Troy, N.Y. — Omkaram “Om” Nalamasu has been appointed as vice president for research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Alexander von Humboldt Scholar Joins EMPAC Troy, N.Y. — Kathleen Forde has been appointed as the curator of time-based arts for the Experimental Media Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. EMPAC programs are now under way, and the EMPAC building under construction is scheduled to open in 2007.

“SPE” method boosts LED development with dramatic increase in light output Troy, N.Y. — Scientists at the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a method known as “SPE” to get significantly more light from white LEDs (light-emitting diodes) without requiring more energy.

TROY, N.Y. — Laila S. Tabatabai, a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute junior and biology major from Niskayuna, N.Y., has been selected as a 2005 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar by the Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. The award honors students pursuing careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering. 

Troy, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute today announced that the Honorable Paul A. Volcker, Robert T. Coonrod, and Joé Juneau will be awarded honorary degrees at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 199th Commencement, on Saturday, May 21, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. at the Harkness Field.  Juneau will be awarded honorary degrees at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 199th Commencement, on Saturday, May 21, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. at the Harkness Field. 

Troy, N.Y. — Kyle Brian Gracey, a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute junior with a double major in biochemistry/biophysics, and ecological economics, values, and policy, has been selected as a 2005 Truman Scholar by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. The foundation cited Gracey’s work on campus and in the community to improve environmental sustainability. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of leadership potential, intellectual ability, and likelihood of “making a difference.”

Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s engineering, fine arts, applied mathematics, and management programs were ranked among the best in the nation in the 2006 U.S. News & World Report guide to “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” published April 1, 2005 online.  “These graduate rankings validate what we already know, Rensselaer ranks among the top universities in the country,” said Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson.  “These rankings reflect the quality and depth of our graduate programs.”

Troy, N.Y. — In his new book, Wisdom for a Livable Planet (Trinity University Press, April 2005), Carl N. McDaniel provides an introduction to many of today’s critical environmental issues, including toxic waste, biodiversity, globalization, population, economic justice, climate change, and environmental education. McDaniel is professor of biology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute President Shirley Ann Jackson is leading a delegation from the Institute to Asia, meeting government, scientific, business, and academic leaders in Beijing, Tianjin, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, from March 26 to April 6, 2005. “Innovation — from discovery to application — is at the core of global health, energy, and economic security,” Jackson said. “The great universities historically have fostered global innovation.”

“We are deeply saddened by Thelma Lally's passing. She and Ken have been magnificent benefactors to Rensselaer, and to the entire capital region. Their generosity has left an indelible mark at Rensselaer through the Kenneth T. and Thelma P. Lally School of Management and Technology, named in their honor in 1995. Students for generations will benefit from their foresight and commitment to ensuring that there is a prominent school of management here in the region bringing together students from around the globe.