SEMINAR DAYThe 77th Annual

Saturday, May 17

12

SUNDAY MAY 1811:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Caltech Y Alumni BrunchCaltech Y O!ces505 S. Wilson, directly north of the Caltech Credit UnionOpen to all alumni who have fond memories of the Y and want to get updated on current activities. Stop by to enjoy good food and chat with friends.Questions: (626) 395-6163, caltechy@caltech.edu

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Caltech Athletics Inaugural Hall Of Honor CeremonyIncludes Lunch, Beckman Mall$25, $15 Children under 12Help celebrate Caltech’s athletic heritage with the induction of the inaugural class of the athletics Hall of Honor. Whether you were an athlete or a supporter of the program, you are encouraged to attend this special celebration. Questions: gocaltech.com

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Ruddock House ReunionReception, Tom Mannion’s House, 400 S. Hill Ave.Questions: rudd-sec@ugcs.caltech.edu

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Ricketts House Reunion: Beer & BratsMillikan PondQuestions: crosen@caltech.edu

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Blacker House Reunion: Associates TeaBlacker House CourtyardQuestions: mole-vp@ugcs.caltech.edu

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sixth Annual Chamber Music Marathon ConcertDabney Lounge Strings, piano, woodwinds, and brass combine to present chamber music from every era. Arrive when you can. Stay as long as you can.

3:00 p.m. kalAlayamRamo AuditorumSponsored by OASIS and the Caltech Y$10 (Free with Caltech ID)Of the 2.5 million people estimated to be victims of human tra!cking — approximately 90% are women and children. This South Indian Bharatanatyam performance explores the di"erent roles women have played in society around the world.

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Dabney House Reunion: Dinosaur vs Robot Cage Match Reception and MatchDabney House CourtyardQuestions: dabney_president@ugcs.caltech.edu

+ EXCHANGE

The Biggest Ideas in the Universe. The Brightest Minds on Earth.Return to Caltech for

THE 2014 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS

11:00 a.m. Beckman AuditoriumGENERAL SESSION

James S.W. Wong (PhD ’65)Chairman, Chinney Holdings Ltd.Honorary Professor of Mathematics, University of Hong Kong For substantial contributions in mathematics and commercial enterprise. Wong’s extensive scholarly research focused on oscillation theory of di"erential equations. As an entrepreneur, he transformed his family business into a leading international investment company.

Mary Baker (MS ’67, PhD ’72)President, ATA Engineering Inc.For pioneering entrepreneurship and vision. Baker founded ATA Engineering Inc., an employee-owned distinguished provider of analysis and test-driven design solutions for mechanical and aerospace systems.

Paul J. Steinhardt (BS ’74)Albert Einstein Professor in Science and Director of the Princeton Center for Theoretical Science, Princeton UniversityFor seminal contributions to theoretical physics and cosmology. Among his many achievements, Steinhardt advanced new inflationary and ekpyrotic models of the universe and advanced the theory of quasicrystals, discovering the first-known naturally occurring quasicrystals.

Richard K. Miller (PhD ’76)President, Olin College of EngineeringFor visionary leadership and commitment to innovation in higher education for the benefit of society. As the founding president of Olin College, Miller has led the creation of a new institution recognized for its innovative teaching methods and models.

Richard H. Scheller (PhD ’80)Executive Vice President, Research and Early Development, GenentechFor seminal work in neuroscience and leadership in biomedicine. Among his many achievements, Scheller identified the mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. Now at Genentech, he oversees the development of basic research into new treatments for human disease.

David E. Chavez (BS ’96)Principal Investigator and Project Leader, Los Alamos National LaboratoryFor his extensive and groundbreaking contributions to chemistry. Chavez created versatile new synthetic compounds and processes that advanced the development of high-nitrogen energetic materials, which are now being used for applications in a wide variety of fields.

First presented in 1966, the Distinguished Alumni Award is granted in recognition of a particular achievement of significant value, a series of such distinctive achievements, or a career of noteworthy accomplishment. It is the highest honor the Institute bestows upon a graduate. The Caltech community celebrates the following six individuals for their groundbreaking contributions in research, academics, business, and philanthropy.

14Read more about these Distinguished Alumni in the 2014 issue of Caltech Connect, due this spring.

THE 2014 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS KEYNOTE SPEAKER

CARVER A. MEAD(BS ’56, MS ’57, PhD ’60)

Gordon and Betty Moore Professor of Engineering and Applied Science, Emeritus

Over a more than 50-year career, Carver Mead has been one of the most influential thinkers and pioneers in silicon technology. From structured silicon designs to device physics to neural engineering, his work has propelled the entire semiconductor industry and enabled the vast array of computing devices that permeate our everyday lives.

ABSTRACT

WORLDVIEWS AND SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT

At any given time, scientific discussion takes place within a worldview or zeitgeist.The world view itself limits what ideas are expressible. We are all prisoners of the language we have created to develop our understanding to its present state. The very concepts and ways of thinking that have led to progress in the past create blind spots that prevent progress into the future. I will discuss how the present worldview is limiting our understanding, and suggest how an emerging new worldview is already enabling progress.

SPECIAL EVENT

CONVERSATION WITH CARVER MEAD5:00 p.m., Gates Patio and Iris Garden$20Join us for a special reception and moderated Q&A with Carver Mead. Mingle with Caltech friends and colleagues while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, wine, and beer. Limited tickets available.

15

SEMINAR DAY SCHEDULE8:15 a.m. Registration, Check-In and Refreshments

Beckman Mall, Registration TentCheck in and pick up name badges and room assignments, then proceed to Gates Annex for light refreshments.

9:00 a.m.Session I

10:00 a.m.Session II

11:00 a.m.Session III – General Session

12:30 p.m.– 2:00 p.m.

All Alumni Lunch Beckman Mall (Registration Tent)$12

2:00 p.m.Session IV

3:00 p.m.Session V

4:00 p.m.Session VI

4:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Wine And Cheese ReceptionSeminar Day Attendees Gates AnnexAll Seminar Day attendees are invited to Gates Annex for our wine and cheese reception. Refresh yourself at the end of the day.

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

All Alumni Barbecue$30

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Conversation with Carver Mead$20

16

For more events and activities during the weekend, browse the schedule on pp. 7 – 11.

8:15 a.m. Registration, Check-In and RefreshmentsBeckman Mall, Registration TentCheck in and pick up name badges and room assignments, then proceed to Gates Annex for light refreshments.

9:00 a.m.Session I

10:00 a.m.Session II

11:00 a.m.Session III – General Session

12:30 p.m.– 2:00 p.m.

All Alumni Lunch Beckman Mall (Registration Tent)$12

2:00 p.m.Session IV

3:00 p.m.Session V

4:00 p.m.Session VI

4:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Wine And Cheese ReceptionSeminar Day Attendees Gates AnnexAll Seminar Day attendees are invited to Gates Annex for our wine and cheese reception. Refresh yourself at the end of the day.

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

All Alumni Barbecue$30

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Conversation with Carver Mead$20 THERE’S EVEN MORE! For more events and activities during the

weekend, browse the schedule on pp. 7 – 12.

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Sherman Fairchild LibraryThe Sherman Fairchild library will be open during Seminar Day. Librarians will be available to answer your questions about Caltech’s new Open Access Policy from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

LAB TOURS11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Caltech Seismological Laboratory Exhibit CenterBriefings at one of two stations: Exhibit Center, South Mudd and North Hallway, 2nd Floor Media Center, Rm. 269Caltech, along with the USGS, UC Berkeley, and the California Geological Survey, is coordinating earthquake monitoring e"orts under the California Integrated Seismic Network (CISN). We will display the project’s exciting new capabilities, including an Internet-based, real-time ground-shaking map called ShakeMap, and the new High Performance Computing (HPC) Cluster, where research is taking place in seismology, planetary science, geology, environmental sciences, chemistry, and other disciplines.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Graduate Aerospace Laboratories (GALCIT)Guggenheim, Self-directed tours depart from lobbyAlumni are invited to visit and tour GALCIT facilities, which may include the Lucas Adaptive Wall Wind Tunnel, the T5 Hypervelocity Shock Tunnel, the Space Structures Laboratory, and the Charyk Laboratory of Bioinspired Design. Displays in the Kármán Conference Room and Archives highlight the life and achievements of Theodore von Kármán, the founding Director of GALCIT and JPL.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

and1:00 p.m.

– 2:00 p.m.

Linde + Robinson Laboratory for Global Environmental ScienceSixty-minute tours depart from the east patio. Wheelchair access via the north door.Renamed in honor of alumnus Ronald K. Linde (MS ’62, PhD ’64) and his wife, Maxine, the Linde + Robinson Laboratory for Global Environmental Science sets new standards in green design and a visionary re-purposing of the historic solar telescope. Tour guests will learn about the building’s unique features and groundbreaking research.

1:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Caltech Brain Imaging Center24 spots available for Seminar Day attendees only. Sign-ups available on a first-come, first-served basis during check-in and registration. 45-minute tours begin at: 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.The Caltech Brain Imaging Center is a state-of-the-art facility within the Broad Center for the Biological Sciences. Visit each of the Center’s four MRI scanners and learn about the research to understand how the brain develops; how it supports memory, emotion, decision-making, and consciousness; and how it breaks down in disease.

17

SEMINAR DAY AT A GLANCE

Distinguished Alumni Awards and General Session

BECKMAN AUDITORIUM

RAMO AUDITORIUM

BAXTER LECTURE HALL

155 ARMS 201 E. BRIDGE 153 NOYES 119 KERCKHOFF BECKMAN INSTITUTE AUDITORIUM

9:00 a.m.Session I

The Hunt For Dark Matter

S. Golwala

Revealing Saturn: Cassini’s 10th Year

L. Spilker

Understanding Cortical Hierarchies: The Six-Piece Puzzle of Face Perception

D. Tsao (BS ’96)

Columbus and the Shape of the World

N. Wey-Gomez

Catalysis For Energy Conversion: From Enzymes to Synthetic Metal Clusters

T. Agapie (PhD ’07)

High-Resolution Seismic Imaging of Large Earthquakes

J. Ampuero Saenz

1+1=3: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Holistic Circuits

S. Hajimiri

10:00 a.m.Session II

Detecting Vibrations From the Big Bang

J. Bock

How the Brain Learns From the Past: A Tour of Neural Reinforcement Learning

J. O’Doherty

To MOOC or Not to MOOC

Y.S. Abu-Mostafa (PhD ’83)

A New Generation of Topological Materials for the Electronics Future

D. Hsieh

Reinterpreting the Genetic Code: How to Do It and Why You Might Want to

D. Tirrell

Black and Brown as the Driven Snow: Unveiling the Latent Killer of Earth’s Mountain Snow And Ice

T. Painter

Computer Assisted Design for Protein Engineering with Applications from Biofuels to Human Therapeutics S. Mayo (PhD ’88)

Nontraditional Seismology: Making Use of Ambient Seismic Noise

V. Tsai (BS ’04)

11:00 a.m.Session III

12:30 p.m. All Alumni Lunch

2:00 p.m.Session IV

Revealing Saturn: Cassini’s 10th Year

L. Spilker

Ghosts in the Machinery: The Problem of Women in the Constitution

C. Allgor

Columbus and the Shape of the World

N. Wey-Gomez

1+1=3: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Holistic Circuits

S. Hajimiri

Improving Wind Turbine Resilience with Flapping Blades

J. Cosse (MS ’09, PhD ’15)

High-Resolution Seismic Imaging of Large Earthquakes

J. Ampuero Saenz

A New Generation of Topological Materials for the Electronics Future

D. Hsieh

3:00 p.m.Session V

The Hunt for Dark Matter

S. Golwala

A Molecular View of Cancer: Chemically Synthesized Capture Agents For Early Detection And Screening K. Butler Deyle ’14

Astrochemical Investigations of our Cosmic Origins

B. McGuire ’17

Understanding Cortical Hierarchies: The Six-Piece Puzzle of Face Perception

D. Tsao (BS ’96)

Everyone Starts Small: Where Materials Learn to Behave

D. Kochmann

Computer Assisted Design for Protein Engineering with Applications from Biofuels to Human Therapeutics S. Mayo (PhD ’88)

Catalysis for Energy Conversion: From Enzymes to Synthetic Metal Clusters

T. Agapie (PhD ’07)

4:00 p.m.Session VI

How the Brain Learns From the Past: A Tour of Neural Reinforcement Learning

J. O’Doherty

Reinterpreting the Genetic Code: How to Do It and Why You Might Want to

D. Tirrell

Black And Brown as the Driven Snow: Unveiling the Latent Killer of Earth’s Mountain Snow and Ice

T. Painter

Everyone Starts Small: Where Materials Learn to Behave

D. Kochmann

Ghosts In the Machinery: The Problem of Women in the Constitution

C. Allgor

Nontraditional Seismology: Making Use of Ambient Seismic Noise

V. Tsai (BS ’04)

SURF Winners Series

K. Ryan ’16J. Masehi-Lano ’15

Career WorkshopGet the Job You Want

S. Santillanes

WelcomeHeather L. Dean (BS ’00, MS ’00)President, Caltech Alumni Association

Presentation of theDistinguished Alumni AwardsEdward M. Stolper Interim President and Provost, Caltech

General SessionPaul A. Levin (BS ’72) General Session Chair

Keynote Worldviews And Scientific ThoughtCarver A. Mead (BS ’56, MS ’57, PhD ’60)

For a full list of abstracts and description of other activities, consult full program guide.

Jamie Bock Professor of Physics; Jet Propulsion Laboratory Senior Research Scientist

DETECTING VIBRATIONS FROM THE BIG BANGCosmology invokes an expanding universe born in a hot big bang 14 billion years ago. Moments after the big bang, the entire universe we see today, then in a sub-atomic volume, violently expanded in a process known as ‘inflation.’ Our group reported the first evidence for a background of gravitational waves from inflation, based on measurements of cosmic microwave background polarization by the Caltech BICEP2 experiment at the South Pole.

III10:00 a.m.Beckman Auditorium Chair: Peter Groom

JUST ADDED!

ABS

TRAC

TS

20

Yaser S. Abu-Mostafa (PhD ’83) Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

TO MOOC OR NOT TO MOOCThe huge interest in massive open online courses (MOOCs) over the past two years has provided an opportunity to transform college education and its global outreach, but it has also posed challenges about the quality, nature, and economics of education. I taught Caltech’s first MOOC on a number of platforms and also applied it to the flipped-classroom model here at Caltech. I will share my experiences, and my views, about MOOCs and the future of college education.

II 10:00 a.m. Chair: Daniel Whelan

Theodor Agapie (PhD ’07) Assistant Professor of Chemistry

CATALYSIS FOR ENERGY CONVERSION FROM ENZYMES TO SYNTHETIC METAL CLUSTERSCatalysts facilitate a variety of biological and industrial chemical processes by rendering them selective and energetically less demanding. In the global context of limiting energy resources and environmental concerns, catalysis is the basis for the development of technologies for renewable energy conversion and energy e!cient chemistry. This seminar will discuss several classes of catalysts, with a focus on the conversion of energy in biological systems as a starting point for the design of small synthetic catalysts.

I 9:00 a.m. Chair: Ira Moskatel V 3:00 p.m.

Chair: Sean Upchurch

20 21

Catherine Allgor Nadine and Robert A. Skotheim Director of Education, Huntington Library, Art Collection and Botanical Gardens

GHOSTS IN THE MACHINERY THE PROBLEM OF WOMEN IN THE CONSTITUTIONThat women—in their special status as “women”—are not present in the United States Constitution is an accepted fact. While some scholars have argued that their implicit presence (as “citizens” or “inhabitants”) matters, I will examine what the exclusion of half of the white American citizenry means in this founding document. “Coverture” is the clue in the Constitution—and the reason why “female trouble” haunts the republican experiment like a ghost.

IV 2:00 p.m. Chair: Michael Krieger VI 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Michael Krieger

Jean Paul Ampuero Saenz Assistant Professor of Seismology

HIGH-RESOLUTION SEISMIC IMAGING OF LARGE EARTHQUAKESUnderstanding the physics of earthquakes remains a major challenge in earth sciences. Progress is hampered by the opacity of the earth’s crust to the high-frequency seismic waves that carry fine-scale information on dynamic-rupture processes. Current advances in array seismology are enabling us to address fundamental questions about the physics of earthquakes and to discover unexpected earthquake phenomena. Future networks of seismic arrays will provide high-resolution earthquake imaging, inland and o"shore, and early warning for large earthquakes.

I 9:00 a.m. Chair: Peter Groom IV 2:00 p.m.

Chair: Emilio Sovero

ABS

TRAC

TS

22

Sunil Golwala Professor of Physics; Director, Caltech Submillimeter Observatory

THE HUNT FOR DARK MATTERGalaxies and galaxy clusters, the most massive objects in the universe, are held together by the gravity of so-called dark matter—matter that is invisible to light but nevertheless makes up five-sixths of all the matter in the universe. It is widely believed that dark matter is a new subatomic particle that can be detected in various ways. We will try to give a sense of the various ongoing searches for dark matter.

I 9:00 a.m. Chair: Robert Gershman V 3:00 p.m.

Chair: Gary Stupian

Seyed-Ali Hajimiri Thomas G. Myers Professor of Electrical Engineering

1+1=3 OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE HOLISTIC CIRCUITSMost of today’s technological marvels have come from putting apparently unrelated things together and creating something more than the sum of its parts. Silicon chips have come a long way from the days of first transistors. Today we can place billions of transistors operating at extremely high frequencies on a single chip, creating a plethora of new opportunities. In this talk we will discuss a holistic approach to integrated circuits leading to further proliferation of such technologies into our daily lives. We will show some exciting breakthroughs, including self-healing circuits that repair themselves, low-cost tera-hertz imagers that can give your cell-phone X-ray (or T-ray) vision, and low-cost diagnostic devices that fit in your pocket. 

I 9:00 a.m. Chair: Michael Krieger IV 2:00 p.m.

Chair: Daniel Whelan

22 23

David Hsieh Assistant Professor of Physics

A NEW GENERATION OF TOPOLOGICAL MATERIALS FOR THE ELECTRONICS FUTURETopological insulators are currently an intensively researched topic in condensed-matter physics because they not only realize a fundamentally new phase of matter but also hold promise for technological applications ranging from low-power electronics to robust quantum computers. In this talk, I will give a brief history of topological insulators and discuss some of the exciting new varieties of topological matter that have recently been proposed as well as the experiments underway to search for them.

II 10:00 a.m. Chair: Gary Stupian IV 2:00 p.m.

Chair: Robert Gershman

Dennis M. Kochmann Assistant Professor of Aerospace

EVERYONE STARTS SMALL WHERE MATERIALS LEARN TO BEHAVEHow do you make the perfect material? Innovation often rests upon the discovery of new materials: stronger, sti"er, lighter—better! To develop materials that will meet the present and future challenges of increasingly complex and extreme applications, we will go on a journey from the small-scale structure of engineering materials to their resulting macroscopic properties. We will discuss the link between microstructure and properties, and we’ll also explore novel materials with exceptional or peculiar mechanical properties.

V 3:00 p.m. Chair: Michael Krieger VI 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Daniel Whelan

ABS

TRAC

TS

24

Stephen L. Mayo (PhD ’88) Bren Professor of Biology and Chemistry; William K. Bowes Jr. Leadership Chair, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering

COMPUTER ASSISTED DESIGN FOR PROTEIN ENGINEERING WITH APPLICATIONS FROM BIOFUELS TO HUMAN THERAPEUTICSComputer simulation methods able to capture the physics and chemistry that underly macromolecular structure and function have advanced to the point where direct application to protein engineering problems is feasible. This talk will cover the development of such simulation methods and their application to real-world problems including: creating new enzymes for chemical catalysis, optimizing enzymes for cellulosic biofuels applications, and engineering antibodies for anti-viral therapeutic applications.

II 10:00 a.m. Chair: David Zobel

V 3:00 p.m. Chair: Edward Bryan

John P. O’Doherty Professor of Psychology; Director, Caltech Brain Imaging Center

HOW THE BRAIN LEARNS FROM THE PAST AND MAKES GOOD DECISIONS FOR THE FUTURE A TOUR OF NEURAL REINFORCEMENT LEARNINGIn order to make good decisions, we need to learn from the actions we took in our past. This capacity depends on a network of brain circuits. I will explain my current research on how these brain circuits work, as well as describe how this knowledge might not only help us better understand human behavior in general, but#also provide new insights into psychiatric disorders in which the capacity to make sound decisions is sometimes compromised.

II 10:00 a.m. Chair: Michael Stefanko

VI4:00 p.m. Chair: Hannah Dvorak- Carbone

24 25

Thomas H. Painter Research Scientist, Water and Carbon Cycles Group, JPL

BLACK AND BROWN AS THE DRIVEN SNOW UNVEILING THE LATENT KILLER OF EARTH’S MOUNTAIN SNOW AND ICEChanges in mountain snow and glaciers have been considered our strongest indicators of the e"ects of changing climate. Our recent work has shown instead that mountain snow and glaciers around the globe have been in sustained decrease due to more-immediate by-products of industrialization—such as soot from coal burning and dust from deserts that were disturbed during human expansion into the earth’s interiors—than from accumulating CO2 and its associated warming e"ect.

II 10:00 a.m. Chair: Timothy Boyd

VI 4:00 p.m. Chair: Jon Hamkins

Linda J. Spilker Cassini Project Scientist

REVEALING SATURN CASSINI’S 10TH YEARCassini’s findings have revolutionized our understanding of the Saturn system and fundamentally altered many of our concepts of how solar systems and planets form. Astonishing Cassini discoveries include icy jets of material streaming from the tiny moon Enceladus; hydrocarbon lakes and seas dominated by methane and ethane on Saturn’s giant moon Titan, and complex prebiotic chemistry in Titan’s atmosphere. I will present highlights from 10 years of Cassini’s ambitious inquiry of Saturn.

I 9:00 a.m. Chair: Jon Hamkins

IV 2:00 p.m. Chair: Timothy Boyd

ABS

TRAC

TS

26

David A. Tirrell Ross McCollum–William H. Corcoran Professor and Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Director, Beckman Institute

REINTERPRETING THE GENETIC CODE HOW TO DO IT AND WHY YOU MIGHT WANT TOThe genetic code, elucidated in the 1960s through the work of Nirenberg, Ochoa, Khorana, and their coworkers, provides a set of molecular instructions for translating nucleic acids into proteins. Over the past decade, cells have been outfitted with modified translational machinery that enables the participation of an expanded set of amino acids in cellular protein synthesis. These developments have provided a basis for powerful new approaches to polymer chemistry, protein design, and proteome-wide analysis of cellular processes.

II 10:00 a.m. Chair: Sean Upchurch

VI 4:00 p.m. Chair: Ira Moskatel

Victor C. Tsai (BS ’04) Assistant Professor of Geophysics

NONTRADITIONAL SEISMOLOGY MAKING"USE"OF"AMBIENT"SEISMIC NOISEBesides earthquakes and explosions, a number#of#physical processes create significant ground motion. For example, ocean waves, wind, rivers, and tra!c all create measurable ground displacements. Because#of#this,#ambient#seismic noise can be used to probe the nature of#these processes and can also be used in place#of#earthquakes to help determine the structure of the earth. In this talk, I will discuss a variety#of#novel uses of#ambient#seismic noise.

II 10:00 a.m. Chair: Emilio Sovero

VI 4:00 p.m. Chair: Peter Groom

26 27

Nicolas Wey-Gomez Professor of History

COLUMBUS AND THE SHAPE OF THE WORLDContrary to popular belief, medieval Europeans did not think that the earth was flat. This talk concerns the scientific and technical ideas that circulated in the West about the distribution of land and life on earth, and how Christopher Columbus helped to transform them.

I9:00 a.m. Chair: Hannah Dvorak- Carbone

IV 2:00 p.m. Chair: Michael Stefanko

Doris Y. Tsao (BS ’96) Assistant Professor of Biology

UNDERSTANDING CORTICAL HIERARCHIES THE SIX-PIECE PUZZLE OF FACE PERCEPTIONUnderstanding how the brain distills a representation of meaningful objects from retinal input is one of the central challenges of the field of systems neuroscience. Functional-imaging experiments in the macaque monkey reveal that one ecologically important class of objects, faces, is represented by a system of six discrete yet strongly interconnected regions. Electrophysiological recordings show that these “face patches” have unique functional profiles. By understanding the distinct visual representations maintained in the six face patches, the sequence of information flow among them, and the role each plays in face perception, we can gain new insights into hierarchical information processing in the brain.

I 9:00 a.m.Chair: Edward Bryan

V 3:00 p.m. Chair: David Zobel

DO

RIS

S. P

ERPA

LL S

UR

F LE

CTU

RE S

ERIE

S W

INN

ERS

Keegan A. Ryan ’16 Computer Science

THE VIABILITY OF LASTING FORMATION OF TERRESTRIAL BINARY PLANET SYSTEMSIn the study of binary planetary systems (where two bodies have a planetary mass), it is most common for one object to be greater. Little research has gone into the possibility of both objects being of similar mass, and no such systems have yet been observed. Using smoothed particle hydrodynamics, we simulated possible formation scenarios. In most cases, one large body formed to posess approximately 90 percent of the system’s total mass. By separating the bodies at the initial encounter, however, we found a way to form a binary planet.

VI 4:00 p.m.Chair: Gregory Holk

Jacqueline J. Masehi-Lano ’15 Bioengineering

THE INFLUENCE OF GROWTH FACTORS ON SUPPRESSING THE MYOFIBROBLAST PHENOTYPE FOR CORNEAL WOUND HEALINGCorneal transparency comes from the cornea’s stromal layer, which is maintained by keratocytes. In an injury, keratocytes become myofibroblasts, which distort the cornea’s surface, leading to monocular blindness. Here we expose myofibroblasts to 3 growth factors (GFs), known to modulate the myofibroblasts, at 5 concentrations to find the concentration that reduces expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin ($-SMA), the marker of myofibroblasts. Results show lower GF concentrations simulate $-SMA expression, while higher concentrations successfully reduce expression.

VI 4:00 p.m.Chair: Gregory Holk

28

28

EVER

HA

RT LECTU

RE SERIES WIN

NERS

29

Kaycie M. Butler Deyle ’14 Graduate Student, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

A MOLECULAR VIEW OF CANCER CHEMICALLY SYNTHESIZED CAPTURE AGENTS FOR EARLY DETECTION AND SCREENINGCurrent cancer detection methods rely on expensive, unstable biological reagents.# Peptide a!nity agents (PCCs) that mimic the performance of antibodies can be created that are more stable for cheaper, more accessible detection assays.# I present an approach for the development of PCC agents that are capable of selectively detecting only the cancerous versions of proteins over the healthy, normal ones – also providing new avenues for targeted chemotherapies.

V 3:00 p.m.Chair: Gregory Holk

Julia T. Cosse (MS ’09) ’15 Graduate Student, Aeronautics

IMPROVING WIND TURBINE RESILIENCE WITH FLAPPING BLADESWhen wind blows through leaves and branches on a tree, some leaves flap violently, some bend away from the wind and others barely move. The flapping is caused by a dynamic instability between the wind and the leaf, which we study and utilize in a vertical axis wind turbine design. Following successful wind tunnel studies, motivated field-testing of the turbine in the fickle wind environment of the Caltech Field Laboratory for Optimized Wind Energy.

IV2:00 p.m.Chair: Susan Murakami-Fisher

Brett McGuire ’17 Graduate Student, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

ASTROCHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF OUR COSMIC ORIGINSIn 2004, NASA’s STARDUST probe flew through the coma of comet Wild 2 and detected amino acids–the building blocks of life. #How, when, and from what did they form? These questions begin to explore our very cosmic origins. We will discuss the detection of three new interstellar molecules. Knowing which species are present before the birth of new solar systems is fundamental to understanding the rise of life-essential molecules in our own.#

V3:00 p.m.Chair: Susan Murakami-Fisher

EVER

HA

RT L

ECTU

RE S

ERIE

S W

INN

ERS

30

AccommodationsLooking for a place to stay during your visit to Caltech? There are numerous hotel options close to campus or Old Town Pasadena. For rates and guidelines, go to alumni.caltech.edu/lodging

Childcare For families needing childcare, we have arranged a discount through the following agency.

Kids Klub Pasadena Child Development Center & Preschool380 S. Raymond Ave. Pasadena, CA 91105(800) KLB-4KIDS or (626) 795-2501 ext. 305kidsklubcdc.com

Mention Caltech Reunion Weekend in order to have the initiation fee waived, and to receive a 20 percent discount if enrolling more than one child.

Note: Kids Club is an independent service, not directly a!liated with the Institute. Caltech and the Caltech Alumni Association assume no liability or responsibility for the service listed above.

Weekend AttireReunion dinners require traditional evening attire. A jacket for gentlemen is recommended but not mandatory. Seminar Day is more casual; comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended.

Wireless AccessEnjoy free wireless throughout the weekend by connecting to the “Caltech Guest” network. No password is required.

Caltech BookstoreThursday – Friday8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.Saturday11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.Alumni Association members receive a 20 percent discount on all merchandise with the exception of computer products.

The ever-popular Legends of Caltech and More Legends of Caltech have been joined by a third volume, Techer in the Dark.

Convenience StoreMonday – Friday9:30 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.Saturday & Sunday11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.Located next to Chandler Dining Hall(626) 395-8012

INFORMATION

30 31

CALTECH CAMPUS MAP

32

SEMINAR DAY REGISTRATION

TOURNAMENT PARK

CALTECH Y

STAFF & FACULTY CONSULTING CENTER

PARKING

Thu. May 15 – Fri. May 16Street parking is available at the following locations. (Two hour limits are not in e"ect these days.)

Hill Ave. b/w California and Del Mar Blvds.

Holliston Ave. b/w San Pasqual St. and Del Mar Blvd

Holliston Parking Structure with permit Stop at the security booth located at the entrance of the parking structure and specify Reunion Weekend to obtain a free parking permit which must be displayed in your vehicle.

Sat. May 17 – Sun. May 18Parking is available in Caltech structures on:

California Blvd.Wilson Ave.Holliston Ave. Tournament Park, entrance on Wilson Ave.

Permits are not necessary on these days.

33

TOM MANNION’S HOUSE

With 23,000 graduates, Caltech’s alumni community have a remarkable impact on science, business, and culture around the world.

Membership in the Caltech Alumni Association can help you access the full potential of this unparalleled network. Year-round, we o"er unique, in-depth coverage from campus, bring world-renowned researchers directly to your region, connect you professionally with other Techers, and help you stay in touch with people who share your passion to help you and the entire alumni community thrive.

But we can’t do it without you. Together, let’s continue a path of discovery.

Start or Renew Your Membership Today.

Use the enclosed form, or go to

+ DISPERSE

Enjoy Reunion Weekend and Seminar Day?

Your membership makes it possible.

OUR GREATESTDISCOVERY ISYOU

“Had a great time talking in that crazy outsized wedding cake that is Beckman Auditorium at Seminar Day 2013.”

- Adam Steltzner (MS ’91) @steltzner

Phase Lead and Development Man-ager, Mars Science Laboratory Entry, Descent, and Landing Team, JPL

alumni.caltech.edu

Visit the New Alumni Website

MORE NEWS

Learn more about the accomplishments of Caltech Alumni

MORE EVENTS

Streamlined calendar to keep you up-to-date with our diverse and compelling events

MORE CAREER RESOURCES

Access to new career resources and online communities

AND... A BIT MORE PERSONALITY

Get to know the people behind the science

36

Seminar Day Committee

Paul A. Levin (BS ’72), General ChairTimothy Boyd (BS ’06) G. Edward Bryan (BS ’54)Hannah Dvorak-Carbone (PhD ’99) Robert Gershman (BS ’62)Peter J. Groom (BS ’75)Jon Hamkins (BS ’90)Gregory J. Holk (MS ’91, PhD ’97)Michael M. Krieger (BS ’63)Ira Moskatel (BS ’72)Susan S. Murakami-Fisher (BS ’75)Emilio A. Sovero (BS ’70, MS ’71, PhD ’77)Michael Stefanko (BS ’70)Gary W. Stupian (BS ’61)Sean A. Upchurch (BS ’96)Daniel S. Whelan (BS ’79, MS ’81, PhD ’85)David H. Zobel (BS ’84)Patsy M. Gougeon, Sta!

Program GuideBen Tomlin, Patsy Gougeon Editors

Carolyn Waldron Copy Editor

Mary Frances Foster Cover Illustration

Dustin Snipes, Lance Hayashida Photography

Caltech Alumni Association Board (2013 – 14)

Executive Committee

Heather Dean (BS ‘00, MS ‘00) President

Sam Foster (BS ‘98) Vice President

Lee Fisher (BS ‘78) Treasurer

Dave Tytell (BS ‘99) Treasurer

Jim Simmons (BS ‘72) Past President

DirectorsMichelle Armond (BS ’00)Debbie Bakin (BS ’86)Chris Bryant (BS ’95)Jasmine Bryant (BS ’95)Milton Chang (MS ’65, PhD ’69)Megan Greenfield (BS ’04)Lonnie Martin (BS ’69, MS ’70)Carol Mullenax (BS ’89)Phil Naecker (BS ’76)Nicola Peill-Moelter (MS ’93, PhD ’97)Anneila Sargent (MS ’67, PhD ’77)Michelin Sloneker (BS ’95)Tom Workman (BS ’86, MS ’87, PhD ’92)

Caltech Alumni RelationsAlexx Tobeck Executive Director, Caltech Alumni Association & Director, Alumni Relations

Patsy Gougeon Associate Director, Alumni Relations

Phil Scanlon Associate Director, Alumni Relations

Ben Tomlin Associate Director, Communications

Andrea Rule Alumni Relations Coordinator

Sherry Winn Membership Coordinator