Researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Albany Medical College were awarded a $3.3 million grant over five years by the National Cancer Institute to use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve targeted drug therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer treatment. HER2-positive breast cancer tends to grow and spread quickly, but targeted treatments improve outcomes.

Materials and mechanical scientists are using machine learning to rapidly vet combinations of elements that could be used in next-generation environmental barrier coatings needed to protect vehicles traveling in the extreme conditions of aerospace and space environments. The project, led by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is supported by the National Science Foundation.

In an era of required social distancing and stressed medical resources, a virtual clinical environment that allows doctors and nurses to safely practice intubating a simulated COVID-19 patient, among other necessary procedures, could accelerate and enhance training efforts.

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute envision a day when surgeons will benefit from personalized training, rather than sheer practice repetition, thanks to novel neuroimaging and artificial intelligence methodologies. Under this method, surgeons would complete technical tasks while images of their brain activity reveal how well they have mastered critical skills.

Lucy Zhang, an associate professor of mechanical, aerospace, and nuclear engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Suvranu De, the J. Erik Jonsson ’22 Distinguished Professor of Engineering and head of the same department, have each been elected fellows of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).