Afterhours with Cathy Drennan
Catherine L. Drennan is head of a chemistry laboratory investigating medically- or environmentally-relevant enzymes here at MIT. She is also co-professor of 5.111, a popular freshman chemical principles course, in the spring. In December, I had the opportunity to sit down with Drennan to find out more about her strange connection to Lisa Kudrow, why she thinks purple is the best kind of dinosaur, and why she wishes students would ask questions at her office hours and not in her shower.
Around the world during summer break
Looking to travel overseas this summer? Want an awesome summer internship — and all on MIT’s dime? Then MISTI, the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives, may be the thing for you.
EventsMar. 8 – Mar. 14
EventsMar. 8 – Mar. 14 Tuesday (12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.) Women and Gender Studies celebrates International Women’s Day with Open Mic — W20 Coffeehouse (5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) Legatum Lecture: 2010 Prosperity Index. Lecture given by Dr. Ashley T. Lenihan and Jiehae Choi — 32-144 (8:00 p.m.) Mardi Gras Contra sponsored by the MIT Folk Dance Club — W20-491 Wednesday (12:05 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) Ash Wednesday Service — W15 (MIT Chapel) (5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.) Graduate Women at MIT (GWAMIT) Empowerment Conference Keynote: “Power, and How to Find it in Places You Didn’t Expect” by Cindy Gallop — 46-3002 (BCS Auditorium) Thursday (3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) So You Got a Job … Now What? Strategies for success in your new position — 1-246 (5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) GWAMIT Empowerment Conference Panel: “Power Couples” — Successful partners from academia and industry — E51-345 (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) Killian Hall Jazz Series concert by composer and pianist Guillermo Klein and saxophonist Bill McHenry — 14-111 (Killian Hall) Friday (4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) GWAMIT Empowerment Conference Panel: “I’m not a Feminist, but …” — Conversations on what modern feminism looks like — 32-G449 (Stata Kiva Room) (7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.) Thai Night 2011: Siam HD — Morss Hall (Walker Memorial) (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) MIT Symphony Orchestra, featuring Amanda N. Mok ’11, winner of the 2011 Concerto Competition — Kresge Auditorium Saturday (2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Special tour given by MIT Museum Curatorial Associate Ariel Weinberg; Inside 150: Gracious Professionalism, Cooperation, and Competition — MIT Museum (6:00 p.m.) MIT Figure Skating Club’s Annual Figure Skating Exhibition — Johnson Athletics Center (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) MIT Wind Ensemble, with guest composer and pianist Guillermo Klein and saxophonist Bill McHenry — Kresge Auditorium Sunday (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) The MIT Shakespeare Ensemble presents Romeo and Juliet — W20 La Sala de Puerto Rico (7:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.) LSC shows Due Date — 26-100 Monday (4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Janet Napolitano, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, speaks about “The Future of Science as Public Service” — Kresge Auditorium (1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.) Celebrate Pi Day with pies, sponsored by the Graduate Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics — 33-104 Send your campus events to events@tech.mit.edu.
Cheat Sheet aka that random stuff that never shows up on the test
The Tech: What’s your favorite song right now? What have you got playing on repeat?
Institute Double Take
I took this photo with a Nikon D300 camera on my way home from a track barbeque on Oct. 3, 2010. It was decently warm outside, with only a little bit of cloud cover. I stopped to take this picture of the tree on Briggs Field because it still had some leaves, but few enough that you could see the pattern of the branches.
Pokémon Reactionism
The walk to and from school everyday simply can’t be uphill both ways, which is why I don’t want to ever turn into a “back in the day” person. Fifteen years from now, when all media is streamed over the Internet and free from FCC regulation, I don’t want to be running around saying things like, “Remember back in the day, when we used to have artists like Ke$ha and Britney Spears? Those singers had class!” Unfortunately, not becoming a “back in the day person” is easier said than done. I know this because I caught myself unknowingly turning into one.
Swinging the blues away
To the jazzy sound of the clarinet, pairs twirl and spin across the floor of Lobdell, switching styles from improvisational blues to fast-paced swing in tune to the music. But this wasn’t a dance competition, or an exclusive party — it was just one of the weekly dances run by the MIT Lindy Hop Society.
