TROY, N.Y. — Governor George E. Pataki today announced that Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is one of five universities in the state to receive faculty development awards to attract world-class scientists to New York State. Rensselaer has been selected to receive two $750,000 awards.

One Faculty Development Award will be used to attract a researcher to lead Rensselaer’s functional tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research constellation program. The second award will be used to recruit a scientist to conduct research in semiconductors and biosensors.

“Governor Pataki, Senator Bruno, the Assembly leadership and NYSTAR should be commended for this visionary program to assist New York State research universities in attracting preeminent research faculty,” said President Shirley Ann Jackson. “Rensselaer continues to expand upon its research and teaching proficiency across a range of disciplines, including expanding our focus on a collaborative approach to biotechnology research. We are moving to the forefront of research that can spur economic growth, and we aim to have a profound impact in areas including health care, communications, and energy. New York State’s support is critical to our efforts.”

The awards through the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR) Faculty Development Program assist universities in the recruitment and retention of leading research faculty in science and technology fields with strong commercial potential, according to the Governor’s announcement of the grant.

Russell W. Bessette, M.D., executive director of NYSTAR, said, “Governor Pataki’s support of the Faculty Development program will enable Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to recruit the best and brightest scientific faculty. These grants will help ensure that RPI continues to play an important role in developing new innovations that will build and strengthen New York’s high technology economy.”

Columbia University, Cornell University, New York University, and Stony Brook University, State University of New York, also received NYSTAR Faculty Development Awards, according to the Governor’s announcement today.