November 13, 2023

(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

With artificial intelligence-powered audio generation making it increasingly hard to distinguish between real and fake audio, an electrical and computer engineering PhD student is working to develop tools to protect against scammers. You “Neil” Zhang of the Audio Information Research (AIR) Lab received a competitive National Institute of Justice graduate research fellowship to develop new audio deepfake detection systems.

“Audio deepfake techniques are getting more and more advanced these days,” he says. “People are developing new text-to-speech and voice-conversion techniques that criminals might take advantage of to threaten the security of more of our systems. We need to develop more advanced detection systems to keep up.”

Under the guidance of Zhiyao Duan, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and of computer science, Neil will target the problem from three different angles. Read more about Neil’s fascinating research.

ARMY VETERAN FINDS A WINDING PATH TO THE HAJIM SCHOOL

(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)

Last Saturday marked Veterans Day, an important reminder to recognize those in our community who have served in the US military and to acknowledge their contributions to the University. Garrett Boehmer ’25 (computer science) is one of 41 veterans enrolled across all University campuses.

Many times during his service in the US Army, Garrett was within walking distance of the North Korean border. His journey to Rochester has taken 12 years and includes four schools and three majors.

“There have been so many unexpected events,” says Garrett, who transferred to the University from nearby Monroe Community College last January through Rochester’s “2+2” partnership with the college. “But I always knew that someday I would get my college degree.”

Read more about Garrett’s unique path and how his presence has proven enriching to those around him, classmates and faculty alike.

STUDENT GROUPS HAVE ENRICHING EXPERIENCES AT NATIONAL CONFERENCES

The Hajim School was delighted to provide contingents of students from our Society of Women Engineers (SWE) chapter and our Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) chapter with funding to attend national conferences across the country.

Ten members of Rochester’s SWE chapter attended the WE23 national conference in Los Angeles. Front row left to right: Natalie Fullerman ’24 (optical engineering), Manuela Montes De Oca ’25 (biomedical engineering), Devin Wong ’25 (biomedical engineering), and Erin Nguyen ’24 (mechanical engineering). Back row from left to right: Shruthika Araselvan ’26 (biomedical engineering), Jessie Wang ’26 (biomedical engineering), Hannah Rickert ’25 (biomedical engineering), Autumn Yhu ’24 (chemical engineering), and Rebeca Zapiach ’23 (mechanical engineering).

At the SWE 23 conference, our students were able to participate in events by affinity groups, connect with mentors from the SWE national organization, and interview for summer internships.

“One memorable experience from the SWE Conference was attending a panel on Asian leadership in engineering,” says Jessie Wang ’26, who serves as conference and industry coordinator for our SWE chapter. “I don’t know any women engineers in my life and everyone in my family is in the medical field, so it was inspiring to connect with Asian women who hold successful engineering careers. Their stories gave me hope for myself. I also talked to many companies at the career fair and gained a better idea of what I would like to do in the future.”

Our SHPE chapter sent 12 students to attend the 2023 SHPE National Convention in Salt Lake City. From left to right: Diego Perez Calixto ’26 (computer science), Ruben Genao ’24 (computer science), Henry Lazo ’26 (computer science), Jordan Johnson ’25 (computer science), Yeidi Yuja Vaquiz ’25 (biomedical engineering), Andrea Guartan ’27 (mechanical engineering), Jennifer Garcia Sanchez ’24 (digital media studies), Diana Centeno ’24 (computer science), Dayanna Melgarejo Valencia ’26 (biomedical engineering), Wei Kang He ’24 (computer science), and Oswald Garcia ’24 (electrical and computer engineering). Helen German Vargas ’25 (computer science) also attended but was not pictured. (Photo by Richard Colon).

Our students were part of a record-breaking SPHE National Convention with more than 17,500 attendees. SHPE President Diana Centeno attended for her fourth and final time as an undergraduate student and called the experience remarkable for all who were involved.

“Thanks to the generous support of the Hajim School, we were able to bring along 12 students total, and I’m thrilled to report that our group received multiple offers and exciting opportunities from companies across all class years,” says Diana. “Additionally, it was a delight to reconnect with SHPE alumni from the University of Rochester chapter, including two former presidents and numerous alumni members. The convention was a remarkable blend of inspiration, networking, and celebration, and I am grateful to have been part of it.”

RICARDO BETTI ACEPTS BLAISE PASCAL AWARD

Congratulations to Riccardo Betti, the Laboratory for Laser Energetics’ chief scientist and the Robert L. McCrory Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, who formally accepted the 2023 Blaise Pascal Medal in Physics. The medal recognizes an outstanding and demonstrated personal contribution to science and technology and the promotion of excellence in research and education. Riccardo accepted the award at the European Academy of Sciences’ Annual Symposium and Ceremony in Madrid, Spain. Read more about Riccardo at the News Center.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE DEBRA HARING EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AWARD

Nominations are now open for the Debra Haring Excellence in Research Award. This award honors Debra Haring, a former assistant dean for grants and contracts who spent years working to support and promote the research of faculty in Arts, Sciences & Engineering before she passed away in 2022.

The award will recognize a School of Arts & Sciences or Hajim School faculty member who has done research that has had a transformational impact on the field, or who has accumulated a body of research that has changed the field in positive ways. The nomination form requires a CV, designation of a single work or a body of work with a short description, and a two-page nomination letter.

Nominations are due December 11. Please direct any questions to Dean for Research John Tarduno.

Have a great week!

Your Dean,
Wendi Heinzelman