February 19, 2024
(Getty Images photo)
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
Recent work by Hajim-affiliated scientists helped uncover the unexpected role of grain shape in the mixing of granular systems such as pharmaceuticals, cereal, and landslides. Scientists—including Rachel Glade, an assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences and of mechanical engineering, and geomechanics and physics student Div Patel ’24—outlined their findings in a new paper published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
The team used advanced computer simulations comparing mixtures of spheres with mixtures of spheres and cubes in a rotating drum and in a river-like setup to investigate how grain shape affects segregation in both dry and wet conditions, respectively. Their research revealed that even small differences in grain shape can significantly alter the dynamics of grain segregation. Learn more at the News Center.
ROCHESTER NAMED A TOP PRODUCER OF FULBRIGHT STUDENTS
The University has been named a top producer of Fulbright US Student Grant Program recipients for the 2023–24 academic year. Twelve Rochester students and alumni—several from the Hajim School—were selected to study abroad out of 40 applicants and 22 semifinalists from the University.
Experiential learning is one of the cornerstones of the Hajim education and I’m proud to have our students and alumni participating in U.S. Department of State’s flagship international educational-exchange program.
This marks the seventh time in the past 10 years that Rochester has been designated a Fulbright top producer. A complete list can be found on the Fulbright program website and the Chronicle of Higher Education website. Juniors, seniors, graduate students, and alumni interested in applying for a 2025–26 Fulbright should contact the Student Fellowships Office.
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
(University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)
Please mark your calendar for Friday, September 27, 2024, when the University will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Department of Computer Science in conjunction with Meliora Weekend. The Department is inviting all of its alumni, colleagues, students, and friends to join the celebration. Complete this short survey to join the mailing list.
RMSC RICHARD C. SHULTZ SCIENCE ON THE EDGE LECTURE
Experts from the Department of Biomedical Engineering will deliver a lecture on microplastics as part of the Rochester Museum & Science Center Richard C. Shultz Science on the Edge series.
Samantha Romanick, a postdoctoral researcher studying microplastics and human health, and Greg Madejski ’18 PhD (biomedical engineering), staff engineer at URNano, will deliver the talk. They will discuss what microplastics are, sources of microplastics, potential for harm, and what you can do to help mitigate the problem and reduce your exposure. They will conduct two demonstrations showing how plastics are an invisible problem in your local environment.
The talk takes place from 7-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24 at RMSC’s Bausch Auditorium. Find out more on the RMSC website.
REMINDER: SUBMIT AN ENTRY TO THE ART OF SCIENCE COMPETITION
(Fateema Islam ’24)
Students, faculty, and staff have less than a month to submit entries for the annual Art of Science competition. This is an opportunity for the Rochester community to explore and illuminate the aesthetic beauty that results when science, art, and technology intersect.
The 2024 competition will give consideration to the artistic representation of science, technology, engineering, math, and sustainable themes. Entries with a focus on creativity and uniqueness will be favorably considered. All University of Rochester students, faculty, and staff are invited to enter submissions by 11:59 p.m. on March 17, 2024.
For more information about the contest, including rules and the submission form, go to the Hajim website.
Have a great week!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
