News

Penn State employees and staff share ‘Profiles of Service’

Penn State employees and staff share ‘Profiles of Service’

This week at Penn State features a variety of events including the 11th annual military appreciation football game against the University of Maryland on Nov. 12. Both Centre County and State College Borough also have presented proclamations in support of Military Appreciation Week to recognize veterans and active-duty service members. 

Read more...

IST Identity Talks series presents ‘Careers in Consulting’ on Nov. 16

IST Identity Talks series presents ‘Careers in Consulting’ on Nov. 16

Members of the Penn State community are invited to join the College of Information Sciences and Technology for “IST Identity Talks – Careers in Consulting,” to be held virtually from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Read more...

High-tech tool to perform low-cost health screening for newborns and mothers

High-tech tool to perform low-cost health screening for newborns and mothers

A new, $1.9 million grant from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering will allow Penn State researchers to develop artificial intelligence-based software that can evaluate the health of a newborn and their mother with only a photograph of the baby’s placenta. 

Read more...

Grant to explore using computers to help groups make better decisions

Grant to explore using computers to help groups make better decisions

National Science Foundation grants to Penn State and Iowa State could lead to an interactive, computer-aided, decision-support tool that can help groups of people make better choices.

Read more...

NSF grant to help reimagine first-year experiences through diverse lens

NSF grant to help reimagine first-year experiences through diverse lens

A Penn State research team aims to meet the unique needs of increasingly diverse student bodies by reimagining first-year learning experiences in technology-related degree programs at U.S. universities, thanks to a new $296,804 grant from the National Science Foundation.  

Read more...

New coding tool could aid computer programmers who are blind or have low vision

New coding tool could aid computer programmers who are blind or have low vision

A new tool could help make code reading, navigating and editing more accessible and efficient for blind and low-vision computer programmers, according to Penn State researchers. The tool, called Grid Editor, serves as a modification to traditional code editors that programmers use to add lines of code when updating features and functions in software.

Read more...

IST professor to present McMurtry Lecture on Nov. 10

IST professor to present McMurtry Lecture on Nov. 10

William Parquette, professor of practice in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, will present the college’s annual McMurtry Lecture at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10, in E202 Westgate Building on the University Park campus.

Read more...

IST Q&A: Alumna Mary Ward defines data-driven features for iRobot Home app

IST Q&A: Alumna Mary Ward defines data-driven features for iRobot Home app

As a senior digital product manager for the iRobot organization, Mary Ward defines and drives the strategy and personalized data-driven features for the iRobot Home mobile app. In her role, Ward, who earned a bachelor’s degree in information sciences and technology from Penn State in 2016 and a master’s degree in enterprise architecture and business transformation through Penn State World Campus in 2019, serves to ensure her company’s product meets the desires and needs of customers.

Read more...

International consortium to better assess Africa drought risks, boost resilience

International consortium to better assess Africa drought risks, boost resilience

An international, Penn State-led consortium aims to improve drought risk analysis and management and increase societal resilience in Africa, funded by a three-year, $1.1 million grant from the Belmont Forum.

Read more...

IST student diversifies wearable tech health data apps through Google internship

IST student diversifies wearable tech health data apps through Google internship

This summer, Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology doctoral student Sahiti Kunchay put her knowledge and skills to the test as a research intern at Google. 

Read more...

Researchers to use $1.2 million grant to study early Alzheimer’s detection

Researchers to use $1.2 million grant to study early Alzheimer’s detection

A team of Penn State-led researchers received a $1.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to help fund a project to develop a machine learning system for early Alzheimer’s disease detection.

Read more...

Witzig named director of Penn State's Center for Security Research and Education

Witzig named director of Penn State's Center for Security Research and Education

Lisa Witzig has been appointed director of Penn State’s Center for Security Research and Education. CSRE was created in 2017 to provide an interdisciplinary approach to security-related topics across Penn State and consists of 11 contributing academic and research units from across the University.

Read more...

Witzig new director of Center for Security Research and Education

Witzig new director of Center for Security Research and Education

Lisa Witzig has been appointed director of Penn State’s Center for Security Research and Education. CSRE was created in 2017 to provide an interdisciplinary approach to security-related topics across Penn State and consists of 11 contributing academic and research units from across the University.

