March 31, 2025
University of Rochester Athletics photo
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
Baseball season is back in full swing, so it’s a natural time to celebrate a recent Hajim School alumnus who had a professional baseball career.
John Ghyzel ’24 was an audio and music engineering major and a star pitcher for the Yellowjackets when he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 18th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. He paused his academic career to pursue his dream of playing professional baseball, made the Midwest League All-Star team in 2018 and peaked at Double-A (two levels below the major leagues) in 2021 before shoulder injuries mounted.
After his playing career ended, John was determined to finish what he started and earn his degree. He worked with Alvin Lomibao, the Hajim School’s assistant dean for undergraduate studies, and Assistant Director Nick Valentino, to find a path to completion, ultimately earning a BA in engineering science last summer.
Read about John’s fascinating path at the News Center.
NEW ONLINE MS IN HEALTHCARE DATA SCIENCE AND AI
Getty Images photo
I’m pleased to share that the Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (GIDS-AI), in collaboration with the UR Health Lab at the University of Rochester Medical Center, is launching a brand-new, online MS program in Healthcare Data Science and AI. Designed for working professionals already in a technical or clinical role, this flexible, part-time program will prepare graduates for high-demand positions in data analytics, data science, and AI within the healthcare industry. Applications are open through July 15 to join the fall cohort.
JASON WAGNER ’98, ’16 MBA RECEIVES SA ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Congratulations to Jason Wagner, director of IT for the Hajim School, who was selected by the 2025 University of Rochester Student Life Awards Selection Committee as a recipient of this year’s SA Advocate of the Year Award. Each year, this award recognizes a staff member who makes a positive and lasting impact on the undergraduate students at the University.
Jason will be presented with the award at the University Student Life Awards Reception on Thursday, April 17. Please join me in recognizing him for this important honor!
STAFF SERVICE MILESTONES
Several members of the Hajim School staff reached significant milestones in their service to the University in 2024. Congratulations to the following individuals:
- 15 years: Gina Eagan (BME) and Tim Woodward (Dean’s Office)
- 20 years: Michele Foster (ECE)
- 30 years: Victoria Heberling (CHE)
- 35 years: Julia Kuebel (BME), Carol Raeman (BME), and Ruthann Williams (ECE)
- 40 years: Martin Gira (BME)
The University held the Staff Recognition Dinner for those celebrating 25+ years of service last week, and today the University hosts a reception for anyone who reached service milestones of 10+ years. Please join me in recognizing our colleagues for their dedication and important work!
NSBE HEADS TO CHICAGO
Members from Rochester’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) were among the 15,000 attendees at the NSBE Annual Convention in Chicago earlier this month. This year, 15 students Hajim School students made the trip: Paige Adewakun ’27, Maria-Ines Aholoukpe ’28, Rainah Allen ’27, Diego De Los Santos ’27, Bereket Hailu ’28, Sonia Irkakoze ’28, Mapalo Kasapo ’27, Boris Lokossou ’26, Abdoul Rasmane Maiga ’25, Laali Nembot ’28, Nadia Sewell ’28, Apostle Sowell ’26, Lorraine Tshamekang ’26, Imani Wanyoike ’26, and Samuel Yacob ’27. We’re delighted to support students to participate in these important events for networking and personal and professional development.
FORBES ENTREPRENEURIAL PITCH COMPETITION
Are you an engineering student with an innovative design project/product? The Forbes Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition invites engineering students to turn their innovative design projects into potential business ventures. Participants are required to submit a summary, business model canvas, and slide deck, covering essential aspects like finance, marketing, and production.
Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 11. The event takes place from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 in Gleason Hall room 318/418. Light food and refreshments will be provided. Apply today!
SEMINAR ON DIRECTED ENERGY
James Trebes, the principal director for directed energy at the U.S. Department of Defense, will deliver a seminar from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 3 in the Feldman Ballroom. The event, hosted by the Office of the Vice President for Research, offers an opportunity to learn more about directed energy research and development, education needs, and the agencies that support directed energy efforts.
Trebes will discuss the current development and use of directed energy, its history, military needs, opportunities and challenges, current U.S. and foreign systems, technical and education needs, and a possible future. Please RSVP by email to Sharon Pomeroy from the Office of the Vice President for Research.
GRADUATE RESEARCH DAY
Last Friday marked Graduate Research Day at the University. Hosted by Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs, the event featured 10-minute research talks, professional development workshops, and a research poster symposium in the afternoon.
Congratulations to the Hajim School students who won awards. The two best poster awards in the engineering category went to:
- Computer science PhD student Md Saiful Islam: Accessible, At-Home Detection of Parkinson’s Disease via Multi-task Video Analysis”
- Materials science PhD student Madeleine Wilsey: Low-Impedance Nanocatalyst–Support Composites via Pulsed Laser Grafting for Electrocatalytic Application
The people’s choice poster award went to data science master’s student Snigdha Shrivastav: Preliminary Steps Towards a Wearable Device for Real-Time Cardiac Monitoring among Active Firefighters to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Events.
Have a great week!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
