University flags on the Eastman Quadrangle, near the entrance of Strong Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department, and the flags atop the Eastman Theatre at the corner of Gibbs and Main Streets, will be lowered on Tuesday, December 2, for Mackenzie Pollotta, an ambulatory tech lead in UR Imaging, who died on November 3. Pollotta joined the University staff in 2020.

URochester researchers Siddharth Deshpande, an assistant professor of chemical and sustainability engineering, and his chemical engineering PhD student Snehitha Srirangam, use data visualizations at the VISTA Collaboratory to reveal what happens on an atomic level when catalysts convert shale gas into polypropylene. The new algorithms they developed could lead to more efficient ways to create everyday products.

The Office for Faculty Development shares the call for applications for the 2026–28 Dean’s Teaching Fellowship Program at the School of Medicine and Dentistry, open to junior and mid-career faculty members committed to academic careers. Applications are due January 8. Find full details here.

Learn more at an information session held via Zoom on Thursday, November 20. Register to receive the Zoom link.

Complete your annual Well-U personal health assessment, which includes two online health surveys and a biometric screening, to get insight into the present health status of your body. All eligible University employees can begin their assessments by logging into the wellness portal, which will guide them through the process and automatically submit their completed assessment for a $125 incentive.

The scheduled upgrade was completed successfully with no noticeable impacts for users. If you have questions or experience any issues, send an email or call (585) 275-2012.

Celebrate the artistic talents of the Memorial Art Gallery staff team for the closing reception of the 2025 faculty and staff show in the Creative Workshop’s Lucy Burne Gallery on Thursday, November 20, at 6 p.m.

Nominate an undergraduate student to be the student Commencement speaker. Self-nominations are permitted. Nominations are due January 7.

The next training session for Red Watch Band—a bystander intervention program focused on promoting safety around alcohol and other drugs—is on Thursday, November 20, at 4 p.m.

With retailers launching early deals, cybercriminals are also taking advantage of the opportunity to trick shoppers. Some common techniques are phishing emails and texts posing as shipping updates or promotions, fake or lookalike retail websites, and time-sensitive “deals” that are too good to be true. Follow these University IT tips to stay safe while shopping:

• Stick to trusted retailers and visit their official websites directly, not through links in emails or ads.
• Use secure payment methods, as credit cards or trusted payment platforms like PayPal offer better protection than debit cards or wire transfers.
• If something feels off, don’t click; delete or report it. Stay alert and protect your data.

CNBC, November 16

“The bitcoin heat devices I have seen appear to be simple space heaters that use your own electricity to heat the room…which is not an efficient way to heat a house,” says Derek Mohr, a clinical associate professor of finance at Simon Business School. “Yes, bitcoin mining generates a lot of heat, but the only way to get that to your house is to use your own electricity.”