2026
2026
November
Karplus presents at INFORMS Conference
INFORMS Conference
EPP’s Valerie Karplus presented “How Technological Innovation Could Reshape Iron and Steel Supply Chains” at the INFORMS Annual Meeting in San Francisco. INFORMS is the leading international association for professionals in fields like operations research, economics, and artificial intelligence.
Peha weighs in on new Telecommunications Act
IEEE Spectrum
EPP’s Jon Peha envisions another category of telecommunications services and believes that “A new Telecom Act should establish a third category: broadband internet-access services,” in addition to the existing “telecommunications” and “information” services it already distinguishes. He also believes that a new act should direct the FCC, of which he previously served as the chief technologist, to expand reports and address cloud storage.
Peha comments on a false tip reported by AI
SAN
EPP’s Jon Peha explains that “AI companies need guardrails when they choose to interact with the real world” in response to Claude providing the Philadelphia Police Department with a false tip about a real homicide case.
Peha comments on unprecedented dynamic pricing by SpaceX
PCMag
EPP’s Jon Peha was quoted on the new dynamic pricing that now quarterly affects all users with Starlink’s broadband connection and equipment. Peha says it could allow SpaceX to charge more in regions where there are no competitors, and it would make it more difficult for users to keep up with the service, causing them to turn to another provider.
October
Karplus attends Schmidt Sciences DEVI launch
Schmidt Sciences
EPP’s Valerie Karplus moderated a panel as part of the launch convening for the Schmidt Sciences Decarbonization and Energy Virtual Institute (DEVI). Participating teams received $26 million over five years to develop and apply energy system models to inform technology and policy decisions.
Fischhoff reveals AI doom forecasting inadequacies
Ground Level AI
EPP’s Baruch Fischhoff was quoted on how to assess claims of AI doom probability. He explains that most forecasters are trained in anticipating the outcome of events that are well-defined and have a clear end date, and that they often use words that are very subjective.
Michalek referenced for EV battery insights
Just Have a Think
EPP/MechE’s Jeremy Michalek’s study on the feasibility of reusing versus recycling lithium batteries was referenced in a video on the YouTube channel “Just Have a Think” on the best ways to repurpose retired EV batteries.
Cranor weighs in on privacy concerns regarding smart glasses
Communications of the ACM
As smart glasses become a more common piece of wearable tech, concerns are being raised about their data collection and protection practices. CyLab Director Lorrie Cranor says the solution is to integrate privacy from the start in the design of these AI-integrated wearable devices.
Mireshghallah’s AI study featured for revealing adversarial delegation
Inc.
EPP/CyLab’s Niloofar Mireshghallah co-authored a study alongside Aman Priyanshu, Supriti Vijay, and Brian Jabarian that revealed how AI assistants have provided more expensive options to wealthier users, even when they ask for the cheapest options.
Whitefoot referenced on fuel reduction miscalculations
The New York Times
EPP and MechE’s Kate Whitefoot has been referenced for her recent paper published in Science in a New York Times article that explores the reduction of fuel efficiency rules. The reduction is based on the idea that it would save the country billions of dollars, but Whitefoot’s paper notes major inconsistencies in those calculations.
September
Karplus presents research findings at Waynesburg University
Observer-Reporter
EPP’s Valerie Karplus and Ph.D. student Jillian Miles shared preliminary findings from a study on workforce development in Greene County during a presentation at Waynesburg University. They looked at local workforce characteristics alongside nine other areas in southwest Pennsylvania to see how the skills would fit within several leading industries and how community members could find jobs.
Muller quoted on the dangers of wildfires
Civic Media
EPP’s Nick Muller explained to Civic Media the danger of the increasing wildfires around the country in an article describing the effects of various extreme weather events that coincide with climate change.
Samaras signs EES2 pledge on behalf of Scott Institute, CMU
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Scott Institute Director Costa Samaras signed the Energy Efficiency Scaling for 2 Decades (EES2) pledge on behalf of the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation and Carnegie Mellon University. The initiative, which aims to achieve a 1000x increase in computing efficiency in two decades, is led by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Stanford University. “Scaling the energy efficiency of computing enables broad societal benefits across the economy, the environment, national security, and communities,” said Samaras.
Nock quoted on insights of energy usage trends
Wisconsin Business News
CEE/EPP’s Destenie Nock was quoted in a Wisconsin Business News article about how energy usage trends could yield affordability insights.
Jaramillo talks data center growth
GridPulse
EPP’s Paulina Jaramillo was a featured guest on the GridPulse podcast to discuss data center growth and how it’s challenging preconceptions about reliability and rates.
Scott Institute hosts RETI Engine kickoff
Technical.ly
The Scott Institute hosted the official kickoff of the Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure (RETI) Consortium during StartUP PGH, as covered by Technical.ly. This National Science Foundation-supported initiative is set to supercharge grid resilience, power energy efficiency, and launch next-gen clean-tech startups through dedicated fellowships, workshops, and cutting-edge testing facilities. EPP/Scott Institute’s Valerie Karplus is the consortium’s director of policy.
Cranor discusses the future of login privacy and functionality
The Atlantic
CyLab Director Lorrie Cranor was interviewed for a feature story about the inconvenience created when browsers and operating systems compete with third-party password managers to generate, store, and autofill your credentials. She discusses how passkeys work and often frustrate users trying to log in.
Muller reveals impact of the rollback on climate pollution rules
The Allegheny Front
EPP’s Nick Muller was interviewed by The Allegheny Front on the Trump administration’s announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency is repealing rules that curb power plants’ greenhouse gas emissions. Muller discussed the health benefits associated with reduced emissions and the risk of forgoing these regulations. This story also appeared in WHYY and WESA.FM.
Adams discusses the deadly impact of heat and data centers
Sierra Club
Data centers use diesel generators as emergency power sources, but these generators also release high amounts of pollution. CEE/EPP’s Peter Adams spoke with Sierra Club about the effects that data center generators could have on surrounding communities, sharing his findings that if data centers get their power from diesel generators instead of the grid, they could cause around 500 additional premature deaths per year in the US.
August
Whitefoot joins National Academies Committee
National Academies
EPP/MechE’s Kate Whitefoot is serving on the National Academies Committee to explore current and potential next-generation battery energy storage technologies for defense applications.
Nock reveals truths about electricity use and affordability
Multiple sources
CEE/EPP’s Destenie Nock wrote an article that discusses the perspectives on affordability from energy companies and the importance of balancing reduced energy use to save funds while maintaining household safety and health. The article can be read in The Conversation, Chron, and Yahoo! News.
Data center research cited in Forbes
Forbes
A Forbes article analyzing data centers and electricity prices in the U.S. referenced a study authored by a cross-institutional team of researchers including EPP’s Joseph DeCarolis and Paulina Jaramillo. This collaborative network comprises the Open Energy Outlook, a key initiative of Carnegie Mellon’s Scott Institute for Energy Innovation.
Engineering faculty awarded for academic and research achievements
The 2026 Engineering faculty award winners have been selected by the Engineering Faculty Awards and Recognition Committee for their exceptional achievements in academics and research. These include: Benjamin Richard Teare Teaching Award: Katherine Flanigan (CEE); David P. Casasent Outstanding Research Award: Tzahi Cohen-Karni (BME/MSE); Distinguished Professor of Engineering Award: Peter Adams (CEE/EPP); George Tallmann Ladd Research Award: Noelia Grande Gutiérrez (MechE), Philip and Marsha Dowd Fellowship: Patrick Tague (iii); Steven J. Fenves Award for Systems Research: Valerie Karplus (EPP) and Chris Pistorius (MSE); and Outstanding Mentoring Award: Kaushik Dayal (CEE), Kathryn Whitehead (ChemE), and Keith Cook (BME).
Nock publishes piece on dangers of high indoor temperatures
The Conversation
CEE/EPP’s Destenie Nock published an article in The Conversation on why the recommended 78-degree air conditioner setting may not be right for every household. She recommends several ways households can lower indoor temperatures without relying heavily on an air conditioner.
July
Michalek quoted on consumer transition to electric vehicles
Los Angeles Times
EPP/MechE’s Jeremy Michalek was quoted in the Los Angeles Times on California’s efforts to encourage consumers to purchase electric vehicles.
