Over nearly three decades, Kaloyeros transformed his research activities at the University at Albany and built it into the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, which last year become SUNY Poly after merging with SUNY IT in Utica. SUNY officials announced plans to make CNSE separate from UAlbany in 2013.

SUNY Poly has attracted $20 billion in research investment into a wide variety of technologies, from computer chips, to energy advances and health care.

Kaloyeros had previously held the title of CEO and officer-in-charge.

His new title is founding president and CEO.

“As the visionary who built CNSE into a world-class, high-tech, and globally recognized academic and economic development juggernaut, Dr. Alain Kaloyeros is the clear choice to lead SUNY Polytechnic Institute into the future,” SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said in a statement.

“I am privileged and humbled to be selected for the honor of leading this world-class institution and its talented and dedicated faculty, staff, and students,” Kaloyeros said in a statement.  “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to (Gov. Andrew Cuomo), Chairman Carl McCall, the SUNY Board of Trustees, and Chancellor Nancy Zimpher for their continued confidence and support.”

Even as CEO of CNSE, Kaloyeros was considered a campus president in practice, on par with SUNY’s other presidents.

The SUNY Poly name wasn’t always a sure bet. At one point last year, the name SUNY INSET, for Institute of Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology, was being seriously considered.