Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Georgia Tech Students Named Marshall Scholarship Recipients

admin — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 14:56:41 +0000

Georgia Tech Students Named Marshall Scholarship Recipients admin Fri, 03/22/2024 - 10:56

Georgia Tech students Maeve Janecka and Haaris Jilani are among this year's 51 recipients of the prestigious Marshall Scholarship — awarded annually to American students pursuing post-secondary education in the U.K. who demonstrate academic excellence as well as leadership and ambassadorial potential.

Introduced in 1953, Marshall Scholars include Supreme Court justices, Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winners, members of Congress, MacArthur “genius grant” winners, and Olympic gold medalists and serve as a “living embodiment of the enduring special relationship between the U.K. and America.”

Though they conduct research in different areas, Janecka and Haaris share the goal of using this opportunity to assist others.

Maeve Janecka

When Maeve Janecka was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 16, she was confused — not by her condition, but rather by the lack of treatment and diagnostic options for a disease that affects one in 10 women worldwide.

While she endured symptoms for three years, Janecka explains that the average case of endometriosis can go undiagnosed for 10 years, causing debilitating pain, organ damage, and infertility. Following the completion of her bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, Janecka will use the Marshall Scholarship to pursue a doctor of philosophy in women’s and reproductive health at Oxford's Endometriosis Care Center, where she plans to conduct research into emerging treatment options and diagnostic improvements.

"Women suffer in silence for a really long time," she said, also noting that diagnosing the condition typically requires invasive surgery. "I am passionate about making sure that more women know what endometriosis is and that we have more options available for diagnosis and treatment, because your quality of life can be so much better with the right medical attention."

Living with this disease has motivated Janecka to help others, and her time at Georgia Tech has allowed her to pursue her dream of identifying solutions.

"Being a Georgia Tech student, you get used to seeing a problem, thinking of ways to solve it, and wanting to be the one to bring about change. Tech has empowered me to enter a field that needs innovation and investment, as women's health is one of the least funded areas in the medical field," she said.

Janecka, who is also a Stamps President's Scholar and was among the Institute's five 2023 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship recipients, has always felt like her time at Georgia Tech was a gift she intended to make the most of. She advises other students to maximize their time on campus by taking full advantage of the resources available to them, including PURA travel awards and the Institute's Fellowships Office.

Haaris Jilani

Haaris Jilani will graduate from Georgia Tech with a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering, but as he prepares to continue his academic career at the Imperial College of London, he carries the Institute's mission with him.

"I'm really passionate about doing work that advances scientific knowledge and translates into innovations that can improve the lives of patients," he said.

As Jilani began to develop his career path, the potential and the unknowns of stem cell research sparked his interest. He sought out labs on campus at the intersection of stem cell research and biomaterial science.

"Stem cells can do so many interesting things, but we don't really know a lot about how they work. So, we're not only learning about how the cells work, but it’s about trying to manipulate them to do things that you want them to do," he said.

Through Johnna Temenoff's lab, Jilani's research has focused on applying stem cell treatments in regenerative medicine therapies for musculoskeletal injuries, and he hopes to create noninvasive treatments for injuries that currently need surgery or are deemed untreatable.

When he arrives in the U.K., he intends to broaden his understanding of stem cell treatments for different aspects of care, examining its potential in skin regeneration.

"It's not a part of the body that I have necessarily focused on before, but a lot of the scientific principles are the same with stem cells and how they evolve into different types of cells needed for skin healing," he said.

While he'll spend at least a year abroad, Jilani, who is also a Stamps President's Scholar, feels like his time at Georgia Tech has not come to an end. He hopes to return to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering and eventually become a professor with a research lab of his own.

Fellowship Planning

Fellowships often enable students to craft a more tailored experience than a traditional graduate school experience, and Georgia Tech's Fellowships Office aids students in the process of applying for prestigious awards such as the Marshall Scholarship. Staff members work with students each step of the way with their applications, reading drafts of essays, and arranging mock interviews.

Karen Mura, prestigious fellowships advisor, worked closely with both of this year's Marshall Scholars as they applied for this and other awards.

"Maeve and Haaris are both extraordinary students with immense potential to make a difference in the world," Mura said. "They have persevered through challenges and setbacks. Both have worked tirelessly on their applications, improving them with each revision. It has been a pleasure to assist them on their academic path and to observe their personal growth. I am eager to hear about their future accomplishments."

Subtitle

Two Yellow Jackets have been selected to receive the prestigious scholarship awarded to exceptional American students pursuing post-secondary education in the U.K.

Summary sentence

Two Yellow Jackets have been selected to receive the prestigious scholarship awarded to exceptional American students pursuing post-secondary education in the U.K.

Summary

Two Yellow Jackets have been selected to receive the prestigious scholarship awarded to exceptional American students pursuing post-secondary education in the U.K.

Dateline

Mon, 12/11/2023 - 12:00

steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano

Institute Communications

For additional information about fellowships, contact karen.mura@gatech.edu.

Keywords

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Marshall Scholarship

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Student Honors and Achievements

Mercury ID

671505

Source updated

Fri, 03/22/2024 - 09:59

Former Yellow Jacket Harrison Butker Makes Super Bowl History

admin — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 15:58:29 +0000

Former Yellow Jacket Harrison Butker Makes Super Bowl History admin Mon, 02/12/2024 - 10:58

Former Yellow Jacket and Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker etched his name in the NFL record book Sunday night, kicking a 57-yard field goal in Super Bowl 58 – the longest field goal in Super Bowl history.

Butker’s kick sailed through the uprights with just over five minutes remaining in the third quarter, breaking the previous record of 55 yards, set just one quarter earlier by San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody. Before Sunday’s matchup at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Steve Christie’s record of a 54-yard field goal for the Bills had stood since Super Bowl 28.

No stranger to setting records, Butker, now a three-time Super Bowl champion, is the all-time leading scorer in Georgia Tech history and finds himself in elite company on the NFL’s biggest stage. With four field goals and a pair of extra points Sunday, Butker has accounted for 37 points across his four Super Bowl appearances, trailing only 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice’s 48.

With his game-tying kick, the industrial engineering graduate moved past Patriots kickers Adam Vinatieri and Stephen Gostkowski for the most career Super Bowl field goals with nine.

At 89%, Butker is the second all-time in field goal percentage in NFL history, behind Ravens kicker Justin Tucker.

Subtitle

On his way to a third Super Bowl title, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker set a Super Bowl record with a 57-yard field goal.

Summary sentence

On his way to a third Super Bowl title, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker set a Super Bowl record with a 57-yard field goal.

Summary

On his way to a third Super Bowl title, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker set a Super Bowl record with a 57-yard field goal.

Dateline

Mon, 02/12/2024 - 12:00

Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

Associated importer

Keywords

Harrison Butker

Super Bowl

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Alumni

Mercury ID

672881

Source updated

Mon, 02/12/2024 - 10:58

The Challenges of Regulating Artificial Intelligence - Cloned

admin — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 20:15:41 +0000

The Challenges of Regulating Artificial Intelligence - Cloned admin Thu, 01/25/2024 - 15:15

In 1950, Alan Turing asked, “Can machines think?” More than 70 years later, advancements in artificial intelligence are creating exciting possibilities and questions about its potential pitfalls.

A recent executive order issued by President Joe Biden seeks to establish "new standards for AI safety and security" while addressing consumer privacy concerns and promoting innovation. Georgia Tech experts have examined the key elements of the order and offer their thoughts on its scope and what comes next.

A Precautionary Tale

The order calls for the development of standards, tools, and tests to ensure the safe use of AI. From voice scams and phishing campaigns to larger-scale threats, the technology’s potential dangers have been widely documented. But Margaret Kosal, associate professor in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, says that additional context is often needed to dispel hysteria.

"No one is going to be hooking up AI to launch nuclear weapons, but AI capabilities may enable targeting, or enable the command and control and the decision-making time to be compressed,” she said.

The order will create an AI Safety and Security Board tasked with addressing critical threats. Companies developing foundation models that "pose a serious risk to national security, national economic security, or national public health and safety” will be required to notify the federal government when training the model and required to share the results of all red-team safety tests — a simulated cyberattack to test a system's defenses.

Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, a CNBC report details a 1,267% rise in phishing emails. Srijan Kumar, assistant professor in the College of Computing, attributes the increase to the technology's availability and an inability to rein in "bad actors."

He says these scams will only continue to get more sophisticated and personalized. They “can be created by knowing what you might be willing to fall prey to versus what I might fall prey to,” said Kumar, whose systems have influenced misinformation detection on sites like X (formerly Twitter) and Wikipedia. “AI is not going to autonomously do all of those bad things, but this order can ensure there are consequences for people who misuse it.”

A Delicate Balance

Building an AI platform requires large amounts of data regardless of its intended application. Two primary goals of the executive order are protecting privacy and advancing equity.

To protect personal data, the order tasks Congress with evaluating how agencies collect and use commercially available information and address algorithmic discrimination.

Acknowledging that everyone should be allowed to have their voice represented in the outputs of AI data sets, Deven Desai, associate professor in the Scheller College of Business, noted, "There are people who don't want to be part of data sets, which is their right, but this means their voices won't be reflected in the outputs.”

The order also includes sections to address intellectual property concerns among inventors and creators, though legal challenges will likely set new precedents in the years ahead.

When that time comes, Kosal says that defining “theft” in the context of AI becomes the true challenge and that, ultimately, money will play a significant role. "If you spit out a Harry Potter book and read it yourself, nobody will care. It's when you start selling it to make money, and you don't share proceeds with the original people, then it becomes an issue," she said.

What Does AI-Generated Mean?

The order instructs the Department of Commerce to develop guidelines for content authentication and watermarking to label AI-generated content. Desai questions what it means for something to be truly created by AI.

An important distinction lies between using AI to assist a writer in organizing their thoughts and using the technology to generate content. He likens the trend to the music industry in the 1980s.

"Synthesizers really changed people's ability to generate music and, for a while, people thought that was horrible. They can just program the music. They're not. I am still the human responsible for that music, or that article in this case, so what is the point of the label?" he asks.

As AI assistance becomes commonplace in content creation, trusting the source of information is increasingly important. Recently, articles published on Sports Illustrated's website featured AI-generated content provided by a third-party company that had used a machine to write the content and create fake bylines. Sports Illustrated, which may not have known of the problem, ran the material without disclosure to readers. CEO Ross Levinsohn was ousted shortly after the story broke.

“Perhaps if the third party had disclosed its use of AI software, SI would have been able to assess how much AI was used and then chosen not to run the material, or to run it with a disclaimer that AI helped write the material,” Desai said. "Of course, even if they label the content as AI-generated, a reader still won't know exactly how much of the content came from AI or a human.”

AI and the Workforce

As AI systems and models become more sophisticated, workers may become more concerned about being replaced. To counteract these concerns, the order calls for a study to examine AI’s potential impact on labor markets and investments in workforce training efforts.

Kumar compares the rise of AI to similar technological innovations throughout history and sees it as an opportunity for workers and industries to adapt. "It's less a matter of AI replacing workers and more of reskilling people to use the new technology. It's no different from when assembly lines in the auto industry were created."

Promoting Innovation and Competition

The power to harness the full potential of AI has initiated a race to the top. Desai believes that part of the executive order providing resources to smaller developers can help level the playing field.

"There is a possibility here for markets to open up. Current players using models that weren't built with transparency in mind might struggle, but maybe that's OK."

The issue of reliability and transparency comes into focus for Desai, especially as it relates to government usage of AI. The order calls on agencies to "acquire specified AI products and services faster, more cheaply, and more effectively through more rapid and efficient contracting."

When taxpayer dollars are at stake, government can’t afford to trust a technology it doesn’t fully understand — a topic Desai has explored elsewhere. "You can’t just say, ‘We don’t know how it works, but we trust it.’ That’s not going to work. So that’s where there may be a slowdown in the government’s ability to use private sector software if they can’t explain how the thing works and to show that it doesn’t have discriminatory issues.”

What's Next

Promoting and policing the safe use of AI cannot be done independently. Georgia Tech experts agree that participation on a global scale is necessary. To that end, the European Union will unveil its comprehensive EU AI Act, which includes a similar framework to the president's executive order.

Due to the evolving nature of AI, the executive order or the EU's actions will not be all-encompassing. Law often lags behind technology, but Kosal points out that it's crucial to think beyond what currently exists when crafting policy.

Experts also agree that AI cannot be regulated or governed through a single document and that this order is likely the first in a series of policymaking moves. Kosal sees tremendous opportunity with the innovation surrounding AI but hopes the growing fear of its rise does not usher in another AI winter, in which interest and research funding fade.

Subtitle

As innovation surrounding artificial intelligence continues, Georgia Tech experts offer their thoughts on the scope of the recent executive order and the challenges ahead in regulating AI.

Summary sentence

As innovation surrounding artificial intelligence continues, Georgia Tech experts offer their thoughts on the scope of the recent executive order and the challenges ahead in regulating AI.

Summary

As innovation surrounding artificial intelligence continues, Georgia Tech experts offer their thoughts on the scope of the recent executive order and the challenges ahead in regulating AI.

Dateline

Thu, 01/11/2024 - 12:00

Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

Keywords

artificial intelligence

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

artificial intelligence (AI)

News room topics

Science and Technology

Categories

Computer Science/Information Technology and Security

Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts

Research

Mercury ID

672473

Source updated

Thu, 01/25/2024 - 15:13

The Challenges of Regulating Artificial Intelligence

admin — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 20:04:41 +0000

The Challenges of Regulating Artificial Intelligence admin Thu, 01/11/2024 - 15:04

In 1950, Alan Turing asked, “Can machines think?” More than 70 years later, advancements in artificial intelligence are creating exciting possibilities and questions about its potential pitfalls.

A Precautionary Tale

A Delicate Balance

Building an AI platform requires large amounts of data regardless of its intended application. Two primary goals of the executive order are protecting privacy and advancing equity.

To protect personal data, the order tasks Congress with evaluating how agencies collect and use commercially available information and address algorithmic discrimination.

The order also includes sections to address intellectual property concerns among inventors and creators, though legal challenges will likely set new precedents in the years ahead.

What Does AI-Generated Mean?

An important distinction lies between using AI to assist a writer in organizing their thoughts and using the technology to generate content. He likens the trend to the music industry in the 1980s.

AI and the Workforce

Promoting Innovation and Competition

"There is a possibility here for markets to open up. Current players using models that weren't built with transparency in mind might struggle, but maybe that's OK."

What's Next

Subtitle

As innovation surrounding artificial intelligence continues, Georgia Tech experts offer their thoughts on the scope of the recent executive order and the challenges ahead in regulating AI.

Summary sentence

As innovation surrounding artificial intelligence continues, Georgia Tech experts offer their thoughts on the scope of the recent executive order and the challenges ahead in regulating AI.

Summary

As innovation surrounding artificial intelligence continues, Georgia Tech experts offer their thoughts on the scope of the recent executive order and the challenges ahead in regulating AI.

Dateline

Thu, 01/11/2024 - 12:00

Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

Keywords

artificial intelligence

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

artificial intelligence (AI)

go-neuro

News room topics

Science and Technology

Categories

Computer Science/Information Technology and Security

Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts

Research

Mercury ID

672055

Source updated

Thu, 01/11/2024 - 15:04

How to Spend Your Winter Break Around Atlanta

admin — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 02:08:40 +0000

How to Spend Your Winter Break Around Atlanta admin Sun, 12/17/2023 - 21:08

The fall semester has come to an end, and the Georgia Tech campus will close from Monday, Dec. 25, through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, and classes will resume on Monday, Jan. 8. From shopping excursions to dining experiences to sporting events and more, there are plenty of events around Atlanta to keep you busy over the break.

Shop Till You Drop:

Whether you’ve got last-minute gifts to search for or you’re looking to find the perfect holiday décor, shop at these markets around the metro area.

Dunwoody Holiday Art Fair – Through Saturday, Dec. 23.

Atlanta Christkindl Market – Through Sunday, Dec. 24.

Roswell Christkindl Market – Through Sunday, Dec. 24.

Kwanzaa Celebration With The Village Retail, Ponce City Market – Thursday, Dec. 28.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry:

Get in the holiday spirit with these pop-up bar and restaurant experiences featuring themed menus and cocktails.

ATL Yule Holiday Bar – Midtown

Aprés-Ski at Ranger Station – Old Fourth Ward

Christmas at Dad’s – Virginia Highland

How the Grinch Stole Hamp & Harry’s – Marietta

The Blind Elf Holiday Pop-Up – Buckhead

Tinsel Town Terrace at Drawbar – West Midtown

Cheer On the Yellow Jackets:

The men's and women’s basketball teams will look to defend home court at McCamish Pavilion over the break, while the football team heads to Tampa, Florida, to play in its first bowl game since 2018.

Women’s Basketball vs. USC Upstate – McCamish Pavilion – Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2 p.m.

Football vs. UCF – 2023 Gasparilla Bowl – Raymond James Stadium – Friday, Dec. 22, 6:30 p.m.

Women’s Basketball vs. Virginia – McCamish Pavilion – Thursday, Jan. 4, 7 p.m.

Men’s Basketball vs. Boston College – McCamish Pavilion – Saturday, Jan. 6, 4 p.m.

Catch a Show:

Grab your tickets for holiday classics and exciting new experiences.

A Very Electric Christmas – Gas South Theatre – Saturday, Dec. 23.

A Christmas Story – Theatrical Outfit – Through Sunday, Dec. 24.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas – Byers Theater – Through Sunday, Dec. 24.

Atlanta Ballet – The Nutcracker – Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center – Through Dec. 26.

Invasion: Christmas Carol – Dad's Garage – Through Saturday, Dec. 30.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Center for Puppetry Arts – Through Sunday, Dec. 31.

Cirque du Soleil Echo – Atlanta Station – Through Sunday, Jan 21, 2024.

Ring in the New Year:

Say goodbye to 2023 and check out these events around the city to welcome the new year.

Noon Year’s Eve at Skyline Park – Ponce City Market

New Year’s Eve at Park Tavern – Park Tavern

New Year’s Eve Bash – The Battery Atlanta

Carnaval Masquerade Ball – Omni Hotel at Centennial Park

New Year’s Eve Yoga – Distillery of Modern Art

Zodiac New Year’s Eve – Your 3rd Spot

Subtitle

This holiday season, check out all that Atlanta has to offer as the fall semester gives way to winter break.

Summary sentence

This holiday season, check out all that Atlanta has to offer as the fall semester gives way to winter break.

Summary

This holiday season, check out all that Atlanta has to offer as the fall semester gives way to winter break.

Dateline

Sun, 12/17/2023 - 12:00

Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

Associated importer

Keywords

winter break

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

City of Atlanta

News room topics

Campus and Community

Mercury ID

671619

Source updated

Sun, 12/17/2023 - 21:07

Triple Jacket Amy Stone Leaves Lasting Legacy at Georgia Tech

admin — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 19:56:01 +0000

Triple Jacket Amy Stone Leaves Lasting Legacy at Georgia Tech admin Tue, 12/05/2023 - 14:56

When Amy Stone first arrived on the Georgia Tech campus in 2006 to pursue a bachelor's degree in architecture, she was in awe of her surroundings. Seventeen years later, the soon-to-be triple Jacket and mother of three leaves behind her own stamp on the Institute's future.

While she didn't realize how much time she'd spend at Tech after arriving as a transfer student, Stone knew instantly that she had found a home here.

"I remember driving up to Georgia Tech and just being wowed by the beauty of the campus and its history and feeling like this place was special,” she said. “This green urban campus in the middle of a city has so much to offer. I kept coming back for the quality of the education, and I love to see how the campus has gotten more beautiful, advanced, and innovative by improving upon itself."

Among the transformative projects completed during Stone's time on campus is The Kendeda Building for Innovative and Sustainable Design — a building she had a hand in designing as a member of the project team.

"It's such an honor as a student to be able to put my own thumbprint on this campus that has given me so much. I'm so proud of the outcome and that it can be used as an example, as a learning lab, and an educational opportunity to show this is what sustainability looks like," she said.

As construction crews continue their work on the early stages of Tech Square Phase 3, Stone sees another dream project come to fruition, having worked on the concept phase of the high-rise towers. The Scheller and George Towers will add more than 400,000 square feet of new space for research and collaboration and, to Stone, signify an ongoing commitment to the Institute putting its mission statement into action.

"There is something so ambitious and beautiful about this project, continuing to connect a green, urban campus to these dense buildings that are reaching up and stating to the skyline, 'We are Georgia Tech,'" she said of the towers, which are expected to be completed in 2026.

Stone has seen the campus grow through the years alongside her growing family, which now includes three kids. After completing her first degree, she and her husband, Lorrin, welcomed their first two children. When she returned to Tech to pursue a master's degree in architecture, her children were there to lend a helping hand.

"I was hauling them to student meetings, and they were meeting me in the studio between classes. They have been on campus more times than they recognize, and they are just growing as this campus grows. They have watched me do homework, they have been a part of my group assignments and group calls, and I feel it's only fitting that they are here at Commencement at the final moment with me," she said.

That teamwork played a key role in Stone's final semester of her master's program in 2020, when her backyard became her lab due to the pandemic.

"I built my model for my final project with my son and my daughter breaking bricks and gluing them to the side of a facade," said Stone, who was pregnant with the couple's third child at the time. "I got to bring in small hands to help with projects and explain to them what I was doing and why I was doing it in a way that they don't normally get to see. We learned a lot during the pandemic, but that's what we do at Georgia Tech. We innovate, we learn, we adapt."

Intrigued by the intersection of architecture and business, Stone was drawn to the Scheller College of Business, where she will receive her MBA, bringing an end to her educational journey with her family at her side. After taking time to enjoy the holidays and complete a Half Ironman triathlon, Stone will be teaching an architecture course at Kennesaw State University in the spring.

Subtitle

Amy Stone earned three Georgia Tech degrees over 17 years and had a hand in two transformative projects on campus.

Summary sentence

Amy Stone earned three Georgia Tech degrees over 17 years and had a hand in two transformative projects on campus.

Summary

Amy Stone earned three Georgia Tech degrees over 17 years and had a hand in two transformative projects on campus.

Dateline

Tue, 12/05/2023 - 12:00

Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

Associated importer

Keywords

Georgia Tech Commencement

College of Design

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Scheller College of Business

The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design

Tech Square Phase 3

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth

Community

Institute and Campus

Mercury ID

671428

Source updated

Tue, 12/05/2023 - 14:55

Events Around Atlanta Over Thanksgiving Break

admin — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 22:22:06 +0000

Events Around Atlanta Over Thanksgiving Break admin Mon, 11/20/2023 - 17:22

Thanksgiving is synonymous with food, family, and football. If you plan to stay in town over the break, there are events around Atlanta to celebrate not only the end of fall, but also the beginning of the holiday season.

Thanksgiving Day 5K

When: Thursday, Nov. 23, 7:45 a.m.

Where: Center Parc Stadium, 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta, GA 30315

Start your Thanksgiving Day off by burning some calories or cheering on the participants of the 5K, which begins under the Olympic Rings at Center Parc Stadium. A half-marathon race will also take runners through the city’s historic neighborhoods before finishing back at the stadium for a post-race celebration.

More information.

Georgia Festival of Trees

When: Friday, Nov. 24 – Sunday, Nov. 26, hours vary.

Where: Georgia World Congress Center, Building A

If you haven’t already picked out your Christmas tree or you’re just looking to get in the holiday spirit, check out the Georgia Festival of Trees. The event auctions off specialty trees with proceeds benefiting Street Grace — a nonprofit dedicated to combating human trafficking and the exploitation of minors. Along with the trees, the festival offers live entertainment, activities, gift shops from local artisans, food, and more.

More information.

Helluva Block Party

When: Saturday, Nov. 25, 3:30 p.m.

Where: North Avenue

With Atlanta’s own Ludacris headlining, Helluva Block Party’s inaugural season ends with an exclamation point. Four hours prior to the Yellow Jackets and the Georgia Bulldogs renewing their rivalry inside Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field, North Avenue will once again be transformed into the ultimate tailgate spot with live entertainment, games, food trucks, and concessions.

More information.

Tree Lighting at the Battery

When: Saturday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m.

Where: The Plaza at Battery Atlanta, 755 Battery Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

Ring in the holiday season at the Battery for the seventh annual tree lighting ceremony with Santa and the Atlanta Braves mascot, Blooper, assisting with the festivities. After the tree is lit, guests are invited to stay for an outdoor screening of Abominable.

More information.

Clean, Old Fashioned Hate

When: Saturday, Nov. 25, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field

The Yellow Jackets welcome the Georgia Bulldogs to the Flats for the 117th edition of Clean, Old Fashioned Hate Saturday, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. Tech is seeking its first win in the series since 2016 and its first win in Atlanta since 1999, when current head coach Brent Key was a member of the Yellow Jacket offensive line. In his first season at the helm, he has led the program to bowl eligibility after securing a 31-22 win over Syracuse last Saturday.

More information.

IllumniNights at Zoo Atlanta

When: Through Jan. 14, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Where: Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta transforms into a “nighttime wonderland” for its annual IllumiNights at the Zoo event. This year’s display features new Chinese lanterns and additional experiences along with a “mile-long stroll of stunning contemplation of the wildlife of our planet and creatures of our imagination, from luminous leopards to a towering fiery phoenix.” You’ll also be able to see some of the zoo’s nocturnal residents and other animals snoozing in their habitats.

More information.

Ice Skating

There are several locations around Atlanta to lace up your skates this holiday season.

- Atlantic Station

- Piedmont Park

- Ponce City Market

- Avalon

Pop-Up Bars and Restaurants

Explore Atlanta’s culinary scene while enjoying unique experiences, seasonal dishes, and cocktails at various pop-up restaurants and bars around the city.

*Must be 21+ at certain locations

- Grinch Pop-Up at Hamp & Harry’s

- Tinsel Tavern @ Live! At the Battery Atlanta

- ATL Yule @ Westside Motor Lounge

- Feliz Navidad @ Pachengo’s

- Miracle Bar Atlanta

- Blitzen Room @ Biltong Bar

For more from Eater Atlanta, click here.

Subtitle

The Georgia Tech campus will close for Thanksgiving break Nov. 23 – 24. If you’re staying in town, celebrate the holiday season with these events around Atlanta.

Summary sentence

The Georgia Tech campus will close for Thanksgiving break Nov. 23 – 24. If you’re staying in town, celebrate the holiday season with these events around Atlanta.

Summary

The Georgia Tech campus will close for Thanksgiving break Nov. 23 – 24. If you’re staying in town, celebrate the holiday season with these events around Atlanta.

Dateline

Mon, 11/20/2023 - 12:00

steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

Associated importer

Keywords

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving

atlanta georgia

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Community

Institute and Campus

Mercury ID

671177

Source updated

Mon, 11/20/2023 - 17:21

‘Run for the Kids’ Sidelines Rivalry for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

admin — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 16:52:22 +0000

‘Run for the Kids’ Sidelines Rivalry for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta admin Fri, 11/17/2023 - 11:52

Before clean, old-fashioned hate kicks off under the lights at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field next Saturday, the game ball will be carried from Athens to Atlanta.

Friday morning, members of the Georgia Tech and University of Georgia chapters of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) will cast the rivalry aside for the 23rd annual Run for the Kids benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Returning after a pandemic-induced hiatus, the relay, beginning at the UGA FIJI house at 7 a.m., spans 77 miles between the two campuses. Runners from the two chapters meet at a midway point in Loganville for the exchange before arriving in Atlanta at 6 p.m. The final leg of the relay will be completed just before toe meets leather on Saturday night as the ball is carried into the stadium.

The event began in 1998 and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the nonprofit healthcare network that cares for more than a million children each year. The most recent event in 2019 raised $30,000, and Jacob Keenan was among several FIJI members determined to get the ball rolling again.

"This event is unique because we're bridging the gap between UGA and Georgia Tech,” said Keenan, a business administration major and FIJI’s recording secretary. “In a week where our rivalry is the strongest, we come together for this common cause along with the broader Atlanta community because Children's Healthcare of Atlanta has become a beacon of hope for a lot of people here.”

With a Georgia State Patrol escort and a truck full of snacks, water, and support trailing, members of each chapter will run a portion of the relay. While the day after Thanksgiving could be considered a difficult day to convince their peers to run several miles, Keenan said the buzz of bringing the relay back and the recognition of their cause's importance has left them with no shortage of participants.

"It's a huge team effort, and what makes this event so incredible is that we're working hard behind the scenes, on the streets, and running the football to raise awareness, and we feel personally connected with the mission," Keenan said. “Every child deserves to hear those magical words, ‘all better,’ and this relay is our way of making that dream come true.”

The Georgia Tech FIJI chapter welcomes online donations for this year's relay.

Subtitle

The Phi Gamma Delta chapters at Georgia Tech and Georgia will come together to carry the game ball from Athens to Atlanta and raise money for a common cause.

Summary sentence

The Phi Gamma Delta chapters at Georgia Tech and Georgia will come together to carry the game ball from Athens to Atlanta and raise money for a common cause.

Summary

The Phi Gamma Delta chapters at Georgia Tech and Georgia will come together to carry the game ball from Athens to Atlanta and raise money for a common cause.

Dateline

Fri, 11/17/2023 - 12:00

Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

Associated importer

Keywords

Clean Old Fashioned

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

University of Georgia

Phi Gamma Delta

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Campus and Community

Categories

Community

Mercury ID

671130

Source updated

Fri, 11/17/2023 - 11:51

Janelle Dunlap Turns Beekeeping Into Art

admin — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 01:23:21 +0000

Janelle Dunlap Turns Beekeeping Into Art admin Mon, 10/30/2023 - 21:23

Hundreds of thousands of honeybees make their home atop The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design, and it's up to Janelle Dunlap to make sure the hives thrive.

Dunlap was hired earlier this year as the Urban Honey Bee Project's (UHBP) first-ever beekeeper in residence. Throughout her residency, she'll conduct research into the pollinator's place in our ecosystem and how beekeeping may offer relief to veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while connecting with the bees through art.

Dunlap had been gardening for over a decade, but in 2016, when she got the urge to find new ways to engage with nature, she recalled a powerful piece of imagery that shaped her childhood — Wu-Tang Clan's music video for “Triumph” and its depiction of the group's members as a powerful swarm of Africanized killer bees.

"The political messaging and tying Africanized killer bees in with the stereotypes and the tropes of African Americans in the media, and the way that that was so poetically tied in, visually stuck with me,” she said. “It was the first time I recognized a political message being articulated through art. For that reason, it stuck with me that bees were a form of strong symbolism tied to resilience."

Living in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dunlap became a certified beekeeper under the Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Association in 2017. She continued practicing as she moved around the country, with stops in Chicago and Denver, eventually landing in Atlanta in 2021. Looking for a way to connect to the local beekeeping community, she attended an April presentation by UHBP Director Jennifer Leavey, who offered Dunlap a chance to get involved at Georgia Tech.

She now handles the inspection of the hives on The Kendeda Building roof, where she monitors for pests and ensures the bees have proper nutrition to sustain their population through the seasons. The UHBP began in 2012 with the goal of educating the Tech community on the importance of these pollinators within the Atlanta ecosystem and beyond — a charge that Dunlap carries on.

Over the next year, she will continue working on her sound art project that examines the frequency at which bees “buzz” and how it, along with the responsibilities of beekeeping, is being used by VA hospitals and programs to ease the effects of PTSD. While the science behind the connection is still being explored, beekeeping was recommended more than a century ago — to soldiers returning home from World War I — according to a CNBC profile of Bees4Vets, a nonprofit based in Nevada.

From the Hive to the Canvas

Whether it was baking sourdough bread or learning a new language, many people, including Dunlap, took the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic to pick up a new hobby. She began a master's program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with the goal of using beeswax in encaustic painting, which uses hot wax mixed with pigments. The use of natural materials collected through her beekeeping practice connects Dunlap to her work.

“It's a way of tapping into another level of consciousness. It's a way of articulating the noncommunicable relationship between me and the bees. When there's a language gap between people, we try to fill it in with translation, but without a direct way to translate the language or the sensation that I feel from the bees, this allows me to document my practice in an abstract form,” she said.

By layering the wax and applying heat throughout the process, Dunlap watches the pieces take shape, often with the unpredictability of an active hive, as she says the art “can create itself.” She collects the wax in small amounts, knowing that she can only produce her art if the bees are healthy.

"It's an eco-conscious practice, making sure I don't use more than I need," she explained. “I love the landscape it creates, and it's all about me creating a direct relationship with my medium and knowing that I earned it by developing a relationship with the bees."

As Dunlap continues her year-long residency with the UHBP, she intends to help educate the community, both on campus and around the Atlanta area, in the hopes that more prospective beekeepers will explore their curiosity to unlock the full potential of the practice.

