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November 16, 2021

Kudzai Mbinda ’22 named Rhodes Scholar-Elect

portrait of Kudzai MbindaKudzai Mbinda ’22, a chemical engineering major from Harare, Zimbabwe, is among the 100 students worldwide chosen to begin graduate studies at the University of Oxford in Great Britain as a Rhodes Scholar next fall. The Rhodes Scholarship is among the most prestigious academic honors in the world, and Mbinda was one of two chosen from 10 finalists competing in the Zimbabwe competition.

In today’s issue:

  • New York State has renewed the Educational Partnership Organization between the University and East High School through 2025
  • A photonic chip developed by Rochester researchers provides a big boost in precision optics
  • “Startup Bytes,” a digital brown bag lunch series, features conversations with finance and business innovators
TODAY’S UPDATES

Eight new positive cases of COVID-19

There are eight new cases of COVID-19 to report: three River Campus students, four River Campus employees; and one Eastman Campus employee. Please note that the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated when a new case is reported. Find the latest COVID-19 messages and updates here.

A reminder on face masks: they must be worn properly, covering the nose and mouth, indoors on the University’s campuses and properties. Visit the face mask FAQ page for full information. Face masks with air valves are not permitted, nor are face shields alone without a proper face mask underneath.

State extends University’s partnership with East High

The New York State Department of Education has renewed the Educational Partnership Organization (EPO) between the University and East High School through 2025. Since this unique partnership was launched in 2015, East has seen a transformation of its culture and educational outcomes.

“I want to thank Commissioner Betty Rosa, the Education Department, and the Board of Regents for their continued belief in the East EPO, as well as thank the Rochester City School District, Board of Education, and local community partners for their unwavering support,” says University President Sarah Mangelsdorf. “Most importantly, I want to recognize East High’s community of scholars, teachers, staff, and parents who every day drive the success of this model.

“Under the direction of Superintendent Shaun Nelms and with tremendous involvement and support from our Warner School of Education, East has improved its graduation rate to 85 percent in 2021, compared to the starting point of only 33 percent in 2015. I’m not certain everyone involved in the creation of the EPO six years ago truly believed that such educational success and turnaround would be possible given the circumstances, but the point we’re at today is a testament to the power of community, partnership, and determination to create meaningful and sustained change in an urban educational environment. The University is very proud to be a part of this EPO and the Rochester community, and we look forward to continuing to work with all of our partners to demonstrate even more progress in this mission.”

Tiny chip provides a big boost in precision optics

Photonic chips are pictured in the lab of Assistant Professor of Optics Jaime Cardenas

A photonic chip developed by Jaime Cardenas, an assistant professor of optics, and PhD student Meiting Song will make interferometers—and therefore precision optics—even more powerful. Potential applications include more sensitive devices for measuring tiny flaws on mirrors, or dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere, and ultimately, quantum applications.

Study links K-12 leadership churn to decline in research use in districts

New research from the Warner School of Education finds that turnover among K-12 school leaders decreases the capacity to share research-based ideas and practices district-wide.

UR Procurement Marketplace upgraded 

This past weekend, the UR Procurement (P2P) Marketplace successfully underwent a scheduled upgrade. For details, visit the UR Financials website. Email procurement_service_center@ur.rochester.edu or call (585) 275-2012 if you have questions.


ROCHESTER IN THE NEWS

Can lucid dreaming help us understand consciousness?

The Guardian, November 14

There’s a thriving online community of people who are now trying to learn how to lucid dream. Many are simply looking for entertainment. “It’s just so exciting and unbelievable to be in a lucid dream and to witness your mind creating this completely vivid simulation,” says Michelle Carr, a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Psychiatry working in the Sleep and Neurophysiology Research Laboratory. Others hope that exercising skills in their dreams will increase their real-life abilities. “A lot of elite athletes use lucid dreams to practice their sport,” says Carr.


FOR STUDENTS

Summer Session 2022

What Arts, Sciences & Engineering courses do you want to be offered this summer? Submit your course suggestions for Summer Session 2022 to the Office of Summer and Continuing Studies. The AS&E summer course schedule will be available for viewing in early January 2022. For questions, reach out at oscs@rochester.edu.

Information session for international students on US employment

Dan Beaudry, former head of campus recruiting at Monster.com, presents an information session on US employment for international students. The in-person event takes place Wednesday, November 17, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Feldman Ballroom, Douglass Commons. Register to attend.

Sophomore internship night

Sophomores: Attend an information session with Rochester juniors and seniors who have had internships and get your questions answered. Greene Center staff will also be available to help you learn more about getting started with your search, using Handshake, networking, interviewing, and international student considerations. The session takes place Thursday, November 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. in Feldman Ballroom, Douglass Commons. Register in Handshake to attend. This event is cosponsored by the Sophomore Class Council, the Greene Center, and the Sophomore Committee.

Reminder: Food Pantry available

As the fall semester is winding down, students are coming to the end of their dining plan. If you are experiencing food insecurity or know someone who is, visit the campus Food Pantry. The pantry is open to all Rochester students through in-person shopping or online ordering with bag pick-up. Are you interested in helping to feed the hive? You can support the efforts to keep the shelves stocked by donating via the Amazon Wish List or Crowdfunding portal.


FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

Food accountability made easy

Well-U’s high cholesterol program clarifies what your numbers really mean, gives you resources to explore, and offers realistic food swaps. Set up flexible monthly meetings with your wellness coach and make it easy to hold yourself accountable.

Holiday help with Care.com

Use your free premium Care.com membership to help this holiday season. Memberships are available to eligible employees to find help with cleaning, running errands, child care, elder care, pet care, and household tasks. Visit the family care web page for eligibility criteria and to enroll.


FOR THE COMMUNITY

Trauma-informed open-level vinyasa yoga

Attend a new yoga class at the Goergen Athletic Center taking place on Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. This standing weekly yoga class provides a safe and supportive space for participants to de-stress and center themselves. Attendees will learn various skills and mind-body practices to meet their thoughts and experiences with compassion and to find grounding and inner stillness that they can use both on and off the mat. The class is open to all University students and Goergen Athletic Center members. Comfortable clothes are encouraged; bring a yoga mat.

Spotlight Speaker event: Edmund Hajim ’58

The Ain Center for Entrepreneurship presents a virtual Spotlight Speaker event featuring Edmund Hajim ’58 on Thursday, November 18, from noon to 1 p.m. EST. Hajim, financier, philanthropist, and chairman emeritus of the University’s Board of Trustees, will share stories and lessons from his new book, On the Road Less Traveled: An Unlikely Journey from the Orphanage to the Boardroom. Opening remarks will be provided by Duncan Moore, vice provost for entrepreneurship. Marc Haddad ’21, ’22 (MS) will moderate a conversation with Hajim about the lessons he learned and what he hopes others can learn from his experiences. Students are invited to attend a viewing party in the Gowen Room in Wilson Commons. Lunch will be provided along with a signed copy of Hajim’s book. Register here to attend.

Webinar on neuroplasticity of the brain

Join the TRANSFORM Research Center for the webinar “Understanding the Neuroplasticity of the Brain: How We Can Maximize the Brain’s Ability to Adapt When Addressing Child Abuse and Neglect,” taking place Thursday, November 18, at noon EST. Find more details and register online.

Professional MBA application tips and tricks webinar

Are you interested in Simon Business School’s professional MBA program? Join Molly Mesko, the executive director of executive and professional programs at Simon, who will share tips and tricks for completing and submitting your application. Register to attend the webinar, taking place Thursday, November 18, at 5 p.m. EST.  For those unable to attend, a live recording will be emailed to the address used at registration.

‘Startup Bytes’ talk with finance and business innovators

The next event in the “Startup Bytes” digital brown bag lunch series, hosted by the Ain Center for Entrepreneurship, takes place Friday, November 19, at noon EST. This month features panelists David Grome from Greater Rochester Enterprise and Adrian Hale from Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce alongside student moderator Sidhant Bendre ’23. Learn about the challenges that the Rochester area faces, how initiatives like ROC2025 and CollegeFest make a difference in retaining the talent college graduates bring, and more. Bring your questions; there will be time for a Q&A. Register here to receive the Zoom link and the recording.

Lecture: ‘How Can We Analyze Pandemics to Predict and Prevent the Next One’

Join the Goergen Institute for Data Science on Friday, November 19, for the lecture “How Can We Analyze Pandemics to Predict and Prevent the Next One” with Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance and a key researcher during the COVID-19 pandemic. This free, in-person talk will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. in Wegmans Hall 1400.


COVID-19 QUICK LINKS


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