Top 10 Watson College stories of 2024
Here are the most popular Watson College stories from 2024, according to readers at binghamton.edu.
Four Watson faculty members elevated to SUNY distinguished professors
The title of SUNY distinguished professor is reserved for those who have achieved national or international prominence and exemplary reputations within their disciplines. Three other Binghamton University faculty members also became distinguished professors.
VIT chancellor receives honorary degree at Watson College Commencement
Govindasamy Viswanathan, founder and chancellor of the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in India, received a State University of New York (SUNY) honorary Doctor of Laws degree on May 10 during the Watson College Commencement ceremony. He praised the joint research projects, faculty exchanges, and collaborative publications and initiatives between Binghamton and VIT that “have not only expanded the horizons of our academic endeavors but also fostered a spirit of global learning and understanding.”
33 Binghamton University researchers among world’s top 2%
Thirteen researchers from Watson College are among those honored for their work by a Stanford University study that looks at the impact of scientists worldwide.
Atul Kelkar appointed dean of Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science
After a national candidate search, Atul Kelkar became the new Watson College dean this summer. Most recently before coming to Binghamton, Kelkar was a D.W. Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University.
Two Watson College departments elevated to schools
Two Watson departments were elevated to schools starting this fall. Renaming to the School of Computing and the School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering (SSIE) reflects exceptional growth in student enrollment, faculty and research funding over the past decade.
Binghamton researchers develop artificial plants that purify indoor air, generate electricity
Binghamton University Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi and PhD student Maryam Rezaie are repurposing their research about bacteria-powered biobatteries — ingestible and otherwise — into a new idea for artificial plants that can feed off carbon dioxide, give off oxygen and even generate a little power.
Engineering, computer science graduate programs rise in U.S. News rankings
The 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings for graduate engineering schools are out, and several Binghamton University programs scored well. Overall, Watson College moves up one spot to tie at #111.
New tool detects fake, AI-produced scientific articles
Ahmed Abdeen Hamed, a visiting research fellow at Watson College, has created a machine-learning algorithm he calls xFakeSci that can detect up to 94% of bogus research papers — nearly twice as successfully as more common data-mining techniques.
New tools use AI ’fingerprints’ to detect altered photos, videos
As artificial intelligence networks become more skilled and easier to access, digitally manipulated “deepfake” photos and videos are increasingly difficult to detect. New research breaks down images using frequency domain analysis techniques and looks for anomalies that could indicate they are generated by AI.
Work in the age of artificial intelligence
When it comes to using artificial intelligence in the workplace, Binghamton University researchers are examining AI from a variety of angles — how to improve it, the best ways to implement it and what we’re getting out of it.
To read more Watson College news, go to www.binghamton.edu/news/stories/category/watson.