May 1, 2023

University of Rochester researchers in imaging sciences and electrical and computer engineering have partnered to develop machine-learning ultrasound to detect malignant breast tissue. (Getty Images)

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

So much of the wonderful research our faculty and students are working on happens in collaboration with our colleagues at the Medical Campus. This week I wanted to share two recent projects that are the result of this partnership.

In one instance, Kevin Parker, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Jihye Baek, a PhD student in electrical and computer engineering, launched a research project incorporating ultrasound with machine learning for detecting breast cancer masses.

Mammography is the gold standard for breast cancer diagnosis, but it’s not always reliable. Parker and Baek collaborated with Avice O’Connell, a professor of imaging sciences at the Medical Center, to find an alternative.

Improving breast cancer screening and diagnosis is an active area of research locally and nationally. At the Medical Center and its Wilmot Cancer Institute, for example, a unique 3-D ultrasound system has been developed separately for patient care and continues to be evaluated.

The findings of this study were published last November in the journal Machine Learning: Science and Technology.

In another example of our many collaborative research efforts with the Medical Center, Eleni Patelaki, a biomedical engineering PhD student, worked with researchers at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience on a study that found brain performance improves in older adults when they combine a cognitive task with walking.

Researchers had the participants complete the same cognitive task while sitting and while walking. The 37 men and women, ages 62 to 79, scored similarly while sitting. When the same group repeated the test while walking, researchers found some individuals improved their cognitive performance.

Thank you both for your important work in these areas!

NEW INITIATIVE AIMS TO PROMOTE INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AT THE CENTER FOR VISUAL SCIENCE

Center for Visual Science faculty are eligible to apply for funding through a new initiative that aims to promote innovative pilot research and foster collaboration across different departments. The CVS Pilot Funds also aim to collect pilot data for future grant applications.

Applicants must have a strong track record of research productivity and provide evidence that no alternative funds are available for the project. Applications that extend an ongoing research program are not eligible.

Budget requests for up to $50,000 will be considered for a one-year period. A minimum of two pilot seed funds will be granted. Funds may not be used for faculty salary, teaching relief, or travel.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 2.

Learn more about the grant requirements and how to apply here.

EMBRACING THE DIGITAL FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE

Embracing the Digital Future of Healthcare is a one-day symposium on May 16 dedicated to the digital future of healthcare. The symposium will include keynote addresses, expert panels, oral and poster presentations, along with a student idea contest. Topics will include immersive technology such as augmented and virtual reality, the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, human-computer interactions, computer modeling, robotics, gaming, and more.

Attendees will learn about how these technologies are being deployed for disease prediction and prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, medical imaging, pain management, healthcare education and access, telehealth, wearables, wellness, and many other areas across the healthcare continuum.

The symposium will also include the Digital Future of Healthcare Idea Contest. This contest is specifically designed to promote and advance early-stage concepts that employ technology (especially digital) to improve any dimension of healthcare. All students are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is May 10.

Learn more about the event and register here.

INSTITUTE OF OPTICS HOLDS PHOTON CUP TITLE

The Institute of Optics earned its fifth victory in a row in the annual Photon Cup match with the physics department. Honors go to Professor Greg Schmidt, who scored on a coast-to-coast breakaway, and to Antony Georgiadis and Dustin Newman for organizing the event.

Photon Cup is an annual soccer game that the Society of Physics Students cohosts with Optica. It’s a rivalry that has been going on for a long time. Each organization puts together a team of players and competes for the title each year.

Have a great week!

Your dean,

Wendi Heinzelman