Read more...

IST students celebrate women in tech at annual Grace Hopper conference

IST students celebrate women in tech at annual Grace Hopper conference

Six Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology students attended the annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing in Orlando, Florida, in late September to learn, network and celebrate the contributions women have made in the technology industry.

Read more...

IST skills set technology director, captains up for success at Homecoming

IST skills set technology director, captains up for success at Homecoming

With almost 11 months of planning and preparation, Penn State Homecoming returns this week with a full slate of activities. With tens and hundreds of thousands of users expected to visit the website during Homecoming week, Homecoming Director of Technology Josh Bauer and his team — which includes a number of his fellow students in the College of Information Sciences and Technology — has been working to manage site traffic and ensure users can navigate the site smoothly.

Read more...

IST’s Anna Squicciarini named cyberspace program director at NSF

IST’s Anna Squicciarini named cyberspace program director at NSF

Anna Squicciarini, Frymoyer Chair in Information Sciences and Technology, has been named a program director in the Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace cluster of the National Science Foundation, effective Sept. 26.

Read more...

AI language models show bias against people with disabilities, study finds

AI language models show bias against people with disabilities, study finds

The algorithms that drive natural language processing technology — a type of artificial intelligence that allows machines to use text and spoken words in many different applications — often have tendencies that could be offensive or prejudiced toward individuals with disabilities, according to researchers at the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology.

 

Read more...

IST Identity Talks series presents ‘Paving the Way for Change’ on Oct. 19

IST Identity Talks series presents ‘Paving the Way for Change’ on Oct. 19

Members of the Penn State community are invited to join the College of Information Sciences and Technology for “IST Identity Talks — Paving the Way for Change,” to be held virtually from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Read more...

Project aims to use artificial intelligence to turn health data into predictions

Project aims to use artificial intelligence to turn health data into predictions

A $599,883 grant from the National Science Foundation could help scientists use machine learning algorithms to use large amounts of data to guide decisions on a range of issues, from disease spread to economic meltdowns to social unrest.

Read more...

Workshop explores artificial intelligence for biomedical, health research

Workshop explores artificial intelligence for biomedical, health research

Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and Penn State’s Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS) will co-host a workshop, "Harnessing the Power of EHR Data and AI to Advance Biomedical Research," that will focus on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for biomedical and health record research. The workshop will feature three presentations from Penn State College of Medicine research groups that are applying AI techniques to advance their research.

Read more...

Penn State Alumni Fellow offers service and support to alma mater

Penn State Alumni Fellow offers service and support to alma mater

Across more than three decades of service, Penn State graduate Larry Raiman has seized opportunities to mentor students, host internships, volunteer on development campaigns and devise original co-curricular programming — and he backed that service with support for all three imperatives of the University’s recently concluded fundraising campaign, “A Greater Penn State for 21st -Century Excellence.”

Read more...

IST students form meaningful connections, celebrate diversity at Tapia

IST students form meaningful connections, celebrate diversity at Tapia

Fourteen College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) students attended the three-day ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference in Washington, D.C., in early September to celebrate diversity in computing.

Read more...

Nittany AI Alliance preps students for development and leadership roles in AI

Nittany AI Alliance preps students for development and leadership roles in AI

Students advancing solutions in health, education, environment, and humanitarianism are making a difference in the world around them through the work they are advancing as part of the Nittany AI Alliance.

Read more...

Center for Socially Responsible AI accepting seed funding proposals

Center for Socially Responsible AI accepting seed funding proposals

Penn State’s Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence is inviting short proposals for its annual seed funding program. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 1, with projects expected to start in spring 2023 and last for up to two years.

Read more...

People who distrust fellow humans show greater trust in artificial intelligence

People who distrust fellow humans show greater trust in artificial intelligence

A person’s distrust in humans predicts they will have more trust in artificial intelligence’s ability to moderate content online, according to a recently published study. The findings, the researchers say, have practical implications for both designers and users of AI tools in social media.

Read more...

Students encouraged to apply for AI center affiliate status

Students encouraged to apply for AI center affiliate status

Penn State’s Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence is accepting applications for its Student Affiliates Program. Graduate and undergraduate students from all Penn State campuses are eligible to apply. Applications will remain open indefinitely and can be submitted online.

