South Middlesex Times

Rutgers University has announced several significant appointments and honors approved by the Board of Governors at their recent meeting.

Valery Kiryukhin, a distinguished professor in the field of applied physics, has been named the Donald H. Jacobs Chair in Applied Physics. Kiryukhin is recognized for his work in X-ray and neutron scattering techniques, which have advanced research into material properties. His current research focuses on magnetic materials and their potential applications in energy-efficient computing technologies. "Energy efficiency is a crucial requirement for the advancement of modern computing," Kiryukhin stated. "The Jacobs Chair award will enable my team to expand our research on functional materials into previously unexplored areas."

In another appointment, Steven K. Libutti has been named the inaugural William N. Hait Director at Rutgers Cancer Institute. This position honors the institute’s founding director, William “Bill” N. Hait, who played a key role in earning prestigious designations from the National Cancer Institute during his tenure. Libutti joined Rutgers Cancer Institute in 2017 and also holds leadership roles within RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Health/Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.

Additionally, Steven Brant has been appointed as the inaugural holder of the Bishr and Souha Omary Family Endowed Legacy Professorship. A leader in gastroenterology and internal medicine, Brant's contributions include identifying genetic factors related to Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The professorship recognizes his nearly three decades of research achievements.

The Board also paid tribute to Ronald W. Giaconia, an alumnus who served on Rutgers governing boards for over 30 years until his passing on September 13, 2024. The board acknowledged Giaconia's dedication to advancing education and research at Rutgers: “Affectionately referred to as ‘The Chairman of the Board’ by those who knew him, Ron guided the university during times of great progress.”