The Minerva -- February/March 2023

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2023

CHANCELLOR KING VISITS UALBANY

SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. takes a moment to snap a selfie with Pres. Havidán Rodríguez, SUNY Trustee Courtney E. Burke, and UAlbany students during a visit to campus on Wednesday, January 18. (Photo by Patrick Dodson)

PLANNING UNDERWAY TO GUIDE PROCESS FOR CNSE-UALBANY REUNIFICATION

A steering committee has been named to guide the reunification process.

Learn more.

MAKING NEWS

Opening Doors of Hope and Healthcare to Millions of Americans

Individuals with rare diseases visited the RNA Institute with their families to share their personal stories during a press conference to raise awareness about the Helping Experts Accelerate Rare Treatments (HEART) Act of 2022. The legislation, sponsored by Congressman Paul Tonko (center), strengthens the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review process for drugs that treat rare and ultra-rare diseases by directly involving scientists and doctors with expertise throughout the review process. Pres. Havidán Rodríguez and RNA Institute Director Andy Berglund (at right) welcomed our special guests. (Photo by Patrick Dodson)

Atmospheric Science Researcher Wins SUNY Chancellor Distinguished PhD Graduate Dissertation Award

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. presents Arshad Arjunan Nair with the Graduate Dissertation Award at ETEC. (Photo by Patrick Dodson) Read the article.

UAlbany Start-Up Receives Federal Support to Develop New Technology

Chemist Igor Lednev has received federal support that will take his start-up company a step closer to developing a new technology that can be used for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion Announces 2023 Diversity Transformation Award Winners

Faculty, staff and students earn funding to support innovative events, programs and research initiatives that promote diversity and foster inclusiveness.

Learn more.

UAlbany Welcomes New VP for Communications and Marketing

Melissa Connolly comes to UAlbany after nearly 20 years at Hofstra University on Long Island, where since 2005 she has served as Vice President for University Relations. Read Ms. Connolly's bio.

UAlbany Announces $1 Million Gift to New York State Writers Institute to Launch 40th Anniversary Season

Chet and Karen Opalka (middle) have established the Opalka Endowed Directorship of the New York State Writers Institute. (Photo by Brian Busher) Learn more.

CAPITAL REGION LEGISLATORS VISIT CAMPUS

(Above) Assemblymember Pat Fahy, Assemblymember John McDonald, and Senator Neil Breslin listen as members of UAlbany's leadership team share news and information about current and planned projects and initiatives.

(Above) UAlbany's Director of Health Promotion Kelly Gorman details the University's plan for addressing and supporting wellness among the student body.

COMMUNITY SAFETY SUMMIT HELD AT ETEC

(Above) Albany Co. Sheriff Craig Apple addresses conference attendees during a panel discussion with law enforcement and community leaders at ETEC on December 7, 2022. (Seated, from left) U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York Carla B. Freedman, Deputy Chief Jay Gerace, Colonie Police; Chief Paul Burlingame, UAlbany Police; Captain Robert Appleton, NYS Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation; and Captain Andre Ray, NYS Police

A COMMUNITY OF ENGAGED SCHOLARS AND STUDENTS

Finding Solutions to Remove PFAS from Water

Dr. Yanna Liang’s startup, Regenerative Solutions Inc., is partnering with UAlbany to develop green, environmentally sustainable, low-cost sorbents that remove PFAS from water. Learn more.

UAlbany Students Help National Weather Service Balloons Take Flight

Read how UAlbany student interns are sharing real-time atmospheric data with the National Weather Service.

UAlbany Researcher Leads ‘Listening Tour’ to Explore Mental Health in Rural New York

Brett Harris, clinical associate professor in the School of Public Health, released a new report detailing the results of an 18-month study on mental health in rural New York. Read more.

UAlbany Office of Sustainability, Center for Leadership and Service Awarded SUNY Leadership Award

Read about the innovative new program that earned the award.

FEATURED PODCAST -- PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON TEACHERS

NYKids – Learning from the Schools that Beat the Odds

Kristen Wilcox and Aaron Leo of NYKids discuss their research on the impact of the pandemic on women in the teaching profession. The study provides new insight into the factors driving teacher shortages across the state and nation.

Listen to the podcast.

A TRIBUTE TO A TALENTED YOUNG ARTIST

Grondahl: Cancer Couldn't Steal Brendan Fahy Bequette's Creativity

In the November 2022 Times Union, NYSWI Director Paul Grondahl writes about a posthumously published book of photos by Brendan Fahy Bequette, a "project of healing" for the Bequette family and those who curated the work. Read Paul Grondahl's article.