Peha quoted on internet space race
Straight Arrow News
EPP’s Jon Peha was quoted in Straight Arrow News on how people in remote areas will have access to high-speed internet via recently launched Amazon satellites.
RETI Consortium named NSF Regional Innovation Engine awardee
Multiple sources
Carnegie Mellon is a core partner in the Resilient Energy Technology & Infrastructure (RETI) Consortium, which was announced on July 14, as one of just 12 new National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines award recipients. Scott Institute/EPP’s Valerie Karplus serves as the consortium’s director of policy. Outlets including Pittsburgh Business Times and TribLive reported on the consortium’s funding milestone, as well as its positioning to supercharge energy innovation, grid resilience, and entrepreneurship in the West Virginia-Western Pennsylvania region.
Fischhoff co-authors special feature on behavioral science
Medical Xpress
EPP’s Baruch Fischhoff co-authored a new special feature from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences examining how behavioral science has helped American consumers and patients by influencing federal agencies like the FDA. This publication was highlighted in Medical Xpress.
Nock quoted on air conditioning inequities during heat wave
USA Today
CEE/EPP’s Destenie Nock was quoted in USA Today on how low-income U.S. households tend to set their thermostats higher than other households in the summer, highlighting how dangerous this cost-saving measure can be during a heat wave. The article was also syndicated by Yahoo! and AOL.
Combemale quoted on AI’s impact on Pittsburgh jobs
Technical.ly
EPP’s Christophe Combemale was quoted by Technical.ly and Pittsburgh’s Public Source on how AI may create jobs in the Pittsburgh region in industries such as manufacturing.
June
Peha publishes memo on AI and policing
Federation of American Scientists
EPP’s Jon Peha authored a memo published by the Federation of American Scientists examining the potential benefits and challenges of using generative AI to help police officers write reports. In the memo, Peha recommends that federal agencies develop frameworks to guide police departments in considering the use of AI for report writing.
Michalek quoted on electric vehicle costs and climate impact
NPR
EPP/MechE’s Jeremy Michalek was quoted in an NPR article assessing the costs and environmental friendliness of a gasoline versus an electric vehicle. Michalek concluded the electric vehicle was more cost-effective and would generate fewer emissions long term.
May
Fischhoff explains miscommunication of experts and the public
Nautilus
EPP’s Baruch Fischhoff was quoted in Nautilus on the disconnect between public perception of natural phenomena and the actual science behind them, in this case specifically, the frequency and magnitude of earthquakes. Fischhoff explains that “people have plausible mental models of how things work,” but due to discrepancies in what each group values, experts might’ve just “done a terrible job of communicating” in a way that aligns with what the public can understand.
Fischhoff wins research book award
EPP’s Baruch Fischhoff has won a 2026 Responsible Research in Management Award for his book Bounded Disciplines & Unbounded Problems. Among 121 nominations, Fischhoff’s book was selected for both its scientific rigor as well as its benefit to society.
Muller highlighted for economic data center analysis
Fortune
Fortune referenced EPP’s Nick Muller in his recent working paper for the National Bureau of Economic Research, where he reveals the indirect economic effects of data centers on the health and increased mortality of residents near these sites. By converting premature mortality rates and severe adverse health effects caused by the data centers into monetary values, Muller estimates $25 billion in economic damages from environmental pollutants and energy consumption.
April
Nock on Resources Radio podcast
Resources Radio podcast
CEE and EPP’s Destenie Nock discusses measures utilities and policymakers can take to better capture energy-accessibility and affordability metrics.
March
Fischoff comments on self-vaccination
Baltimore Sun
EPP’s Baruch Fischhoff collaborated on an article highlighting painless yet effective methods for self-vaccination. He recommends investing in oral, nasal, and skin patch versions of the injected vaccines.
February
Karplus speaks at National Academies webinar
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
EPP’s Valerie Karplus was a panelist during a webinar hosted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that explored the promise and potential of energy parks. The National Academies posted a related story on their website.
January
Fischhoff featured on overconfidence and cognitive bias
Open Culture
EPP’s Baruch Fischhoff was featured by Open Culture for an interview about the dangers of overconfidence and cognitive bias. His study from the 1970s, which revealed the vast disparity between accuracy and perceived certainty, continues to be highly relevant today.