The Weekly Update is available online at www.publichealth.pitt.edu/weeklyupdate.
3/6/15: Student Edition
Student News
The University will be closed Friday, March 13 for the observance of the Spring Holiday. See below for building
hours and access information. Have a great spring break!
NEW! Call for Applications: 30, 300, 3000 Pain Research Challenge
March 16 deadline
Pitt’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute is soliciting applications for 3-6 awards ranging from $25,000 to $50,000,
funded by the Virginia Kaufman Endowment Fund and the CTSI for solutions addressing the dynamics and causes of pain or
methods for the alleviation and treatment of pain. ►Read more
NEW! Lasker Foundation Research Challenge Essay Contest
May 4 deadline
Seeking essays of 1,000 words or less on the most important fundamental mystery in biology today that, if unlocked by basic
research, would yield the greatest dividends for human health. Open to graduate students and postdocs. ►Read more
NEW! Health Sciences Library System March Newsletter
Read this month’s issue of the HSLS Update, featuring information on finding international literature in PubMed, a national
music video contest for health professional students, “Surreal Mouth”, a new exhibit at the Falk Library, and much more.
UPDATED! Pitt Launches Crowdfunding Platform EngagePitt – Read About Pitt Science Outreach Club!
The University has launched EngagePitt, a Web site where donors can contribute to fundraising campaigns created and run
by leaders of student organizations or faculty engaged in community outreach and research projects. Campaigns currently
under way include the ThinkSepsis project, seeking $4,000 to equip six ambulances with a first-of-a-kind sepsis alert system,
led by Christopher Seymour, assistant professor of critical care and emergency medicine.
One of our own Pitt Public Health students recently launched a project through the Pitt Science Outreach Student Club,
whose mission is to promote the scientific research being conducted at the University, to foster an interest in scientific
knowledge, help current Pitt students apply their interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outside the
classroom, and to continue development and implementation of STEM outreach programs for the greater Pittsburgh
community. Their campaign, “Summer Science Outreach Camp: Inspiring Future Scientist’s” brings Pitt students into low
income, underserved communities to deliver a week long science camp, empowering youth, combatting summer learning
loss, inspiring future scientists, and improving the health and well-being of our community’s youth.
DEADLINE TODAY: Nominate Faculty for the Dr. James L. Craig Endowed Excellence in Education Award
March 6 deadline
A good education begins with a thoughtful, well-prepared, and eager student, and a committed faculty member for whom
teaching is critically important. The Craig Award gives you an opportunity to think about those faculty whose teaching - in a
classroom, lab, or one-on-one - has made a difference in your life.
The award was established through the generosity of a distinguished alumnus, Dr. James Craig, to recognize teaching
excellence at Pitt Public Health. Students are invited to nominate faculty (with primary appointment at Pitt Public Health) who
have demonstrated excellence in teaching. A committee of students and faculty will review the nominations and the award
will be presented at Convocation. The award consists of a monetary grant to the awardee's department to support travel,
supplies, equipment, or other items in furtherance of teaching activities.
Pick up a ballot in the Office of Student Affairs, 114 Parran Hall. Please take advantage of this opportunity to show
