August 7, 2023

Quazi Rushnan Islam is the University’s inaugural SPIE Graduate Fellow in Optical Sciences and Engineering. (University of Rochester / Knox Lab at the Institute of Optics)

Dear Members of the Hajim School Community,

One of our graduate students recently caught the eye of the optics community for her work both in the research lab and with science outreach and communication. SPIE published a wonderful profile of Quazi Rushnan Islam, who is the University’s inaugural SPIE Graduate Fellow in Optical Sciences and Engineering.

Rushnan has been conducting research with Professor Wayne Knox, where she studies femtosecond micromachining for vision correction applications. In addition to her research work, she serves as the secretary of the University of Rochester’s SPIE student chapter. In the profile, Rushnan beautifully summarized how being the first recipient of this important fellowship supports and motivates her:

“Being funded by an organization like SPIE, one that has been supporting optics research and outreach for so long, is just a win-win in every direction: it helps me stay grounded as I work on my PhD, and having that name behind me is telling people that this research is important,” she said.

We’re proud to have such well-rounded students that excel in the research lab, in the classroom, and in the community. Read the full profile on the SPIE website and if you are heading to SPIE Optics + Photonics in San Diego later this summer, make sure to catch Rushnan’s presentation.

THE NEXT GENERATION OF CANCER RESEARCHERS

Christina Kaszuba, a PhD student in our biomedical engineering program, studies leukemia’s microenvironment — the cells and molecules that support cancer development — in bone. (University of Rochester Medical Center / Jeff Witherow)

The most recent edition of the Wilmot Cancer Institute’s Dialogue publication hailed one of the Hajim School’s own among the next generation of cancer researchers. Christina Kaszuba, a PhD student in our biomedical engineering program, is part of a new pipeline of research trainees with fresh energy and a special interest in cancer.

Christina works between the labs of Jeevisha Bajaj, Ph.D., a Wilmot member and assistant professor of Biomedical Genetics, and Hani Awad, Ph.D., professor of Orthopaedics and Biomedical Engineering. She studies leukemia’s microenvironment — the cells and molecules that support cancer development — in bone.

We love to see our students taking advantage of our close ties with the Medical Center and tackling such important problems. Visit the URMC website to learn more about what Christina hopes to accomplish as an engineer and how she collaborates with her cohorts.

DANAE POLSIN RECOGNIZED BY HER ALMA MATER

Danae Polsin received the 2023 Outstanding Young Alum Award from the SUNY Geneseo Alumni Association. (University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics photo / Eugene Kowaluk)

A Hajim School faculty member received high praise from her alma mater for her work studying fusion.

Danae Polsin, a scientist in the High-Energy-Density Experimental Physics Group at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics and an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, received the 2023 Outstanding Young Alum Award from the SUNY Geneseo Alumni Association. This annual award recognizes SUNY Geneseo graduates who have achieved early distinction in a chosen profession.

Danae’s research focuses on the properties of condensed matter at extreme conditions using laser-driven ramp and shock compression and diagnosis with nanosecond in-situ x-ray diffraction and velocity interferometry. For more information about her background, research, and the award, go to the LLE website.

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman