Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Gwo-Ching Wang, Ph.D., Travelstead Institute Chair, is the 2025 recipient of the Davisson-Germer Prize in Atomic or Surface Physics from the American Physical Society (APS). Wang is being honored for “pioneering contributions to the development and use of electron diffraction techniques to study surfaces, growth-front ordering, and two-dimensional materials.”

In ancient Greek mythology, the hero Theseus is famous for cleverly solving a labyrinth and defeating the Minotaur at its center. That story, as well as a famous maze experiment from the history of machine learning, is the inspiration for a new generative AI tool that helps researchers navigate the domain of computer modeling. 

As Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute celebrates its Bicentennial, we reflect on the many great minds, pioneers, entrepreneurs, and game-changers who are Rensselaer alumni. In 1995, the Rensselaer Alumni Association, with the full endorsement of the Institute Board of Trustees, created the Rensselaer Alumni Hall of Fame to preserve and celebrate the exceptional heritage of alumni accomplishments throughout the years. Honorees are chosen by a selection committee based on reputation, professional achievements, service and career contributions, and uniqueness. Etched glass windows located centrally on the Rensselaer campus honor their accomplishments.

Vivek Ghosal, Ph.D., Virginia and Lloyd W. Rittenhouse Professor and Department Head of Economics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, was an invited participant in ProMarket’s Big Tech-AI Investment Symposium.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Peter J. Bonitatibus Jr., Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry and chemical biology, has been honored with the Anders Gustaf Ekeberg Tantalum Prize for excellence in tantalum research and innovation. Bonitatibus was presented the award by the Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center (T.I.C.) based out of Belgium at T.I.C.'s 65th General Assembly held in Tokyo, Japan.

Jeremy Blackthorne, M.S. ’15 is co-founder and CEO of Boston Cybernetics Institute, a public benefit corporation with the mission of promoting and providing cybersecurity education in support of national defense. Beginning this fall, Blackthorne also joined RPI as a visiting scientist with a special designation as the inaugural “hacker in residence.”

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Richard Gross, Ph.D., Constellation Chair of Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering, has been selected as a member of the 2024 class of fellows of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The ACS Fellows Program honors members of the ACS “for their outstanding achievements in and contributions to the science and the profession and for their equally exemplary service to the Society.” Gross is one of 37 members this year with the distinction.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recently welcomed Susan Margulies, Ph.D., leader of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Engineering, to its campus to learn about RPI research and education capabilities, participate in a workforce development panel discussion, and give a presentation on NSF programs and opportunities to RPI community members and representatives from the University at Albany, Siena College, and Union College. 

The Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences (GSAS) program and the Department of Arts in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences have earned certification from SideFX as a Houdini Certified School Partner.

Oftentimes, people think of the arts and sciences as polar opposites. In fact, most people reach a point in their education and careers where they must choose one over the other.At RPI, we believe that bridging the gap between art, science, and technology achieves the unparalleled innovation and creativity required to solve the complex problems of today’s world.