April 5, 2021

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

“This is a pivotal time in the history of physics,” says Gilbert “Rip” Collins, director of our Center for Matter at Atomic Pressures (CMAP), in a remarkably accessible new video by the American Physical Society.

I strongly urge all of you to take a look.

In 6 minutes and 54 seconds you will gain an excellent overview of two exciting new research directions in physics: the ability at facilities like our Laboratory for Laser Energetics to produce pressures strong enough to create new states of matter. And the discovery of thousands of planets outside our solar system.

You will learn how the NSF-funded CMAP, working at the confluence of these two movements, is positioned to explore whether these planets might support life in some form. You will be introduced to the impressive interdisciplinary team of University of Rochester, MIT, Princeton, University at Buffalo, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, UC Davis and UC Berkeley researchers who will also pursue creation of revolutionary states of matter—in labs right here on earth—that could transform our technologies. Hajim School faculty members Hussein Aluie and Ryan Rygg are among the Rochester collaborators who contribute to the commentary.

In light of the immense challenges—and exciting opportunities—that confront us, it has never been more important for scientists to communicate to a general audience why their research matters. This video is an excellent example of how to do that.

THANKS TO . . .

Danielle Benoit, professor of biomedical engineering and director of the Materials Science Program, and to Rip Collins who, in addition to directing CMAP, is our Tracy Hyde Harris Professor of Mechanical Engineering.

They will serve on a 14-member, University-wide committee, chaired by Mark Taubman, CEO of the Medical Center and UR Medicine, that has been named to identify candidates for our next University provost. This is part of a new leadership plan announced by University President Sarah Mangelsdorf last week.

Both Danielle and Rip have excelled in their teaching, research, and administrative roles, and are outstanding choices for this committee.

STUDENT STARTUP

Congratulations to WetWare BioSystems, an early-stage biotechnology firm started by University of Rochester students who are developing a device that allows for the automated treatment of brain injury within the critical “Golden Hour” after a traumatic event.

WetWare was recently awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the United States Air Force to support development of the device, which is automatically triggered by accelerations, impacts, or over-pressure events significant enough to cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The students include CEO Bradley Smith ’20 E5 ’21 of neuroscience, who is a Grand Challenges Scholar; chief technology officer Nicholas Drogo ’19 of biomedical engineering; chief information officer Scott McKinney ’21 of computer science; chief operating officer Andrew Kaseman ’21, a biology and business major; and client manager Jacob Back ’21, a physics major.

The team won the 2019 Swarm Starter Competition, took second place in the 2019 Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition, and was finalist in the 2019 Mark Ain Business Plan Competition–all sponsored by the Ain Center for Entrepreneurship.

This is great example of how students from multiple disciplines can find ways to collaborate on entrepreneurial projects at our University. Read more here.

FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

What are you doing with your summer? Don’t know yet? Don’t panic: Join David Cota-Buckhout, career advisor with the Greene Center for Career Education and Connections, on Zoom for a group advising session tomorrow, April 6, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. EDT. The session will provide useful tips and resources to help you:

explore careers in engineering/computer science.
develop important competencies employers are looking for.
build professional networking relationships.
position yourself for success in your sophomore year.

RSVP in Handshake to access the Zoom links and bring your questions!

DOTTIE WELCH AWARD

Seniors: Has a Hajim School staff member had a positive impact on your experience as an undergraduate? Now is your chance to recognize their hard work and dedication. Nominations for our Dottie Welch Student Enrichment Award are being accepted until Friday, April 16. The award recognizes a staff member whose performance and dedication enriches the student experience in the tradition exemplified by Dottie, the former undergraduate coordinator of biomedical engineering, during her 25-plus years of service to students. Here’s the list of eligible staff members. Please email the Hajim School Dean’s Office (hajimschool@ur.rochester.edu) with the name of the staff member you are nominating and a few sentences explaining why you think that person is deserving of the award.

APPRECIATING OUR GRAD STUDENTS

Our graduate and postdoctoral students play a very important role in our teaching and research mission. So, if you get a chance, please participate in the University’s observance of Graduate Student Appreciation Week today through Friday. From 7 to 8 p.m. this evening, for example, there will be a virtual fireside chat by University President Sarah Mangelsdorf, Vice Provost and University Dean Melissa Sturge-Apple, and Raven Osborn, a PhD candidate in translational biomedical sciences and president of the Alliance for Diversity in Science and Engineering (ADSE) chapter. Register here. Many of the other events this week are also virtual. Event information can be found on the GSAW Events Webpage.

SAVE THE DATE

The annual University Technology Showcase, to held virtually from 1-5 p.m. on April 29, is an opportunity for faculty and researchers in optics, imaging and photonics, data science, energy and materials, and biomedical technology to share their work with industry professionals. The showcase, hosted by the Center for Emerging & Innovative Sciences and the Center of Excellence in Data Science, will feature these guest speakers:

Derek Thompson, staff writer at The Atlantic: “The Future of the American City: Superstars, Supercommutes, and Super Convenience.”
Joe Stefko, president and CEO of ROC2025: “The Impact of the ‘Remote Work Revolution’ on economic development strategy.”
Jim Poore, CEO and cofounder, and Dave Horan, CTO, at Immersitech: “Immersive Communications, a Game Changer for Remote Work.”

Students and faculty alike are encouraged to participate in a poster session following the speakers. To present a poster virtually, send the poster title and a brief abstract to ceisweb@ur.rochester.edu

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman

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