March 7: Makoto Suwa *07 Selected as an Astronaut for Japan’s Space Agency

World Bank senior disaster prevention specialist Makoto Suwa *07 was picked for Japan’s space agency. He’ll train for two years and join in a new lunar exploration program, possibly stepping on the moon. — NHK Japan
 
Elizabeth R. Koch ’99, the daughter of billionaire industrialist Charles Koch, has drawn from her self-identity struggle for a venture that uses “provocative experiences” to help people face “who you think you are.” — The New York Times
 
Palm Beach real estate investor Matija Pecotic ’13 raised eyebrows when he won his first main-draw ATP Tour event by beating a former top-10 player in February. — The Wall Street Journal
 
Astrophysicist Katie Mack *09 explained that “everything in physics is made up to make the math work out.” The test of whether an equation is true comes when numbers from physical observations are plugged in. — Science Focus
 
Worcester Red Sox principal owner Larry Lucchino ’67 is starting his 44th year in professional baseball and says he has no plans to sell. “...If I’m not a hard charger, what will I be? I don’t know.” — Telegram & Gazette
 
Biodefense expert and former Harvard professor Lynn Klotz ’65 co-wrote an outline for how the U.S. can minimize COVID’s lethality and other impacts after federal emergency health funding ends in May. — Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
 
Notre Dame mathematician Barth Pollak *57 died in February at age 94. — University of Notre Dame

Columnist Ramesh Ponnuru ’95 held up Princeton’s James Madison Program as an example for other universities seeking an “approach to restoring balance” in political thinking on campus. — The Washington Post

“You are right to be watchful, because we want to make sure these entities as they’re created do sort of develop their wings, and [are] able to actually fulfill the mission they’ve been given over time.”

— Sharon Fairley ’82, a University of Chicago Law School professor, discussing boards created to watch over police and hold them accountable regarding civilian complaints. Fairley led the transition from Chicago’s old review board to the new Civilian Office of Police Accountability. — WGBH Boston

 Former deputy national security adviser and Mastercard executive Michael Froman ’85 was named the new president of the Council on Foreign Relations. — Axios
 
Former Amazon and General Mills executive Carla Vernón ’92 is the new CEO of The Honest Company, which sells health- and eco-conscious toiletries. — Business Wire
 
John A. Massad ’83 became managing director for business development at the healthcare investment firm Vivo Capital. — Business Wire

Opera singer Anthony Roth Costanzo ’04 appeared as a singing plant in the commercial announcing the new purple M&M. — PR News Wire

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