Washington, D.C. — Rensselaer freshman student Richard Booton, who suffers from cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, and epilepsy, and was diagnosed with dyslexia, will be honored at the White House for his achievements on Wednesday, March 6. Booton, a computer science major, received a prestigious 2001 National Achievement Award from the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D).
Additional Experiments Are Needed Troy, N.Y. — A team of researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has reported the observation of phenomena that could point to the possibility of nuclear fusion using a novel technique for plasma confinement. The approach, called “bubble fusion,” is reported in the March 8 issue of Science magazine.
A new research program seeks to define the next-generation of low-orbit satellites that are more maneuverable, cheaper to launch, easier to hide, and longer lived.
Troy, N.Y. — From turbine engines to toilet tissue, the time to market of manufactured products could be accelerated through improved high-tech design. To perfect the design process and decrease costs, Rensselaer researchers are working with Simmetrix Inc. of Clifton Park, N.Y., inventors of a virtual simulation model used extensively to automate the design of interior air handling systems in automobiles.
Troy, N.Y. — Kirsten Volpi has been named assistant vice president for finance and controller at Rensselaer. Volpi is Rensselaer’s chief accounting officer. Volpi will have overall responsibility for managing financial reporting, systems, and operations. Her work will include establishing accounting policies and procedures to ensure Rensselaer’s financial resources and operations are utilized prudently and in compliance with all external financial regulations.
Troy, N.Y. — Yuri Lvov, assistant professor of mathematical sciences, has received two prestigious research awards, a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation and a Young Investigator Award from the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
Troy, N.Y. — Mark Smith has been named dean of students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Smith has served as interim dean of students since March 2000. “Clearly, Mark Smith was head and shoulders above other candidates competing for the dean of students position,” said Eddie Ade Knowles, vice president for student life at Rensselaer. “The search committee, President Shirley Ann Jackson, and I all concur that Mark is well suited to provide leadership for the Dean of Students Office to ensure that all of our students are well served.”
Troy, N.Y. — Pawel Keblinski has been awarded a five-year, $300,000 Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation. The CAREER Award is the NSF’s most prestigious honor for faculty members who are at the beginning of their academic careers.
Lake George, N.Y. — Over the years acid deposition, commonly referred to as “acid rain,” has rendered dozens of lakes in the Adirondacks uninhabitable for fish and other wildlife. Now, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers at the Darrin Fresh Water Institute (DFWI) have indicated that some of the most severely affected lakes in that region are showing signs of recovery.
Chris Carothers Receives NSF CAREER Award for Networking Research Troy, N.Y. — A new computation technique, developed by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, could lead to more effective Internet traffic management and congestion control.