Published February 22, 2022
By Paula Derrow
With predictive algorithms now powering everything from facial recognition technology to who gets a bank loan, an interdisciplinary initiative at Rutgers University–New Brunswick looks to harness the power of artificial intelligence to make it more transparent—and a cause for good.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has made aspects of life more convenient and even safer, courtesy of services such as Siri and Alexa—not to mention semi-autonomous vehicles that make it easier to switch lanes on the New Jersey Turnpike. “There are tremendous benefits to AI,” says Fred S. Roberts, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) and director of the Command, Control, and Interoperability Center for Advanced Data Analysis (CCICADA). The center is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Rutgers is the lead partner of this university consortium. “We can use facial recognition technology to identify missing children, for instance, or diagnose rare diseases. But you have to keep the trade-offs in mind.”
One of those trade-offs is that the powerful, predictive algorithms—fueling everything from facial recognition technology to who gets a bank loan or a traffic ticket—can adversely affect individuals’ privacy, health, well-being, and personal finances and are leading to inequities in American society. “Every university is deeply worried about AI: We see both its potential and its threats,” says Peter March, executive dean of SAS, where he is a Distinguished Professor of Mathematics.
“With AI, people tend to worry about things like super-intelligent computers turned evil like in The Terminator,” says Lauren M.E. Goodlad, a professor in the Department of English at SAS and chair of Critical AI, a new interdisciplinary Rutgers initiative examining the ethics of artificial intelligence. What is worrisome, she says, “is how this technology can be used in an opaque way to manipulate our behavior, as we’ve seen with Facebook, along with other problems that are making our country more unequal than it has been since the Gilded Age.”
“The dangers,” she says, “come with using massive sets of data on a scale that has never been available, coupled with massive computing power to facilitate data-centric machine learning.”
AI by any other name
AI, which dates to the 1940s when it was known as machine learning, falls within a technology continuum that emphasizes data-driven decision-making, whether by credit card companies deciding to approve a loan or engineers building an autonomous vehicle. “Depending on the inherent subjectivity and perceptions of the algorithm developer and the context in which it is developed, the algorithm may reflect biases that don’t benefit everyone equally,” says Piyushimita Thakuriah, Distinguished Professor and director of the Rutgers Urban and Civic Informatics Lab.
Rutgers researchers are determined to change the pattern through projects like Minds and Machines—a critical AI initiative at SAS with a new approach to educating future data scientists. “It’s not enough to just produce fast algorithms,” Roberts says. “We need to build in ethical considerations from the start, being aware of the bias that algorithms can create and the resulting damage they can cause.”
Putting a face on AI bias
Consider facial recognition technology, which is widely used in policing. In New Jersey alone, the police capture more than 700,000 videos a year, according to Roberts, analyzing them for positive aims such as finding missing children. Yet modern facial recognition algorithms, which require feeding the database millions or billions of photos of faces, are far from perfect. “The problem is,” says March, “we’ve trained the computer, maybe inadvertently, to recognize white or male faces because we’ve fed more of those photos into the database. AI is not as good at recognizing faces that don’t look like that.”
Case in point, a 2019 study from the Georgia Institute of Technology found that autonomous vehicles were better at recognizing—and possibly avoiding a collision with—lighter-skinned pedestrians than those with darker skin. Adds Goodlad: “Even if you think it’s a good idea to have facial recognition systems installed to surveil the population at large—and that’s a question our society hasn’t been given the chance to answer—there’s the added problem of inaccuracy. For instance, do we have enough Black women in our data sets for this technology to work reliably?”
According to unbiased research, apparently not. In another widely cited study, MIT researcher Joy Buolamwini found that facial recognition technology has up to a 34.7 percent error rate for Black women compared with a 0.3 percent rate for white men. “[These technologies] also tend to be sexist, associating scenes with cooking with women and scenes with medicine or sports with men,” says Roberts. “We need to worry about what is causing that.” And then take steps to fix it.
Garbage in, garbage out
Errors made by facial recognition technology used by police or immigration services can have tragic consequences, resulting in people being wrongfully arrested. But AI-driven inequities extend into every area of life, from statewide prescription drug databases misidentifying patients as abusers of opioids (and denying them pain medication) to digital redlining (marketing algorithms used by online platforms to exclude certain people from seeing online ads based on factors such as race, gender, or age).
“These things have a real impact on the quality of people’s lives,” says Thakuriah, who co-edited Seeing Cities Through Big Data. “In low-income neighborhoods, the data on accidents was not as complete as it was in high-income neighborhoods. There were just as many accidents in lower-income areas, but people who lived in these areas trusted the police less and were less likely to report them.”
The implications of that kind of error can be dramatic: “This data is used to make billion-dollar investment decisions, such as where to build a Level 1 trauma center,” she says.
That’s one reason experts at Rutgers–New Brunswick are laser focused on data curation—or finding out what data is included and how it’s organized. “There’s not enough emphasis on what is actually in these data sets, much less a careful documentation of them,” says Goodlad.
Making ethics a requirement of study—and research
There are many ways to prevent the abuses of AI and harness the technology for the good. Rutgers has introduced undergraduate computer science courses such as Computers and Society at SAS and Ethical Issues in Data Science at Rutgers University–Newark that teach programming within the context of ethics. “The social, legal, and ethical considerations of technology should not be something we consider after the fact,” says March.
Goodlad likens the role of ethics in data science to the necessity of the Hippocratic Oath in medicine. “Most professions have a guiding ethos, but this is a new idea in data science,” she says. “Besides educating everyone to be aware of the technology and what it’s good at and isn’t, we need to teach those in the field what it means to be an ethical scientist.” That’s when the technology can be used in a way that benefits everyone.
Kristin Dana is a professor at Rutgers School of Engineering who researches the growing presence of artificial intelligence as it relates to robotics, which she sees as a positive force in society. In 2020, the National Science Foundation gave Dana and an interdisciplinary Rutgers team a $3 million grant for a five-year project titled Socially Cognizant Robotics for a Technology Enhanced Society. It will evaluate robotics not only for their performance efficiencies such as speed and accuracy but also for their applications in the real world.
“We are at a point where robotics may soon be part of everyday life and work,” says Dana, “but we want robots to be developed in a way that they can adapt to human needs and desires, rather than the other way around.”
Marrying regulation and education
The role of regulation is important, too—a topic that Thakuriah is passionate about. “In this country, we have left the governance of bottom-line outcomes regarding health and the economy to people like Mark Zuckerberg,” she says.
Roberts, who cites regulations in the European Union that require decisions made by algorithms to be explainable, interpretable, and transparent, agrees. “There is room,” he says, “for regulation and societal decision-making with AI.”
Transparency is possible only with the right kind of education. “These algorithms can’t be hidden in a black box; they need to be made available to people who want to see what they are,” he says. “That means training people to make sure they document them in understandable language.”
Ultimately, nobody wants to base our actions on judgments that come from data we don’t understand, whether a medical diagnosis or taxes owed. “AI can explore permutations to a depth and degree that humans are simply not capable of, allowing us to extend our intuition and see patterns we couldn’t possibly see ourselves,” says March. “But the flip side is that we see judgments made and we have no idea why. And if you see a judgment rendered that you don’t understand, and you can’t replicate it, how good is it really?”
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Rutgers Awarded $1.5 Million FEMA Grant to Support Volunteer Firefighter Cancer Research and Prevention
The funding will enhance research already being...
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Raptors vs. Raiders Food Drive Challenge
Some Rutgers students experience food insecurity....
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Rutgers in the News: Gen Z Voters, Electoral College Reform, and Science-Based Policy
As America begins processing the results of its...
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Fall 2020 Rutgers University–Camden Impact Report
A Message from Margaret Marsh Interim Chancellor,...
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Fall 2020 Rutgers University–Newark Impact Report
A Message from Nancy Cantor Chancellor, Rutgers...
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Fall 2020 Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Impact Report
A Message from Brian Strom, M.D., M.P.H....
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Fall 2020 Rutgers University–Universitywide Impact Report
A Message from Josh Harraman, Ph.D. Vice...
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Fall 2020 Rutgers University–New Brunswick Impact Report
A Message from Christopher Molloy, Ph.D...
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Rutgers in the News: COVID Test Guidance, Black Women Entrepreneurs, and Disabled Voting Rights
Now more than ever, as we evaluate current...
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Live with President Holloway: Video Transcript
On October 14, 2020, the Rutgers University...
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Rutgers Finds New Way to Predict Prostate Cancer Risks
Rutgers researchers have discovered human gene...
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Rutgers in the News: Pandemic Burnout, Political Chaos, and Polling Insights
Whether it is voting, dining out, or just the...
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Rutgers Awarded $5 Million Grant from NIH to Improve Access to COVID-19 Testing within Underserved and Vulnerable Communities
The program supports research that aims to better...
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The Quest for Socially Cognizant Robotics
A $3 million National Science Foundation grant...
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New Plant-Based Nanowire Spray May Lead to 3D-Printed Organs
Rutgers engineers have developed a way to spray...
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Rutgers in the News: Voter Registration, Police Challenges, and Reopening Dangers
With the media landscape difficult to navigate,...
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Rutgers in the News: COVID-19 Legalities, New Jersey Voting, and U.S. Unemployment
With the pandemic far from over, President Donald...