Baby, I was born this way
“Does this make me look fat?” Most guys hear this question and end up mumbling something along the lines of, “Honey, when I see your face, there’s not a thing that I would change, ‘cuz girl you’re amazing just the way you are.” Most girls hear that response and either melt on the inside or doubt the sincerity in the sentiment since it’s the standard response. Ultimately, a vicious cycle ensues where the guy is perpetually convincing the girl that she is indeed beautiful, and the girl is eternally on a quest for that elusive 36-26-36. In this society of aesthetic regulations, it seems like we’ve become more concerned about outfits and societal images speaking to our personalities instead of the other way around.
Institute Double Take
This view of the sunset from Lobby 7 was taken through the viewfinder of a medium format camera from the second floor balcony. The reflection on the viewfinder gives a different perspective of a view that we see every day on the way home from classes. The spectacular view is normally ignored, overshadowed by the tiredness of a whole day of classes and work.
Events: Mar. 1 - Mar. 8
Events: Mar. 1 – Mar. 7 Tuesday (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Welcome MIT’s new chancellor, W. Eric L. Grimson PhD ’80 — Lobby 7 (4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) “Integration of mechanical and chemical signals in cell motility” talk given by Dr. Gaudenz Danuser of Harvard Medical School — 32-123 (8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) Latke-Hamantashen Debate — 26-100 Wednesday (5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) Legatum Lecture: The Long Tail of Expertise presented by Dr. Alpheus Bingham of InnoCentive, Inc. — 32-155 (Stata lecture hall) Thursday (4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.) Dr. Azad Bonni of Harvard Medical School speaks at the MIT Colloquium on the Brain and Cognition — 47-3002 (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) An Evening with Jennine Capó Crucet, author of How to Leave Hialeah — E51-115 (Wong Auditorium) Friday (4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Dedication of the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research — Koch Institute, Bldg. 76. (8:00 p.m. – 10:00p.m.) Festival Jazz Ensemble concert — Kresge Auditorium Saturday (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) Radius Ensemble: MIT Alumni Ensemble in Residence performs — Killian Hall (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) Lontano Ensemble from the U.K. performs a concert of music by MIT composers — Kresge Auditorium MonDAY (3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Dr. Robert Jaffe presents “More Precious than Gold: Critical Elements for New Energy Technologies” — 26-414 (4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) Dr. Hans Joachim Freund (Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft) presents “Models for catalysts: Is there anything new?” — 6-120 Send your campus events to events@tech.mit.edu.
Infinite congestion
Ever been impatiently inching along the Infinite in a hurry to be on time but found yourself trapped among the masses of people cluttering the hallway, slowly waddling along like molasses on a cold winter’s day? It can be frustrating, to say the least. Here are a few suggestions to successfully avoid the heavy traffic of MIT’s passageways.
Institute Double Take
An evening view of the west side of campus was taken during a cloudy day in the spring. The astroturf field and the tennis bubble are at the center of the image. On the left stands the MacGregor House tower. To the right of the bubble is Tang Hall and Westgate Apartments. The mixture of blue and orange in the sky creates a striking effect, rendering the MIT skyline exceptionally beautiful.
Events: Feb. 22 - Feb.28
Events:Feb. 22 – Feb. 28 Tuesday (11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) Celebrate National Recreational Sports & Fitness Day with special events and free group exercise classes — Zesiger Center (7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) Networking dinner for students involved in public service hosted by the MIT Public Service Center and Office of the Dean for Graduate Education — W11-190 Wednesday (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Diversity Career Fair — Lobby 13 (7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.) IDEAS and MIT Global Challenge: Spring Generator Dinner — W20, La Sala de Puerto Rico Thursday (5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) Online News: Public Sphere or Echo Chamber? A presentation by Joshua Benton and Pablo Boczkowski — 3-270 (6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) MIT Transportation Showcase — MIT Museum Friday (1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Drumming with Griots: Sabar drumming workshop (beginner level) — N52-199 (7:00 p.m. – 10:00p.m.) LSC shows The Social Network — 26-100 Saturday (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Mujeres Latinas 2nd Annual Conference — W20 Twenty Chimneys (9:15 p.m. – 11:15 p.m.) Jews on Ice — W35 SUNDAY (12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.) Kita Alef — Hebrew for real beginners — 8-119 (2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) American Rumba and East Coast Swing Workshops — W20, La Sala de Puerto Rico MONDAY (all day) FSILG&D Community Service Challenge Kick-Off — 4-104 (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) Collision 2 Lecture Series: Guillermo Faivovich & Nicolas Goldberg — E15-070, Bartos Theater Send your campus events to events@tech.mit.edu.
From sandy beaches to center stage
Attending college offers the opportunity to come into contact with new and exciting people virtually every day. Case in point: Dianna L. Cowern ’11 hails from Hawaii and is studying physics. She once distributed polio vaccines in the Dominican Republic and plays the ukulele. This Sunday, she will be competing in the Miss Boston Pageant, the first step on the path that potentially leads to becoming Miss America. The Tech had the opportunity to interview Miss Cowern about her pageant preparation and her experiences at MIT.
Healing achy, breaky hearts
I remember the days when Valentine’s Day consisted of writing everybody in my third grade class a “Spiderman Valentine” that said things along the lines of, “you’ve got my spidey senses tingling” and “thanks for sharing your PB&J sandwich.” The more special friends got an extra Hershey’s Kiss, while the people I couldn’t stand got Laffy Taffy. There was no heartbreak involved — only trading of candies if you didn’t like the flavor or type you received from someone. If only Valentine’s Day were so simple now.
Craving for caving: Meet the MIT Caving Club
Tired of the daily grind, the salt-crusted asphalt, the grey sky above? Feel the itch to explore places unknown? Or perhaps you’ve conquered the gym’s rock wall and are looking for another challenge? A cave could be the place for you. See waterfalls, exotic wildlife, and nature’s rock sculptures, all underneath your very feet.
Events: Feb. 15 - Feb. 21
Events: Feb. 15 – Feb. 21 Tuesday (1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.) Job Search for International Students. Learn how to develop your job search and interviewing skills as an international student — 1-190 (4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) MIT’s Moments of Decision: An Historical Retrospective. A panel discussion about how the Institute has reflected and shaped the history of science and technology in the U.S. — E14, Media Lab Complex Wednesday (3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Institute Faculty Meeting — 10-250 (5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) “Help! I’m graduating in May!”: Full-time jobs in the Federal Government. This webinar will highlight a number of agencies and positions across the government and show students how to apply for job openings — 5-217 (6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) IBM Watson: Humans vs. Machine - Who Will Win? Come and watch Jeopardy history being made! — 10-250 Thursday (6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.) First Generation Students Dinner — 56-154 (7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) Get in Gear for the 2012 Medical/Health Profession School Application Process — 4-163 Friday (6:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m.) LSC shows Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 — 26-100 (7:00 p.m. – 11:30p.m.) MIT Strategic Game Society Public Board Games Night — 50-316 Saturday (2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.) Handel, Israel in Egypt - Colloquium. Explore themes of liberation from authoritarianism and slavery in the story of Exodus — Kresge Auditorium (8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) Patrol. Play a high-action game of live combat with the MIT Assassins’ Guild — 36-115 SUNDAY (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) CSC 2011 Chinese New Year Banquet. Celebrate Chinese New Year with the Chinese Students Club — Walker Memorial (8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.) International Folk Dancing — Student Center 2nd floor MONDAY (7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.) Argentine Tango — 36-153 (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) Manning: Eight dances for the soldier who brought a helicopter massacre in Baghdad to the light of day. A Bread and Puppet Theater Production by the Lubberland National Dance Company — Wiesner Building (E15-001) Send your campus events to events@tech.mit.edu.
From pencils to pens
This semester, I switched from pencils to pens. I could never understand people who use pens. You can’t erase with pens — it’s like buying a keyboard without a backspace key.
Learning how to say “no”
“Divya! You should come downstairs with your plate and fork. There’s a ton of food downstairs.” My friend looked at me with a sense of urgency as I walked into my room with Trader Joe’s grocery bags in hand.