The normal nematodes in Fern Finger’s lab move in beautiful S-shaped curves across their Petri dish. But the dish also contains worms with a very specific genetic defect, a mutant unc-85 gene, which are easily identified as the clumsiest dancers on the tiny dance floor.

A new study from researchers at Rensselaer shows that by adding an invisible layer of the nanomaterials to the bottom of a metal vessel, an order of magnitude less energy is required to bring water to boil.

An internationally renowned economist will join Rensselaer as the new head of the department of economics.

Erin Crotty, a seasoned public administrator with deep roots in Troy and the Capital Region, will join Rensselaer as the director of community relations.

While schools around the Capital Region are ending the year, a group of 50 middle school students are kicking their academic interests up a notch by participating in the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp at Rensselaer.

A program entitled “Energy and the Environment,” funded by a new 2.7 million five-year NSF grant, will place science and engineering graduate students from Rensselaer in high school classrooms across New York’s Capital Region.