We spotlight the scholarly and service contributions of University community members to their fields. Recent award recipients include:

• Hesam Askari, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, was recognized by Springer Nature with a 2025 Editor of Distinction Award.
• Laurel Carney, the Marylou Ingram Professor in Biomedical Engineering and a professor of neuroscience, received the 2025 David T. Blackstock Mentorship Award from the Acoustical Society of America.
• Carlo Ercoli, chair of prosthodontics at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, has been named the 102nd president of the Academy of Prosthodontics.
• Wyatte Hall, an assistant professor of public health sciences, was named to Forbes’ inaugural Accessibility 100 list.
• Christopher Heuer, a professor of art history in the Department of Art and Art History and the Graduate Program in Visual and Cultural Studies, received a 2025–26 fellowship from the GRI Getty Scholars Program.
• Ehsan Hoque, a professor of computer science, received the Norwegian Letten Prize Runners-Up Award.
• Claudia Rosello, an investment officer at the University, was recently selected by Kayo Conference Series as one of the Top 25 in ’25 Women in Endowments and Foundations.
• Lainie Friedman Ross, the inaugural chair of the Department of Health Humanities and Bioethics and director of the Paul M. Schyve, MD Center for Bioethics, has been appointed to a four-year term as chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Bioethics, effective July 1.

Celebrating faculty, staff, and student honors: If you have news to share about a faculty or staff member, student, or department/unit that has recently achieved a significant professional accomplishment or received a prestigious national or international honor, please let us know so we can consider it for a future listing of awards and honors.

Leadership update webinar for faculty and staff

In a message sent yesterday to faculty and staff, University leadership shared initial perspectives on how the federal budget reconciliation bill will have significant impacts on healthcare and higher education. Read the full message here.

As noted in the message, University leaders will host a special live webinar for faculty and staff, “Federal Policy Changes: What They May Mean for Our University,” on Wednesday, July 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. President Sarah Mangelsdorf, Provost Nicole Sampson, and Medical Center CEO David Linehan will discuss how the University is navigating potential academic, financial, and operational challenges resulting from recent federal legislation and action. The session will be moderated by Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen Gallucci.

Registration is required. Please use your University of Rochester email address when registering to ensure faculty and staff have access to this event. You will also need to use your University credentials to sign into the webinar on July 16. When registering, faculty and staff may submit questions in advance for the panel to consider. The webinar will be closed-captioned, and a summary will be posted on the University News Center following the event. For additional background and FAQs, visit the University’s Federal Policy Updates website.

From fitness enthusiast to expert

Enroll in Well-U’s Fitness 101 program beginning on Friday, July 11, at noon to take your exercise knowledge to the next level. Dabble in creating a plan, injury prevention, and the best recovery methods. When completed, you’ll earn $100 from Well-U.

Don’t sweat the small stuff

During Well-U’s stress-reduction program, discover how to let go of the small stressors in life and reprioritize what is important. Register here for virtual group sessions beginning on Monday, July 14, at noon.

Travel discounts available

Traveling this summer? Through LifeMart by Care.com, eligible employees have access to a number of regular and seasonal discounts, including flight deals, amusement park discounts, and more. LifeMart by Care.com can be accessed via your free Care.com membership account.

UR Tech Store Apple back-to-school promotion

Apple’s back-to-school promotion, “Buy a Mac for College and get AirPods. Buy an iPad for College and get Apple Pencil,” is now available at the UR Tech Store. The offer is available for personal purchases only. For full details, visit the UR Tech Store online or stop by the retail locations at the Medical Center (G-7220B) or Rush Rhees Library.

Boundless Together conference session proposals due Thursday

The Office of University Engagement and Enrichment continues to accept breakout session proposals for the 2025 Boundless Together conference, “Meeting the Moment,” on Friday, October 3. Students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members are invited to submit proposals through Thursday, July 10.

Simon to offer online micro-course on AI this summer

Simon Business School offers a micro-course, Generative AI in Practice: Using AI to Solve Challenges in Your Work, this summer, scheduled for Wednesdays, August 6, 13, and 20 from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. Early registration is encouraged. Course cost is $1,000, and University tuition benefits may cover 80–95 percent of the cost for eligible employees.

RSVP here to learn more at a virtual information session with the instructor, Dan Keating, on Wednesday, July 9, at noon. Ready to enroll in the course? Register here. Reach out to the Simon admissions team with questions.

Rochester Victory Alliance walking in Pride Parade

Rochester Victory Alliance, an HIV vaccine research team based at the Medical Center, invites the University community, family, and friends to march in this year’s Pride Parade on Saturday, July 19. This year, the group will carry replicas of AIDS protest posters from the Atwater Collection, in keeping with the parade’s “Rainbow Revolution” theme. Get free admission to the Pride Festival at Highland Park, swag, and a Rochester Victory Alliance T-shirt. Learn more and register here.

Virtual session on deep grievance

In the Pocket Guide for Facing Down a Civil War, peace and conflict expert John Paul Lederach names deep grievance as a condition that gives rise to conflict. Join the Restorative Practices team to read and discuss excerpts from the book and ideas for implementing its wisdom into your lives. Register online for a virtual session on July 24 or August 13 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tasty Tuesday line-up

Tasty Tuesday continues this summer on the University’s Wilson Quadrangle from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Today’s scheduled trucks are Eat Greek, Macarollin’, Roll’n Deep, and Travelin’ Tom’s. Find the full schedule here.

June was bustin’ out all over—with Jazz Fest, sunny days, outdoor happenings, and intrepid research. Explore how Rochester spent the busiest of months.