Science and Math News

Scientists have reported detecting gravitational waves from 10 black hole mergers to date, but they are still trying to explain the origins of those mergers. The largest merger detected so far seems to have defied previous models because it has a higher spin and mass than the range thought possible. A group of researchers, including RIT Assistant Professor Richard O’Shaughnessy, has created simulations that could explain how the merger happened.

Intersections: The RIT Podcast, Ep. 26: From objects that are barely visible under a microscope to snowflakes and the massive RIT Big Shot, professor Michael Peres has made scientific photography a major focus, with his images appearing on CNN, The Weather Channel, and Mashable. Peres talks with colleague Ted Kinsman of RIT’s photo sciences program about how one masters such specialized photography.

RIT appointed six new members to its board of trustees. The appointments were announced at the Nov. 7 board meeting.

International graduate students may be eligible to work in the United States for up to three years after graduating from RIT.

In support of the college admission process, prospective students from around the country received portfolio reviews from RIT faculty and reps from other leading art and design colleges.

The planet Mercury will pass directly across the sun next week for the last time until 2032, and RIT faculty and students will help the community view the rare event. Members of the RIT Observatory will set up telescopes for public use from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, in the Infinity Quad on the RIT campus.

Nikon Small World's "Masters of Microscopy" series features Teri Zgoda '17 (photographic sciences) and Teresa Kugler '19 (photographic sciences), winners of the 45th Nikon Small World photomicrography contest.

At an Oct. 29 celebration at RIT, E. Philip Saunders announced a $7.5 million gift to the business college that bears his name. This transformational gift will be used to help fund a major renovation and expansion of the facilities in Max Lowenthal Hall, home of Saunders College of Business.

OneZero talks to Kaitlin Stack Whitney, assistant professor in the science, technology and society department and the environmental sciences program, about the effect of corporations' efforts to protect honeybee populations.

Liam Reilly became motivated to participate in research on sustainable polymers when he learned of the damaging effects of plastic production on our environment. His research is centered on one specific relationship we have with nature, our production and disposal of our most commonly produced material: Plastic.

The Christian Science Monitor talks to Manuela Campanelli, professor and director of the Center for Computational Relativity and Gravitation.

The team, led by three Ph.D. students from the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, won first place in the OpenEDS Challenge focused on semantic segmentation.