Research & Entrepreneurship Week

9:15 to 9:45 a.m. — Registration and Breakfast

9:45 to 10 a.m. — Welcome and Opening Remarks

Speakers:

• Satyen Kumar, Associate Vice President for Research & Economic Development, University at Albany
• Thenkurussi “Kesh” Kesavadas, Vice President for Research & Economic Development, University at Albany

10:20 to 11:40 a.m. — Keynote Speeches

The Materials Genome Initiative 2.0 at DMR and NSF  

• Germano Iannacchione, Director, Division for Materials Research, NSF

Emerging Initiatives in NOAA Research 

• Benjamin Friedman, incoming Chief Operating Officer, SUNY Research Foundation, Former Deputy Under Secretary for Operations at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

11:40 to 12:10 p.m. — Panel Discussion: Emerging Risks and Opportunities in University-based Research 

Panelists

• Thenkurussi “Kesh” Kesavadas, Vice President for Research & Economic Development, University at Albany
• Germano Iannacchione, Director, Division for Materials Research, NSF
• Benjamin Friedman, incoming Chief Operating Officer, SUNY Research Foundation, Former Deputy Under Secretary for Operations at NOAA

Moderator: Gary Ackerman, Associate Dean for Research, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, University at Albany

12:10 to 1 p.m. — Networking Lunch

1:15 to 2:30 p.m. — Faculty Recognition for Outstanding Research & Scholarship and Inventor Recognition

• Remarks by Dr. Carol Kim, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, University at Albany

2:30 to 3:30 p.m. — Interactive Tabling: Research Resources and Services

• Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Partnerships/Blackstone Launch Pad
• Sponsored Programs Administration (Pre & Post Award Services)
• Research Foundation Human Resources (RFHR)
• Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI)
• Research Protections, Office of Regulatory & Research Compliance (ORRC)
• Research Security, Office of Regulatory & Research Compliance (ORRC)
• RNA Institute & RNA Epitranscriptomics and Proteomics Resources (REPR)
• Library Services
• Information Technology Services
• The NYS Mesonet
• Biological Imaging Facilities (BIF)
• Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer

Highlights:

• Presenting Research Support by UAlbany Offices and Units 

3:30 p.m. — Closing Remarks

9 to 9:20 a.m. — Welcome Remarks 

Ceremonial Welcome

• Thenkurussi “Kesh” Kesavadas, Vice President for Research & Economic Development, University at Albany
• Robert Hull, Vice President for Research, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 

Symposium Chairs’ Overview

• Eric Stern, Interim Director of the AI Plus Institute, Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, University at Albany
• James Hendler, Tetherless World Senior Constellation Professor of Computer, Web and Cognitive Science and Director of the Future of Computing Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

9:20 to 10:20 a.m. — Keynote Speech

• Pin-Yu Chen, Principal Research Scientist at IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center

10:20 to 10:40 a.m. — Coffee Break and Student Poster Viewing

10:40 a.m. to noon — Panel: Sustainable AI and Supercomputing

• Meng Wang, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Dola Saha, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University at Albany
• Nathaniel Cady, Associate Dean for Research, College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering, University at Albany
• Tong Zhang, Professor, Department of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Nicole Saulnier, Senior Research Manager, On-prem AI Cloud Delivery, IBM 

Highlighted Topics:

• Neuromorphic and/or hardware-software co-design
• Next Generation Chip Design 

Noon to 12:30 p.m. — Lunch

12:30 to 1:20 p.m. — Celebrity Fireside Chat: AI and Ethics

• Jason D’Cruz, Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, University at Albany
• Thomas Ferguson, Associate Professor, Department of Cognitive Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Host: David Guistina, Host, The Capital Connection, The Legislative Gazette, and Morning Edition/Producer, The Media Project, WAMC Northeast Public Radio  

1:20 to 2:20 p.m. — Capital Region Faculty Panel: Safe, Secure, Equitable and Effective AI 

• Phung Lai, Assistant Professor, Department of Cybersecurity, University at Albany
• David Turetsky, Professor of Practice, Department of Cybersecurity, University at Albany
• Emily Klein, Extremism Researcher and Quantitative Analyst, Moonshot, previously at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University at Albany
• Lydia Manikonda, Assistant Professor, Lally School of Management, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Moderator: Eric Stern, Interim Director of the AI Plus Institute, Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, University at Albany

Highlighted Topics:

• AI and Cybersecurity
• Law, Cyber, and AI
• AI and Mis/Disinformation 
• AI, Privacy and Health

2:20 to 3:20 p.m. — AI Business and Entrepreneurship Roundtable

• Jason Kuruzovich, Associate Professor of Business Analytics, Lally School of Management, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Kurt Steege, Chief Technology Officer, ThunderCat Technology
• Anoop Bhatia, Founder & CEO, Nowigence
• Jan Woodcock, Director of Operations, New York State Center of Excellence in Weather and Climate Analytics, University at Albany

