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NYC tech campus ramping up with academic programs, key hires
Deborah Estrin, the first professor hired for Cornell's NYC tech campus, chats with Rajit Manohar, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, during the Technion-Cornell Healther Life Workshop at Weill Cornell Medical Center July 26. See larger image
With Cornell's tech campus now firmly planted in Manhattan, leaders are busy ramping up efforts to get academic programs up and running. A small number of currently enrolled Cornell students will be spending time this fall at the campus's temporary space in Chelsea to attend workshops and programs, and applications are now being accepted for a "beta" class of computer science master's degree students, who will start the program in January 2013.
In other recent tech campus news:
The first of a series of academic workshops held July 26-27 at Weill Cornell Medical College brought together tech campus leadership from Cornell, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Weill Cornell Medical College and industry leaders to brainstorm potential facets of one of the campus's interdisciplinary academic hubs, titled Healthier Life.
Effective technologies for patient-centered health care, medical devices and mobile health, sensor-enabled smartphones, improved electronic medical records, and human implanted and biomorphic electronic chips were just a handful of ideas voiced at the workshop for a hub that promotes a natural collaboration between the tech campus, Ithaca, Weill Cornell and the Technion.
"One of the objectives of this workshop is to bring together all the people involved to figure out what are the main challenges and problems in this field that have to be solved," said Craig Gotsman, director of the Technion-Cornell Innovation Institute, which is a key part of the tech campus. "If we want this campus to have an impact – a real effect on the world – we have to figure this out."
Similar workshops on the other two hubs – Built Environment, which concentrates on architecture and urban planning, and Connective Media, with ties to a broad range of industries such as advertising and media – will take place this fall at the Chelsea campus.
Deborah Estrin See larger image
The tech campus's academic and administrative leadership is also expanding with some outstanding new hires. Deborah Estrin, a professor of computer science at University of California-Los Angeles, was recently named as the campus's first faculty hire.
The founding director of the Center for Embedded Networked Sensing, Estrin is a pioneer in networked sensing, which uses mobile and wireless systems to collect and analyze real-time data about the physical world.
Estrin's work has shown how the data streaming from networks of such devices as smartphones and cameras can enrich our understanding and management of complex problems – from personal and public health to traffic patterns and civic engagement. She has also shown a commitment to K-12 education, spearheading a groundbreaking internship program for Los Angeles high school students in mobile technologies and data.
Sharon Marine See larger image
Sharon Marine, associate dean for external relations at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, has been named vice president for development. Marine will lead all fundraising efforts for the pioneering technology campus when she assumes the post Oct. 1.
As associate dean at Stanford's business school, Marine was responsible for completing the business school's portion of Stanford's $6.2 billion comprehensive capital campaign by raising $884 million, which surpassed the original goal of $500 million.
She also served as director of development, including major gifts, reunion and annual giving – which comprise about 90 percent of all development funds raised at the Graduate School of Business. Previously, Marine was the director of development, western region, for the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.
Meghan French See larger image
Meghan French, assistant vice president for government and community relations at Pace University, was named director of external relations for the tech campus in August. She began work Sept. 4 and will develop collaborations with tech companies in the city and nationwide, the broader corporate community, and government offices and community groups. French will also guide the campus's communications and marketing programs.
At Pace she directed business development for the university's business incubator and led community relations for the university.
Information: tech.cornell.edu