With this issue, the EngineeringNEWS is being re-established as a quarterly electronic newsletter to highlight achievements, accomplishments, and information about the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

New Initiatives:

Late last fall, the JHU Information Security Institute (JHUISI) was established thanks to an anonymous gift of $10 million to the University. The new institute will address the many issues that surround information security. This effort will include all divisions of the University, in addition to partnerships with the corporate community and government agencies. WSE's Computer Science professor Gerald Masson serves as Founding Director, and Darren Lacey has recently joined the team as Interim Managing Director. For more information, visit the JHUISI web site at http://www.jhuisi.jhu.edu.

WSE has launched HeadsUP-Hopkins Engineering ADvanced Summer University Program-a new program that offers college credit engineering courses to high school students. Richard Scott serves as Director of this new initiative. Classes will be held at the Montgomery County Center Campus in Rockville, MD. For more information, visit the HeadsUP web site at http://www.wse.jhu.edu/headsup.

Keeping Up with WSE Faculty:

Gregory Chirikjian, associate professor in Mechanical Engineering, made news earlier this year with his invention of a new type of spherical motor. The globe-shaped motor allows much more movement than previously possible in robotic motors. Potential uses for this /ice include robotic wrists, elbows and shoulders, as well as industrial uses where there's a need for robotic flexibility. Dr. Chirikjian built the new motor with graduate student David Stein, and Dr. Edward Scheinerman, chairman of WSE's Mathematical Sciences Department-who developed the theory behind an original way to measure orientation for the motor.

Strategic Moves:

The newest building on the Homewood campus, Clark Hall, is nearing completion and WSE's Whitaker Biomedical Institute faculty and staff will be moving in this summer. A dedication ceremony will be held on October 12th. Please visit the BME website for additional information, at http://www.wbmei.jhu.edu/.


Also this summer, WSE's Computer Science Department is relocating some of its faculty and graduate student offices to the fourth floor of the Wyman Park Professional Building. The building is on Wyman Park Road, just across the street from Garland field and Clark Hall. The move is not expected to impact undergraduate activities, whose classrooms and laboratories will remain on campus.

News from Part-time Programs in Engineering & Applied Science (PTE):

WSE welcomes a new Associate Dean, Allan Bjerkaas to assume the academic responsibilities for the Part-time Programs in Engineering. Dr. Bjerkaas has a long history with the PTE program and the University, working at JHU's Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, MD. He will succeed Charles Westgate, who is joining SUNY-Binghamton as the Dean of Engineering.

Sarah Steinberg, P.E., who has also been with the Part-Time Programs for many years, will assume responsibility for the administrative direction of PTE and will serve in a new position as Executive Director.

Recognizing WSE Students:

While WSE has many outstanding students, these three undergraduates made significant research contributions this past academic year, through the Provost's Undergraduate Research Awards:

Alok Sathaye - a junior in BME, is building computer models that mimic electrical activity in the heart, revealing patterns that can be potentially fatal. These models may one day help researchers studying abnormal heart rhythms to determine ways to prevent this condition.
Alan Braly - a junior in BME, is doing research to discover how acids affect tooth enamel, specifically those acids from the common digestive disorder, acid reflux.
Eric Krauland - a senior in Chemical Engineering, developed tiny biodegradable plastic particles for use in aerosol spray medications. This will allow vaccines and other medicines to be carried directly into the lungs. Eric will continue his education as a master's degree student in BME, and plans to file a patent for his particles.