January 16, 2023

Left to right: Stephen McAleavey, Marvin Doyley, and Diane Dalecki.

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

I am pleased to announce that Stephen McAleavey ’02 (PhD) is our new chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, taking over the helm from Diane Dalecki. Steve, who earned his PhD here in electrical and computer engineering, joined the department in 2004 and is an associate professor with an appointment in electrical and computer engineering as well. His research involves developing novel, clinically applicable ultrasound imaging techniques, particularly motion-tracking techniques to enhance the contrast of ultrasound images.

I am excited to have Steve taking on this role, and I am confident he will be a fantastic new leader for BME in the years ahead!

I am grateful to Diane, who graciously extended her productive six-year term as chair of BME another six months until Steve could take over. See this past issue of Hajim Highlights for more on Diane’s outstanding contributions as chair.

I am also pleased that Marvin Doyley has agreed to remain as chair of electrical and computer engineering for another term. Marvin, the Wilson Professor of Electronic Imaging, has done an outstanding job. Under his leadership, the department has set a model in seeking a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. Marvin also spearheaded an exciting new research experience for undergraduates (REU) program, now in its second year, for underrepresented minority students in computational, optical, and ultrasonic imaging (see Opportunities for Students below).

OPTICS, PHOTONICS TAKE GLOBAL STAGE

The SPIE Photonics West conference starting January 28 in San Francisco brings together researchers and companies from around the globe for one of the premiere networking events in the field.

It will be a great opportunity for several of our faculty, students, and alumni to showcase their research and technical expertise. Representatives of the Rochester area optics and photonics community will describe their participation in an exciting optics workforce initiative.

The conference will include:

• 36 research presentations involving 24 Hajim School faculty members (optics, biomedical, mechanical, chemical, and electrical and computer engineering), 33 Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) scientists and engineers, 20 graduate students, and three undergraduate students. Search for “Rochester” here to learn more about the projects.
• A special presentation on advancing high power laser education at the LLE and the Institute of Optics.
• Exhibits by 17 Rochester optics companies.
• Three courses by Institute professor Julie Bentley and one each by Institute alumnae Alexis Vogt ’08 (PhD) and Jessica DeGroote Nelson ’07 (PhD), adjunct assistant professor, on topics ranging from optical system design to fundamentals of optical engineering.

Also, the Institute of Optics invites you to join alumni, friends, and members of its Industrial Associates Program for a reception and program from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, January 29 at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. The program, part of the Huang Speaker Series in Technology and Innovation, will feature Institute Director Thomas Brown and Institute alumnus and former faculty member Turan Erdogan ’92 (PhD), currently president of Plymouth Grating Labs. Pre-register here by Wednesday, January 25.

OUTSTANDING HAJIM ATHLETES

Left to right, top to bottom: Kol Bassuk, Karina Bridger, Claire Grover, Kara Houston, Natalie Kocsis, Santino Lupica-Tondo, and Scott Sikorski.

Several of our Hajim School student athletes were recognized for excellence on the field and in the classroom during the fall semester.

Women soccer teammates Claire Grover ’24 of mechanical engineering and Natalie Kocsis ’25 of computer science received Academic All-District Honors from the College Sports Communicators. Learn more.

Karina Bridger ’23 of biomedical engineering, an attacker for the field hockey team, was named a Division III First-Team All-American by both Synapse Sports and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. She was also named the NFHCA Region III Player of the Year and the Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year. Teammate Kara Houston ’26 of chemical engineering, a keeper, earned All-Rookie team honors from Synapse. Learn more.

Kol Bassuk ’26 of optics, a defender, and goalkeeper Santino Lupica-Tondo ’24 of mechanical engineering, members of the men’s soccer team, were selected for the 2022 University Athletic Association All-Association team. Kol also became just the third first-year player in team history to be named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team. Learn more.

Scott Sikorski ’23 of computer science, a member of the men’s cross country team, captured All-America accolades with a 21st place finish among 294 runners on a snow-covered course at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. Learn more.

EXPLORE THE METAVERSE

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to join a casual reading group this semester to discuss the metaverse and try out virtual reality experiences together in Studio X. Participants will read The Metaverse Handbook to gain familiarity with the concept; Studio X’s collection of headsets will be used try out metaverse experiences. Funds have been made available through the Humanities Center to purchase the handbook for participants.

The group will meet biweekly from 12-1 p.m. on Fridays beginning February 3. If you are interested in joining, fill out this short form and Kate Phillips, associate professor of writing, speaking and argument, will be in touch with further details.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

Two of our National Science Foundation research experience for undergraduates (REU) programs are accepting applications for this summer.

Computational Methods for Understanding Music, Media, and Minds, offered through the Goergen Institute for Data Science, brings students from other universities to our campus to work on projects in exciting, interdisciplinary research areas that combine machine learning, music theory, and cognitive science. The deadline to apply is January 29. Learn more.

The Imaging in Medicine and Biology for Underrepresented Minorities REU provides interdisciplinary research opportunities in computational imaging, optical imaging, and ultrasonic imaging science with mentors in disciplines ranging from engineering to computer science to neuroscience to microbiology. Apply using the NSF ETAP common application portal through March 1, 2023.

Also, the tenth annual America’s Got Regulatory Science Talent student competition, scheduled for March 1, is now accepting applications. Organized by the University’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the competition promotes student interest in regulatory science. Members of the winning team will meet with the FDA to present their ideas. Students are welcome to submit a 50-word entry and provide a five-minute presentation during the competition. The proposed solution should align with the FDA Focus Areas of Regulatory Science. Visit the UR CTSI website to learn more. Entry forms are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, February 1. 

LEARN ABOUT TEAM MS PROGRAM

The master’s degree in technical entrepreneurship and management (TEAM) is designed for students with an engineering, science, or mathematics undergraduate degree, who wish to pursue a master’s level technical education in combination with business and leadership courses. This multidisciplinary engineering management degree, offered jointly by the Simon Business School and the Hajim School, is administered by the Ain Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Learn more, as well as how to get an application waiver, at these information sessions this week:

• Wednesday, January 18 at 10 a.m. EST
• Friday, January 20 at 4 p.m. EST

MEET GITANJALI RAO

Gitanjali Rao is a remarkable young person you will definitely want to hear in person—or by Zoom—when she gives a Neilly Lecture from 6-8 p.m. next Monday, January 23, in the Hawkins-Carlson Room at Rush-Rhees Library. The 17-year-old will discuss her book, A Young Innovator’s Guide to STEM, which gives students and educators a step-by-step process for identifying problems and developing solutions to modern challenges that old tools and techniques won’t address.

Gitanjali has won international acclaim as an inventor, author, scientist and engineer, and STEM promoter and social activist. Her innovations and the STEM workshops she conducts globally have garnered her awards including Forbes “30 under 30 in Science,” TIME’S “Top Young Innovator” and “Kid of the Year,” and an EPA Presidential Award. Learn more and register here.

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman