Rochester Institute of Technology researcher Rubén Proaño has joined the World Health Organization’s (WHO)  Technical Advisory Group on Market Access for Vaccines (TAG MVAC). He began his service during the advisory group’s November meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. The TAG MVAC group specializes in areas such as vaccine market dynamics, vaccine manufacturing, immunization programs, and data analytics. The committee, comprised of 15 experts from around the world, convenes twice a year and serves as a WHO advisory board. “It is both an honor and a responsibility to be invited to join this WHO advisory group. Ensuring equitable access to vaccines is a significant challenge for humanity,” said Proaño, an associate professor of industrial and systems engineering in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering. “The opportunity to discuss the issues, solutions, and strategies for making vaccines more accessible in such a prestigious forum is a unique privilege and a chance to contribute to a better world.” Utilizing mathematical modeling and analytics, Proaño’s research explores ways to make vaccines more affordable, accessible, and profitable. His work on vaccines has received support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Additionally, he spent a sabbatical year at the UNICEF Vaccine Center in Copenhagen during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. “In my research, my students and I have been investigating hypothetical models to gain new insights into coordinating the global vaccine market,” he said. “I believe that industrial engineering and operations research tools are highly effective for developing systematic strategies to tackle complex, multi-dimensional challenges.” Advisory group members support the WHO's Market Information for Access Initiative in its efforts to improve access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable vaccines for all. The group provides recommendations on various global vaccine market issues, enhancing access to vaccines, analyzing data, understanding pricing dynamics, and developing initiatives to balance vaccine supply and demand. Vaccine distribution fluctuates and often millions of children are living in countries lacking regular immunizations. Programs such as those supported by WHO work to ensure that the neediest populations receive necessary and affordable vaccines. “We were thrilled to learn that Dr. Praono was invited to serve on this Technical Advisory Group for the World Health Organization,” said Doreen Edwards, dean of RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering. “It’s a shining example of how engineers bring their expertise to address complex issues that impact the quality of people’s lives.” Related Information:https://www.rit.edu/news/ruben-proano-participate-united-nations-forum https://www.rit.edu/news/researcher-gets-grant-study-vaccine-market https://www.rit.edu/news/faculty-researcher-sees-covid-19-unfold-global-perspective-while-sabbatical-unicef

NTID President Gerard Buckley, who made history as the first RIT/NTID alumnus to become president of the college, has announced his intention to step down in summer 2025 after leading the National Technical Institute for the Deaf for 15 years. His tenure as NTID president caps a career in higher education spanning more than 40 years. His last day as president will be July 18, 2025.   “Fifty years ago, I entered RIT/NTID as a freshman student, and this college profoundly changed my life,” said Buckley. In his Nov. 26 message to the RIT community regarding Buckley’s intention to step down, RIT President David Munson praised Buckley as a fierce advocate for students and for his dedication to improving opportunities for members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Buckley joined NTID in 1990 as an assistant professor and chairperson of NTID’s Department of Educational Outreach. He later served as director of NTID’s Center for Outreach, associate dean of student services, and assistant vice president for college advancement before being named president. He graduated from RIT/NTID in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in social work and went on to earn a master’s degree in special education from the University of Missouri and a doctorate in special education from the University of Kansas. “Throughout his career, Gerry has been a fierce advocate for students, while dedicating his professional life to improving opportunities for members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community,” said RIT President David Munson. “He is respected throughout the nation in the field of deaf education and, on our campus, he is recognized as a leader in fostering a highly inclusive, supportive culture. For me, it has been, and continues to be, a true pleasure to work with Gerry.” As NTID president, Buckley strengthened and steadily increased U.S. Congressional support for the federally funded college and its mission. Other NTID achievements during his tenure include:Raising $51 million for Transforming RIT: The Campaign for Greatness; Establishing the NTID Regional STEM Center and expanding STEM Outreach activities and STEM Academies, all designed to prepare deaf and hard-of-hearing students for career success; Strong student enrollments, including a 4% increase for fall ’24; Consistently maintaining placement rates for graduates at the college’s record 94 percent level; Establishing the Deaf Health Care and Biomedical Science Hub, along with expanded partnerships with University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health, designed to increase deaf representation in health care and scientific fields; Strengthening NTID’s commitment to diversity through establishing the NTID Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Randleman Program, and the NTID Faculty Fellowship Program; Graduation of the first three deaf students to earn doctoral degrees from RIT. “I spent a decade working externally before returning to NTID as a faculty member in 1990,” Buckley said. “RIT/NTID has changed the lives of thousands of deaf students during our 60+ year history, and I am honored to have served as president over the past 15 years. I am thankful to the dedicated faculty and staff of NTID who continue to fulfill our mission of preparing young deaf and hard-of-hearing students for outstanding career success. I am especially thankful for the tremendous support of my wife, Judy, over the years and her active engagement in our community. We consider ourselves blessed to have had this opportunity to serve.” RIT will launch a national search for the next president of NTID. Munson said RIT will engage students, faculty, staff, and alumni during the search.