May 22, 2023
A new National Science Foundation planning grant project aims to lay the groundwork for establishing an innovation and economic hub built around the Science, Technology, and Engineering of Lasers and Laser Applications Research (STELLAR) in the Rochester region. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)
Dear Members of the Hajim School Community,
Summer has begun at the University of Rochester and although most students are gone until the fall, our progress on the research front never ceases. Recently, the National Science Foundation announced that it awarded us a $1 million Regional Innovation Engines Development Award grant to begin developing the next generation of lasers.
Leading the effort will be Thomas Brown, the director of the Institute of Optics, and Jonathan Zuegel, a professor of optics and a distinguished scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics.
This planning grant project, NSF Engines Development Award: Advancing laser technologies in the Rochester region (NY), will bring together a variety of institutional, industrial, and business partners to lay the groundwork for establishing an innovation and economic hub built around the Science, Technology, and Engineering of Lasers and Laser Applications Research (STELLAR).
To learn more about this exciting new initiative, go to the Rochester News Center and visit the Institute of Optics website.
LEVERAGING COMPUTING AND COGNITION TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE
In a fascinating piece for the National Academies of Engineering (NAE), two Hajim School researchers explore the potential for using computing to help promote eco-friendly lifestyles. Computer science PhD student Adiba Proma and Associate Professor Ehsan Hoque authored an invited paper for NAE Perspectives along with Robert Wachter, the Holly Smith Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at University of California, San Francisco.
The researchers suggest that we can help people reduce their carbon footprint by using the same design principles behind apps to inspire people to exercise, eat healthily, and sleep well. By altering three habits—consuming a more plant-based diet, opting to walk or bike instead of driving occasionally, and washing clothes with cold water—we can decrease our annual carbon footprint by 6.1%.
Learn more by reading the full article at the NAE website.
ROCHESTER BEACON EVENT EXAMINING THE ‘AI DILEMMA’
When OpenAI released GPT-4 in March, thousands of scientists called for a pause on giant artificial intelligence experiments and raised questions about the benefits of AI and the role it should play in our society. A faculty member from the Hajim School’s Department of Computer Science will grapple with these questions and more during an event hosted by the Rochester Beacon.
Associate Professor Christopher Kanan, a member of the scientific advisory board of Paige.AI, is one of three panelists invited to participate in a virtual event: “The AI Dilemma: Risks, Rewards, & Regulation.” The event is slated for noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23 live on Zoom. It is free to attend, but registration is required. Register at the Rochester Beacon website.
Chris also served as a panelist for MarketScale’s “The Industry Roundtable: The Role of AI in Media & Entertainment.” Thanks to Chris for providing thought leadership on this rapidly evolving topic.
WITMER AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Jim Alkins, manager of the Fabrication Shop in Rettner Hall, providing training on a milling machine. Alkins received the 2023 Witmer Award for Distinguished Service. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)
The University recognized one of our beloved staff members for his knowledge, mentorship, and ability to get things done. Jim Alkins, senior laboratory engineer and manager of the Fabrication Shop in Rettner Hall, received the 2023 Witmer Award for Distinguished Service.
The Witmer Award is presented to staff members whose careers have been characterized by outstanding and sustained contributions to the University. Jim has mentored hundreds of students in all skill levels through the classes he teaches and by mentoring and helping student organizations such as Solar Splash, UR Makers, the Robotics Club, and Baja SAE.
Jim and the other President’s Staff Award winners will be honored at a June 7 reception in Helen Wood Hall. Learn more.
STUDENT AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to our Hajim School students and recent alumni who secured merit-based national awards during the 2022-2023 academic year. The awards are based on academic success, research endeavors, and community contributions through leadership and service and will send students and alumni across the globe.
- Danielle Getz ’23 (chemical engineering) received a Fulbright U.S. Student Grant to head to the University of Copenhagen’s Center for High Entropy Alloy Catalysts in Denmark. She’ll pursue graduate coursework in chemistry and research on high-entropy alloy catalysts to investigate renewable chemical production pathways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
- Anand Idris ’23 (optics), from Queens, New York, earned a Fulbright U.S. Student Grant to travel to Taiwan for an English Teaching Assistantship.
- Three students were honored by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, which supports outstanding students who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at US institutions. The federally funded program provides up to three years of graduate study support. They include Eloise Fadial, a graduate student in biomedical engineering, Abbey Kampel ’23 (biomedical engineering), and Isabelle Linares, a graduate student in biomedical engineering. Four Hajim School alumni were also chosen: Jonathan Musgrave ’21 (optics); Spencer Ressel ’20 (mechanical engineering); Helena Schreder ’22 (mechanical engineering); and Anna Weldy ’20 (chemical engineering).
- Jiarui Chen ’23, a data science major from Jiangyin, China, has been named the 2023 Student Employee of the Year for Technology and Innovation by the National Student Employment Association.
View the full list.
UR BAJA SAE SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE
The UR Baja SAE team wrapped up their season with a great weekend in Oshkosh, Wisconsin during the first weekend in May. They overcame many obstacles to get on the track, from frame modifications requiring fabrication and welding to sheet metal work to failed brake parts. The team placed 14th in acceleration and 8th in sled pull out of 80 registered teams. The team was looking strong and fast in the endurance race until drivetrain issues ended their day.
According to the team’s advisor, Professor Christopher Muir, “They worked as an effective team over the weekend and even though this race was cut short, it was a great experience in problem solving and effective teamwork. They worked collaboratively with several other universities as well. They are energized for the coming year.”
Check out the @meliorabaja and @ur_bajasae Instagram accounts for more photos and videos from the team.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY
Lastly, I want to wish you all a happy Memorial Day. The University will be closed to commemorate the federal holiday, which is for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the armed forces. As a result, there will be no edition of Hajim Highlights next week and the next edition will be on June 5.
Have a great holiday!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
