August 19, 2024
University of Rochester photography / J. Adam Fenster
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
Today the campus is bustling with hope and promise as a new class of students begins moving into the residence halls. Fall Welcome Week is upon us, and we are thrilled to welcome the class of 2028 and their families to campus.
We will officially mark the beginning of our new students’ academic journeys this Wednesday during the Convocation ceremony. The event takes place Wednesday, August 21 at 9:30 a.m. in the Eastman Quadrangle.
CLEANING UP THE AGING BRAIN
University of Rochester photography / J. Adam Fenster
New research by researchers from the Hajim School and University of Rochester Medical Center demonstrates that it’s possible to reverse age-related effects and restore the brain’s waste-clearing process. Doug Kelley, a professor of mechanical engineering, and Maiken Nedergaard, codirector of the University’s Center for Translational Neuromedicine, are lead authors of a new Nature Aging study focused on restoring the brain’s glymphatic system with a drug currently used to induce labor.
“This research shows that restoring cervical lymph vessel function can substantially rescue the slower removal of waste from the brain associated with age,” says Doug. “Moreover, this was accomplished with a drug already being used clinically, offering a potential treatment strategy.”
Read more about this exciting development at the News Center.
CENTER FOR VISUAL SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM
Last week, the Center for Visual Science held its 33rd biennial symposium at the Memorial Art Gallery. Co-sponsored by the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, the event brought more than 100 experts from around the world to discuss imaging and modulation of neural activity in vivo.
This event is an important venue for promoting discussion and new collaborations in the field of visual science, and it provides great opportunities for our students and postdoctoral fellows to engage in deep discussions with leading scientists in the field. Thank you to Susana Marcos, the David R. Williams Director of the Center for Visual Science, and her team for organizing the symposium.
ANDREW WHITE NAMED TO CHEMICAL SCIENCES ROUNDTABLE
Congratulations to Associate Professor Andrew White from the Department of Chemical Engineering, who is one of seven new members joining the Chemical Sciences Roundtable (CSR), hosted within the Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology. Andrew will contribute to the Roundtable’s effort in serving as a credible scientific resource for collaboration and innovation. Read more at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine website.
MELIORA WEEKEND REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Made up of family weekend, alumni weekend and reunions, plus homecoming, Meliora Weekend is a four-day celebration that offers more than 150 events, lectures, and performances across the University community for alumni, students, families, friends, and faculty and staff. The Hajim School departments will be hosting open houses and our Department of Computer Science is hosting several events to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Register now.
LAST-MINUTE SUMMER READING
University of Rochester photography / Michelle Kleinhammer
If you’re an avid reader looking to squeeze in one last good book before summer is over, several faculty provided recommendations on the University’s faculty provided recommendations through a post on the University’s Instagram account. I suggested Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, but you can also see recommendations by Adam Frank, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, and others.
Have a great week!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
