4-year-old tests positive
A 4-year-old attending Troy’s Head Start preschool tested positive for cocaine recently. Police and social workers are investigating exactly what could be the cause of the test result.
When the girl’s teacher noticed that some of the preschoolers were playing with small balloons and putting them to their mouths, she asked where the balloons came from. When the children behaved strangely, she called in a health monitor who noticed that the girl’s vital signs were high.
The five who were playing with the balloons were taken to the hospital for drug tests and one girl’s urine tested positive for cocaine. The balloons were also tested but initial tests showed that they were not tainted. The state crime lab is also going to test the balloons to ensure the accuracy of the test.
The girl’s relatives have agreed to take drug tests and have cooperated with authorities. The girl remains at home under her mother’s care as the matter is being investigated.
UAlbany president quits
Last Friday, University at Albany President Karen Hitchcock stepped down from her position due to “ongoing illness in her immediate family.” Her stepping down came four months earlier than expected as she announced in October 2003 that she would leave her post at the end of the school year.
Her request for a leave of absence was granted by State University of New York Chancellor Robert King who also named UAlbany Provost Carlos Santiago as the University’s “officer-in-charge.” In the past year, Santiago has been a finalist for the president position at two other universities. He addressed the UAlbany community on Monday.
A search for Hitchcock’s replacement has been ongoing. In a statement released by UAlbany, Hitchcock said “My decision was a difficult one to make because of my devotion to the University at Albany.”
Nalamasu honored
A division of the American Chemical Society recently selected RPI Professor and Director of the Center for Integrated Electronics Omkaram “Om” Nalamasu to receive the 2004 Roy W. Tess Award in Coatings.
The Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering gives the annual award for contributions to the areas of coating science and technology. Nalamasu’s work has focused on optical lithography and photoresist materials, which according to PMSE has played a large role in microelectronics.
In recent years, Profesor Nalamasu was also selected as a NYSTAR Distinguished Professor Award as well as receiving the American Chemical Society National Award for Team Innovation.
RPI Vice President of Research Arthur Sanderson, stated, “Professor Nalamasu has a track record of excellence. The Tess Award is yet another affirmation of his extraordinary work.”
