Keynote Talk by Dr. Valerie Rapson

Dr. Valerie Rapson is an Astronomer and public outreach enthusiast who enjoys teaching people of all ages about science. Valerie earned her Ph.D. in Astrophysical Sciences and Technology at RIT in 2015, where her research focused on the chemical composition and structure of planet-forming disks around nearby young stars. She is now an Assistant Professor at SUNY Oneonta, where she teaches a variety of physics and astronomy courses and co-manages the campus planetarium and observatory. Her research interests include studying exoplanet transits with the campus 1-meter telescope and designing digital planetarium shows for families. Valerie also enjoys giving public talks and participates in WAMC's Vox Pop radio show with Astronomer Bob Berman.

Prior to joining the faculty at Oneonta, Dr. Rapson was the director of the Dudley Observatory in Schenectady, NY. There, she designed and taught astronomy education programs for children and adults, operated the Suites-Bueche planetarium, and oversaw the construction of a roll-top-roof observatory with a 14-inch telescope. She is a National Astronomy Ambassador and was awarded the 2018 Emerging Leader Award by Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region for serving as a role model for young women aspiring to become scientists.

Join us for an evening with Dr. Rapson.

April 9, 2026
4:00 - 5:30 PM
SHD-1380 Sklarsky Glass Box Theater

headshot of Valerie Rapson

Past Keynote Speakers

Jason Blythe holds 20 years of experience as a product designer and user experience leader. Skilled in leading multidisciplinary teams & fostering environments that promote authentic debate and decisive decision-making. Jason is a UX Director at Amazon Prime Video, leading design & research for Personalization, Search, & Content Discovery.

Prior to Amazon, and for the past thirteen years at Google, Jason has led design teams in Google Search Ads, Google Shopping, and Google Image Search/Video Search, with his most recent role being UX Director for Google Search Labs and leading the early development of the Search Generative Experience. The initial vision for how AI and Large Language Models can transform Google Search.  

Before Google, he spent time at Eastman Kodak Company developing consumer electronics, partnering with industrial designers, ergonomists, and hardware and software engineers to ship beautiful products. 

Jason holds an MFA and BFA in Design from Rochester Institute of Technology and is an advisor to the Dean of the College of Art & Design. He lives and works in San Francisco and was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. 

Sal Pellingra is an esteemed alumnus of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), renowned for his pioneering work in the packaging industry. With a Bachelor of Science in Packaging Science and an Executive MBA from RIT, Sal has carved a notable career path, highlighted by his current role as Vice President of Global Package Design, Applications, and Business Development at ProAmpac. At ProAmpac, Sal drives new innovative and sustainable packaging solutions globally reflecting his commitment to innovation. With a legacy of 25 years at ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Sal has been at the forefront of product and marketing development, contributing significantly to the packaging industry's evolution. His inventive spirit is evidenced by 28 U.S. patents in packaging materials and design, alongside receiving the ExxonMobil Chemical’s Global Technology Award. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Sal is deeply committed to nurturing future talent, currently teaching as an adjunct at the University of Cincinnati, and having served as an RIT adjunct faculty member and supporting students as a career mentor.

Dr. Nicholas Conn is the founder and chief scientific officer of Casana, a startup that aims to transform the landscape of home healthcare and cardiovascular disease management. Nick completed his Ph.D. in Engineering in 2016 here at RIT, where he developed Casana’s technology – a toilet seat-based cardiovascular monitoring system. He [later] founded Casana in 2018.

His expertise spans business development, algorithm development, cardiovascular monitoring, medical devices, ultra-low power systems, physiology, and signal processing. Nick also holds a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering from RIT.