Moderator: James Hendler, Director, Future of Computing Institute, Professor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Highlights:

• Participants from small, medium and large enterprises 

3:20 to 3:40 p.m. — Coffee Break & Student Poster Viewing   

3:40 to 4:45 p.m. — AI for Good Panel: Ethics and Humanitarian AI Use Cases

• Abdulhamit Subasi, Associate Professor, Department of Information Sciences and Technology, University at Albany
• Xin Li, Professor, Department of Computer Science, University at Albany
• Xuanang Xu, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Christopher D. Thorncroft, Director, Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, Professor, Department of Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences, University at Albany

Moderator: Theresa A. Pardo, Associate Vice President for Research & Economic Development, University at Albany

Highlighted Topics:

• AI and Mental Health
• AI and Combatting Online Drug/Sex Trafficking

4:45 to 5 p.m. — Adjournment  

• Eric Stern, Interim Director of the AI Plus Institute, Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, University at Albany
• James Hendler, Tetherless World Senior Constellation Professor of Computer, Web and Cognitive Science and Director of the Future of Computing Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

9 to 10:15 a.m. — A Conversation with a Startup CEO

• Ted Eveleth, CEO at AvantGuard Inc 

Moderator: Kelly Reardon, Program Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programs, University at Albany 

Highlights: 

• Ted Eveleth is an experienced entrepreneur who has been CEO, COO, CFO and Chairman in companies covering a broad range of technologies including medical devices, life science molecular tools, waste heat to energy conversion, new materials and MEMS devices. Eveleth received a bachelor's in economics in three years from Union College, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, and earned an MBA from the Johnson School at Cornell University.
• AvantGuard is a pioneering academic spinout that’s reshaping the future of healthcare. Learn the path they took from lab to market, the decisions made along the way and the stakeholders involved. This innovative company has leveraged cutting-edge polymer science to challenge the distinctions between antibiotics, antiseptics, and disinfectants, bringing novel solutions to market that are transforming how we approach infection control and safety.

10:30 a.m. to Noon — Matchmaking for Inventors: RISE Program Launch

• Munsaf Ali, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Colleges of Nanotechnology, Science and Engineering, University at Albany
• Riobart (Rob) Breen, Lecturer and Director of the Institute for Transformational and Ecosystem-based Climate Adaptation, Department of Geography & Planning, University at Albany
• Scott Tenenbaum, Founder, sxRNA, Professor, College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering, Department of Nanoscale Science & Engineering, The RNA Institute, University at Albany
• Alexis Weber, CEO, SupreMEtric LLC, Chemistry, PhD, UAlbany
• Fangqun Yu, Senior Research Faculty, Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, University at Albany
• Susan Sharfstein, Professor of Nanoscale Science & Engineering, College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering, Department of Nanoscale Science & Engineering, The RNA Institute, University at Albany
• Nathaniel Cady, Associate Dean for Research, Professor, College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering, Department of Nanoscale Science & Engineering, The RNA Institute, University at Albany
• Ji Ung Lee, Professor, College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering, Department of Nanoscale Science & Engineering, University at Albany
• Vinod Morya, Postdoctoral Associate, Halvorsen Lab, University at Albany
• Yuemin Li, Data Analyst, Office of Strategic Initiatives, Division for Research & Economic Development, University at Albany
• William Lawler, Founder, Talinted Inc., PhD Candidate, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Janet Paluh, Associate Professor, College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering, Department of Nanoscale Science & Engineering, University at Albany
• Souhimbou Kone, Founder, SecRed Knowledge, Inc., Alum, University at Albany

Highlights:

• UAlbany faculty and students interested in matchmaking, visit the RISE website for more information.
• UAlbany Innovation Center’s new collaborative entrepreneurship pilot program aimed to take research from concept to commercialization while building a business development team.
• 13 researchers will pitch their concepts in a speed-dating style round to entrepreneurially minded students with a keen interest in helping to build a startup.

Noon to 1 p.m. — Lunch

1 to 2 p.m. — The Science Behind the Startup

• Kevin Williams, Interim Dean, Massry School of Business, University at Albany

Moderator: Peter Gonczlik, Director, Office of Technology Transfer, University at Albany

Highlights:

• Join us for a conversation on commercializing non-patent intellectual property (IP).
• Starting with a sponsored research award in 2007, industrial psychologist Dr. Kevin Williams and local startup Chequed.com laid the foundation for what would become a web-based reference checking system that was developed for use by employers for screening job candidates. 
• Chequed.com is a cloud-based analytical hiring platform used by some of the world’s leading brands including SUBWAY® Restaurants, The Walt Disney Company and Hallmark. 
• Chequed.com's software is based on research done by Williams. His research, although not patentable, afforded the University an equity stake in the startup which converted to a payout when the business was later acquired.
• Williams and Gonczlik will discuss how the technology licensed from UAlbany allowed Chequed.com to realize more than $1 million in revenues and provide students with real-world experience that they could use to launch their careers.