"It's been a practice that keeps unveiling itself to me," she said. "As you get more engaged, you learn there is so much more to it than just the day-to-day hive inspections. There is a lot of beauty to it as well."

Students at Tech have several ways to get involved with research and beekeeping, including the Living Building Science VIP team, the Beekeeping Club, and various classes and workshops hosted by the UHBP.

Subtitle

The Urban Honey Bee Project’s new beekeeper in residence is creating art and educating the public with her practice.

Summary sentence

The Urban Honey Bee Project’s new beekeeper in residence is creating art and educating the public with her practice.

Summary

The Urban Honey Bee Project’s new beekeeper in residence is creating art and educating the public with her practice.

Dateline

Mon, 10/30/2023 - 12:00

Steven.Gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

Keywords

kendeda building for innovative sustainable design

Georgia Tech Urban Honey Bee Project

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

cos-community

News room topics

Earth and Environment

Categories

Art Research

Community

Environment

Institute and Campus

Life Sciences and Biology

Research

Mercury ID

670762

Source updated

Mon, 10/30/2023 - 10:47

The Journey of a Georgia Tech Ironman

admin — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 15:11:31 +0000

The Journey of a Georgia Tech Ironman admin Wed, 08/30/2023 - 11:11

As the Georgia Tech women's basketball team recently completed its foreign tour to Croatia and Spain, another Yellow Jacket is preparing to represent the Institute abroad. Colin Wegner, a third-year chemical engineering student, will compete in the 2023 Ironman World Championship in Nice, France, on Sept. 10.

Wegner is a fourth-generation Georgia Tech student, following in his family's footsteps to attend his dream school, just as he followed in his father's footsteps as a child when the two would run together. At the age of 12, Colin and his dad, Torsten Wegner, signed up for a sprint triathlon. They haven’t slowed down since, although Colin does believe he's caught up to his dad.

"He's a good cyclist,” Colin said. “I'm definitely stronger than he is now – finally, after a long, long time.” When asked if Torsten would agree, Colin replied, "Grudgingly, yes."

After honing his skills over the years, Wegner decided in early 2022 to cross an item off his bucket list by competing in a full 140.6-mile Ironman Triathlon – a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle race, and a 26.22-mile run. On a November day in Panama City Beach, Florida, Wegner crossed the finish line with a time of 12:02:10, qualifying him to compete in the upcoming world championship in the 18 – 24 age group.

"It always seemed like such a lofty goal,” he said. “But here I am, a normal college kid getting ready to compete on such a grand stage."

Dealing with the already busy schedule of a Tech student, Wegner has learned how to balance the addition of his rigorous training schedule, which includes early morning trips to the North Georgia mountains as he prepares for the hilly terrain he'll face in September, both on foot and on the bike. The training can be just as mentally taxing as it is physically, but with one competition under his belt, Wegner understands that there are no shortcuts on the road to France.

For his first Ironman, he says, “I would take days off here and there and sometimes cut my runs short because I was hurting or tired. But, after feeling unprepared for the run during the race, I realized how important it is to train to run through that same pain on race day. I feel much more prepared this time by just being far more consistent and pushing through soreness and really leaning into the 'hurt locker,' as it's called."

Applying the same competitive drive to the classroom, Wegner has maintained a 4.0 GPA through his first two years at Tech. He credits the supportive nature of the Institute for allowing him to pursue his dreams of competing at a high level.

Wegner is still deciding what path he'll take after completing his degree, and while he doesn't foresee competition becoming his day job, he's eager to see where his dream takes him.

"It's very mentally and physically grueling, but I love the competition and even enjoy the training. It's something I’ll carry on throughout my whole life. Whether I end up doing really well, we'll find out, but making a career out of it is not the plan right now," Wegner said.

When the starting gun is fired in early September, Wegner will be proudly donning a Georgia Tech tri suit while his family – and the entire Tech community – cheers him on.

Subtitle

Fourth-generation Tech student Colin Wegner will swim, bike, and run a total of 140.6 miles in the upcoming 2023 Ironman World Championship in France.

Summary sentence

Fourth-generation Tech student Colin Wegner will swim, bike, and run a total of 140.6 miles in the upcoming 2023 Ironman World Championship in France.

Summary

Fourth-generation Tech student Colin Wegner will swim, bike, and run a total of 140.6 miles in the upcoming 2023 Ironman World Championship in France.

Dateline

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 12:00

steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano - Communications Officer

Institute Communications

Keywords

georgia tech student

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Alumni

Community

Institute and Campus

Mercury ID

669252

Source updated

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 11:10

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

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A Precautionary Tale

A Delicate Balance

What Does AI-Generated Mean?

AI and the Workforce

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Promoting Innovation and Competition

What's Next

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Shop Till You Drop:

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry:

Cheer On the Yellow Jackets:

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‘Run for the Kids’ Sidelines Rivalry for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

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