LRC News

There have been many exciting accomplishments happening at the LRC in the past few months. The following are highlights of some memorable achievements:

Yiting Zhu is the first student to graduate with a doctorate in architectural science with a concentration in lighting from the LRC. Zhu, who is originally from Shanghai, China, also received her master’s degree in lighting from the LRC. Zhu’s research has been focused on solid-state lighting, with an emphasis on using phosphor technology to improve the color quality and efficacy of white LEDs. The Illumination Engineering Society of New York (IESNY) recently honored her with the first-ever LRC thesis prize on May 20th. The IESNY established the LRC thesis prize to recognize LRC student projects that best represent intellectual insight, rigor, and quality of design.

Mariana Figueiro received the University's James M. Tien ’66 Early Career Award for Faculty. The award citation states, “Dr. Mariana Figueiro typifies the renaissance woman at Rensselaer: excelling in research, architecture, teaching, and student mentorship in order to better the human condition and education in lighting technology, human factors, and design.”   Her accolades include dozens of published articles in peer-reviewed journals and securing over $5 million in research awards from a wide variety of sources. In addition to this faculty award, Figueiro recently secured an additional $2 million award from  the National Institute on Aging for a project to investigate light treatment options for persons with dementia. Figueiro will work on the four-year project in collaboration with Case Western University. Furthermore, Figueiro was recently awarded tenure from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, making her an associate professor. On Friday, May 28, Figueiro, originally from Brazil, became a United States citizen at a ceremony in Troy, N.Y.

The LRC welcomes the following new staff members to their team:

• Yiting Zhu, the LRC’s first Ph.D. graduate, joins the team as Lead Research Specialist. Zhu is overseeing product testing.
• Rosa Capo, formerly a graduate student, joins the team as a full-time staff member. As a Research Specialist, Capo is aiding in product testing and photometry and data analysis.
• Rachel Taranta joins the LRC as a Research Specialist and will be assisting with photometry analysis.
• Robert Hamner  joins the LRC as a Research Specialist and will support LRC’s light and health research through software programming, data analysis, and lab support.
• Christine Kingery joins the LRC as a Communications Specialist. She assists the communications team with website updates and editorial support.

About the Lighting Research Center

The Lighting Research Center (LRC) is part of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, N.Y., and is the leading university-based research center devoted to lighting. The LRC offers the world's premier graduate education in lighting, including one- and two-year master's programs and a Ph.D. program. Since 1988 the LRC has built an international reputation as a reliable source for objective information about lighting technologies, applications, and products. The LRC also provides training programs for government agencies, utilities, contractors, lighting designers, and other lighting professionals. Visit http://www.lrc.rpi.edu.