October 3, 2022

These are two Hubble space telescope images of the “Pillars of Creation” in the Eagle Nebula. The left image captures a visible light view, showing an opaque cloud of gas and dust. On the right, near-infrared light penetrates much of the gas and dust, revealing stars behind the nebula and hidden away inside the pillars. (Images courtesy of NASA, ESA, Hubble Heritage Project.)

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

Last week we reported on the exciting work on oceanic currents being done by the lab of Hussein Aluie, associate professor of mechanical engineering. Hussein’s lab is also addressing an important question in high energy density physics: To what extent do plasmas undergoing instabilities generate magnetic fields, and how do those magnetic fields further influence the plasma instabilities?

The famous Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula—a star nursery—are believed to result from the hydrodynamic instabilities that form when plasmas are exposed to high intensity light from neighboring stars. Something very similar occurs—at a minute scale—when materials are imploded by converging laser beams during high-energy-density physics and fusion experiments at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics. “Based on previous research that we and others have done, and hope to develop in more depth, we know that these magnetic fields, even if they are initially small in strength, grow quickly,” Hussein says.

With funding from a $390,000 National Science Foundation grant, Hussein will address this mystery with co-PI Riccardo Betti, LLE’s chief scientist and Robert L. McCrory Professor, and Fernando Garcia-Rubio, assistant scientist at the LLE and in Aluie’s Turbulence and Complex Flow Group, using both theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. Learn more.

CONGRATULATIONS TO . . .

Left to right, Nick Vamivakas, AS&E dean of graduate education and postdoctoral affairs; Parinaz Esbah, postdoctoral associate in chemical engineering; and Stephen Steadman ’64.

Parinaz Esbah, a postdoctoral associate in chemical engineering, won the Award for Interdisciplinary Research at the recent Steadman Family Postdoctoral  Associate Prize in Interdisciplinary Research competition— exactly one year to the day after receiving her doctorate in engineering physics from Ghent University in Belgium. Parinaz, who works with Wyatt Tenhaeff’s research group, was recognized for research that represents a unique and impactful synthesis of theory/experiment and methodology from multiple disciplines of study. Her presentation was entitled “Surface science and its application to biomedical and optical coatings.” Parinaz was among five finalists who gave three-minute oral presentations to a panel of judges, who weighed not only the scientific merits of the presentations, but the ability to communicate to a general audience.

iGEM LOOKING FOR STUDENTS

Amanda Adams ’22, Anca Frasineanu ’22, and Tiana Salomon ’22 are among recent Hajim students and Grand Challenges Scholars who have been members of the iGEM team.

During the past three years, several Hajim School undergraduates and students in our Grand Challenges Scholars (GCS) program have received invaluable experience participating on the University’s world champion International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) team. Each year the team brainstorms, plans, and executes a scientific project, for example a novel test to diagnose endometriosis, or a novel device to detect sepsis from biomarkers in a person’s sweat. Several of our GCS students were able to demonstrate all or most of the competencies required to qualify as scholars by participating in iGEM. Team advisor Anne Meyer, associate professor of biology, is recruiting students to participate next summer. I urge interested students to attend an informational session at 12:30 p.m., this Thursday, Oct. 6, in 473 Hutchison Hall, or email Anne at anne@annemeyerlab.org.

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR e5 PROGRAM

Calling all innovators and change makers: the e5 program is currently accepting applications. A partnership between the Ain Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the College Center for Advising Services, the e5 program is a unique opportunity for qualified undergraduate students to use a fifth, tuition-free year to pursue or launch an entrepreneurial project that is either social or economic in nature. Applications for this semester are due Tuesday, November 1. For more information on the program and how to apply visit the Ain Center’s webpage. Email e5program@rochester.edu with questions.

PUMPPRIMER II

AS&E’s intramural seed funding program is designed to stimulate extramural funding for projects otherwise difficult to launch. It supports innovative pilot research to help faculty establish a novel research direction. Up to $50,000 for one year will be provided. Cost sharing with departments is encouraged. The deadline to apply is October 25. Learn more about the application process and submit an application here.

ALUMNAE NEWS

Congratulations to Institute of Optics alumna Donna Strickland ’89 (PhD), professor of physics at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, who is part of five-member team of researchers honored with this year’s Golden Goose Award. The team was honored for breakthrough discoveries that led to the use of high-intensity lasers in corrective eye surgery and the invention of LASIK. Donna was co-recipient of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics for her work with Gérard Mourou, her doctoral supervisor at the time, who is also included in this award. They developed “chirped pulse amplification,” a technique that ultimately opened the door to new medical, scientific, and commercial applications, including LASIK. Learn more.

Congratulations as well to Abigail Zabrodsky ’14 ’19 (MBA) who received the Department of Chemical Engineering’s 2022 Young Alumni Award during Meliora Weekend. Abby, who manages a new global equipment and product platform for Rich Products, a global food manufacturer in Buffalo, supports our University as a passionate volunteer. She is a member of the Alumni Board, a co-chair of the global Women’s Network personal and professional development committee, a co-chair of the 2022 Volunteers in Partnership Conference, a mentor in the Meliora Collective mentoring program, a reunion volunteer, and a member of the George Eastman Circle.  Abby and her father, John Zabrodsky ’82, chemical engineering, are also recipients of the University’s 2022 John N. Wilder Award. Abby also received a 2022 Gwennie Award for Alumni Partnership from the Gwen M. Greene Career Center. This is an extraordinary record of service!

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman