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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New machine learning model could remove bias from social network connections
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
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
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'
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Chao-Hsien Chu, one of IST’s original five faculty members, has died
Chao-Hsien Chu, professor of information sciences and technology and one of the College of Information Sciences and Technology’s original five faculty members, died Friday, Jan. 15. He was 69.
Rosson named Association for Computing Machinery fellow
Mary Beth Rosson, professor of information sciences and technology, has been named a 2020 Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery for her contributions to human-computer interaction, including scenario-based design.
AI-defined COVID-19 testing strategy could lead to fewer infections
A new algorithm developed by researchers at the College of Information Sciences and Technology could help leaders of governments and organizations make better informed decisions on how many symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals to test for COVID-19 with a limited supply of daily tests, and at what stage of the pandemic.
Penn State researchers co-author book teaching 'Skills to Obstruct Pandemics'
A team led by Penn State faculty and students, along with expert collaborators, has co-authored a guide that teaches the essential knowledge and skills to help interrupt the transmission of COVID-19 and other infections.
What if opting out of data collection were easy?
A new multi-institution study shows a dearth of privacy opt-out choices and offers a solution to empower users to readily identify choices often buried deep in the text of privacy policies.
NASA Pa. Space Grant accepting graduate research fellowship applications
The NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium is currently accepting applications to its graduate research fellowship program. The program offers funding to outstanding students in the STEM, education and humanities fields who are conducting research related to NASA’s science and outreach missions.
NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium accepting undergraduate applications
The NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium is accepting applications for the 2021-22 Undergraduate Scholarship Program. The statewide program awards a limited number of one-year scholarships to rising juniors and seniors who are enrolled full-time at an accredited Pennsylvania college or university. Online applications, including all supporting materials, are due by midnight on March 1.
Penn State alumni invited to participate in Cooking Classic
A series of webinars will bring alumni together to learn cooking skills and raise awareness of students experiencing food insecurity.
Alumnus Jacob Sisko makes an impact through Department of Army civilian career
When Jacob Sisko first accepted his offer from Penn State to study forensic science, he never imagined that he’d one day work for the Department of the Army and its Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center. But, just before he started at University Park, Sisko learned about the security and risk analysis program at the College of Information Sciences and Technology and changed his major.
Study suggests smart assistant design improvements for deaf users
Despite the inherent challenges that voice-interaction may create, researchers recently found that deaf and hard-of-hearing users regularly use smart assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri in homes, workplaces and mobile devices — highlighting a clear need for more inclusive design.
Kohl's Business with Integrity Case Competition draws 26 teams
A team made up of three students from the Penn State Smeal College of Business and another from the College of Information Sciences and Technology collaborated to win the top prize in the Kohl’s Busines with Integrity Case Competition. Sponsored by the Tarriff Center for Business Ethics and Social Responsibility at Penn State and Kohl’s, the competition drew 26 teams.
Taking flight: IST student earns pilot’s license during pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly turned College of Information Sciences and Technology student Trevor Baptiste’s summer internship into a virtual experience, he used his newly found time to achieve his dream: becoming a pilot.
World Campus graduate overcomes three decades of challenges to get degree
Ryan DeGrendel, 45, first enrolled in college classes while he was still in high school and playing junior hockey in Detroit. Three decades, 17 surgeries and one near-death experience later, he is earning a degree in security and risk analysis through Penn State World Campus.
Alumnus' software gift to help train Penn State cybersecurity students
Mark Viglione, a 2015 graduate and founder of Enigma Networkz, has finalized a software licensing agreement with the University to make his company’s security information and event management platform, Enigma Glass, available to students at all Penn State campuses.
College of Information Sciences and Technology names fall student marshal
The College of Information Sciences and Technology will honor Kylie Dunmire as student marshal at fall 2020 commencement, which will be held virtually at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19.
Canevez named 2020 Computing Innovation Fellow
Richard Canevez, a doctoral student in the College of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State, has been named to the 2020 Class of Computing Innovation Fellows by the Computing Research Association (CRA) and its Computing Community Consortium (CCC).
Engineering student marshal eager to make positive impacts
Madison Reddie, an accomplished student graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, has been named the fall 2020 student marshal for the Penn State College of Engineering.
Deb Smarkusky named College of IST’s Statewide Faculty Member of the Year
Penn State Scranton Associate Professor of Information Sciences and Technology Debra Smarkusky, recently received high honor from her colleagues within the University’s College of IST -- the University's Statewide Faculty Member of the Year Award at the Fall IST Statewide Faculty Meeting.
Researchers study influence of cultural factors on gesture design
Imagine changing the TV channel with a wave of your hand or turning on the car radio with a twist of your wrist. Freehand gesture-based interfaces in interactive systems are becoming more common, but what if your preferred way to gesture a command — say, changing the TV to channel 10 — significantly differed from that of a user from another culture? Would the system recognize your command?
Fighting food insecurity: Student leads Penn State Lion’s Pantry
In a recent survey at Penn State, nearly a quarter of students said that they have decreased the size of their meals, or have skipped meals altogether, because they didn’t have enough money to eat. Lion's Pantry student president Spencer Wallace is on the front lines to combat food insecurity on campus, overseeing the campus food bank and the student organization that operates it, with the mission of addressing and mitigating student hunger.
Former cyber-school student has advice for online learning success
For many residential Penn State students, leaving campus and navigating the world of online education was a new concept, and an adjustment. For College of Information Sciences and Technology student Nathan Tack, it landed him in a familiar situation, and he’s poised and ready for classes to move back to a remote environment after Thanksgiving break.
IST student organization aids in mobile design for campus dining app
Students across Penn State can now easily access information about on-campus dining options thanks, in part, to the work of members of the User Experience Professional Association (UXPA).
IST professor receives award from internationally known organization
Alan Peslak, professor of information sciences and technology at Penn State Scranton, has been recognized by his fellow members of the information systems community with the International Association for Computer Information Systems’ 2020 Ben Bauman Award for Excellence.
Nittany AI Inspire virtual event explores how AI can benefit nonprofits
Penn State students, faculty and staff, along with nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations, are invited to learn more about how artificial intelligence can be used to address challenges facing organizations during the next Nittany AI Inspire virtual event, “Nonprofits, AI and the Greater Good,” from 4-5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13.
AI model could help patients predict disease risk with electronic health records
Electronic health records contain critical information for both medical providers and patients. But these records also contain information that could interfere with an artificial intelligence algorithm’s ability to predict patients’ risk for future disease. Researchers at the College of Information Sciences and Technology are aiming to eliminate some of this noise — or unnecessary data — through a new machine learning model.
2020 McMurtry Lecture to focus on empathy in teaching and design
In the College of Information Sciences and Technology's annual George McMurtry Award Lecture next week, Alison Murphy, assistant professor, will talk about how her experience of using empathy to design systems when she worked in industry an information technology project manager, and how it drives her lessons as a teacher.
IST alumna aims to impact social justice issues through video game design
With the video game industry expected to near $200 billion in revenue by 2022, game designers have expanded their reach to interest different types of players. And while genres now range from science fiction to fantasy to military, there are few game designers focused on using the medium as a platform to encourage social change. That’s where College of Information Sciences and Technology alumna Ashlyn Sparrow comes in.