ERCThe Rensselaer Smart Lighting Engineering Research Center (ERC) has welcomed Richard Radke, professor of electrical, computer, and systems engineering, as its newly appointed deputy director.

Richard Radke

Richard Radke

In his new role, Radke will continue to oversee the Adaptive Control and Simulation Research Thrust at the ERC. As deputy director, he will support the ERC’s research and vision, expand opportunities for new sponsored research, and increase the visibility of the ERC through its innovative accomplishments and initiatives.

“I am confident that Rich will continue to bring his experience, energy, ideas, and management skills to help lead the ERC effectively as the new deputy director,” said Center Director Robert Karlicek. Radke’s appointment was approved and accepted by the National Science Foundation, a major supporter of the ERC.

Radke became a member of the ERC’s Controls and Communications thrust in 2012, and has been a co-leader of that thrust since 2013. He has made significant contributions to the development of the ERC’s research program, primarily in developing the concept of sparse plenoptic light field sensing.

He is a widely recognized leader in image processing, an award-winning teacher, and a productive researcher. Radke received an NSF CAREER Award in 2003 shortly after joining Rensselaer and was a member of the Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems ERC (CenSSIS), serving as the associate director from 2010 to 2012. He currently leads the multi-institutional Video Analytics thrust in the Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence for Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats (ALERT).  Last year, the ASEE’s Prism magazine named Radke in their list of 20 under 40 academics.

Learn more about the Smart Lighting ERC.