appreciation for a deserving Pitt Public Health faculty member.
DEADLINE TODAY: Pitt Health Innovation Case Competition
March 6 registration deadline, April 10 competition day
Experience and practice business cases in health innovation and build professional connections in a networking reception
while being evaluated and judged by professional consultants. ►Read more
CRAB Welcomes Researchers
Regardless of the stage of your research, the Community Research Advisory Board (CRAB) can help! CRAB provides
guidance on development of your proposal, thesis, or dissertation, study design, recruitment strategies, and identifying
community organizations for partnered research. The CRAB meets the third Wednesday of the month with open slots
available at the April 15 and May 20 meetings. Contact Dr. Patricia Documet, CHE scientific director or ►Read more
Graduate Student Assistant Opportunity in Student Health
Twenty hour/week positing responsible for the coordination and facilitation of several alcohol and other drug educational
programs for Pitt students. Includes a full tuition scholarship and a stipend. Schedule includes two evenings/week (to 8 p.m.)
and an occasional Saturday. ►Read more
HSLS March Courses
Check out the calendar of free HSLS courses including Microarray Data Analysis, PowerPoint for Conference Posters, and
Introduction to CLC Main Workbench. ►Read more
ASPPH Friday Letter
News and information from all the CEPH-accredited schools and programs of public health. Scholarships, fellowships, job
postings, advocacy updates, and much more. ►Read more
Holiday Building Hours and Access
Entering the Building: The front doors on DeSoto Street (main entrance) are open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on weekends and
holidays. Outside of those hours, those that have been granted permission can access the building using their Pitt ID cards.
All exterior doors except the main entrance will be locked.
Stairwells and doors between Parran and Crabtree: These doors lock automatically between midnight and 5 a.m. on all
non-holiday weekdays and weekends. During holidays, these doors are unlocked between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., but locked at
all other times.
When moving throughout the building between 3 p.m. and 9 a.m., you must keep your ID on you at all times so that you can
move between Parran and Crabtree and enter and exit the stairwells.
Access with ID card: All primary faculty and staff can swipe their Pitt IDs for access. Not all students and secondary faculty
are immediately granted access. A request for access must be submitted to the departmental administrator and, in the case
of a student, approved by the student’s advisor. Typically, student access during off hours is restricted to those working on
research projects which require access to the building during these times. The first and fourth floor entrances from the garage
are locked at all times, but can be opened by IDs 24/7.
Events
NEW! Visit Pitt’s Stress Free Zone
A space where students can learn and regularly practice evidence-based, mind/body stress reduction skills, primarily taught
through mindfulness meditation, a form of attention training which involves an intentional, non-judgmental observation of the
present moment. They offer a variety of classes and workshops throughout the year, free for students. Check out their March
calendar or ►Read more
Like the Stress Free Zone on Facebook and follow them on Twitter or Pinterest.
NEW! Upcoming CIDDE TA Workshops
All workshops in 815 Alumni Hall, unless otherwise noted.
 Encouraging Student Participation, Monday, March 9, 1-2 p.m.

Developing a Lesson Plan, March 12, 2-3 p.m.

The Role of the TA: Your Rights, Your Responsibilities, March 16, 11 a.m.-noon

Getting Started in the Classroom, March 18, 10-11 a.m.

Developing a Teaching Portfolio (Part 1), March 18, 2-3 p.m.

Dealing with Difficult Situations in the Classroom (Part 1), March 19, 2-3 p.m.

Dealing with Difficult Situations in the Classroom (Part 2): Distressed Students, March 23, 1-2 p.m.

Syllabus Construction, March 23, 2-3 p.m.

Developing a Teaching Philosophy Statement (Part 2), March 26, 10 a.m.-noon

Developing a Teaching Portfolio (Part 1), March 27, 1-2 p.m.

Teaching a Six-Week Course, March 30, 1-2 p.m., G74 Hillman

Developing a Teaching Portfolio (Part 2), March 30, 2-4 p.m., G74 Hillman

Teaching with PowerPoint, March 31, 11 a.m.-noon
TODAY: Human Genetics Seminar
Friday, March 6, noon-1 p.m., Pitt Public Health Laboratory Pavilion Auditorium (G23)
Presented by Vishwajit Nimgaonkar, MD, PhD, professor of psychiatry and human genetics, Pitt.
TODAY: HSLS Free Class: PowerPoint for Conference Posters
Friday, March 6, 12:30-2 p.m., Falk Library, Classroom 2
This class focuses on the design and printing phase of presenting a poster. In this hands-on workshop, you will see poster
examples, create a poster using PowerPoint, and perfect techniques on visual balance, poster sizing, and emphasizing
graphics. ►Read more
TODAY: Center for Health Equity Journal Club
Friday, March 6, 1-2 p.m., A216 Crabtree
Co-facilitating this month’s meeting are Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the Allegheny County Health Department and Brianna
McDonough, GRIPS project coordinator, BCHS on the report “Public Health Commission on Preventing Violence and
Promoting Community Mental Health” Hard copies of the report are available on the CHE bulletin board (outside of 207J
Parran). Bring your lunch—coffee and treats will be served!
TODAY: Senior Vice Chancellor’s Seminar 12 at 12: Assembly of the Intestinal Microbiome in Premature Infants with
Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Friday, March 6, noon-1 p.m., lecture room 6, Scaife
Presented by Michael J. Morowitz, MD, assistant professor of surgery, Pitt Medicine, assistant professor of human genetics,
Pitt Public Health. ►Read more
Spring into Service
Thursday, March 12 and Friday 13, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., The Open Door
Join the Pitt Public Health global health community for a spring break service project with The Open Door, Inc., who provide
supportive housing and related services to improve the health of the forgotten population of high-risk, chronically homeless
people living with HIV. Our volunteer team will be assisting Open Door staff painting and preparing living spaces for new
residents. E-mail [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 6 to sign up, indicating a preference for the morning session (9
a.m.-noon), afternoon session (noon-3 p.m.) or the all-day session on either March 12 or March 13.
NEW! BCHS Doctoral Defense: Tooth Brushing Habit Formation in Children of Mexican Immigrant’s Families in
Pennsylvania, A Qualitative Study
Monday, March 16, 10 a.m.-noon, 210 Parran
Presented by Dafna Benadof.
NEW! IDM Faculty Candidate Seminar: Virulence Strategies of Pathogenic Bacteria
Monday, March 16, noon-1 p.m., A115 Crabtree
Presented by Olga Danilchanka, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology Harvard Medical
School.
NEW! Center on Race and Social Problems Series: The Crisis of College Access for Students of Color
Tuesday, March 17, noon, 2017 Cathedral
Presented by Gary Orfield, PhD, distinguished research professor of education, law, political science, and urban planning,
University of California, Los Angeles.
Dean's Day Poster Preparation Workshop
Tuesday, March 17, 4 p.m., A425 Crabtree
General poster preparation tips, plus tips specific to Dean’s Day. Presented by Senior Associate Dean Eleanor Feingold.
Students not planning to present at Dean’s Day are also welcome.
Managing Risks in the Shale Industry: A Comparison of Policies Worldwide
Wednesday, March 18, 8 a.m.-Thursday, March 19, 5 p.m.
To ensure that unconventional shale gas development yields net benefits to society, it is important to understand the benefits
and costs from the industry and to implement effective risk management strategies to minimize its health and environmental
footprint. The purpose of this conference is to exchange information on the public policies aimed at managing risks in the
shale sector in the US and in other countries that are exploring shale development. Conference free and open to the public,
featuring Pitt presenters: Bernard Goldstein, former dean and professor emeritus at Pitt Public Health, Radisav Vidic,
Swanson School of Engineering, and Shanti Gamper-Rabindran, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. ►Read
more
