POTSDAM – Clarkson University Prof. Dr. Dana Barry recently went to Japan as a visiting professor, making presentations at Nagoya University, the National Institute of Technology - Suzuka College, and at the National Institute of Technology - Toba College.

In addition to her focus on scientific topics, Dr. Barry presented a talk titled “Life in Northern New York State and Its Universities.”

Dr. Barry informed students, faculty, and administrators, about important attractions in Northern New York such as the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Frederick Remington Museum, and the Corning plant in Canton, where the glass for the famous Hubble telescope was made.

She also described the “great/diverse educational opportunities and institutions available in the North Country. SUNY Canton is known for its strong nursing program and has e-sports and the best tutoring center in the SUNY system,” Barry said.

She told the audience that St. Lawrence University provides students with a good liberal arts education, counseling programs, and more. Also she mentioned that the famous movie star Kirk Douglas graduated from there. She said that SUNY Potsdam is most noted for its excellent Crane School of Music and that Clarkson University offers excellent undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, engineering, science, medical fields, and more. Barry added that Clarkson is very proud of the Golden Knights Women’s Hockey Team, winners of the NCAA National Championship in 2017 and 2018.

At Nagoya University, Barry gave a lecture about STEM education and using information communication technology (ICT). STEM is an interdisciplinary learning and teaching approach which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. “Countries wanting to strengthen their national status and power need enough qualified STEM graduates to creatively solve challenging problems, compete globally, and provide the scientists, engineers, scientists, etc. of the future. ICT increases opportunities for STEM education and enables students and their instructors to use the Internet, audio-visual classrooms, networking, and more,” she said. In addition, Barry was included in a talk about biofilms -- the sticky matter on our teeth -- that was presented by her main collaborator in Japan, Professor Hideyuki Kanematsu, research adviser at the National Institute of Technology, Suzuka College.

Barry is a research professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Clarkson University, a professional tutor at SUNY Canton, a professor and scientific board president of Ansted University, and an officer and Chemistry Ambassador for the American Chemical Society.

Her trip to Japan was sponsored by the Iketani Science and Technology Foundation.