Read more...

Bill Parquette earns IST’s McMurtry Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award

Bill Parquette earns IST’s McMurtry Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award

William Parquette, professor of practice in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, was recently named the recipient of the college’s 2022-23 George McMurtry Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award.

Read more...

Users trust AI as much as humans for flagging problematic content

Users trust AI as much as humans for flagging problematic content

Social media users may trust artificial intelligence — AI — as much as human editors to flag hate speech and harmful content, according to researchers. 

Read more...

IST doctoral student named Scholar of Sexology Fellow by Kinsey Institute

IST doctoral student named Scholar of Sexology Fellow by Kinsey Institute

Mia Hua, a Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology doctoral student, is the recent recipient of a competitive Scholars of Sexology Fellowship from the Kinsey Institute — a renowned source at Indiana University for critical issues in sexuality, gender and reproduction.

Read more...

College of IST welcomes 9 new faculty members

College of IST welcomes 9 new faculty members

Nine new full-time faculty members have joined the College of Information Sciences and Technology this year, enhancing the college’s academic programs and strengthening its research portfolio.

Read more...

New baseball statistic gauges pitcher's strikeout efficiency

New baseball statistic gauges pitcher's strikeout efficiency

Baseball teams could soon have a better concept of pitcher strikeout efficiency — particularly when an opposing team’s player is on third base at risk of scoring a run — thanks to a new statistic developed by a Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) student.

Read more...

Aspiring professor pursues dual IST graduate degrees

Aspiring professor pursues dual IST graduate degrees

By the time Antonio Girona receives his doctorate degree, which he expects to earn in 2025, he will have been a student in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) for more than a decade. After earning a bachelor's degree in information sciences and technology in 2018, Girona is now simultaneously pursuing master's and doctoral degrees in the college with the ultimate goal of one day becoming a professor.

Read more...

Duffetts create IST scholarship to open doors for future cybersecurity leaders

Duffetts create IST scholarship to open doors for future cybersecurity leaders

Over two decades ago, when Andy Duffett visited Penn State as a high school student, he was inspired by Jim Thomas, the dean of the then-School of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) that opened its doors in 1999.

Read more...

A beautiful internship: IST student drives tech design at Estée Lauder Companies

A beautiful internship: IST student drives tech design at Estée Lauder Companies

Since she was a little girl, Lauren Pearl has had a dream to one day live and work in New York City. She came one step closer to making that dream a reality this summer, through a 10-week internship with the Estée Lauder Companies.

Read more...

Institute for Computational and Data Sciences opens 2022 Symposium registration

Institute for Computational and Data Sciences opens 2022 Symposium registration

Penn State’s Institute for Computational and Data Sciences opened registration for its fall symposium, Oct. 12-14, aimed at exploring the role data science and artificial intelligence plays in creating a sustainable, resilient and equitable future. It will include a judged, industry-sponsored poster session for undergraduate and graduate students working in data science or AI.

Read more...

Art history, IST receive grant to continue collaborative research project

Art history, IST receive grant to continue collaborative research project

The collaborative research project conducted by the Department of Art History and the College of Information Sciences and Technology, titled “After Constable’s Clouds,” is Phase 2 of “Seeing Constable’s Clouds,” which was supported by a level 1 National Endowment for the Humanities grant.

Read more...

In the 'spirit': IST intern grows tech, interpersonal skills at Bacardi

In the 'spirit': IST intern grows tech, interpersonal skills at Bacardi

Ella Maquito spent the summer helping a major spirits brand increase its global reach. As an information technology intern at Bacardi, Maquito worked with the company’s brand homes software on the digital commerce team to conduct user interface and user experience testing.

Read more...

IST intern analyzes data, informs game plans for Giants' Arizona Complex League

IST intern analyzes data, informs game plans for Giants' Arizona Complex League

College of Information Sciences and Technology senior Mojisoluwa Awe spent her summer as a data analyst for two of the Arizona Complex League affiliate teams of the San Francisco Giants. A student studying data sciences, Awe created post-game reports, communicated player development trends with coaches, and generated scouting reports on opposing players.

Read more...

