The grant, aimed at young faculty members actively engaged in research and education, is one of the NSF's most competitive and prestigious awards. Zeghal has been a Rensselaer faculty member since fall 1998. Zeghal will use real data, from both the Rensselaer centrifuge and from earthquake recordings, for his modeling and simulation. Rensselaer's geotechnical centrifuge is the third largest in the country and a leader in the earthquake engineering area. The data Zeghal receives from physical models shaken on the centrifuge will help ensure that his computer models mirror observed soil system response, making his predictions more accurate.
Practical applications abound.
They will then know whether it is safe to build or if they need to remediate the site or find another location. Four days of free TB screening have been made possible for Rensselaer students, faculty, and staff through a special grant from the Centers for Disease Control. Participants return Thursday, Nov. 2, or Friday, Nov. 3 to have results read. The CDC grant provides funding for regional screening programs throughout the state. The Institute is taking a national leadership position in offering universal screening, said Rensselaer Medical Director Dr. Robert Athanasiou.