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Study Shows 5G Wireless Can Lead to Inaccurate Weather Forecasts
Upcoming 5G wireless networks that will provide...
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Rutgers in the News: School Disparities, Political Equality, and the Fight against COVID-19
Whether they’re explored on a presidential...
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Notice Regarding Blackbaud Data Security
On July 16, 2020, Blackbaud informed some of its...
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Rutgers Receives $15 million Mellon Foundation Grant for Global Racial Justice
Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway today...
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The Barr Scholarship: A Gift with No End Zone
Graduating from Rutgers more than a century ago,...
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Rutgers in the News: The Passing of Justice Ginsburg, Pandemic Recovery Forecasts, and the Digital Divide in Schools
For news consumers, Rutgers experts appear in the...
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No Longer a Death Sentence: Transforming Cancer Care and Prevention in Africa
Rutgers Global Health Institute initiative...
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Rutgers in the News: COVID-19 Trials, Opioid Dangers, and Cyberattacks
Questions springing from the coronavirus are...
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Rutgers in the News: Increased COVID-19 Testing, Sanitization Overkill, and Wage Theft
Addressing complex questions and others, Rutgers...
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$5 Million Gift from Rutgers Alumnus Will Advance Fight against Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Herbert C. Klein, a Rutgers alumnus and longtime...
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Rutgers in the News: Back-to-School Challenges, Voter Ambivalence, and Cancer Treatment Despite COVID-19
As the new academic year begins, Rutgers students...
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Rutgers Develops Fast Way to Decontaminate N95 Masks
Two Rutgers-led studies have identified a more...
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New Jersey Maintains Economic Momentum, Defying National Trend
According to a new Rutgers report, New Jersey's...
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Rutgers in the News: Helpful Bacteria, Mail-In Ballots, and 19th Amendment Irony
Scores of Rutgers experts appear in the media...
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Rutgers in the News: Kamala Harris, Voting Controversies, and School Openings
Whether you’re looking for insight into U.S....
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Rutgers Researchers Awarded $20 Million NIH Grant to Find New Ways to Diagnose Tuberculosis
The research team of infectious disease experts...
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Early Antibiotic Use Increases Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
A study, published in Genome Medicine, provides...
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Rutgers in the News: COVID-19 and the National Conversation on the Use of Power
Rutgers continues to serve as a model for...
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Greg and Anna Brown Commit $1 Million to Student Financial Aid
The gift from the Browns is the third...
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A Rutgers Giving Day Like No Other
Building on the momentum of previous years,...
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Alumni Gary and Barbara Rodkin Commit $1 Million to Student Financial Aid
The gift from Gary and Barbara Rodkin is the...
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Rutgers in the News: Educational Values, COVID-19, and the Economy
Rutgers continues to serve as a model for...
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Rutgers in the News: Social Justice and Navigating COVID
In these turbulent times, Rutgers continues to...
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Does Asthma Raise COVID Risks? New Rutgers Study Suggests No
Reynold A. Panettieri Jr., a pulmonary critical...
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Rutgers in the News: Addressing systemic injustice and opening schools in the face of COVID
News outlets turn to Rutgers faculty and...
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Rutgers Bacteria Study Could Lead to Better COVID Disinfection Methods
A new Rutgers study, published in the...
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Rutgers University Announces Fall 2020 Plans
The fall semester at Rutgers University will...
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Rutgers Board Chair Joins President Holloway’s Call to Action
Scarlet Promise Grants offer essential financial...
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Rutgers Experts on COVID Concerns, Equal Representation, and the Legacy of Racism
New Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway arrives...
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A message from Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway
Today, Jonathan Holloway, the 21st president of...
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Thank You For Your Support
Donors to Rutgers are exemplary. Many demonstrate...
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Rutgers Experts on Containing COVID-19 and Fighting for Equality
As the rise in COVID cases complicates the...
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Rutgers Experts on Black Inequality and Coronavirus Safety
Your weekly guide to Rutgers experts in the news....
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Rutgers to Support Statewide Contact Tracing Program
Rutgers University has partnered with the State...
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Rutgers Experts on Racial Justice, COVID Pandemic, and New Political Realities
Members of the Rutgers community have come...
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The Perfect Storm of Pandemics
Brian L. Strom, chancellor of Rutgers Biomedical...
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Rutgers Sociologist Awarded Fellowship Aimed at Eradicating Racial Disparities in the Arts and Humanities
Melissa Valle is one of 32 fellows chosen from...
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Rutgers Researchers Receive Award to Develop First-in-Class Anticancer Therapeutics
Rutgers cancer researchers have been awarded...
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Charitable Gift Annuity Rates
The charitable gift annuity (CGA) is a simple and...
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Rutgers’ Critical Role in Pandemic Recovery
As areas of the country slowly reopen under...
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As the Nation Slowly Reopens, Rutgers Helps Chart the Path
University experts have been at the forefront of...
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How Rutgers Leads at a Time of Crisis
Rutgers University presence at the front lines of...
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New RWJMS Study Finds Young People at Greater Risk From COVID-19 Than Previously Thought
Children, teens and young adults are at greater...
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Rutgers Community is Responding to COVID-19
During these unprecedented times, Rutgers...
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FDA Approves First At-Home Saliva Collection Test for Coronavirus
Rutgers’ RUCDR Infinite Biologics received an...
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Rutgers Leads Clinical Trial of Drug to Prevent Cytokine Storms in COVID-19 Patients
Rutgers has launched a clinical trial to test...
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Rutgers Community Raises over $250,000 on #GivingTuesdayNow
Alumni and donors raise more than $250,000 for...
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#GivingTuesdayNow: Join Rutgers in the Fight Against COVID-19
Join the global movement to fight COVID-19 today,...
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Rutgers Plays Key Role in Reopening New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy's plan to safely rollback...
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Rutgers Law Mortgage Foreclosure Project Assists in Saving New Jersey Residents from Losing their Homes
A Rutgers University–Camden law professor and...
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Rutgers, University Hospital Lead Way in Treating COVID-19 with Convalescent Plasma from Recovered Patients
Rutgers physicians and University Hospital are...
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Rapid Screening Process for Infectious Diseases Being Created in Rutgers University–Camden Research Lab
The fight against the coronavirus is underway in...
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New Rutgers Saliva Test for Coronavirus Gets FDA Approval
The FDA has granted emergency use authorization...
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How the CARES Act Affects Charitable Giving
On March 27, in response to the economic strain...
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Message from President Barchi
Rutgers President Robert Barchi sends a message...
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Rutgers Launches Genetic Testing Service for New Coronavirus
Rutgers’ RUCDR Infinite Biologics has launched...
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What it Takes to Beat a Worldwide Pandemic
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) has...
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Rutgers Creates COVID-19 Center to Fight Pandemic
Rutgers has created a new center to coordinate...
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New Device Quickly Detects Harmful Bacteria in Blood
Engineers have created a tiny device that can...
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How the Building Blocks of Life Got Built
Rutgers researchers have discovered the origins...
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Message to Alumni and Donors Regarding COVID-19 Response
Rutgers University Foundation president, Nevin...
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Supporting students during the COVID-19 outbreak
Many of you have asked how you can help students...
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Rutgers Recognized as a Leader in Supporting Low-Income Students
Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a national...
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Rutgers Leads $1.5 Million Project for Ocean Acidification Monitoring on the U.S. Northeast Shelf
Grace Saba, assistant professor, is the lead...
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Surgeon who Separated Conjoined Twins Mentors Rutgers Undergraduates
A Rutgers graduate, Stylianos led the teams that...
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Jonathan Holloway Named 21st President of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Holloway will begin serving as president on July...
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Rutgers Giving Tuesday Initiative to End Student Hunger
Being a student is hard. It’s even harder when...
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Putting an End to a Pernicious Disease
Rutgers neuroscientists are exploring promising...
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Putting the Promise in Scarlet Promise Grants
In an effort to help more students avoid...
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Growing for the Greater Good
Through the generosity of donors such as Richard...
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Grand Opening Held for RWJBarnabas Health Athletic Performance Center at Rutgers University
Rutgers Athletics held a ribbon-cutting ceremony...
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Donor Profiles
Rutgers Alumnus Makes Largest Scholarship Gift Ever to University
Richard N. Weeks, a 1950 Rutgers graduate who...
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Rutgers’ Record-Breaking Fundraising Year Will Improve Lives in New Jersey and Beyond
Rutgers donors committed a record-breaking $250.9...
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Impact Stories
Rutgers Community Donates Paul Robeson Plaza
Rutgers is in the midst of celebrating 2019 as...
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Lavelle Fund Gift for Blindness Program
A grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind to...
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Donor Profiles
From Meter Reader to Multimillion-Dollar Donor: The Remarkable Journey of a SMLR Alumnus
Bill and Lois Dwyer are gifting $50,000 to...
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Alumna Marlene Brandt commits $30 million to transform behavioral health care for young people
Spurred by a pressing need for comprehensive...
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Helping Tomorrow’s Leaders Meet Their Potential
Former Rutgers Assistance Grants get a boost with...
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Impact Stories
Prudential Establishes Newark Scholarship Program
Rutgers University–Newark received welcome news...
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The Demand for Special Needs Dentists
John Barnosky became an advocate for expanding...
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Rutgers Approves Construction of Athletic Practice Facility
The Rutgers University Board of Governors today...
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