NEW! EOH Journal Club Seminar: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Particulate Matter Air Pollution Before, During,
and After Pregnancy: A Nested Case–Control Analysis within the Nurses’ Health Study II Cohort
Thursday, March 19, 11 a.m.-noon, 100 Technology Drive, third floor conference room
Presented by Sheila Tripathy. ►Read more
NEW! Epidemiology Spring Seminar: Fish Tale and Soy Story? No More Epidemic of Coronary Heart Disease in the
United States
Thursday, March 19, noon-1 p.m., A115 Crabtree
Presented by Akira Sekikawa, MD, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology, Pitt Public Health.
NEW! Visiting Professor Lecture: Ebola: Epidemic Preparedness in the United States and Globally
Thursday, March 19, 2015, noon-1 p.m., Pitt Public Health Laboratory Pavilion Auditorium (G23)
Presented by Lawrence O. Gostin, Founding O’Neill Chair in Global Health Law, director, World Health Organization
Collaborating Center on Public Health Law & Human Rights, Georgetown Law School. Sponsored by the Center for Bioethics
and Health Law and Pitt Public Health.
NEW! Epidemiology Doctoral Defense: Anxiety Symptoms, Anxiolytic Medications and Cognitive Impairment in
Older Adults
Thursday, March 19, 1-3 p.m., 110 Parran
Presented by Ahmed Kassem, MBBCh, MPH.
NEW! Alumni Reception during ASPPH Annual Meeting
Monday, March 23, 6-8 p.m., Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar, Avenue Lounge, 223 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
If you’ll be in D.C. for the meeting, join us for a special reception as alumni connect with faculty, students, administration,
and colleagues while getting the scoop on recent school advancements and exciting opportunities for engagement. Wine and
light hors d’oeuvres will be served. If you know of Pitt Public Health alumni who are in the D.C. area, bring them along.
Registration for the ASPPH meeting is not required to attend the reception. Contact Jill Ruempler with questions or register
today!
Society for Applied Anthropology Annual Meeting
March 24-28, Pittsburgh
Featuring sessions, activities, and events devoted to topics that are of interest to the people of the Pittsburgh metropolitan
region, endeavoring to encourage active public participation. ►Read more
NEW! Actress and Transgender Rights Activist Laverne Cox to Speak at Pitt During Pride Week
Monday, March 30, 7-10 p.m., Alumni Hall
Guest speaker, Laverne Cox (from Orange is the New Black) will discuss gender in life, oppression, and politics in a talk
titled, Ain’t I a Woman: My Journey to Womanhood. Cox speaks at universities around the country as a transgender rights
activist to empower individuals to move beyond gender expectations and live more authentically. ►Read more
REMIDNER! Rescheduled: Destination Diversity with Dr. Susan Rankin - Register now!
Thursday, April 4, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
As this event was cancelled due to inclement weather, CIDDE is pleased to have rescheduled the seminar Out of the
Shadows: Building Inclusive Classrooms for Queer Spectrum and Trans Spectrum Students. Those individuals registered for
the canceled event, and new interested participants, are encouraged to register here.
Student Organizations
NEW! DEADLINE TODAY: GPSG Elections
GPSG elections end today. You can vote by logging into my.pitt.edu. You will find the voting tab in the left corner under, ‘take
action.’ Electing a president, VP of committees, VP of communications, VP of programming, and VP of finance. ►Read more
UPDATED! DEADLINE TODAY: AWPH Executive Board Membership Nomination Deadline
E-mail [email protected] by today to make board nominations for president, publicity, secretary, treasurer, and events
committee.
NEW! DEADLINE APPROACHING: Seeking Applications for GPSG’s Leadership & Service Award
March 13 deadline
Award acknowledges leadership and/or service to the community, whether it's at Pitt, Pittsburgh, or the world! ►Read more
NEW! Anatomy of a CV Workshop with Career Services and DSO
Thursday, March 19, 11 a.m.-noon, A622 Crabtree
All doctoral students and those interested in a career in academia are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Register on
Pitt Bridges or Facebook.
NEW! Global Health Film Series: Pray the Devil Back to Hell
Thursday, March 19, 7-9 p.m., A115 Crabtree
The remarkable story of the courageous Liberian women who came together to end a bloody civil war and bring peace to
their shattered country. Thousands of women — ordinary mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and daughters, both Christian and
Muslim — came together to pray for peace, staging a silent protest against government corruption.
NEW! Pitt Public Health Carnival Day with Student Government Association
Wednesday, March 25, noon-3 p.m., Pitt Public Health Community Commons
Come one, come all! Enjoy your favorite public health-themed carnival foods, games, and lots of fun. All attendees must