2:15 to 5:15 p.m. — Blackstone Launchpad Ideas Competition

Judges:

• Michael Papa, CEO, Michael Papa Design, Alum, University at Albany 
• Richard Dubin, CEO, LerEXPO, Alum, University at Albany 
• Stephan Hartmann, President, Hartmann Financial Group LLC
• Don Smith, President, American Consulting Group LLC

Highlights: 

• Student competition challenging teams to pitch their business idea live and in-person to judges for the chance to win prizes.  
• Students are encouraged to register for the Blackstone Launchpad Ideas Competition.

10:15 to 10:30 a.m. — Registration and Coffee 

10:30 to 10:45 a.m. — Opening Remarks

• Thenkurussi “Kesh” Kesavadas, Vice President for Research & Economic Development, University at Albany 

10:45 to 11:45 a.m. — Showcasing Scholarship and Sparking New Interdisciplinary and Multi-Sector Collaborations

• J. Andrew Berglund, Professor, Director of The RNA Institute, University at Albany 
• Kyra D. Gaunt, Assistant Professor, Department of Music & Theatre, University at Albany 
• Dina Refki, Clinical Professor, Department of Public Administration & Policy, University at Albany 
• Christopher D. Thorncroft, Director, Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, University at Albany 

Moderator: Tomoko Udo, Associate Professor, College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany 

11:45 to 12:10 p.m. — Lunch

12:15 to 1:15 p.m. — Lightning Talks: Part 1

DirectSeq ​Biosciences, ​Inc. A sequencing biotech company

• Shenlong Zhang, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, The RNA Institute, University at Albany

Global Epistemic Justice in Scholarly Communication

• Angel Ford, Assistant Professor, Department of Information Sciences and Technology, University at Albany 

Healthy Mother, Healthy Child: Increasing Uptake and Acceptance of Vaccination in the post-COVID-19 Era in Senegal

• Ashley Fox, Associate Professor, Undergraduate Program Director, Department of Public Administration & Policy International Affairs, University at Albany

Predictive Modeling of Cognitive Function: A Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Techniques

• Muntasir Masum, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University at Albany

Sociodemographic disparities in ADHD diagnosis during childhood

• Paul L. Morgan, Director, Institute for Social and Health Equity, University at Albany 

Moderator: Theresa A. Pardo, Associate Vice President for Research & Economic Development, University at Albany 

1:15 to 1:30 p.m. — Break

1:30 to 2:25 p.m. — Lightning Talk: Part 2

sxRNA Target. Switch. Express.

• Scott Tenenbaum, Professor, Department of Nanoscale Science & Engineering, University at Albany 

Inoculation Against Disinformation: Expansion and Digitization of an Information Literacy Instruction Role Playing Game

• Abigail "Abby" Adams, Subject Librarian for the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, Cybersecurity, Informatics, and Criminal Justice, University at Albany 

Non-Nuclear Nuclear Power

• Matthew Szydagis, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, University at Albany 

Improving Reject Inference with AI

• Charalampos Chelmis, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, University at Albany 

The Public Impact of Industrial and Organizational Psychology at UAlbany

• Dev Dalal, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University at Albany 

Moderator: Theresa A. Pardo, Associate Vice President for Research & Economic Development, University at Albany 

2:25 to 3:30 p.m. — Amplifying Impact through Partnership: A Conversation with Capital Region Leaders

• Patricia Fahy, Assemblymember 109th Assembly District, New York State Assembly
• Robert Hull, Vice President for Research, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Leonard F. Peruski, Director, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health  
• John Iacoponi, Vice President Technology Strategy at NY CREATES

Moderator: Thenkurussi “Kesh” Kesavadas, Vice President for Research & Economic Development, University at Albany 

3:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Closing Reception and Art Exhibit

Remarks  

• Bryan Early, Co-Chair of 2024 R&E Week Organizing Committee, Associate Dean for Research at Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany
• Maria Pidgeon, Co-Chair of 2024 R&E Week Organizing Committee, Director of Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Partnerships, University at Albany
• Daniel Goodwin, Chair, Professor, Department of Art & Art History, University at Albany
• Robert P. Griffin, Dean, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, University at Albany
• Edward Schwarzschild, Professor, Department of English, University at Albany 

Highlights:

• The exhibit featured work produced by students in the course "Art, Writing, and Security: A Museum-based Collaboration," taught by Goodwin, Griffin and Schwarzschild.