R&E Week Highlights AI, Innovation and Creative Works
ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 7, 2024) — UAlbany's second annual Research and Entrepreneurship Week, Oct. 21-24, brought together scholars and entrepreneurs from throughout New York and beyond to put the spotlight on the explosive growth of artificial intelligence in the Capital Region, biomedical advances and startup culture.
The four-day gathering — launched last year by Vice President for Research and Economic Development Thenkurussi (Kesh) Kesavadas as a way to showcase the breadth and depth of scientific, creative and entrepreneurial work at UAlbany — highlighted the substantial output of UAlbany researchers and inventors and celebrated the important role creative work plays in the scholarship of a comprehensive public research university.
The more than 600 attendees were treated to presentations, panels and keynote addresses from 50 presenters from academia, government and industry, showcasing the expansive strength of the University's research enterprise and its industry partnerships.
The event also featured posters from UAlbany and RPI faculty and students, presenting research on critically important topics such as AI, public policy on biotechnology and climate change.
Events included the annual Blackstone Launchpad Ideas Competition, keynote speeches from Germano Iannacchione, director of the Division for Materials Research at the National Science Foundation; Benjamin Friedman, incoming COO of the SUNY Research Foundation; and Pin-Yu Chen, principal research scientist at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, as well as panel discussions on sustainable AI and lightning talks.
A special closing reception and art exhibit featured creative works from UAlbany students produced in the course "Art, Writing, and Security: A Museum-based Collaboration" taught by Professor and Chair of Art and Art History Daniel Goodwin, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity Dean Robert P. Griffin and Professor of English Edward Schwarzschild.