RSVP. Free for members of Pitt Public Health, $5 at the door for non-public health guests.
NEW! GPSG Spring Formal: Seven Deadly Sins
Friday, March 27, 8 p.m.-midnight, Omni William Penn (downtown)
Open bar and appetizers. $25 before March 16/$30 after. Get your tickets today!
Dean's Day Student Research Competition Poster Sessions
March 31-April 2
Learn about student research as presenters compete for prizes and students complete peer evaluations for GR credit. Full
schedule at mypublichealth.pitt.edu/deansday next week!.
Career Services
UPDATED! Extended Walk-In Hours for CV/Resume Review
March 12, 9 a.m.-noon
Applying for a job? We can help you finalize your CV or resume! 2015 graduates strongly encouraged to attend. Regular
walk-in hours (2-5 p.m.) are still taking place on Wednesday, March 11 (originally printed as extended to 6 p.m.).
Career Services Workshops and Important Dates, Spring 2015
NEW! Careers a la Carte: Non-Profit
Friday, March 20, noon-1:30 p.m., 548 William Pitt Union
A lecture series featuring a menu of career options for postdocs and graduate students to explore. Select those that appeal to
you! Brown-bag lunch lecture with drinks and desserts provided. March’s lecture features David B. Pankratz, PhD, research
and policy director, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and Jennifer Petrie-Signore, PhD, director of development, DePaul
School for Hearing and Speech. Register today!
NEW! Doctoral and Postdoctoral Professionalism Series: Postdoctoral Training: How to Choose Wisely
Thursday, March 26, 3-5 p.m., S100 Starzl Biomedical Science Tower
Presented by Steven Wendell, PhD, PC. Register today!
Like and follow the Center for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Career Development
UPDATED: Registration Open - Dollars & Sense: The Value of Asking for What You Want
Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 pm, 2017 Cathedral
A workshop on salary negotiation presented by Ayana Ledford, Founding Executive Director of PROGRESS (Program for
Research & Outreach on Gender Equity in Society), H. John Heinz III College, School of Public Policy and Management,
Carnegie Mellon University. Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited. Don’t miss this “golden” opportunity to hear
from an expert at no cost to you! Register today!
UPDATED! This Week in Pitt Bridges
We’ve added 29 new opportunities to Pitt Bridges this week! Login and click Posted by Pitt Public Health Career Services.
Opportunities include a biostatistician at UNC Chapel Hill, a health services consultant for the Healthier Washington Initiative
at the Washington State Department of Health, a staff assistant at the NIH, and a community health educator for the State of
Maryland.
REMINDER: Finding Student Employment at Pitt
The University of Pittsburgh is now requiring that all student employment be posted on the University’s Human Resources
Web site. Therefore, student employment opportunities will no longer be posted on Pitt Bridges or collected by Career
Services. Instead, opportunities for students will be posted on www.pittsource.com. All Pitt students will be able to create an
account and apply for jobs using this University system.
Internships, Fellowships, and Postdocs
NEW! Postdoc in Mathematical/Statistical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institut, Paris
March 25 deadline
The research focus of the unit is to develop state-of-the-art mathematical and statistical methods to tackle the many
challenges epidemiologists and microbiologists face when analyzing infectious disease data. ►Read more
Emergency Communication Fellowship, CDC
Serve on the health communication team assisting with the development of content for presentations, speeches, inquires,
and other communication channels such as internet, intranet, and social media platforms. ►Read more
Courses and Scheduling
UPDATED! Disregard the EPIDEM 2220 Change in Prerequisite(s) that was listed in the Weekly Update e-mail body.
EPIDEM 2220 Apld Spatial/Community Epidem – Added for Summer
Wednesdays, 1:30-3:20 p.m., A622 Crabtree. Instructor: E. Talbott and R. Sharma.
Summer 2015 Course Schedule
HUGEN 2028 HUGEN Journl Club & Peer Revw – Instructor Change for Spring
Instructor: Candace Kammerer.
HUGEN 2039 Risk Calculation Genetic Cnslg – Instructor Change for Spring
Instructor: Eleanor Feingold.
PUBHLT 2016 Capstone; Problem Solving in PH – Instructor Change for Summer
Instructor: Elizabeth Bjerke.
PUBHLT 2029 MMPH Practicum – Added for Summer
Term (May 4-August 5), by appointment. Instructor: David Finegold. Special permission/department consent required.
Graduation Information
Deadlines and Important Dates for April 2015 Graduation
March 16 is next deadline: $25 late fee
The deadline to apply for April graduation is now $25. This late fee will be in effect until March 16, after which it will raise to
