SUNY Chancellor King Inspects Stony Brook Research Portfolio

State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. visited Stony Brook University on October 29 to review active research programs.

King toured the New York State Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology, where he joined SUNY Trustee Cary Staller. The pair attended a roundtable and expo featuring faculty and student projects. The discussions covered healthy aging, mental health, nuclear energy, and clean water. King stated that Stony Brook researchers address complex global challenges and open doors for student opportunities and community economic growth. Staller described the university as a model for innovation that positions New York as a global leader.

King met with specific faculty members to discuss their work. Eden Figueroa, director of the Stony Brook University Quantum Institute, presented his patented Qu-MEM technology. The device was named one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions. Pamela Abshire, chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering, discussed low-power mixed-signal integrated circuits and CMOS biosensors. Christine DeLorenzo, interim co-director of the Center for Healthy Aging, presented work on precision medicine for mood disorders. Anissa Abi-Dargham, a distinguished professor of psychiatry and radiology, detailed her use of positron emission tomography to study schizophrenia.

The group also reviewed projects in infectious disease and materials science. Erich R. Mackow is investigating viral cell targeting for potential therapeutics. Luis A. Marcos focuses on tick-borne diseases in Suffolk County. Raymond C. Bergan, director of the Stony Brook Cancer Center, presented his team’s discovery of a precision-acting drug to inhibit cancer metastasis. Lokesh Padhye is working on removing emerging contaminants like PFAS from water. Esther Takeuchi and Amy Marschilok are developing safer, longer-lasting batteries for energy storage and cardiac defibrillators. David Sprouster and Lance Snead are researching materials that withstand extreme temperatures in nuclear reactors.

Stony Brook President Andrea Goldsmith said the university aims to double its research output under the ASPIRE 2035 strategic vision. Goldsmith credited the SUNY Board of Trustees and Chancellor King for supporting this goal. New York State Senator Monica Martinez and State Assemblymembers Tommy John Schiavoni and Rebecca Kassay also attended the visit. Martinez noted that answers to major questions may be found in current Stony Brook laboratories. Schiavoni emphasized the importance of supporting advanced energy research to keep New York at the forefront of scientific discovery.

Governor Kathy Hochul has tasked the SUNY system with doubling research for the public good. The state has invested in support to achieve this target. Recent initiatives include the establishment of a Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at Stony Brook. The SUNY Research Connect Portal now lists profiles for nearly 7,000 researchers across 26 campuses. A new Research Leadership Academy will train researchers in communication and collaboration within STEM fields.