Pittsburgh Innovates

The first atomic bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima in 1945.
 
Inspired by survivor testimonials and actual photography of the bomb site, CMU Entertainment Technology Center grad students have created an interactive documentary video that recreates the explosion site and depicts the deadly aftermath that killed more than 100,000 people.  
 
Atomic Zone might be the first post nuclear Hiroshima educational tool on the effects of nuclear weaponry, says Rodrigo Cano, one of six students who worked on the project as part of a class with Professor Scott Steven last fall. The other students are Nick, Noreen, Anabelle, Eric, Jason.

The video game was created for the Dept. of Defense to prepare military personnel for the realities of radiation during the aftermath of a nuclear war. It was funded by the Army’s Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC).

Atomic Zone is a 3-D simulation of both the natural and human destruction that occurs after a nuclear blast. Visitors walk through the blast zones and listen to stories told through photographs and haunting music of how so named “Little Boy” nuclear bomb wiped out the inhabitants of the city.  
 
The animation is graphic; the students rendered the landscape using historical materials and maps to tell the story authentically. It is not recommended for anyone under a high school age.
 
“This is something that people are slowly forgetting about,” explains Cano. “Especially the younger generation. Maybe this will help them to remember.
 
“Most of the feedback has been positive,” he adds. “Many people were surprised by the imagery we used. Some were surprised by the different effects of fallout.. We tried very hard to stay a political of the issue.”
 
Many ETC class projects have gone on to become game simulations, such as PeaceMaker, a simulation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
 
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Rodrigo Cano, Atomic Bomb
 

Several events are coming up, whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to start a business or interested in the region’s future in energy, especially as it pertains to gas drilling.
 
Startup Weekend will be held from April 5 to 7, two days that offer a rich opportunity to join passionate entrepreneurs from the region (and around the world) who are learning to launch successful ventures.

This is the third Startup Weekend in Pittsburgh, a packed schedule that culminates in a lively competition. Everyone is invited to pitch a startup idea and receive feedback. Teams form around the top ideas as determined by popular vote.

A 54-hour creative fest of designing, coding and market validation ensues. The weekend finishes off with presentations before a panel of entrepreneurial leaders. This year’s panel includes: John Biggs, east coast editor of TechCrunch and a CMU alum; Don Morrison of BlueTree Allied Angels, Rich Lunak of Innovation Works and Matt Newton of TriStar Investors.

In energy-related events, a free forum “Presenting the Case for Crafting a Regional Energy Strategy and Plan” will be held on April 9^th at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Room 407, from 3:15 - 4:45 p.m.

The forum, hosted by Sustainable Pittsburgh Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy and Management, offers an opportunity to hear the latest on the region’s energy strategy.

Panelists include Robert Vagt, president of The Heinz Endowments and Greg Babe, CEO of Orbital Engineering. The event is free; registration is NOT necessary.

Carnegie Mellon University will host a symposium about shale gas and its implications for regional manufacturing from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 4, at the McConomy Auditorium at CMU's University Center on Forbes Avenue.
 
The symposium will feature panel discussions about the challenges and opportunities shale gas poses for industrial development and about the use of natural gas as fuel.
 
Writer: Deb Smit

Each week Pop City reports on the latest in company hiring news.

Phipps Conservatory in Oakland is hiring for four full-time positions: finance administrative assistant, retail/ guest services management, building maintenance technician and a heavy custodial laborer. In addition, two part-time jobs and two internships are available: event assistant, guest service associate and a studio intern and pest-management intern.

Kelly Strayhorn Theatre is hiring a production assistant, a part-time position (25 hours a week) to assist the production manager in coordinating and executing a number of live events. The theatre provides provocative theatre that attracts local, national and international productions.
 
Expedient Data Centers in Pittsburgh is looking for an application engineer to join Pittsburgh’s team of four developers to work with the latest open-source projects that help companies manage everything from their energy usage to their operating system.
 
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is seeking a foundation & grants coordinator. This full time position involves research and successful funding of foundation and government proposals for both capital and programmatic projects as well as corporate sponsorships for various exhibits and projects throughout the Zoo. 

Monroeville-based Chorus Call, working in the audio and video conferencing space, is hiring a software engineer with relevant IT experience.
 
Bayer Material Science, a leading producer of polymers and high-performance plastics, is hiring a marketing communications manager. A B.S. in a technical or business related field and 7-10 years of experience is required.
 
MarketSpace Communications in Cranberry is hiring a PR & Social Media Intern. The ideal candidate will have 3-5 years of experience and a degree in communications.
 
Attention all those seeking an entry-level job or internship with a computer science or engineering background. Network with area companies at Tech Connect, an informal recruiting event at Pitt’s William Pitt Union in the ballroom on the main floor from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 28^th.

In other job related news, a Neighborhood Employment Center has opened to help Northside residents write and polish resumes and find jobs. The center is open 5 days a week, from 12-4:30 p.m. on Mondays and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and offers many free job-seeking services.

Have hiring news? Email Pop City and include a job description and career link.
 
Writer: Deb Smit

A new coalition to bring some of the country’s biggest oil and gas companies to the table with some of the most respected environmental organizations in the state has given rise to hope as well as skepticism.
 
While the press conference, held at the invitation of the Heinz Endowments last Thursday, received widespread and generally favorable media attention, several environmental groups including the Sierra Club denounced the move as an effort to spin the shale industry as “sustainable.”
 
The coalition, called the Center for Sustainable Shale Development (CSSD), is comprised of gas producers, nonprofits and several environment groups. CSSD is committed to the creation of a list of voluntary performance standards for the hydraulic fracturing process that are designed to promote environmentally responsible drilling practices.
 
Sitting at the table with Consol Energy, Chevron, EQT and Shell was the Clean Air Task Force, Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP), PennFuture, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Pennsylvania Council (PEC), and the William Penn Foundation, in addition to Heinz.
 
CSSD is a work in progress, explained Bobby Vagt, president of Heinz. The initial focus will be on 15 standards to address air, climate and water quality concerns.
 
"Why would two regional philanthropies commit to this?” Vagt asked. “We subscribe to the premise that the only way to resolve any major challenges is to have all points of view at the table.” 
 
GASP’s Joe Osborn believes the initial skepticism will diminish in time as the coalition moves forward and starts making environmental gains.
 
“The decision to support CSSD was not one we made lightly,” says Osborne.  “We knew a lot of people would view CSSD as just another industry greenwash effort. I can’t fault anyone for being skeptical.
 
“Industry efforts to portray themselves as socially or environmental responsible rarely correspond with reality. GASP has no interest in endorsing an industry PR campaign. GASP supports CSSD because we believe it has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impacts and human health risks posed by shale gas development.”
 
CSSD will open an office in the EQT building and hire an executive director and staff.
 
The goal of the group is to establish standards that exemplify best practices in the industry, such as lined retention ponds with impermeable walls, maximized water recycling and rigid groundwater monitoring.

The standards are intended to drive companies to adopt new practices that will reduce their environmental impact and will be regularly updated to account for new innovations and to ensure the standards continue to exceed regulatory requirements.  

Will peer and citizen pressure work in convincing other gas producers in the region, such as Range Resources, to join and adhere to standards that are more rigid than those set by state regulations?
 
That remains to be seen. Bringing people together to do the right thing without being hammered into submission is preferred, Vagt said.  
 
CSSD is the latest among several initiatives to suggest the need for more control over drilling standards. Last year a report was released by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility suggesting some of the same measures.
 
Writer: Deb Smit
Souce: Robert Vagt, The Heinz Endowments; Joe Osborne, GASP 

 
While apps may be so yesterday, they just keep coming. Here’s a roundup of some of the latest ones rolling out of Pittsburgh.
 
In a unique spin on tracking a woman’s fertility, local software company TRA Partners has released an app to help men stay abreast of their partner’s ability to conceive. Called Rhythm Daddy, it allows guys to follow their partner's monthly cycle, sending them funny updates through texts or alerts, whether a couple hopes to get pregnant or wants to “dodge the bullet.”
 
Share Closet is an idea in development by two Pittsburgh women. The app, to launch later this year, will allow friends to share and swap clothes with one another or sell items they no longer need.
 
Can you say goodbye, parking tickets? ParkIt Pittsburgh came out of Steel City Codefest as a parking app that connects users with the city’s new metered parking system, a handy tool if you’re down the street and need to give yourself more time. Pay for parking anywhere in the city using your phone, see your remaining time allowance and receive notifications when you’re running low.
 
This one was created out of sheer laziness: Flippoo allows user to flip unwanted tasks to anyone who is looking for a little extra money. Pitt marketing student Alec Davis created the app as a way to make campus living easier. Need someone to grab a library book for you and drop it off? Flippoo it.

From the team that brought us HitchedPic, the app for those heading toward matrimonial bliss, comes a new release called Baby Patches, to capture and share all the beautiful moments with your baby. 

Clique Vodka has launched a new DrinkyPal app. As with their previous app, users who are enjoying a night on the town can access a list of the nearest taxi companies and hotels, a safer alternative to drinking and driving. Now you can also book a hotel room directly from your phone and call the taxi company directly.
 
Here’s one for the busiest of professionals who needs to prioritize who can and cannot reach them. Selective Disturbance comes to us from 4C Design Works in Pittsburgh. Touted as a “business productivity app,” it integrates with iPhones' Do Not Disturb feature and allows users to pick who can and can’t get through while blocking the rest of the noise. It also syncs with Microsoft Exchange contacts.

And finally, Pittsburgh's own weather app, Swackett, turned two with the release of an iPad app featuring models wearing American Eagle outfits.

Now, can we do something about this weather?

Writer: Deb Smit

Each week Pop City reports on hiring and company news in the region.
 
Omnyx Integrated, a division of GE Healthcare developing digital pathology solutions, is hiring 11+ for a variety of positions at its Pittsburgh corporate headquarters: principal quality engineer, technical support engineers, senior scientist, product management vice president, materials manager, design/ drafter, master technician and project coordinator/specialist.
 
WQED Multimedia is looking for a director of local and national on-air fundraising and production. The ideal candidate will oversee, produce and strategize all local and national fundraising efforts in raising upwards of $2.5 million for the organization. A minimum of five to 10 years in fundraising is necessary.
 
Alung Technologies, a provider of advanced respiratory support solutions, is hiring an executive assistant/HR coordinator. The position will be responsible for coordinating administrative and human resource matters and performing administrative functions.

Compunetix in Monroeville is hiring a technical writer/trainer to work with technical staff in preparation to write technical documents as well as conducting operations training on audio/ video conferencing products.

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is seeking a conservation professional to manage a large, complex conservation project in the Laurel Highlands portion of the Central Appalachians ecosystem, including Ligonier Valley, through permanent land conservation. Productive working relationships with community leaders and public private agencies are key. The job requires working out of the Ligonier office two days a week.
 
Immunetrics, a Pittsburgh bio-simulation company developing “silico” modeling, is looking for a mathematical modeler. The company’s modeling technology provides critical information to accelerate and improve drug discovery and development.

UPMC is hiring a senior systems analyst to support the PUH-Health Information Management Department for its Melwood Building location. 

Construction Junction is seeking an administrative assistant to provide office services for general operational and fundraising purposes. The job will initially be 16 hours a week but the schedule may vary to accommodate Big Pour, CJ’s annual fundraiser.

Have hiring news? Email Pop City and send the links.
 
Writer: Deb Smit

A new consortium of companies in Pittsburgh are joining forces to establish the region as a major hub for "big data" with the official launch of Pittsburgh DataWorks this week.
 
In stealth mode since last fall, DataWorks surfaced two weeks ago at the MIT Forum held at IBM in Squirrel Hill. IBM initiated the idea and is joined by five founding members: Carnegie Mellon University, Google, Management Science Associates, University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Medical Center.
 
A long list of private companies and economic development organizations are on board as well.
 
Pittsburgh companies and universities are already working and established in this space, explains Bob Monroe, associate professor at the Tepper School of Business at CMU and member of the DataWorks advisory board.
 
This is the logical next step, bringing everyone together and unifying the effort to establish southwestern Pennsylvania as a leading region for this industry. By 2014, big data will gain an $81 billion foothold in the market and create 1.9 million jobs in the U.S.
 
“The opportunities are huge,” says Monroe. "As a region, we have many of the assets that will help us to become a capital for big data.”
 
DataWorks will share space in the business incubator Rev Oakland. In addition to promoting the region as a leading destination for big data education, the initiative will develop research, entrepreneurial and regional economic development opportunities.
 
The coming out party will be held Thursday, March 21, at the University Club on Pitt’s campus from 6 to 8 p.m.
 
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Bob Monroe, Saman Haqqi, Pittsburgh DataWorks

Hackers say they can teach a monkey to hack a computer in a few hours, which is disturbing news to anyone who makes a living online.
 
Having recently suffered two cyber attacks—an email and Twitter account—I sought advice from a cyber savvy friend at Wombat Security Technologies in Oakland, a CMU spinoff and expert in the area of cyber security training and filtering solutions for businesses and employees.
 
Phishing attacks rose a whopping 59 percent in 2012 from the previous year, says Amy Baker, marketing director. Phishing is the fraudulent act of sending emails that pretend to be from a legitimate company or person but are actually breaking into and confiscating your personal information.
 
“It’s just one of many problems,” she says.
 
Wombat Securities shared a few key tips on the top ways to safeguard your online business culled from their vast training library.  
 
Browsing
Just because you Google for something doesn’t mean you will land on a legitimate website. Check urls and learn domain names. There are many dangerous websites in cyberland. CNN.net, for example, is not the same as CNN.com.
 
Don’t allow your browser to remember your passwords; they can be retrieved by other people. And don’t save credit card information on websites.
 
 
Email
Be alert for emails that address current events or the scandal of the moment. Many contain links that lead to websites with malware.
 
Don’t assume your friends or colleagues are sending you safe links or attachments. If you receive a suspect link from a friend or colleague, delete it immediately. If your email is infected, change your password right away. You might need to shut the account down and create a new one.
 
Passwords
This is an important topic, Baker says. If you think you have a great password, think again. Lists are circulating in cyberspace with the top passwords of all time and yours could be on it, especially if it contains the word “monkey,” the numbers 123456 or the letters qwerty.
 
Vary your passwords across sites. Create online banking and purchasing passwords that are different from general website passwords. Strong passwords are key: the strongest ones contain at least eight letters and include uppercase letters, symbols and numbers.
 
The hardest passwords to crack are password families and ones that string multiple words together, like redcar and bluecar or mojomama and mojopapa with a few numbers and symbols tossed in.
 
Social Media
Cyber criminals are having a heyday with your social contacts. Everything you post on social media, no matter what your privacy option, is in the public domain. People have lost their jobs from a tasteless or thoughtless post, says Baker. Set boundaries on your online persona.
 
Wombat’s co-founder Lorrie Cranor recently published a “Guide to Facebook’s Privacy Options” in the Wall Street Journal, a great read for anyone wishing to stay abreast of this fast-moving area of social media.
 
Don’t share information that sets you up for identity theft: your birthday and year, place of birth, address.
 
Text Messaging
Beware of sms-phishing: fake text messages that look like they’re from your bank or a company but are really just trying to harvest your passwords when you follow the link and login.
 
Make sure the apps you download are legitimate. Check reviews for malware ratings. Amazon and Apple apps are generally safer than apps from noname stores.
 
Beware of free WiFi
When you use a public WiFi network that’s unprotected, anyone can eavesdrop on your conversations. Look for password protected sites. If you must use an unprotected network, only visit websites you know are secure and don’t enter sensitive information like passwords.
 
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Amy Baker, Wombat Security Technologies

The toxicology of the chemicals contained in fracking fluid—proprietary ingredients used by the industry in the drilling of the Marcellus Shale—is the focus of a study now underway at Duquesne University.
 
Dr. Fred Fochtman, director of forensic science and law in the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, and his research team received $193,000 to conduct a toxicological study of the chemicals.
 
Weatherford US, an international oil and gas service company, awarded the grant. The results will be used as documentation to be shared nationally and internationally, the researchers say.
 
The study will investigate 752 “chemical entities” and provide a detailed analysis of how the chemicals are used, including whether or not the elements are carcinogens.
 
The list was taken from a Congressional committee and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is reviewing the fracking ingredients in an attempt to find ways to minimize the environmental risk. A study of the 14 largest oil and gas service companies from 2005-2010 revealed that 2,500 products were used, made up of some 750 chemicals.
 
The identified chemical elements include toxic and/or cancer-causing elements, some of which are regulated under federal and state regulations, some of which are not, the researchers say.
 
“Even a minute amount can be dangerous depending on what it is and how it is used,” says Fochtman.
 
“We’re primarily interested in finding out what these chemicals are, (determining) what hazard do they pose, what is known about their toxicity and putting them into a volume available to anyone working in this area,” he adds.
 
The researchers say the results will adhere to scientific findings and not become a political tool, even though the study was funded by a gas service company.
 
“It’s a tribute to them that they’ve left us alone completely,” says Paul Carlson, a member of the toxicology team. “They haven’t tried to influence us in any direction. Our marching orders are to call it what it is. If it’s a carcinogen, it’s a carcinogen.”
 
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Fred Fochtman and Paul Carlson, Duquesne University

Imagine the power of billions and billions of data bytes in the cloud that are leveraged to not only solve problems but predict the future. Such is the promise of “big data,” the bold frontier of data mining.
 
Pittsburgh startup Powered Analytics hopes to tap this data mother lode. By developing a cloud-based platform to assist a wide range of industries, the startup, currently in Alpha Lab, hopes to be among the first to establish itself in the business intelligence market, which is estimated to gain an $81 billion foothold in the market by 2014.

And if that isn't exciting enough, Pittsburgh companies have joined forces and launched DataWorks, a partnership of local companies--including IBM, Avere, CMU, Pitt, UPMC and Management Scientist Associates--who are rolling out big plans to make Pittsburgh a hub for "big data." (More on this next week.)
 
From the dawn of man the world has generated about five million terabytes of information, explains Collin Otis, co-founder and Pitt grad who previously worked in the aerospace industry on scientific prediction methods for propulsion applications.
  
“As a society we now generate about that much data in two days.” 
 
Welcome to the next paradigm shift.
 
“There’s an opportunity to really change the world doing this on a massive scale,” says Otis. “You can solve amazing problems with this technology.”
 
For example, auto manufacturers can sift through warranty, recall and service data on a specific model and flag potential mechanical problems before they become a costly issue.  Computers can identify a pattern long before humans, he says.
 
While very new, Pittsburgh is well on its way to becoming a hub for data mining and machine learning. SAP, one of the largest providers of statistical analysis, recently acquired Smartops; IBM, which acquired Vivisimo, and Google are both working on it.
 
It’s the holy grail of business intelligence applications, yet only about 3% of all companies are leveraging this data, Otis says.  
 
It’s not an easy space to get into. The startup has two employees, two interns and received more than 100 applications for its one job opening.
 
“I wanted to work in an industry with an opportunity to make a big impact,” Otis says. “The endgame is to become a global leader in predictive analytics.”
 
Writer: Debra Smit
Source: Collin Otis, Powered Analytics

Announcing the newest accelerator for entrepreneurs, The Hardware Store, opening in Mt. Washington in a formerly boarded up —what else—hardware store.
 
