Gerry Santoro (gms@psu.edu)

I have two sons, Gerald and Travis.. I live with my 100-lb German Shepard Max, my spooky cat Tara, an 8-foot Boa Constrictor (Ozymandius), a 4-foot Royal Python (Monty), a 5-foot Green Iguana (Iggy), and an Emperor Scorpion (no name - c'mon its just a bug!). Here is a tribute to my wonderful friend Tarkus, who passed away in January, 1998. I am happily single although open to many things.

I am originally from the town of Blawnox located on the North Side of Pittsburgh.

I am an Assistant Professor in Penn State's College of Information Sciences and Technology, and an Affiliate Assistant Professor in Penn State's Department of Communication Arts and Sciences

Here is a copy of my not-yet-ready-for-prime-time professional vita.

I have developed, and enjoy teaching, a number of courses for Penn State including Information Systems in the Liberal Arts (LA 283/483), Information-People-Technology (IST-110), New Media and the Web (IST-250), Content-Driven Web Sites (IST-402), Popular Culture and Technology (IST-402 ), and Introduction to Security and Risk Analysys (SRA-111).

I am also the academic director and lead faculty member for IST's World Campus offerings.

My research interests include Computer-Mediated Communication, Telepresence, Social Informatics - especially Technology Policy, Technology Use/Misuse, Future Technologies and Artificial Intelligence I am one of the lead faculty in IST's Virtual Worlds initiative in the cyberspace of Second Life (Tarkus Octagon). I have developed a home computer lab with a home 'cave' and am interested in intelligent environments and virtual world

I am past chairperson of the Human Information Technologies interest group of the Eastern Communication Association. I am also a dedicated advocate of freedom of information and communication on the Internet, and for that matter everywell else. I am a strong advocate of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary academic approaches.

I am the faculty advisor for the Security and Risk Analysis Club, the Computer Network Club, and the Penn State Aikido Club. I am also an active member of the IST Diversity Network and a participant/member for events sponsored by Students Organizing the Multiple Arts. I was IST Faculty Member of the Year for 2002 and 2005 and I have to admit that I honestly love my job!

My email address is gms@psu.edu -- my office is at 329A IST Bldg (directly over Rt 322 - what a view!) -- my cell phone is 814-571-8306.

I am also an avid amateur astronomer, and I love playing guitar. I am a dedicated biker - riding a 2002 Harley-Davidson Heratige Softail Classic. I operate Dog-Star Observatory, an amateur observatory that has been collecting data (in various incarnations) since 1967. Here is my current start page.

In a future life I plan to come back as a Klingon. Klingons don't test code - they EXECUTE it! (:-)

You will often find me on AIM as gmsantoro.

May your life be filled with happiness!