$35. The absolute last deadline to apply for April graduation is Tuesday, March 31. If you’re graduating in 2015 or 2016,
check out the graduation section of My Public Health for deadlines and important dates.
April 25 is the official date for the award of your degree. Transcripts are available for pickup from the Registrar’s Office (G3
Thackeray) with your ID on May 26. The Registrar will begin mailing diplomas and complimentary transcripts June 12-15.
Graduation Central
Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 8, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Connolly Ballroom, Alumni Hall
Purchase your academic regalia for the University of Pittsburgh Commencement and Pitt Public Health Convocation
ceremonies. Graduates must wear academic regalia to both ceremonies and those attending Commencement must attend
Graduation Central for instructions. ►Read more
Tasks Related to your Essay, Thesis, or Dissertation for April 2015 Graduation
Document review deadline of April 13
Prior to Monday, April 13 the document must be reviewed for format. E-mail Joanne Pegher for an appointment. During the
week of April 20 the final copy must be uploaded, along with all required paperwork to Joanne Pegher.
Event Information for Convocation 2015 and Other Events
Pitt Public Health Celebration of Student Awards: Saturday, April 25, 5:30 p.m., O’Hara Student Center
University of Pittsburgh Commencement: Sunday, April 26, 1 p.m., Petersen Events Center
Pitt Public Health Convocation: Sunday, April 26, doors open/line-up begins at 4 p.m., Carnegie Music Hall, Oakland
All June, August, December 2014 and April 2015 graduates are invited to three events during the weekend of April 25-26
(master’s students who plan to graduate in June of 2015 that want to appeal for permission to march in our convocation
ceremony should have their advisor submit a request to Mary Derkach). Graduates are invited to the Celebration of Student
Awards regardless of whether they are selected for an award. Awardees will be notified by the school. For Pitt Public Health
Convocation, no tickets are necessary and there is no limit on the number of guests that a student can invite. The Universitywide commencement ceremony is also held that Sunday. Students must wear academic regalia to both graduation
ceremonies, which you will be able to purchase through Graduation Central on April 7 and 8. Formal invitations will be emailed and sent via U.S. mail next week, and detailed instructions will be sent to graduates via e-mail. Stay tuned to the
Weekly Update and e-mails from the Office of Student Affairs for further information.
Pitt E-mail Accounts After Graduation
Graduating students: update your e-mail address and have your e-mail forwarded from Pitt for up to one year. Your account
will remain active until the end of the Add/Drop period for fall term, September 5. Contact the 412-624-HELP with questions.
A student account will stay active if you are a student worker. If you work for Pitt and are on the University payroll, your
account will remain active. If the account is going to be disabled, the account owner will receive an e-mail stating the date the
account will be disabled, usually two weeks in advance.
If you’re no longer able to access your account to set up mail forwarding, contact 412-624-HELP, or if they aren’t able to
assist, ask your department student services coordinator to assist you.
ETD Support Has Moved!
Now located in the Hillman Microforms area by the map cases.
Include Bookmarks in your ETD
Those submitting electronic theses and dissertations must include bookmarks. For more information on bookmarks and other
format requirements, ►Read more
Posting Defense Dates
All doctoral students must notify the University Times, the Pitt Chronicle, and various Pitt Public Health staff members of the
date of their dissertation defense. ►Read more
Information on Uploading Your ETD, Submitting the ETD thru D-Scholarship
When using the ETD Online System, you must login using your Pitt username and password. Once you have logged in,
follow the instructions for submitting your ETD documents.
The next ETD workshops are taking place on February 24 at 10 a.m. and February 25 at 2 p.m. More spring dates are
forthcoming. Click here to register.
For walk-in times/days or to make an appointment, see the ETD technical support form.
ETD Support Supporting LaTeX Format and Template
Students can use the ETD Support Form to request assistance with LaTeX. Support staff are working with students to identify
issues with the LaTeX template and will draft patches as needed to address issues or add functionality.
Pitt Public Health Weekly Update is distributed by the Office of Student Affairs.
University of Pittsburgh | Graduate School of Public Health | Office of Student Affairs | 114 Parran Hall, 130 DeSoto Street | Pittsburgh, PA 15261