Around Campus: Week of November 27, 2000

Cancer Research Presentation

The Department of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering is hosting William Ming Fu Lee, associate professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, who will present a cancer research seminar titled "Tumor and Tumor Vascular Response to Anti-angiogenic Therapy," Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. in JEC 3117. Refreshments will be served at 3:30 p.m.

One of the hottest ideas for cancer treatment is to use a naturally occurring substance in the human body known as endostatin. This substance works to reduce the number of blood vessels and can be used effectively to cut off the blood supply to a tumor and control its growth. According to recent media reports, endostatin entered Phase-I clinical human trials, which assess the toxicity-but not the effectiveness-of a drug.

Badri Roysam, professor of electrical, computer, and systems engineering, and his students have developed image analysis algorithms for rapid and accurate tracing of blood vessels from 3-D images. "This very technology is exactly what Dr. Lee and others have been searching for, since they want to be able to detect and quantify structural changes in blood vessel networks," Roysam says. 11/27/00

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

Information regarding wintertime closings or delays will be available via local radio and television stations. The Public Safety Information Line (276-6600) will give information for snow closings, delays, or cancellations. Do not call the Public Safety emergency or regular lines for cancellation information. For CDTA Shuttle Bus delays or cancellations, call the CDTA Information Line at 482-8822.

In the event of inclement weather, the decision to close Rensselaer will be made by the president or designee. For overnight storms, a decision will be made by 6 a.m. the following morning. For storms during the day, the nature of the storm will determine the time. A decision about canceling evening classes will be made by 2 p.m. 11/27/00

E-Parking Meters!

Never seem to have a quarter when you need to park in a metered spot on campus? You can now pay by using an electronic credit card offered by the Rensselaer Parking Office.

The "eCash smart-card" works like a debit card for parking meters. You can purchase the card at the Visitors Information Center for $5 and then add any amount of money to your total. Each time you use a parking meter, insert the eCash card into the slot located on the front of the meter and hold it there until the appropriate time comes up on the meter face. If you return to your car before time is expired, simply place the eCash card in the parking meter again to credit your account.

When your eCash card runs out of money, bring it to the VIC where you can add any amount to your total. The parking card does not expire; however, its balance is non-refundable in the event of loss or theft. 11/13/00