September 25, 2023

Susana Marcos stands in front of an optical bench covered with lasers and mirrors.

Susana Marcos, the David R. Williams Director of the Center for Visual Science and the Nicholas George Professor of Optics and of Ophthalmology, says the computational simulations developed by Rochester researchers provide surgeons with important guidance on the expected optical quality for LASIK patients after cataract surgery. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

While millions of people have undergone LASIK eye surgery since it became commercially available in 1989, patients sometimes develop cataracts later in life and require new corrective lenses to be implanted in their eyes. One of our Hajim scientists is developing computational simulations to help patients and surgeons see the best options for intraocular lenses.

Susana Marcos, the David R. Williams Director of the Center for Visual Science and the Nicholas George Professor of Optics and of Ophthalmology at Rochester, helped create computational models that use anatomical information of a patient’s eye to provide surgeons with important guidance on the expected optical quality post-operatively.

Marcos and her collaborators from the Center for Visual Science, as well as Rochester’s Flaum Eye Institute and Goergen Institute for Data Science, are conducting a larger study to quantify in three-dimensions the eye images using the optical coherence tomography quantification tools they’ve developed to find broader trends. They are using machine-learning algorithms to find relationships between pre- and post-operation data, providing parameters that can inform the best outcomes. Additionally, they have developed technology that can help patients see for themselves what different lens options will look like.

We’re proud to have researchers developing such transformative technologies. Read more about Susana’s work at the News Center.

FACULTY PROMOTIONS

Headshots of David Foster, Greg Gdowski, Stephen Roessner, and Laura Slane, and Nick Vamivakas from left to right.

Hajim School faculty who received promotions from left to right: David Foster, Greg Gdowski, Stephen Roessner, Laura Slane, and Nick Vamivakas.

I am happy to announce that the following Hajim School faculty have received promotions:

David Foster, associate professor (instruction) of chemical engineering, promoted to professor (instruction) of chemical engineering
Greg Gdowski, associate professor (instruction) of biomedical engineering, promoted to professor (instruction) of biomedical engineering.
Stephen Roessner, senior lecturer of electrical and computer engineering and audio and music engineering, promoted to assistant professor (instruction) of electrical and computer engineering and audio and music engineering.
Laura Slane, assistant professor (instruction) of mechanical engineering, promoted to associate professor (instruction) of mechanical engineering.

Additionally, Anthony (Nick) Vamivakas, Professor of Optics and Dean of the Office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs for Arts, Sciences and Engineering, has been appointed as the Marie C. Wilson and Joseph C. Wilson Professor of Optical Physics.

Please join me in congratulating these faculty whose hard work has paid off and have reached important new milestones in their professional careers.

ABBY ZABRODSKY GIVES HER ALL TO HER FAMILY, WORKPLACE, AND ALMA MATER

Abby Zabrodsky stands in front of a leafy background

Abby Zabrodsky ’14 (chemical engineering), ’19S (MBA)

An alumna with deep connections to the Hajim School is applying her engineering background and business acumen as director of business development for her family’s company, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Inc. In a Q&A on the Alumni website, Abby Zabrodsky ’14 (chemical engineering), ’19S (MBA) discussed how her Rochester education prepared her for the new role and discussed the importance of giving back to her alma mater.

Since the Women’s Network launch in 2020, Abby has been the co-chair of its personal and professional development committee. She’s also a member of the University’s Alumni Board; a mentor within The Meliora Collective; a Reunion volunteer; a member of the George Eastman Circle, the University’s leadership annual giving society; a champion for Rochester Athletics; and a former member of the Young Alumni Council. In 2022, she and her father jointly earned the University’s John N. Wilder Award for their commitment to the University and in 2022, she was given the Department of Chemical Engineering’s Young Alumni Award.

I strongly encourage undergraduate and graduate students to register for the Meliora Collective to connect with terrific mentors such as Abby.

GRAND CHALLENGES SCHOLARS SPOTLIGHT: HESHAM ELSHAFEY

Hesham Elshafey sits on the floor of a tool shop and uses a screwdriver to adjust a small submarine.

Hesham Elshafey ’25, pictured here working on the MATE ROV, will speak at an information session about the Grand Challenges Scholars Program from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27 in the iZone.

As a reminder, the Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) will host an info session from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27 in the iZone. Emma Derisi, director of GCSP, will do a brief presentation on the program, and three current GCSP students will discuss their projects. One of those students is Hesham Elshafey ’25, an electrical and computer engineering student whose project seeks to engineer the tools for scientific discovery.

As the MATE ROV project leader in the UR Robotics Club, Hesham is developing an unmanned submarine equipped with multiple sensory and motional modules. The submarine is designed to perform underwater tasks ranging from exploration to active search and rescue missions with a fraction of resources and risks compared with manned vehicles. Hesham and his team will compete with teams from all over the globe in the MATE ROV world championship this year. Good luck Hesham and team!

Come learn about the GCSP this Wednesday and learn how you can be part of it.

RAIYAN ABDUL BATEN EARNS OUTSTANDING PHD DISSERTATION AWARD FROM THE AAAC

Raiyan Abdul Baten (left) sits on a couch with another member of Ehsan Hoque's research lab.

Raiyan Abdul Baten ’18 MS (electrical and computer engineering), ’22 PhD (computer science), left, won the Outstanding Ph.D. Dissertation Award by the Association for the Advancement of Affective Computing (AAAC). (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

Congratulations to Raiyan Abdul Baten ’18 MS (electrical and computer engineering), ’22 PhD (computer science), who was recognized by the top professional association for researchers in affective computing. Raiyan won the Outstanding Ph.D. Dissertation Award by the Association for the Advancement of Affective Computing (AAAC), announced at the Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction conference at MIT.

Raiyan’s thesis, titled “Understanding, Modeling & Elevating Creative Performances in Self-organizing Networks,” bridges computer science, computational social science, social psychology, and cognitive science through affective computing. His advisor is Associate Professor Ehsan Hoque and his committee members included Professor Gourab Ghoshal, Associate Professor Gonzalo Mateos, and Wilson Professor of Electronic Imaging Marvin Doyley.

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman