October 29, 2004

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s School of Science will receive $1.5 million from the state to hire two scientists, Gov. George Pataki announced Thursday.

The Faculty Development Awards come from the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR).

“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,” she said.

Biology

The Biology department will use one $750,000 award to attract a researcher to lead Rensselaer’s functional tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research constellation program.

The research conducted may assist in the development of treatments for a number of degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and damaged spinal cords.

Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy

The department of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy will use the other $750,000 award to recruit a scientist to conduct research in semiconductors and biosensors.

This may result in the development of new types of biosensors based on diamond and high mobility electron transistors for solid-state devices.

NYSTAR

The awards through the 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.”

Other universities receiving faculty development awards are Columbia University, Cornell University, New York University, and Stony Brook University.

Published October 29, 2004