Research

Since 1968, Rensselaer’s Darrin Fresh Water Institute (DFWI) has conducted basic and applied research and educational programs in fresh-water biology, water quality assessment and environmental science from the main-campus in Troy and its Lake George Field Station in Bolton Landing, NY. The facilities in Troy include the Keck Water Research Laboratory, which was established in 1996 and maintains state-of-the-art instrumentation. This laboratory was recently expanded through NSF funding with additional instrumentation for studies of aqueous colloids and particles. The Bolton Landing facilities include a research/teaching building that was completed in 1995. Instrumentation in this facility ranges from analytical chemistry to molecular biology. A multi-purpose computing facility with expanded capabilities for GIS, hydrological modeling, data management and data mining has recently been added to the newly renovated 19th Century residential Lodge. For educational activities, distance delivery capabilities are being incorporated into the computing facility. The Bolton Landing facilities also include cabins, boathouse and docks. Activities through the DFWI provide scientists and students unique access to ideal test beds (the Hudson River, Lake George and the Adirondacks) for water research.

At Rensselaer, a number of faculty lead world-class research programs on the Hudson River and other natural waters in New York State. A broad range of expertise is represented with particularly strong groups in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering. Institutional commitment to research on the Hudson is outstanding. These participants include two recent appointments in Biology, the three most recent appointments in Earth and Environmental Sciences, and the four most recent appointments in Environmental Engineering. In addition to these faculty, from the Schools of Science and Engineering and the Darrin Fresh Water Institute, there are other Rensselaer faculty within all of the Schools (including Humanities and Social Sciences and Management) who will make significant contributions to the Center.

In addition to research strengths that will be brought to the Upper Hudson Satellite Center by faculty currently carrying out research projects related to the Hudson River, Rensselaer also brings to the table core strengths in information systems, sensors, monitoring technology, modeling and simulation, robotics, etc.