Matthew D. Solomon

Matthew Solomon is currently a research assistant at PII and a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon’s H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management. Matthew is a returned Peace Corps volunteer who worked as a teacher in Kenya for two years before coming to Pittsburgh. He holds a B.S. in business economics from Miami University.

Megan Renee Walker

Megan Walker is a recent graduate from the Master of Arts Management program at the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University. She plans to continue her studies in policy this fall, and will graduate in May 2009 with the Master of Science in Public Policy and Management. Megan enjoys studying education policy and community development. After two years teaching music and band in a Title I school district, Megan was inspired to help schools to establish policy that encourages creativity and personal growth in every student. She believes that nonprofits and schools are capable of fulfilling their missions and serving their constituencies efficiently and effectively.

Michael P. Walter

Mr. Walter was educated at the University of Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the Barnes Foundation in Lower Merion, PA. He also studied in Italy with the University of Georgia, enrolled as a graduate student in their art abroad program. For fifteen years, Mr. Walter has exhibited his paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture locally and regionally. Since 1996, he has worked part-time at various museums in public speaking roles, such as docent and site manager. While studying in Philadelphia, Michael also worked at the National Park Service in the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Department, helping planners assist communities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey reclaim brownfield areas for public use. Over the past decade, art and museum practice have been his passion.

Justin L. Young

Justin Young is currently a junior at Susquehanna University located in Selinsgrove, Pa. He is a Business Administration and Advertising major. He participates in various activities on campus including the Black Student Union, Multicultural Affairs, and the Brotherhood. He is also a member of the varsity football and track teams. He is projected to graduate in 2010. As a life-long resident of the City of Pittsburgh, Justin brings a wealth of local knowledge to the summer research projects.

Lavanya Jagirdhar

Lavanya is creating and managing databases for PII this summer. She is a graduate student in Information Systems Management at Carnegie Mellon University. She is also working for UPMC as IT Project Manager Intern during the summer. Before graduate school she worked as a software engineer for Satyam Computer Services Limited in India. Her undergraduate degree is in Chemical Engineering. She has volunteered for several livelihood and education forums at Satyam.