February 4, 2019

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

I am constantly impressed at how Hajim students take advantage of the opportunities at our University to broaden their learning — beyond the classroom and beyond their specific majors. For example, Gianna Macri ’19 of computer science not only studied abroad in Peru last fall, but did so to help complete her Take 5 project: “Intercultural Contact and its Effects on Indigenous Language and Culture in Peru.”

Take 5 is a unique University of Rochester program that allows students to spend an additional semester or school year, tuition-free, pursuing an avenue of interdisciplinary research that broadens their liberal arts education. Exposure to the liberal arts is a necessary foundation for the well-rounded engineers and computer scientists we need to tackle society’s toughest challenges.

So, congratulations to Gianna, and also to these Hajim students recently accepted into the Take 5 program:

  • Nancy Bansbach ’20 of biomedical engineering, whose project is “Destigmatizing and Accepting Mental Illness.”
  • Muhammad Hadi ’20 of mechanical engineering, “Multimedia Journalism in a Developing Country Dynamic.”
  • Samuel King ’21, a computer science and mathematics major, “The Role of Music in Video Games and Film.”
  • Tayfun Sahin ’21, a chemical engineering and political science major, “The Intersection of Logic and Language.”

In addition, these Hajim students were recently accepted into the e5 (formerly Kauffman Entrepreneurial Year) program to launch a project and engage in an experiential pursuit, economic or social in nature:

  • Tolga Aktas ’20, an electrical and computer engineering major, for “Smart systems for personalized, biometrics-based recommendations for exercise.”
  • Sixu Meng ’20, a data science/business major, for “Nanabite: Connecting UR students with the surrounding community.”
  • Saralinda Schell ’20, a computer science/political science major, for “Immersive Art: Beyond the Gallery.”
  • Sharfuz Shifat ’20, a computer science/financial economics major, for “CrossRoads: A Hub for Connecting Student Entrepreneurs.”
  • John Uchal ’19, a mechanical engineering/applied music major, for “A Modern Approach to the Modification of Musical Wind Instruments.”

Thanks to the generosity of Edmund Hajim ’58, former chairman of the University Board of Trustees and Hajim School benefactor, we are increasing the prizes in the Art of Science Competition.  First prize will be $1,000, second prize $500, and the third prize and People’s Choice award will each be $250. University students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit photographs, illustrations, visualizations, renderings, and posters that best illustrate themes of science, engineering, technology, math, and sustainability. Click here to see winning entries from last year. High resolution jpeg entries (300 dpi, at least 3,000 pixels wide) can be submitted anytime between now and March 18, 2019. Please direct questions to artofsciencecontest@gmail.com.

Congratulations as well to:

  • Amy Lerner, associate professor of biomedical engineering. Amy is co-chair of the Commission on Women and Gender Equity in Academia (CWGEA), which was chosen for a 2018 Presidential Diversity Award. The commission, made up of student, faculty, and trainee volunteers, has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the values of diversity and inclusion. Throughout the 2017–18 academic year, CWGEA members evaluated campus policies and procedures and, using a combination of scientific literature review and community input, released their preliminary report with recommendations in May 2018. They continue to research, listen, and advocate for diversity and inclusion throughout the University community.
  • Duncan Moore, the Rudolf and Hilda Kingslake Professor in Optical Engineering Science and vice provost for entrepreneurship, who is this year’s recipient of the IEEE-USA Entrepreneur Achievement Award for Leadership in Entrepreneurial Spirit.  Duncan is being recognized for “extraordinary contributions in creating a far-reaching entrepreneurial culture for IEEE’s U.S. members.”
  • John G. Webster ’65 (M), ’69 (PhD), an electrical engineering alumnus, who is this year’s recipient of the IEEE James H. Mulligan, Jr. Education Medal. John, a professor emeritus of biomedical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is being recognized for excellence in classroom teaching as well as the production of numerous reference texts that have fostered the development of biomedical engineering as a discipline. Click here to read more about John’s considerable accomplishments.

Do you have an intriguing business concept with an early-stage business plan? The Ain Center for Entrepreneurship has partnered with RIT’s Simone Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to offer a business accelerator program to University of Rochester students in summer 2019. The accelerator, a full-time, intense, summer-long commitment, helps entrepreneurs and innovators develop their business concepts so they are ready to begin to seek angel investment. Topics include business concept, customer discovery, entity formation, intellectual property, and pursuing investment capital. Apply online. A limited number of spots are available. Contact senior program manager Matthew Spielmann with questions.

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
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