Lightning Talks: 23 New Faculty Introduce Themselves at 2nd Annual Pecha Kucha

A man speaks from a podium next to a projection of mathmatical images.
Håvard Bjerkevik, a new visiting assistant professor of Mathematics & Statistics, describes his research focus on topological data analysis. (Photos by Mario Sotomayor)

ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 15, 2024) — In a succession of one-minute introductions, 23 new faculty members shared their research with colleagues last week at the second annual Pecha Kucha, hosted by Provost Carol Kim and held in the Performing Arts Center. One by one, each faculty member took the stage, talked about their research areas accompanied by a descriptive slide, then took a seat in the front row of the theater.

The “lightning round” event is designed to be “fun, quick and informative,” Kim said, adding that it’s a way to boost collaborations among faculty in different disciplines. The Pecha Kucha was followed by a reception in the Futterer Lounge, offering a chance for further networking.

New faculty who joined the University this fall are:

Håvard Bjerkevik

Visiting assistant professor, Mathematics & Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences​ (CAS)

Bjerkevik’s research focus is topological data analysis. He received his PhD at Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway, in 2020 and was a postdoc at the Technical University Graz in Austria and Technical University Munich in Germany before coming to UAlbany.

Eli Boonin-Vail

Lecturer, Art & Art History, CAS

In addition to being a lecturer, Boonin-Vail is director of the Film Studies minor. He teaches a variety of history, theory and production courses in film and media, with a particular interest in global, Black and governmental media, and the relationship between American cinemas and the prison industrial complex. He received his PhD in 2024 from the University of Pittsburgh.  

A woman gestures from a podium beside a large blue screen with the words "Welcome New Faculty" in yellow letters.
Provost Carol Kim opens the second annual Pecha Kucha, welcoming UAlbany's newest faculty members.

Bu Zhao

Assistant professor, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering, CNSE​

Before joining UAlbany, Zhao was an Eric and Wendy Schmidt postdoctoral fellow at Cornell University and received his PhD from the University of Michigan. His research interests include data-driven environmental system analysis, environmental big data, industrial ecology and sustainable engineering. Zhau is managing editor of the journal Resources, Conservation & Recycling and the review editor of the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science.