July 6, 2021

Views from the University’s Central Utilities Plant, which houses five steam boilers and four steam driven chillers. The plant supplies the University with ½ of the thermal heating and ⅓ of the electricity across the River and Medical Center Campuses. Learn more in this StoryMap project by recent chemical engineering graduates Harshita Mahaseth and Connor Pope.

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

The University’s generation, use, and management of energy encompasses electricity, steam, hot water, and a new array of solar panels atop Goergen Athletic Center. Back in January, the Utilities and Energy Management (UEM) Office of UR facilities offered to give our students and faculty access to study this complex system.

And now we have a nice example of the opportunities for research and scholarship this presents. Recent chemical engineering graduates Harshita Mahaseth and Connor Pope–working with Energy Engineer Tim Vann, UEM Director Mike Whitmore, and Karen Berger, associate professor of earth and environmental sciences––produced a StoryMap on the history of the University’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Their report offers a detailed but easily understandable narrative about the University’s sustainability efforts, illustrated with old maps, photos, and even film footage. Be sure to drag the arrows on the interactive photo near the bottom of the report, showing how the Medical Campus and the Central Utility Plant looked in 1936 compared to now. It’s a real eye-opener!

I encourage our students and faculty to take full advantage of the opportunity to work with UEM. As I mentioned in January, research in energy generation and management involves critical engineering and computer science skills. Our Grand Challenges Scholars will find ample opportunities here to address issues of sustainable energy. I also hope this can generate ideas for senior design and independent study projects. Students can review a manual of projects and how to participate. If interested, contact Mike Whitmore, UEM director, or talk to your department’s UEM contact listed in the manual.

AN EXCITING NEW REU

National Science Foundation REU (research experiences for undergraduates) programs are a great way to bring students from other universities to our campus to do hands-on research with our faculty members and graduate students—and perhaps entice them to return here for their own graduate studies. Congratulations to PI Marvin Doyley, professor and chair of electrical and computer engineering, and co-PI Jiebo Luo, professor of computer science, who recently received NSF approval for a 3-year REU program, starting next summer. It is specifically focused on “Imaging in Medicine and Biology for Underrepresented Minorities.” I am excited about this REU because it:

Highlights a signature area of research strength at our University and will be able to draw mentors from the Rochester Center for Biomedical Ultrasound, the Institute of Optics, the Goergen Institute for Data Science, and the Del Monte Institute of Neuroscience.
Demonstrates the unique research collaborations that are possible here because of the close proximity of our Medical Center to the River Campus.
Helps address a key priority of our school and University, to create a more diverse student body and learning environment, particularly in STEM fields.

And what an exciting area for students to explore! Centered around research in three key areas of ultrasonic imaging, computational imaging, and optical imaging, the program will also include a MATLAB programming boot camp that teaches students image processing techniques. The REU will also help students develop critical skills needed to be successful in STEM graduate education, such as Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) preparation, time management, and oral and written presentation skills. Stay tuned for more details.

CONGRATULATIONS TO . . .

Ranga Dias, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, whose achievements in creating room-temperature superconducting material have been recognized in the Congressional Record. A statement entered by US Representative Joseph Morelle of our local delegation cites Ranga’s inclusion on the 2021 Time 100 NEXT list highlighting 100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future and also his recently awarded National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award. The statement notes that Ranga’s research “is a paradigm shift” that has the potential to “literally transform our world.” I am delighted Ranga is receiving this well-deserved recognition!
Mujdat Cetin, professor of electrical and computer engineering and the Robin and Tim Wentworth Director of the Goergen Institute for Data Science, who has been appointed as the next editor-in-chief of the journal IEEE Transactions on Computational Imaging. He will serve in this role for three years starting on January 1, 2022. The journal publishes articles where computation plays an integral role in the image formation process. This is a wonderful recognition for Mujdat from his colleagues.
Madison Lang ’22 of biomedical engineering, who has been awarded a 2021 Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) award, known as an “Astronaut Scholarship.” These scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduate students in STEM majors. In addition to high academic achievement, recipients must demonstrate passion and talent for scientific work along with a strong commitment to pursue research or technological advancements in their field following graduation. Madison plans to attend graduate school for biomedical engineering. Her interests in the field include orthopedics, rehabilitation, and medical devices and technology. As a member of the University’s chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society, she has helped mentor fellow biomedical engineering students. Since last summer, Melissa has been conducting research in professor Amy Lerner’s computational biomechanics lab, where she is currently working full time. Well done, Madison! Read more.

IN MEMORIAM

Our condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Don Brady ’55, a member of our Dean’s Advisory Committee and recipient of our Distinguished Alumnus Award, who passed away recently in Greensboro, NC. Don and his wife Mary Gay supported the Psi Upsilon Fund, established the Don and Mary Gay Brady Scholarship Fund, and were George Eastman Circle members. They have also been active supporters of philanthropies in Greensboro. We will miss Don’s support and service, and his passion for education and our Hajim School. Read more about his many contributions.

Our belated condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Charles Merriam III, former chair and professor of electrical engineering and fellow of IEEE, who passed away last August at age 89 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Webster. Chuck, who chaired the department for more than a decade, was “famous for his demanding teaching style” and “was beloved by colleagues and students alike for his devotion to excellence in education and teaching.” He served on a number of University committees and wrote several engineering textbooks. I personally remember his warm welcome when I joined the ECE department just before he retired. Read more.

OPTICS SUMMER SCHOOL

The Institute of Optics 60^th Annual Summer Short Course Series last month attracted more than 300 participants–a record. The participants, from 41 companies–including Amazon, Facebook, and Microsoft–remotely attended courses in Fundamental Concepts, Applied Concepts, Optical System Design, Modern Optical Engineering, Integrated Photonics Circuits, Computational Imaging, Opto-Mechanical Analysis, and Petawatt Laser Systems.

Thanks to lecturers Jim Zavislan, Nick Vamivakas, Govind Agrawal, Will Renninger, Julie Bentley, Gary Wicks, Jennifer Hunter, Josh Cobb, Jennifer Kruschwitz, Ben Miller, and Jaime Cardenas from The Institute; Leon Waxer and Seung-Whan Bahk from the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, plus six industry experts. These dedicated individuals are critical to the success of the program. Well done all around! Summer Schools have been an important, mutually beneficial opportunity for The Institute to remain connected with companies and its alumni.

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman

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