligence (AI), termed the AI Hub, which will bring together the University’s considerable resources and talent in AI to further advance its position as a global leader developing fundamental innovations in AI, in using AI and machine learning (ML) to solve the hardest challenges, and to create unique applications of AI and ML in unforeseen areas.
Penn State center to advance AI tools to accelerate scientific progress
April 23, 2021
A new research center, the Center for Artificial Intelligence Foundations and Scientific Applications, or CENSAI, will unite Penn State researchers to explore the use of artificial intelligence as a tool to dramatically accelerate the scientific process, an initiative that the center’s organizers say could rapidly accelerate scientific progress.
Penn State launches new artificial intelligence center for engineered systems
April 23, 2021
A newly founded, interdisciplinary research center established to further foundational and applied artificial intelligence in engineered systems will be housed in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the Penn State College of Engineering.
Dual degrees shape research interests for IST assistant professor
April 21, 2021
Justin Silverman, who joined the College of Information Sciences and Technology last year as an assistant professor with a focus in biomedical statistics, made global headlines last summer for his study suggesting that 80% of U.S. COVID-19 cases went undetected in March 2020. Silverman recently talked to the college about his motivations and his research.
Erin Flannery to represent College of IST as student marshal
April 20, 2021
For College of Information Sciences and Technology student marshal Erin Flannery, Penn State gave her the opportunity to explore a number of diverse degree pathways and research activities. After exploring many topics of interest during her first year, she found that the programs within the College of IST would uniquely allow her to explore those interests through a multidisciplinary lens.
Explanations in online symptom checkers could improve user trust
April 15, 2021
Have you recently turned to your mobile device or computer to find out if your cough, sniffle or fever could be caused by COVID-19? The online symptom checker you used may have advised you to stay home and call your medical provider if symptoms worsen, or perhaps told you that you may be eligible for COVID-19 testing. But why did it make the recommendation it did? And how should you know if you can trust it?
Shortened internship leads to rewarding gig archiving pandemic perspectives
April 15, 2021
Like many college students across the country, Nick Alico saw his summer internship cut short last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. So he used his newfound time to address COVID-19 in a new light: as a data analytics intern for the Penn State Viral Imaginations: COVID-19 initiative — an online gallery and archive that showcases Pennsylvanians’ experiences during the pandemic.
New AI framework introduced for cutting a 'multi-layered cake'
April 14, 2021
Expanding on an established problem in mathematics and computer science known as fair cake-cutting — a metaphor for cutting a cake in a way that each participant receives a slice that they believes to be fair — Hadi Hosseini, assistant professor at the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, and his team have introduced a novel concept of "multi-layered cake-cutting" to achieve fairness when distributing access time over multiple resources.
Global alumni profile: Bimal Balakrishnan
April 14, 2021
Bimal Balakrishnan, who spent seven years at the university as a master and doctoral degree student from 2001-08, credits the mentorship he received at the University for putting him on his life’s path. He is currently an associate professor and department chair in the Department of Architectural Studies, as well as the director of the Immersive Visualization Lab, at the University of Missouri.
Graduate School alumnus recognized for lifetime achievements
April 8, 2021
Edward Frymoyer has received the Penn State Graduate School Alumni Society Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes alumni who have achieved exceptional success throughout the course of their career and have demonstrated loyalty to the University and the Alumni Association.
IST faculty tips for post-pandemic instruction appear in EDUCAUSE Review
April 6, 2021
When remote teaching and learning abruptly replaced traditional classroom instruction at the start of the pandemic, innovations and adaptations were introduced that could be considered to continue in post-pandemic education, according to experts from the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology.
Educational equity scholarship honors family legacy for IST alumni couple
April 2, 2021
For Angela Govila and Ankur Tarnacha, the College of Information Sciences and Technology is the foundation for everything they have. The two first met as students in 2003, and Tarnacha soon after asked Govila out for a cup of coffee. The rest, they say, is history.
Subscription database for dancers pitch wins 2021 IdeaMakers Challenge
April 2, 2021
The winning idea in the 2021 IdeaMakers Challenge, as part of Penn State Startup Week sponsored by PNC, was a digital subscription service to a database that helps dancers find hundreds of programs, schools and jobs to develop their skills. An interdisciplinary team of undergraduate students from the Smeal College of Business, the College of Information Sciences and Technology and the College of Engineering pitched the idea on March 24.
All-woman Nittany AI Challenge team creates solution to reach tech-life balance
March 31, 2021
Screen time burnout? Many people are feeling it these days because of extended use of technology due to remote learning and remote working situations. But excessive screen time did not start with the COVID-19 pandemic, and one Nittany AI Challenge student team is virtually stepping into the user’s world to suggest a life-tech balance that is as easy as a walk in the park.
