May 19, 2025
Photo by Lauren Petracca / University of Rochester
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
This weekend marked a new beginning for the class of 2025, as hundreds of students joined the venerable ranks of our alumni, who represent the very best of what the University of Rochester has to offer.
Our new alumni give me hope and confidence in the world. In them, I see some of the brightest, most innovative, and most caring people leading the way for the future. They will find ways to use technology to make lives better, easier, and more humane. I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of our graduates as they embark on this journey.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Commencement Weekend a special experience, from family members who travelled long distances to volunteers who served as ushers and guides. This celebration is a momentous undertaking, and I am grateful for all the hard work that made this weekend one our new graduates will cherish for the rest of their lives.
Visit out our Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn accounts for photos and videos from throughout the weekend. Congratulations to all our new graduates. Meliora!
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Photo by Megan Petty / University of Rochester
Commencement festivities began on Thursday with the induction of new engineers into the Meliora Link of the Order of the Engineer. This year, more than 160 new alumni accepted the “Obligation of an Engineer” during a ceremony at Strong Auditorium.
During Saturday’s departmental ceremonies, we recognized students with the following annual Hajim School prizes:
- The Charles L. Newton Prize—recognizing engineering students who show a special proficiency in an engineering subject and have conducted research, given a presentation, or published a paper that has special merit.
- The Donald M. Barnard Prize— awarded to engineering students based on personal qualification and high academic achievement.
- The Richard Eisenberg Engineering Award— recognizes a hard-working undergraduate with an interest in metallurgy or materials science, with high ethical standards.
- The G. Harold Hook Prize— awarded to a student who has demonstrated a strong affinity for engineering.
- Natalie Shank (mechanical engineering)
- Lisa Norwood Student Endowment Fund Prize— recognizes students who have shown commitment and service to the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Science by building community and belonging.
- Brendon Habert ‘26 (optical engineering)
- Madison King (electrical and computer engineering)
- Tau Beta Pi Prize— awarded to a senior who, through academic achievement, proven leadership and character has excelled and inspired fellow students.
- Megan Bell (biomedical engineering)
- Steven Kang (mechanical engineering)
- Grand Challenges Scholars— a select group of scholars recognized by faculty, classmates, graduate schools, and employers, for engaging in a transformative set of engineering, educational and leadership experiences.
- Avery Alperin (neuroscience)
- Wenqi Di (biomedical engineering and economics)
- Hesham Elshafey (electrical and computer engineering)
- Rufaro Gamariel (biomedical engineering)
- Yujia Jin (biomedical engineering)
- Elizabeth Martin (microbiology)
- Manuela Montes de Oca (biomedical engineering)
- Hannah Rickert (biomedical engineering)
- Allie Tay (biomedical engineering)
- Catherine Xie (molecular genetics and statistics)
- Outstanding Dissertation Award—Chosen by a panel of faculty reviewers, the award is a testament to the exceptional quality, rigor, and impact of scholarship in pursuit of a PhD.
- Michael Taylor (optics)—New Hamiltonian Formalisms for Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics
Learn about some of the University’s newest graduates at the Making Their Mark page.
FACULTY AND STAFF AWARDS
During Commencement Weekend, we also celebrated several outstanding faculty and staff members who have had a profound impact advancing the Hajim School’s mission. Here are the individuals recognized with annual awards from the Hajim School and the University:
- Jannick Rolland, the Brian J. Thompson Professor of Optical Engineering, received the Hajim School’s top annual faculty award for her research, international leadership, and graduate student mentorship. The Hajim School presented Jannick with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes faculty for outstanding achievements in research, teaching, and leadership over the course of their career.
- Associate Professor Chenliang Xu from the Department of Computer Science was recognized for his innovation as a researcher and teacher and his service to the University with the 2025 Edmund A. Hajim Outstanding Faculty Award.
- Assistant Professor Sobhit Singh from the Department of Mechanical Engineering was acknowledged by the Office of the Provost for his efforts to create a welcoming learning environment and for working tirelessly to ensure all students understand the material. Sobhit received the G. Graydon Curtis ’58 and Jane W. Curtis Award for Non-Tenured Faculty Teaching.
- Tal Haring ’19 (MBA), the manager of academic finance and operations in the Department of Chemical Engineering, was honored for his initiative, collegiality, and dependability with the 2025 Edmund A. Hajim Outstanding Staff Award.
Go to the Hajim School website for more information about these award winners.
NEW MS IN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
I’m pleased to share the Department of Mechanical Engineering is launching a brand-new MS program in aerospace engineering. The program is designed to equip students with the advanced technical expertise and cutting-edge knowledge demanded by the rapidly evolving aerospace industry. With a curriculum designed to tackle the most complex challenges in aerospace design, systems, and innovation, students will be prepared to lead and make impactful contributions in this high-tech field. Learn more and apply on the Department of Mechanical Engineering website.
CENTER FOR COHERENCE AND QUANTUM SCIENCE
Last year, the University put out a call for proposals for new transdisciplinary centers and institutes and 42 teams of Rochester researchers submitted proposals. Ten were selected to receive planning awards and are now refining their plans for final proposals for full-scale funding.
Better Things: The Boundless Possibility blog recently provided an overview of the Center for Coherence and Quantum Science. The co-leads include:
- Associate Professor John Nichol from the Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Nick Vamivakas, the Marie C. Wilson and Joseph C. Wilson Professor of Optical Physics
This group of scientists and engineers working in quantum mechanics is attempting to create the circuit boards for tomorrow’s quantum computers. To do this, they endeavor to do three things:
- Make better and more efficient quantum processors using quantum devices with more than two states.
- Create quantum interconnects that can route information between different parts of the circuit board using light.
- Invent robust devices.
Learn more about their vision on the Boundless Blog.
NEWLY FUNDED RESEARCH
Congratulations to Assistant Professor Cherice Hill from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, who received a $20,618 subaward from Clemson University for a project funded by the National Institutes of Health titled, “ATTRACT: Assessment of Temporomandibular JoinT MoRphology, Mechanics, and Mechanobiology in Class II and III Target and Surgical Phenotypes.”
MEMORIAL DAY
Next Monday, the University will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. The next edition of Hajim Highlights will come out on Monday, June 2.
Have a great week!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
