February 28, 2022

Kelsey Lee, at left, and Savannah Schisler.

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

The events in Russia and the Ukraine are directly affecting the families and loved ones of many of our international students and scholars. Many of the rest of us are troubled by the outbreak of the conflict. Please take advantage of the support available at our University.

For example, from noon to 1 p.m. today, the University Counseling Center will host a Drop-In Support Group designed to address crises abroad. You are welcome to join the group via Zoom using ID: 95561528355.

Other resources include the International Services Office, CARE Network, Interfaith Chapel, Mindful University Project, Basic Needs Hub, and Bias-Related Incident Reporting.

OUTSTANDING STUDENTS

Congratulations to two of our undergraduates.

Kelsey Lee ’23 is pursuing one of the hardest degree combinations imaginable–and is excelling in both. The Eastman dual degree program student, majoring in piano performance and optical engineering, was recently named recipient of a prestigious Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award, given to students who show a high level of academic and musical accomplishment and embody the qualities of leadership and citizenship.

Our University is unique in having internationally recognized programs of both music and optics. Kelsey is making the most of this opportunity to pursue her passion for music and explore an exciting way to apply her love for physics and mathematics. She’s studying piano with Marina Lomazov, an Eastman School professor whose charismatic performances have won critical acclaim. Kelsey recently began working in the lab of Jaime Cardenas, assistant professor of optics, with PhD student Xiaotong He, on a project that involves applying electrical signals to micro ring resonators to change the frequency of light after it is emitted by a laser.

Though she foresees a career in optics, piano will remain an important part of her life, Kelsey says. Learn more.

Savannah Schisler ’22 had only recently transferred here from the University of California, Davis when COVID-19 hit. Acclimating to a new university is hard enough for transfer students without having to “lock down, stop socializing, go inside, go online, and find new ways to be successful while staying safe,” says Kyle Orton, assistant dean of students. And yet, Savannah took COVID in stride, was a great role model, and as a result received our University’s Transfer Student Award for 2020-21.

Now the dual mechanical engineering and physics & astronomy major has started a new student organization specifically aimed at creating a community for transfer students. The goal is to “ease their transition to their new campus and help them make friends, learn about clubs and activities, and explore Rochester,” Savannah says. The next meetings of the Transfer Student Organization will be at 4 p.m. March 26, April 9, and April 23 in Genesee 309.

Savannah, a first-generation college student, has made the most of her opportunities at our University as well, participating in women’s varsity field hockey, working in the lab of Jessica Shang, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and interning last summer with Spirit Aerosystems, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial and military aircraft. Savannah used root cause corrective action analysis while working with a team studying the challenges involved in using composite materials to create the radome of a commercial airline model. She now plans to pursue a PhD in mechanical engineering. Learn more.