February 27, 2023

Sammy Potter ’25, seated, “jumped at the opportunity” to join the Rochester Human-Computer Interaction lab, co-led by Ehsan Hoque and Zhen Bai, during his first year. He is shown here with Masum Hasan, a PhD student in the lab. (Photo by J. Adam Fenster/University of Rochester)

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

Sammy Potter ’25 didn’t think he would get a chance to work in a research lab for at least a couple of years. Then, during his first year at our University, he met Masum Hasan through the Google Developer Student Club. Masum, a PhD student, was looking for someone with experience in 3D technology to help him with a project in the Rochester Human-Computer Interaction lab. “I jumped at the opportunity,” Sammy says.

Since then, “I’ve had a great experience as an undergraduate hire,” he adds. “ROC HCI is a very friendly community, and I feel respected and that I have an equal voice.” The lab also helped Sammy see new possibilities, giving him exposure to “a new field that I might not have considered otherwise.”

The lab is co-led by computer science faculty members Ehsan Hoque and Zhen Bai, who place a high priority on recruiting a diverse group of undergraduates, starting as early as their first year. Learn more from current and former students about what they’ve learned in the lab and how they’ve applied those lessons in the workplace.

CONGRATULATIONS

Robert Boyd, professor of optics and physics, has received the 2023 Frederic Ives Medal/Jarus W. Quinn Prize, the highest award bestowed by Optica (formerly OSA).

Bob is being recognized for pioneering contributions to nonlinear optics, including slow light, quantum imaging, and the development of nanocomposite optical materials and metamaterials. In the field of slow light, for example, he showed that by properly preparing a nonlinear medium, light could be slowed to walking speed, could seem to exit before it entered a medium, or could even appear to move backwards in time.  He succeeded in mechanically coupling light to a rotating medium, thus demonstrating the transfer of angular momentum between the two.

Bob is the author of Nonlinear Optics and has published more than 500 research papers, has been awarded nine US patents, and has supervised the PhD theses of 33 students. Learn more here about the achievements that have made Bob an internationally renowned leader in his field.

UNDERGRAD RESEARCH EXPO

The 2023 Undergraduate Research Exposition application window is now open. Students looking to present their research in a fun, University-wide setting are encouraged to apply by March 15. All research done at Rochester, at another institution, over the summer, or during the academic year is welcome at the expo, which takes place Friday, April 14. All students, faculty, staff, family, and friends are welcome to attend.

The Schwartz Discover Grant application for summer research funding is also open. If you are a current undergraduate student who will be returning in the fall semester, and you are planning to do unpaid research this summer under a University supervisor, you may apply for the Schwartz Discover Grant for summer undergraduate research funding of up to $5,000. The application deadline is March 31.

Contact the Office of Undergraduate Research with questions.

BIG DATA BOWL

MEET A GRAND CHALLENGES SCHOLAR

Linnea Wegge ’23 of chemical engineering will be at the iZone from 1 to 3 p.m. tomorrow discussing her Grand Challenges Scholars Program project on providing access to clean water, especially her senior design project focusing on separating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from landfill leachate.

The GCSP invites undergraduates to pick one of 14 “grand challenges” of the 21st century, identified by the National Academy of Engineering. Students then tailor their academic experiences to address the challenge they’ve chosen, engaging in five key competencies: research, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary studies, global experience, and service.

REMINDER: ART OF SCIENCE

Currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to enter submissions through March 19 for the annual Art of Science Competition. You can use this online form to submit photographs, illustrations, visualizations, renderings, or posters showing an artistic representation of science, technology, engineering, math, and sustainability themes. Creativity and uniqueness are favored in the judging, as well as the ability of artists to convey the meaning of their work in terms understandable to a general audience.

Entries should be high-resolution jpegs (300 dpi, at least 3,000 pixels wide on the longest edge). Cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250 will be awarded to winning student entries. All entries will be eligible for a People’s Choice Award of $250. For inquiries, contact Michelle Dunn and the Art of Science team at artofsciencecontest@gmail.com.

Check out last year’s winning entries.

ALUMNA UPDATE

Chemical engineering alumna Amanda Tatem ’20 is a great example of a student who made the most of her opportunities at our University. Now she’s a chemical engineer on Eastern Research Group’s facilities and process engineering team, analyzing operations, systems and equipment used by federal clients including the Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Two of her student experiences in particular were pivotal. A research project with David Foster, associate professor of chemical engineering, taught her “how to use simulation software to model fuel cells, which I really enjoyed. That experience showed me how much I enjoy engineering and wanted to continue pursuing technical work,” Amanda says. The second pivotal experience was her internship the summer after her junior year, with Booz Allen Hamilton, a consultancy in Washington, DC. “Both experiences pointed me in this career direction, toward a job where I can practically apply engineering skills while working with a range of clients, projects, and people.”

Learn more about her experiences at the University, and how she’s remained connected through the Young Alumni Council and the Washington, DC, regional network.

GLOBAL PHOTO COMPETITION

The 2023 Global Photo Contest is now open. Any student who studied abroad between fall 2021 and fall 2022 is eligible to submit up to three photos between five different categories. International students can also partake in this contest by submitting photos to the International Student Photo Contest portion. The deadline for submissions is March 5. Find more details online.

STUDY ABROAD DEADLINE

The deadline is March 1 for students to apply for education abroad programs for summer 2023 and fall 2023. If you have any questions, email the Center for Education Abroad or check their website for additional information.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER RETIRING

I would like to give a special thanks to Bob Marcotte, who retires tomorrow after 11 years as the Hajim School’s communications officer. We are grateful for all he has done to highlight our students, faculty, staff members, and alumni. In addition to documenting research milestones and key initiatives in this newsletter each week, he has helped share our stories with the world. Please join me in wishing Bob a very happy and rewarding retirement!

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman