September 3, 2024

A headshot of Bill Krupke wearing a suit and tie.

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

I’m delighted to share an exciting new development in the Wyant Challenge that will further strengthen the Institute of Optics and help advance innovations that are crucial to sectors such as energy, healthcare, and manufacturing, with research progress in laser science, photonics, and quantum optics. Bill Krupke, a physicist, laser scientist, technology entrepreneur, and a former program director at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), has established the William F. Krupke Distinguished Professorship in Optics at the University of Rochester.

Bill’s generous $800,000 gift will be matched with $1.2 million from the Wyant Challenge, established in 2022 by the late trustee emeritus James C. Wyant ’69 (PhD) and his wife, Tammy, to create 10 endowed professorships at the Institute of Optics.

Bill’s gift marks the third distinguished professorship and fourth gift inspired by the Wyants’ generous challenge. In 2022, Optica, a leading society in optics and photonics, established the first distinguished professorship in recognition of Nobel Prize recipient Donna Strickland ’89 (PhD). In 2023, Tina E. Kidger and Emery L. Moore, long-time optics innovators and leaders in the optics field, created the second one, which bears the couple’s name. That same year, Optimax, an optics and technology manufacturing company, became the third to join the Wyant Challenge.

Learn more about this transformational gift at the University Advancement website.

REALIZING THE POWER OF GENOMICS THROUGH DATA SCIENCE

Alejandro Cruz Setzekorn smiles at the camera with a laptop and momitor in the background showing data science genomics research and figures.

The Goergen Institute for Data Science recently established the Genomic Intensive Data Science Research, Education, and Mentorship (GIDS-REM) fellowship program with support from the National Institutes of Health, and members of the first cohort spent their summer doing some fantastic internships. Alejandro Cruz Setzekorn interned as a bioinformatician in the laboratory of Steven Goldman, a distinguished professor of neuroscience and neurology, and the co-director of Rochester’s Center for Translational Neuromedicine, at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

“It’s been a steep learning curve but really interesting work and I’m glad I got to be a part of it,” says Alejandro. “I want to continue building my skills in coding and machine learning because I think it’s a really cool tool to apply in the field of medicine. I feel really grateful for the lab, the people I’ve met here, and my data science cohort in general.”

The GIDS-REM program provides students on the genomics track full-tuition scholarships, guarantees them internships, and connects them with mentors. Learn more about the program and Alejandro’s experience at the News Center.

HAJIM STUDENTS EARN TAU BETA PI AWARDS

Outdoor photos of Tau Beta Pi award winners Paul Berggren and Allie Jia Hui Tay.

Congratulations to two Hajim School students who earned awards from Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society.

Paul Berggren ’25 (electrical and computer engineering) received a Stabile Scholarship, named for Vincent A. Stabile, NY L ’40, whose gifts to the Association have permanently endowed scholarships. Allie Jia Hui Tay ’25 (biomedical engineering) received a Record Scholarship, which commemorates Leroy E. Record, KS A ’29, whose generous bequest provides earnings to support awards in perpetuity.

They are among the 253 engineering students from 1,328 applicants for undergraduate study selected during the 2024-25 academic year. The scholarships are awarded on the competitive criteria of high scholarship, campus leadership and service, and promise of future contributions to the engineering profession. All scholars are members of the Association.

JIEBO LUO SHARES ADVICE WITH IEEE COMPUTER SOCIETY

A graphic reading "Jiebo Luo University of Rochester" is overlaid on a photo of him sitting on a couch

The IEEE Computer Society recently caught up with Jiebo Luo, a professor of computer science and the Albert Arendt Hopeman Professor of Engineering, for an interview while he was attending the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Conference in June. Jiebo provided thoughtful perspectives on industry and academic careers in artificial intelligence after having spent years in both arenas. Watch the interview on Facebook.

DEMISTIFYING TECHNICAL INTERVIEWING

An aqua graphic titled, "Demystifying technical interviewing: alumni panel" featuring headshots of the four panelists.

Students can join the Greene Center virtually at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4, for an alumni panel event to kick off the Demystifying Technical Interviewing: A Day to Practice and Learn program. Hear first-hand from alumni as they share their experience, advice, and tips for success during technical interviews. Featured alumni include Dion Chay ’98S MBA, Director, Business Strategy & Initiatives Manger at Bank of America, David Fang ’05, ’06 MS, ’11 PhD Engineering Program Manager at Apple, Jenna Callan ’21S MBA, formerly an Associate at McKinsey & Company, and Benjamin Barishman ’21S MBA, Senior Product Manager at Walmart. Bring your questions or submit them ahead of time to Mindy Peet. Register on Handshake.

Then on Saturday, September 14, students can elevate their interview skills in a one-on-one technical interview practice session with alumni professionals in various fields. Students will practice strategies, receive real-time feedback, gain confidence, and learn how to stand out in competitive technical interviews. Learn more about the program and apply online by 12 p.m. on Friday, September 6.

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman