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Evan Quasney, a junior in Mechanical Engineering, has a theory about why Leonardo da Vinci's famed "Mona Lisa" continues to deteriorate, despite rigid temperature and humidity controls in its chamber. During a summer internship at the Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education in Maryland, Quasney used computer modeling to help set new guidelines for how the Smithsonian stores and preserves its priceless collection of paintings. In so doing, Quasney determined that the "Mona Lisa" is warping because it hangs on an exterior wall at its home in France's Louvre. Quasney has been interviewed by The New York Times.

Researchers at the College's Center for Ultrafast Optical Science have produced what is believed to be the highest-intensity laser pulse ever obtained. The High Energy Repetitive CUos Laser System (HERCULES) could revolutionize the way cancer is treated. http://www.umich.edu/news/?Releases/2004/Jun04/r062404a

Pallab Bhattacharya (EECS) and Gerard Faeth (AERO, Mechanical Engineering) have been awarded Distinguished University Professorships. These positions afford faculty "maximum freedom to pursue scholarly and teaching activities across the breadth of the University." Bhattacharya, the James R. Mellor Professor of Engineering, conducts research in nanoelectronics, optics and solid-state electronics. Faeth, Arthur B. Modine Professor of Aerospace Engineering, performs research in combustion, heat transfer and fluid dynamics.

Professor Bill Martin has been appointed chair of the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences. Bill earned a bachelor's degree in engineering physics from the College in 1967 and a PhD in nuclear engineering here in 1976. In the 1990s, Bill served as chair of the department and associate dean for academic affairs. Bill succeeds John Lee as chair.

Professor Martha Pollack has been appointed associate chair of the Computer Science and Engineering Division of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Martha earned a bachelor's degree in linguistics from Dartmouth College in 1979, and master's and PhD degrees in Computer and Information Science from the University of Pennsylvania in 1984 and 1986, respectively. She joined the College's faculty in 2000.

BME graduate student Todd Erpelding won the best paper award at the 2004 IEEE Ultrasonics Symposium in Montreal. His paper was titled, "Bubble-based Acoustic Radiation Force for Monitoring Intraocular Lens Elasticity."

As of August 31, the College reports gifts and pledges towards the Progress & Promise: 150th Anniversary Campaign totaling $137,045,517 million. This amount equals 45.7% percent of our overall $300 million goal. The Campaign supports research in cellular and molecular biotechnology, information technology, and nanotechnology and integrated microsystems, along with professorships, scholarships and other CoE priorities. http://www.engin.umich.edu/relations/giving/index.html

Joseph E. (BSE EE '51, BSE EM '51, MSE '52, PhD '55) and Anne P. Rowe (BS Ch '50, MS '68, PhD '73) of Palm City, Florida, have established the Joseph E. and Anne P. Rowe Endowed Professorship.

Frederick J. Leonberger (BSE EE '69)of West Hartford, Connecticut, has established the Frederick J. Leonberger Scholarship.

Janine Johnson Weins of Lebanon, New Hampshire, has established a charitable remainder trust ultimately to benefit the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

The campus chapter of the Society of Women Engineers is seeking alumni to mentor female students. For more information, contact Laura Stojan (lstojan@umich.edu). http://www.engin.umich.edu/soc/swe/events.htm.