Pitt student killed by bus remembered as 'inquisitive, hard-working'

Barbara Como, the University of Pittsburgh senior struck and killed by a bus Saturday, is being remembered as a bright and promising student by faculty and fellow students.

Como, of Chester Springs, Chester County, would have turned 21 next month. She was planning to graduate this spring with degrees in psychology and anthropology.

She was struck by a Port Authority bus near the intersection of De Soto Street and Fifth Avenue around 12:15 p.m. and was pronounced dead after being taken to UPMC Presbyterian hospital.

Como was a senior anthropology student and research assistant with the Learning Research and Development Center. One of the projects she was working on focused on how people learn whether a certain medicine is working and how they learn whether they are sensitive to certain foods.

Como was taking a leadership role in recruiting participants for these studies, the center’s director, Pitt Associate Director Ben Rottman, said in a statement.

“Barbara was a very bright, enthusiastic, and hard-working student,” Rottman said. “She was quick to grasp difficult concepts, asked interesting questions, and gave great presentations. She was able to work very independently, solve problems that arose, and learn new skills on her own.

“She was especially good at doing statistical analyses and programming, was extremely generous in helping others learn these skills, and often volunteered to take on leadership roles. She will be greatly missed by the entire lab.”

Ciara Willet, a graduate student in the lab, worked closely with Como and called her a fantastic researcher.

“She was intelligent, inquisitive, and incredibly hard working,” Willet said. “It was a privilege to work with her and also to have known her. Not only will I remember her for her contributions to our lab, but for her kind and thoughtful nature. She is truly missed.”

Como was a resident of Lothrop Hall.

Pitt’s campus police are assisting Pittsburgh police and the Port Authority in the investigation of the accident, the university said.

“As the Pitt community mourns the loss of one of our students, we send our heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends,” said the university’s statement.