Unlike the other accelerators opening up around the city, this one is tailored specifically for media freelancers. It offers a space close to the city and is equipped with video-making technology, explains Jason Kambitsis, executive director of the Mt. Washington Community Developing Corp. (MWCDC).
 
The Hardware Store, located on Warrington Avenue, has 25 desks and a 20-foot green screen. The Mt. Washington Community Development Corp. will facilitate the space and Pittsburgh startup @crowdasaurus will be the first tenant and will manage the day-to-day operation.
 
The developer, RE360, is providing the space and making the necessary updates to the property.
 
“All these startups need good media and media content to sell their brand,” says Kambitsis. “We think if we smoosh everyone together we can not only save them money but (help them to) generate good media content. We’re making it work because, at the end of the day, getting a business open there will be extremely beneficial for the neighborhood."
 
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Jason Kambitsis, MWCDC

While many women in business today are successful, they often struggle when it comes to growing their businesses to greater profitability. 
 
A new program at Chatham University’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship (CWE) hopes to change that. CWE MyBoard is helping women entrepreneurs to not only succeed in the startup of their business but to sustain and grow it, which is often the hardest part.
 
Statistics show that while 50% of privately held companies in the U.S. are owned by women, only three-fourths of those women grow beyond $50,000 in gross revenues. MyBoard strives to make a difference by helping women gain the confidence they need to take on greater risk, hire more personnel and raise the necessary financing to push their businesses toward the $1 million mark, says Rebecca Harris, director of CWE.
 
MyBoard, an extension of the programming already offered by CWE, has paired 10 mentees with successful professionals who are serving as mentors, both women and men. The virtual platform offers the flexibility to meet at convenient times for everyone.  
 
“Being an entrepreneur myself, I wanted to make sure I had the time (to be a mentor),” says Gloria Blint, president and CEO of Redhouse Communication. “It’s a very cool way of maximizing people’s time. When professionals get involved, you want to be both effective and productive.”
 
Beth Slagle, an attorney with Meyer, Unkovic & Scott, serves as a mentor to Chef Kate Romane’s of the popular Highland Park restaurant E2. The program is helping Romane tackle the many business issues involved that will elevate her business to the next level, Slagle says.
 
The program is assisted through funding from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation with additional support from both the Alcoa Foundation and Bridgeway Capital.
 
Writer: Deb Smit

Image: MyBoard mentors and CWE Staff members meeting with mentee Kate Romane of E2 restaurant.

Each week Pop City reports on the latest hiring news in the region.
 
Wexford-based software company Co-eXprise is expanding its team. The company hired 17 in 2012 and currently has three openings for a sales director of the western region, a junior software engineer and a system administrator engineer. The firm provides sourcing software to manufacturers to facilitate their businesses.
 
CMU spinout Flashgroup, founded by two CMU professors, is exploring ways to facilitate a faster-paced social network. The company is hiring three: Python developer for NLP Analytics; a system administrator and a UI/UX designer. Those adept in IT need apply.
 
Mind Over Media, a Pittsburgh marketing strategy firm, is hiring a facilities technician, a key role that will support video and post-production needs. The firm creates multi-channel products for higher education, college athletics and the corporate sector.
 
Little Earth Productions, the South Side company that makes cool purses and recently landed a big contract for the Terrible Towel, is looking for a marketing associate to assist with marketing and the promotion of licensed sports accessories.
 
ShowClix is on the lookout for a director of marketing. The ideal candidate will provide leadership, training and management to the ShowClix marketing team and be able to juggle multiple projects (in the air) simultaneously.
 
The Pittsburgh office of Bombardier is hiring a technical writer/ editor intern to author sections of manuals and smaller documents. The job requires editing and publishing operation and maintenance manuals, illustrated parts catalogs and training documentation as well as assisting in other technical writing duties.

Have hiring news? Email Pop City the details and include the link.
 
Writer: Deb Smit