September/October 2018

Cover Story

On the Neural Frontier

How do we make a sandwich, appreciate beauty, or resist the urge to have a drink? Brown researchers are mapping the body’s most complex organ in surprising new ways.

What Do
You Think?

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“I was sorry to see the note about the passing of Professor Emeritus Beverly Ridgely (“Obituaries,” May/June). I met him early in my freshman year. He and his wonderful wife Barbara held...”
—Donald “Rock” Singewald ’71
Warren, R.I.
In response to Obituaries (M/A’11):
“I was pleased to read the article on David Leventhal’s Dance for Parkinson’s program (“Movement as Medicine,” Beyond the Gates, July/August). I’ve been suffering with Parkinson’s for over 10 years, and four...”
—Ulises Giberga ’53
New York City 
In response to Movement as Medicine (J/A’18):
“Thank you so much for the refreshing conversation between Kate Bornstein and Dréya St. Clair. I am a (mostly) cisgender female inspired by discussions about the irrelevance and oppression of gender. The...”
—Margaret E. Murray ’80
San Francisco
In response to Breaking Down the Binary (J/A’18):

Under the Elms

Miles per hour that Equisat, a nanosatellite designed by Brown students, has been moving since being launched from the International Space Station in July. 


Student Life
Illustration of 8 students in their summer jobs.

Working Vacation

Eight undergrads told us where and how they spent their summer
Medicine & Health
Photo of Caleigh Steele ’20 and her sister Lynden

Portraits of Love

A student uplifts women with cancer and their care teams
Sports & Recreation

Taking It Home

Revisiting Dad’s country to play international soccer
Photo of Sydney Cummings ’21 playing soccer in her Brown team uniform (number 20)
Science & Tech

Robots Gone Rogue

New in cyber insecurity: hackable research robots
Illustration of a robot

Beyond the Gates

The Arts
Photo of John Krasinski ’02

What Office?

John Krasinski ’01 moves into uncharted territory
The Arts
Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar ’14

Syrian Journeys

A debut novel inspired by present-day refugees
Business & Entrepreneurship
Photo of David Lipman ’76 in front of the bar at a restaurant

Meet the New Meat

David Lipman ’76 has created a plant-based burger to satisfy carnivores
Service & Advocacy
Photo of Kira Ganga Kieffer ’08 and Aaron Eisman ’08, at a rally with a sign that says "Healthcare is a Human Right."

Digital Democracy

Youlobby.org makes engaged citizenship easier.
Politics & Law

Weather Warrior

Dispatches from the front lines of climate-change adaptation
Photo of Joel Scheraga, with wetlands in the background.
The Arts

Roots and Rites

Conceptual choreographer Edisa Weeks ’87
Photo of Edisa Weeks ’87

The Classes

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September 10th, 2018

Laurel Greenberg, Tina Crenshaw, Ellen Comley, and Holly Cahow Lasagna reunited in festive style in Charlotte, N.C., in June to celebrate 40 years of friendship. Eschewing a European vacation, they opted for...
September 10th, 2018

Maria Defino Whitsett writes: “After 36 years in educational research, administration, and policy analysis, I retired in June 2017 to spend time relaxing, traveling, and pursuing the making of a perfect baguette....
September 10th, 2018

David Schmottlach writes: “I’m finally retired at 75 and growing Chardonnay grapes in Temecula, California, north of San Diego.”
September 10th, 2018

Shirley Hope Reeves writes: “It is hard to believe that it will be my 75th class reunion at Brown next year. This year I have joined the many Brown graduates who have...

Obituaries

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September 11th, 2018

Elizabeth Olarsch Hunter ’84, of Gardiner, N.Y., formerly of Portland, Me.; Dec. 5, from a cerebral hemorrhage while awaiting a bone marrow transplant due to myeloid leukemia. She was a concert pianist...
September 11th, 2018

James Alaimo ’58, of Cumberland, R.I.; May 10. Better known as “Gerry” to the Brown community, came to Brown as a basketball center and left as one of the University’s all-time leading...
September 11th, 2018

John R. Welchli ’50, of Grosse Pointe, Mich.; Mar. 23. He was vice president and treasurer of Securities Counsel Inc. in Jackson, Mich., and owner of Investment Counsel Inc. in Grosse Pointe....

Current Obsession

Politics & Law

Pot Policy Wonk

Catherine Nacier ’19, ’23 PLME is obsessed with marijuana policy. Read More