Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Alicia Walf is a neuroscientist and educator at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute whose research interests are fueled by the broad question: Why are there individual differences in stress? This question led to studying hormones' actions for growth and plasticity in the brain and body. She has since refined her pursuit to include consideration of body, brain, and mind relationships as they relate to memory, perception, social cognition and emotions. Dr. Walf has taken a cross-species and cross-discipline approach in her work. Dr.

Abby Kinchy is a sociologist, working in the interdisciplinary field of science and technology studies (STS). Her research and teaching focus on the politics of environmental pollution and the relationship between science and democratic engagement. She became the head of the STS Department at Rensselaer in January 2023. 

Michael Blostein is an active and in-demand low brass performer throughout the Capital Region, performing with groups such as the Dominant 5 Brass Quintet and Old Time Dance Band (tuba), Brass-O-Mania (bass trombone) and numerous other ensembles on tenor trombone, bass trombone and tuba. He is an active clinician and guest conductor, working closely with local organizations such as the Empire State Youth Orchestra and the Delmar Community Orchestra.

Katherine Skovira, D.M.A. (she/her) is a nationally recognized contemporary music specialist, educator, researcher, and mezzo-soprano from Philadelphia.Katherine serves as Faculty Fellow in Voice at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY and Co-Artistic Director of SoundLAB contemporary ensemble in Philadelphia.

Guitarist Paul Quigley has performed with the Glens Falls Symphony and as concerto soloist with The University Orchestra at SUNY Albany. Other solo and chamber music performances include Troy Music Hall, the Riverside Church Christ Chapel series, Hunter College, The Spanish Institute, and the Oberwald Concert Series in Basel, Switzerland. Additionally, Paul was a featured performer on the Queen Elizabeth II World Cruise and the Queen Mary II and Crystal Symphony ships.

Anita Greenfield received her doctorate in the field of linguistics with a focus on sociolinguistics and second language acquisition and teacher education. Anita's doctoral research focused on English teacher identity and agency in the spread language ideology. She currently teaches ESL writing and oral communication/pronunciation and is interested in the application of the concept of intelligibility in second language pronunciation teaching.

Jenny Kemp's work has been exhibited in solo exhibitions at Gold/Scopophilia• in Montclair, NJ, Mandeville Gallery in Schenectady, NY, and GridSpace in Brooklyn, NY. Recent group exhibitions include Transmitter in Brooklyn, 5-50 Gallery in Long Island City, and Kenise Barnes in Kent, CT. Featured publications include 100 Painters of Tomorrow published by Thames & Hudson, New American Paintings, The University of Chicago Press, The Huffington Post, Seattle’s City Arts, New York Times, Chronogram, and The New England Review.

Robert Whalen (he/him/his) serves as Lecturer of Music and Conducting at Rensselaer, where he directs the Rensselaer Orchestra, Concert Choir, and Wind Symphony.  Whalen has also led orchestras on the faculties of the University of Chicago as Director of the Chamber Orchestra and Lewis and Clark College as Interim Director of Orchestral Activities.  At the University of Chicago, Whalen launched numerous innovative programs and projects, including an “Explore Classical Music!” alliance with the Berlin Philharmonic, a Graduate Student Composer Fellowship, and the Chamber Orchestra’s fi

My research interests lie in international trade and environmental economics. My current research is on international trade in waste with a focus on its cross-country welfare consequences, the design of an international environmental agreement on waste trade, and the effects of waste trade de-liberalization on firms and cities. I also study the interplay between regulation and international trade.