IST student gains data privacy training through IAPP internship

IST student gains data privacy training through IAPP internship

This summer, College of Information Sciences and Technology senior Parker Kirby had the opportunity to gain hands-on industry training and gain more experience as a data scientist or analyst through his internship with the International Association of Privacy Professionals — the world’s largest information privacy organization.

Read more...

Deepfakes expose vulnerabilities in certain facial recognition technology

Deepfakes expose vulnerabilities in certain facial recognition technology

Mobile devices use facial recognition technology to help users quickly and securely unlock their phones, make a financial transaction or access medical records. But facial recognition technologies that employ a specific user-detection method are highly vulnerable to deepfake-based attacks that could lead to significant security concerns for users and applications, according to new research involving the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology.

Read more...

IST intern fosters data science skills in middle- and high-school AI campers

IST intern fosters data science skills in middle- and high-school AI campers

Rising College of Information Sciences and Technology senior Nathan Reilly has taken his data sciences skills and knowledge to summer camp. As an intern and instructor for AI Camp, Reilly has fostered his passion for coding and artificial intelligence in middle and high school students from around the world.

Read more...

IST intern builds career skills, improves community in Lowe’s summer program

IST intern builds career skills, improves community in Lowe’s summer program

As a software engineering intern at Lowe’s this summer, College of Information Sciences and Technology student Hannah Kern has been exposed to a number of new experiences and technologies while developing code — including learning new computer programming languages. Through the internship program, she also participated in community service projects, such as creating kits for elementary school students to use in their STEAM curriculum.

Read more...

Strong community support drives success for IST student marshal

Strong community support drives success for IST student marshal

When James Reese represents the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) as student marshal at the summer commencement ceremony this month, it will be, in part, thanks to members of the IST community who believed in him.

Read more...

IST student aims to improve airport experience for travelers with disabilities

IST student aims to improve airport experience for travelers with disabilities

Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology student Veronica Jenkins recently worked with real-world data to conceptualize improvements in airport operations for individuals with disabilities.

Read more...

Researchers get $2M NSF grant to develop Africa water-food-energy network

Researchers get $2M NSF grant to develop Africa water-food-energy network

A team of Penn State researchers has received a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to lead a three-institution team developing the “SustainFood Network,” which will link scientists, communities and policymakers in addressing challenges at the nexus of water, energy and food security in Africa.

Read more...

IST intern aids in SiriusXM/Pandora user experience research

IST intern aids in SiriusXM/Pandora user experience research

Through a summer internship with SiriusXM/Pandora, Renkai Ma is studying how music listeners and creators interact with the company’s product features. While his work will help the legacy music streaming service actively grow brand awareness among younger listeners and improve the process for content creators, it will also help Ma advance his knowledge and research in the field of human-computer interaction.

Read more...

IST surpasses fundraising goal in 'Greater Penn State' campaign

IST surpasses fundraising goal in 'Greater Penn State' campaign

The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology has raised $20,123,741 and helped the University achieve record-breaking success in its recently concluded campaign, “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence.”

Read more...

IST intern assures tech systems quality at CVS Health

IST intern assures tech systems quality at CVS Health

Through her major of information sciences and technology with a focus on design and development, rising senior Rachael Gray has gained a deep understanding of core information technologies and how they can be used in practical applications in a diverse number of industries. She's applying that understanding through a real-world internship experience at CVS Health, where she's working as a quality assurance IT intern this summer.

Read more...

Seed grants to fund projects that tackle huge scientific, societal challenges

Seed grants to fund projects that tackle huge scientific, societal challenges

Penn State’s Institute for Computational and Data Sciences awarded this year’s seed grant program has awarded funds to Penn State scientists. The seed grants will fund 14 different proposals from researchers who represent five different colleges and 11 different departments, including several interdisciplinary collaborations that stretch across colleges.

 

Read more...

College of IST professor earns fourth consecutive Amazon Research Award

College of IST professor earns fourth consecutive Amazon Research Award

James Wang, distinguished professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, has received an Amazon Research Award to advance his team's work on machine learning-based, emotion modeling that is geared toward enhancing the interaction between humans and artificial intelligence (AI) in day-to-day activities.

Read more...