Nanotech Forum
Last Monday, September 22, 2003, a day long forum focusing on Nanotechnology at Rensselaer was held. During the day, Rensselaer Nanotechnology Center Director Richard Siegel gave a lecture at the Heffner Alumni House to discuss the recent remodeling of the center. The center is one of six similar centers in the entire country and receives about six million in funding annually, from the National Science Foundation, Rensselaer, a state agency, and others.
The center’s goal is to study structures at the molecular and atomic levels. To this end, part of the remodeling included an atomic force microscope–a device that can show an object only one nanometer in diameter.
Many believe that nanotechnologies will lead to even smaller electronics and eventually the capability of producing biological bone and skin replacements. Siegel stated that the renovations “are providing an important core for the center about which our exciting interdisciplinary activities can flourish at Rensselaer.”
New VP for Research
President Jackson recently announced that she appointed Lester Gerhardt, associate dean of engineering and professor of electrical, computer, and systems engineering and computer science, to a special presidential position of vice president for research and financial administration.
The new temporary position is part of the modifications to how research funding works at Rensselaer. The two offices that interact with faculty as they work to get funding for research, the Office of Contracts and Grants and the Research Financial Administration, are slated to merge into a new entity.
The reason for the restructuring is to try to increase the amount of research funding Rensselaer receives. President Jackson also stated her hopes that the changes will lead to more research centers coming to RPI.
Gerhardt, was once the chairman of the Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering department, and currently holds four patents. The merged department will be located in West Hall and once his assignment is over, Gerhardt will return full time to his associate dean position.
“Dr. A.” Retires
Rensselaer’s Student Health Center’s medical director, Dr. Robert Athanasiou ’62, is retiring effective next Tuesday, September 30th. As the March 26, 2003 Poly reported, he originally was planning to retire on June 30th. He later decided to delay his retirement as the search for his replacement was reopened.
Athanasiou has a forty-five year history at RPI, having served as medical director for eighteen years. Under his direction, the Student Health Center was recently recertified for three years by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
In honor of his retirement, the Division of Student Life will be hosting a reception in the Rensselaer Union, room 3202 tomorrow from 3 pm – 5 pm. The entire campus community is invited.
Lally Refocuses
The Lally School recently launched a new website, newsletter, and other materials to redefine its image in the minds of prospective students. The new products are just one result of the school’s ongoing research on how to better attract top students.
Dean Denis Fred Simon and a special task force have also been restructuring the MBA Curriculum. The changes in the school’s objectives are intended to better prepare graduates for leading in the 21st century economy.
The Dean stated that the new interactive website should help to convey the changes in the school’s objectives. The site is located at http://www.lallyschool.rpi.edu.
