ALBANY >> Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, the man in charge of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, engaged in an intimate Q&A session Monday evening with the community.

Kaloyeros, CEO and officer in charge of SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), formerly the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, attended the event in jeans and sneakers, and sat down with a handkerchief alongside him, as he explained he had a cold.

Despite feeling under the weather, he delivered on his promise to the public to answer their individual questions about nanotechnology, the college and their impact, both locally and globally.

The interactive question and answer session, held at SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Albany NanoTech Complex, gave community members the opportunity to ask Kaloyeros anything they’d like. Popular topics included the growth of the nanotechnology industry across New York state, its impact on the Capital Region, and educational and economic opportunities.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="393"] Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, CEO and officer in charge of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, responds to an attendee’s inquiry during a Question & Answer session held at the Albany NanoTech Complex on Fuller Road in Albany on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, as part of the school’s seventh annual NANOvember celebration. Lauren Halligan - lhalligan@digitalfirstmedia.com[/caption]

The event was part of SUNY Poly’s seventh annual NANOvember celebration, a month-long series of events held to highlight the growing nanotechnology industry, and the school’s role in it all.

More than $20 billion has been invested in nanotechnology education expansions across the state. The school, which has more than 3,000 employees, has helped transform the Capital Region into the epicenter of “Tech Valley.”

This raises many questions from members of the community, whether or not their occupation directly relates to the technology field.

Some questions were about the site itself. “We didn’t pick this site,” Kaloyeros explained. Rather, the government did, to showcase the facility to vehicle passersby. In fact, “It’s one of the worst sites for what we do, because it’s built on sand,” he explained. In the extremely small scale technology industry, vibrations are an issue.

One local man inquired about the facility’s distinctive look - Is it for function or aesthetic? Again, it wasn’t the institute’s pick, but something predetermined before the school was a confirmed tenant. Both, Kaloyeros answered. “The design of the building is intended to convey a high tech image,” he said, noting he doesn’t like the shiny green glass. But, some of the design is functional. In the rotundas and the hallways, “People have no choice but to run into each other,” and when that happens, conversations start, an important factor in collaborative innovation. That, Kaloyeros said, is “part of the magic of this place.”

Regarding its future, there is more change to come, Kaloyeros said. New construction will begin in the spring. Another mixed used facility will be built, and the school hopes to expand its footprint in downtown Albany. Additional housing opportunities for students are also in the works.

As the state enlarges its focus, and cash flow into the industry, some are concerned it could dilute what’s being done locally. “Not at all,” Kaloyeros assured them. It will instead compliment what’s being done in Tech Valley. “We’re feeding them innovation,” he explained. “We’re driving the train.” According to Kaloyeros, this will help the state continue to thrive competitively, but won’t dilute the area’s recent success.

In the field at large, internationally, public private partnership will help the industry achieve its new goals, Kaloyeros predicted.

The grandmother of a current SUNY Poly student asked Kaloyeros about the future in jobs for students. “You’re in the right field,” he told her, sharing that most students have job offers by their second year in the program, while others are creating spin off companies during undergrad. Employment will not be an issue, he assured the student and her concerned grandparent.

A nurse asked, with all the changes nanotechnology is bringing within her field, “Should I go back to school?” While in other fields, this has been necessary, medical professionals don’t need to head back to college, Kaloyeros said.

One event attendee asked about what Kaloyeros admitted is one of the school’s biggest challenges: cyber security. Though nothing is yet established, he predicted this will be the school’s next field of curriculum.

Regarding his own future, with many accomplishments behind him, Kaloyeros said he isn’t done yet. He still finds what’s happening with technology in New York “amazing,” he said, calling it the 21st century version of investing in infrastructure. “There’s going to be books written about this,” he declared. It fascinates him and will continue to do so. “It’s the future of the U.S.,” Kaloyeros said.

Troy Record: Forum provides public with rare opportunity to ask Kaloyeros questions about nanotechnology industry, SUNY Poly

Lauren Halligan | 11/17/14