Startup Week Competition winners congratulated by President Barron
March 31, 2021
Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC culminated with a celebration of student entrepreneurs and innovators in technology, health, sustainability, the arts and global impact categories during the virtual student recognition reception on March 25.
'Decoding Big Tech' webinar to offer conversations around policy and big tech
March 30, 2021
To initiate productive conversations centered around policy and big tech, the Penn State Law, Policy, and Engineering initiative and the Penn State Science Policy Society student organization have collaborated to host a webinar, "Decoding Big Tech," on April 2.
Students from around the world participate in a virtual version of HackPSU
March 30, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic did not stop 644 students from around the world from participating in a virtual version of HackPSU. The 48-hour hackathon was held entirely online for 45 teams of students, some as close as University Park and others as far as West Bengal, India.
Shaowen Bardzell presents keynote at New Materialist Informatics 2021
March 29, 2021
Shaowen Bardzell, professor of information sciences and technology, presented a keynote address on March 23 at the virtual New Materialist Informatics 2021 conference.
Bardusch family establishes endowment to support IdeaMakers Challenge
March 26, 2021
Bob and Susan Bardusch have made a gift to establish the Bardusch Family IdeaMakers Challenge Endowment at the College of Information Sciences and Technology. The endowment will support the IdeaMakers Challenge, an annual entrepreneurial pitch competition held annually as part of Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC and sponsored by IST.
IST researchers' book teaches how to build better complex systems interfaces
March 24, 2021
In a new book, "Building Better Interfaces for Remote Autonomous Systems: An Introduction for Systems Engineers," authors from the College of Information Sciences and Technology present a broad review of important design frameworks and concepts of human-computer interaction so that systems engineers can make better decisions and better interfaces.
New tool could help lessen bias in live television broadcasts
March 18, 2021
From Sunday morning news shows to on-air pregame commentary in sports, live telecasts draw viewers into real-time content on televisions around the world. But in these often-unscripted productions, what the audience sees is not always what the producer intends — especially in regard to equity of on-air time for subjects based on their race or gender.
Center for Socially Responsible AI announces inaugural seed funding awards
March 17, 2021
The Penn State Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence recently announced the recipients of its inaugural round of seed funding. The center awarded more than $93,000 to five interdisciplinary research projects.
CESU workshop to highlight opportunities to work with federal agencies
March 15, 2021
Researchers whose work addresses natural and cultural resource management topics can learn about partnering opportunities with federal agencies at the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units Program Workshop on March 30.
Lees establish educational equity scholarship at IST
March 15, 2021
Corey and Leteace Lee have established an educational equity scholarship in the College of Information Sciences and Technology to support students with financial need who are first-generation or from underrepresented backgrounds.
Researchers encouraged to apply for AI center affiliate status
March 11, 2021
Penn State faculty pursuing research, education and outreach related to socially responsible AI are encouraged to apply for affiliate status with the Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence.
IST Alumni Identity Talks spark dialogue on diversity between students, alumni
March 11, 2021
“Be intentional.” “Remember your why.” “Be clear on who you are.” “You’re not alone.” Those were a few of the main takeaways shared by panelists with students during the first IST Alumni Identity Talks event, hosted virtually by the College of Information Sciences and Technology last month.
New machine learning model could remove bias from social network connections
March 10, 2021
Did you ever wonder how social networking applications like Facebook and LinkedIn make recommendations on the people you should friend or pages you should follow? Researchers in the College of IST have developed a novel framework to lessen the bias in connection recommendations made by machine learning models in social networking applications.
Penn State IST course teaches theory behind COVID-19 public health guidelines
March 8, 2021
Wash your hands. Stay six feet apart. Wear a mask. These are the messages that have been conveyed by public health officials for the past year to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. The directions are simple enough to understand, but would they be easier to follow if the reasons behind them were clearer? A special-topics IST course this spring is exploring this question.
Talk to introduce new ways to render new views of the world in space and time
March 8, 2021
Noah Snavely, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science at Cornell University and Cornell Tech, and a researcher at Google Research, will be the second speaker this spring in the College of IST's Distinguished Lecture Series, presenting “Capturing and Rendering the World from Photos,” on March 25.
Student teams to compete on WPSU’s 'The Investment'
February 26, 2021
The top six Penn State student startup teams have been selected for the 2021 Inc.U Competition and will compete on WPSU’s Shark Tank-style TV show “The Investment” for a chance at a share of up to $30,000 in funding for their startup.
Student organization IST Diplomats celebrate 10 years
February 26, 2021
Ten years ago, the IST Diplomats student organization was founded to serve as ambassadors for the College of Information Sciences and Technology, to represent its academic programs, career solutions and student engagement opportunities. Several former and current IST Diplomats weigh in on their experience and how it has shaped their academic and professional careers.
AI can help reduce risk of HIV in high-risk communities
February 25, 2021
For nearly two decades, computer scientists have been exploring how a limited number of nodes in a social network can be used to maximize information dissemination. Now, a team that includes a Penn State researcher has developed an AI system that can identify the people within a social network who can most effectively promote information about HIV prevention to their peers.
Twenty student teams selected to compete in the 2021 Nittany AI Challenge
February 25, 2021
Twenty Penn State teams with students from seven different colleges and six campuses, including Penn State World Campus, will each be awarded $500 to compete in the Prototype Phase of the 2021 Nittany AI Challenge. Teams were selected based on their potential for positive impact on the world, all using AI for Good to develop solutions that address real-world challenges in education, environment, health and humanitarianism.
Q&A with IST’s new associate dean for undergraduate and graduate studies
February 24, 2021
Bringing academic and research expertise in human-computer interaction design from Indiana University Bloomington, Jeffrey Bardzell joined the College of Information Sciences and Technology as associate dean for undergraduate and graduate studies last fall.
Penn State IT staff inspires a future generation of professionals
February 22, 2021
Eight information technology professionals representing various domains at Penn State recently came together to educate College of Information Sciences and Technology students about their professions during the college’s IT Career Panel.
IST professor named IFIP Pioneer in Human-Computer Interaction
February 17, 2021
John M. “Jack” Carroll, distinguished professor of information sciences and technology, is one of six recipients of the 2020/2021 Pioneer in Human-Computer Interaction Award of the International Federation for Information Processing Technical Committee on Human-Computer Interaction.
The tech that drives THON
February 16, 2021
THON 2021 will be held primarily virtually for the first-time in its nearly 50-year history — making the committee that plans and manages technology for THON more essential than ever.
Data Science Community announces spring 2021 talks
February 11, 2021
The Penn State Data Science Community will host a slate of speakers during the spring 2021 semester, each of whom will discuss the use of data science techniques to investigate a particular subject. Topics for the spring include social media use, additive manufacturing, the exploration of genetics, the role of big data in COVID-19 decision-making and more.
Information sciences and technology senior fulfills dream of working at Apple
February 10, 2021
As a lifelong consumer of Apple products, College of Information Sciences and Technology student Logan Pratt also developed a dream of one day working for the company. Now, after completing a summer internship at Apple, he has been offered a full-time job as a software engineer upon graduation in May.
Summer program to offer research experience on machine learning in cybersecurity
February 5, 2021
Undergraduate students interested in research surrounding the topic of machine learning in cybersecurity are invited to apply for the 2021 NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site Program, funded by the National Science Foundation.
Talk to examine deep learning for automating software documentation maintenance
February 5, 2021
Raymond J. Mooney, professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin, will kick off the College of Information Sciences and Technology's Distinguished Lecture Series at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25, on Zoom. He will present a talk on "Deep Learning for Automating Software Documentation Maintenance." The lecture is open to the Penn State community.
Researchers test detection methods for AI-generated content
February 5, 2021
In an effort to combat malicious use of artificial intelligence text generators—for example, an adversary generating fake news to share on social media—researchers at the College of Information Sciences and Technology analyzed eight different state-of-the-art natural language generators to identify whether each had a distinct writing style that could be discovered by machine classifiers.
Machine learning algorithm may be the key to timely, inexpensive cyber-defense
February 3, 2021
Attacks on vulnerable computer networks and cyber-infrastructure — often called zero-day attacks — can quickly overwhelm traditional defenses. A Penn State-led team of researchers has used a machine learning approach, based on a technique known as reinforcement learning, to create an adaptive cyber-defense against these attacks.
Schreyer Scholar alumni build business based on skincare, scents, nostalgia
February 2, 2021
Asia Grant and Alejandro Cuevas began their friendship when they were members of Penn State’s Presidential Leadership Academy. After graduation, the two founded Redoux, a thriving scent and skincare company.
IST course aims to build impactful user-friendly tech
February 2, 2021
Helping users interact with information technology in a way that could potentially impact the world was the objective of a semester-long fall project in HCI: The User and Technology, a graduate level course in the College of Information Sciences and Technology.
Facebook posts could identify substance use risk in homeless youth
February 1, 2021
What a person posts on Facebook could predict their risk for substance use, according to new research led by the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology.
Pandemic survey points to design improvements for future remote learning
January 27, 2021
Last March, the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted university operations around the world. Students and instructors quickly transitioned to remote education, demonstrating reliance on new technologies that may have otherwise never been used.
$500,000 grant funds creation of institute to advance AI for materials science
January 27, 2021
A National Science Foundation grant will help lay the foundation for an interdisciplinary institute that encourages the use of artificial intelligence-enabled materials discovery, design and synthesis, according to a team of researchers.
Penn State vies in finals of international collegiate cybersecurity competition
January 26, 2021
For the second consecutive year, Penn State advanced to the international finals of the Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition, the world’s largest offensive-based collegiate cybersecurity competition.