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.
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Inclusive social network created by alumna to empower young women leaders
May 19, 2021
Penn State alumna Jayme Anne Goldberg is the founder of Consequential Flowers, a social media network designed to help female students and young professionals develop impactful leadership skills.
Talk to examine network heterogeneity on graph neural networks
May 18, 2021
Philip S. Yu, distinguished professor and the Wexler Chair in Information Technology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, will kick off the Penn State Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence Distinguished Lecture Series at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 27 on Zoom.
2021 Guentter Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award finalists, winner named
May 14, 2021
Penn State University Libraries and the Schreyer Honors College recognized the 10th annual finalist presentations and winner of the recently endowed Robert F. Guentter Jr. Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award on May 6, immediately following the three finalists’ remote presentations.
Observing eco farmers could guide sustainable information technology innovation
May 14, 2021
Cutting-edge agricultural technology has advanced in recent years, introducing innovations from self-driving tractors and laser scarecrows to robotic bees that aid in pollination.
College of Engineering announces Learning Factory capstone project winners
May 12, 2021
The College of Engineering has announced the winners of the spring Learning Factory Capstone Design Project Showcase, which took place virtually for the second year in a row.
AI-powered software to improve public health outcomes in underserved communities
May 12, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a struggle for many students. But for Kareem Jelks, the pandemic has fueled his passion to help others, especially those in underserved communities.
Virtual conference explores artificial intelligence in a post-COVID world
May 11, 2021
On May 13, the Penn State Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence hosted "AI in a Post-COVID World," a virtual conference that will brought together experts from a variety of disciplines to discuss how artificial intelligence has aided in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.<
Using data science to boost diversity, using diversity to boost data science
May 5, 2021
Data science can only be data science for good when it can be data science for all.
Twitter data unveils issues nursing mothers face, informs proposed interventions
May 5, 2021
Social media has become a platform for new mothers to openly share their experiences of the joys and challenges of parenthood.
Penn State participates in virtual social science advocacy day
May 4, 2021
Penn State researchers recently participated in the Consortium of Social Science Association’s annual Social Science Advocacy Day, meeting virtually with Congress and their staff during this annual event.
IST experience leads to alumnus’ work exploring breakups in the digital age
April 30, 2021
After a romantic breakup, there are often decisions to be made regarding the partners’ shared possessions, such as who takes the house and who gets the cat, and who keeps the friends.
Lavender Recognition to be held on April 30
April 29, 2021
2021 marks the 20th celebration of LGBTQ+ graduates during the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity’s Lavender Recognition ceremony.
After change of course, IST alumnus lands career in academics
April 28, 2021
When Porter Jenkins came to Penn State to pursue a doctorate in marketing, he never imagined he’d one day have a full-time career in academics, teaching and conducting research on data sciences and machine learning.
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.
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 machin
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
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.
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.
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?
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.
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 a
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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 syst
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.
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?
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.