September 23, 2024

A low profile view of the Eastman Quadrangle with the large letters spelling "MELIORA" and the Rush Rhees Library reflecting in a puddle.

University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

Meliora Weekend is almost upon us, and I am excited to welcome so many Hajim School alumni and families to campus for four days of celebration. The University will offer more than 150 events, lectures, and performances for alumni, students, families, friends, and faculty and staff.

One of the events I am most excited for is the Department of Computer Science’s 50^th anniversary celebration, which will feature presentations by distinguished alumni, networking opportunities with current students, and a reception on Friday, September 27. Also on Friday, the Hajim School departments and institutes will be hosting open houses with student work on display and the Department of Chemical Engineering will host the annual Eisenberg Symposium.

For more information and registration, go to the Meliora Weekend website.

EXCELLENCE IN PLASMA PHYSICS RESEARCH

A view from inside the OMEGA Laser test chamber with text on top that says "APS physics 2024 John Dawson Award, Excellence in Plasma Physics Research."

Congratulations to several researchers from the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) and the Department of Mechanical Engineering for receiving the American Physics Society’s (APS) John Dawson Award for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research. This award recognizes outstanding achievements in plasma physics research, including pioneering experiments or novel theoretical developments that stand out for their innovation and impact on the field.

The research team received the award for pioneering the development of statistical modeling to predict, design, and analyze implosion experiments on the 30-kJ OMEGA laser, achieving hot-spot energy gains above unity and record Lawson triple products for direct-drive laser fusion. The award-winning research includes contributions from scientists and engineers in diagnostics and code development, target fabrication and cryogenic layering, and laser facility operation.

The Hajim School researchers on the team include Aarne Lees ’22 PhD; Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and LLE Scientist Varchas Gopalaswamy ’21 PhD; Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and LLE Scientist Sean Regan; and Riccardo Betti, LLE’s chief scientist and the Robert L. McCrory Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. For more information about the award, go to the APS website.

INSTITUTE OF OPTICS STUDENTS EXCEL IN OPTICAL DESIGN COMPETITION

Headshots of the six Institute of Optics students who won the the 2024 Robert S. Hilbert Memorial Optical Design Competition.

Students from the Institute of Optics comprised six of the winners in the 2024 Robert S. Hilbert Memorial Optical Design Competition organized by Synopsys Optical Solutions. This annual competition recognizes the innovative work of students in the field of optical design, showcasing their skills and creativity using Synopsys software. Our winners included:

PhD candidate Benjamin Hancock
Nathaniel Lazzara ’25
Nancy Mabry ’25
Elizabeth Matchavariani ’25
Victoria Usachev ’25
Master’s student McCain Varley ’23

The students’ projects ranged from applications in quantum computing to embedded wide angle lenses for football helmets. To read more about the students and their projects, go to the Synopsys website. Special thanks to Professor Julie Bentley for encouraging her students to participate in the competition.

DOUG KELLEY IN A NEURO MINUTE

A graphic with an outline of Doug Kelley and text that reads, "How can understanding brain waste flow inform brain health?"

Professor Doug Kelley from the Department of Mechanical Engineering recently shared a quick synopsis of his research to understand the glymphatic system so conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s can be studied more effectively. Check out this one-minute video posted by the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience where he explains how understanding brain waste flow can inform brain health.

MICHAEL SCOTT EARNS IEEE LIFE MEMBER STATUS

A dark blue graphic with 3D hexagons, a headshot of Michael Scott, and text that says "Michael Scott, Aurthur Gould Yates Professor of Engineering, Department of Computer Science."

Congratulations to Michael Scott, the Arthur Gould Yates Professor of Engineering in the Department of Computer Science, for being recognized as an IEEE Life Member. The designation is an official recognition of a strong and sustained commitment to the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Life Members participate in educational excursions, work together to mentor students, and improve their communities.

STUDENT RESOURCES FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING EXAM PREP

The University offers numerous resources, many of which have been recently updated, to help students prepare for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. The exam is designed for recent graduates and students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited program. It is the first step in the process to becoming a professional licensed engineer (PE). Professional licensing can be an attractive credential and is required for some jobs that involve certifying the safety of designs or structures, as well as some consulting positions.

The FE exam is a computer-based exam administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers. River Campus Libraries recently purchased new FE prep books that are now available in Carlson Library, and STEM Librarian Sue Cardinal updated the FE Exam Preparation page with new YouTube videos and the Greene Center offers information about the exam as well.

Meliora!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman