SUNY, foundation, BNL to collaborate

Brookhaven National Laboratory will join the State University of New York and a separate SUNY research foundation in developing educational programs for students, according to the lab.

Under the 10-year agreement, the three institutions will focus on areas of research that use SUNY’s faculty and are relevant to the lab’s mission. The institutions agreed to involve Brookhaven staff and SUNY faculty in development of curricula; promote underrepresented groups in science and tech fields; and expand opportunities for college and graduate students, as well as work on educational initiatives for younger students.

Brookhaven director Sam Aronson, SUNY executive vice chancellor for academic affairs David Lavallee, and Garrett Sanders, vice president of sponsored programs administration for the Research Foundation for SUNY, signed a memorandum of understanding last week at the lab.

“Brookhaven is very pleased to formally confirm a research and educational collaboration with the State University of New York and its Research Foundation that will benefit all of our institutions in the years to come,” Aronson said in a news release. “The many students who will take advantage of the programs and initiatives developed through this MOU will further extend its positive impact to our state and the nation.”

Stony Brook University will benefit from the agreement, according to school president Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr.

“Stony Brook’s relationship with BNL has been prolific and significant in terms of providing amazing research opportunities and academic growth for our students, faculty and for the prospect of economic development for Long Island and the region,” Stanley said. “It’s an important asset for student and faculty recruitment and retention and certainly other SUNY campuses will benefit enormously from the relationship, as will BNL.”