June 2, 2025
Each year, the Schwartz Discover Grant for Undergraduate Summer Research program provides about 70 students the opportunity to engage in research early, giving them the confidence and experience to pursue opportunities that will enrich their lives and careers. Established in 2022 through the generosity of Dick Schwartz ’63, ’66 (MS) and his late wife, Vicki Proschel Schwartz ’62, the grants provide recipients up to $5,000 to help cover cost-of-living expenses during the summer, allowing the students to fully focus on research, which often requires 40 hours of dedicated work per week.
A new story on the Advancement website explores the impact of the Schwartz Discover Grant program and their other philanthropic efforts, how their time as Rochester students set them up for success, and why they sought to create a legacy of learning and service. Learn more about Dick and Vicki’s impact.
HOW AI IS TRANSFORMING BUSINESS, EDUCATION, AND THE FUTURE OF WORK
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping higher education, and universities must adapt or fall behind. The challenge ahead is to prepare students for a world transformed by AI, which goes beyond simply using AI tools in the classroom and involves rethinking learning itself.
Associate Professor Chris Kanan from the Department of Computer Science recently joined faculty from the Simon Business School to discuss how the University is advancing AI research and help shape what the future of education might look like. Learn more at the News Center.
DIANE DALECKI RECOGNIZED BY THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE
Congratulations to Diane Dalecki, the Kevin J. Parker Distinguished Professor in Biomedical Engineering and director of the Rochester Center for Biomedical Ultrasound, who received the 2025 Joseph H. Holmes Basic Science Pioneer Award from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). The award was established to honor individuals who significantly contributed to the growth and development of diagnostic ultrasound.
Diane’s lab is dedicated to advancing novel diagnostic ultrasound imaging techniques and discovering and developing new therapeutic applications of ultrasound for medicine, biology, and biotechnology. A particular focus of her research is on advancing innovative ultrasound technologies for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. As an internationally recognized leader in biomedical ultrasound, Diane is a fellow of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), the Acoustical Society of America (ASA), and the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). Learn more about the award at the AIUM website.
HAJIM FACULTY RECEIVE 2025 UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AWARDS
The Office of the Vice President for Research announced 10 Hajim School researchers will receive funding for six projects through 2025 University Research Awards. These are awarded to recipients who demonstrate how their projects will provide impact in their research areas, with a high probability of being leveraged by future external funding. The Hajim School recipients and their project titles include:
- Nick Vamivakas, the Marie C. Wilson and Joseph C. Wilson Professor of Optical Physics—Precision Metrology With A Levitated Optomechanical Sensor (LEVOPS)
- Marvin Doyley, chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering—Developing A Prototype System For FLASH Radiation‐Acoustic Tomography (FRAT) Imaging
- David Williams, the William G. Allyn Professor of Medical Optics—How Does The Eye Know How To Focus The Retinal Image?
- Assistant Professor Zhen Bai from the Department of Computer Science—Level Up Your Toolkit: Introduce Machine Learning for Secondary School Education
- Associate Professor Chenliang Xu and Assistant Professor Yukang Yan from the Department of Computer Science—Enhancing Video Accessibility For Blink And Low-Vision Individuals Using Large Language Models
- Professor Pablo Postigo, Professor Gary Wicks, Postdoctoral Researcher Lukas Weituschat, and Adjunct Assistant Professor Greg Savich—Towards Room-Temperature, Deterministic Single Photon Emitters in 1550nm based on III-V Quantum Dots
Congratulations to this year’s recipients!
SOBHIT SINGH RECEIVES FURTH FUND AWARD
Congratulations to Assistant Professor Sobhit Singh from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, who received an award through the Valerie and Frank Furth Fund. The Fund was created to provide early career scientists with funding to promote research activities, which may include the purchase of new equipment or support for graduate students or postdocs. Read more about the fund and see all the recipients at the Office of the Vice President for Research website.
OPTICS STUDENTS RECEIVE SPIE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Two SPIE student members from the Institute of Optics were scholarships based on their potential contribution to optics and photonics or a related discipline. Trevor Shooshan ’27 (optical engineering) was awarded the $11,000 D. J. Lovell Scholarship and Victoria Usachev ’25 (optical engineering) was awarded a $10,000 Women in Optics Scholarship.
A full list of scholarship recipients is posted on the SPIE website, including bios of the student awardees. Congratulations to Trevor and Victoria!
INFO SESSIONS FOR ONLINE MS IN HEALTHCARE DATA SCIENCE AND AI
This month, there will be Zoom information sessions about our other newest graduate program, the online MS program in Healthcare Data Science and AI. Offered by the Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in collaboration with the UR Health Lab, the program is designed to position working professionals for high-demand positions in data analytics, data science, and AI within the healthcare industry.
Professor Barney Ricca will introduce the unique program, how the curriculum is structured, and answer questions about expenses and applying. Register for the sessions, which take place at noon on Thursday, June 5, and at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24.
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FUND CALL FOR PRE-PROPOSAL APPLICATIONS
The University’s Technology Development Fund (TDF) began accepting pre-proposal applications for its 23rd round of funding on June 1. The fund supports University researchers who wish to further the process of translating their research into commercial opportunities. Awards can range from $40,000 to $100,000 to support projects of approximately one year in duration. Faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, students, and employees of the University who have submitted (or who will submit by June 30) an invention disclosure to the UR Ventures Office are encouraged to apply. Please see the FAQs on the main TDF page for more information.
The deadline for submitting pre-proposal applications for consideration of funding this cycle is June 30, 2025. Find out more and apply at the TDF webpage.
HAJIM STAFF AND PARTNERS RECOGNIZED AS UR STARS
Congratulations to the Hajim School staff members and partners who were recently recognized by others at the University as UR Stars who embody Meliora values. UR Stars is a University-wide employee recognition platform designed to reinforce a culture of appreciation and collectively celebrate achievements together across the University, strengthening our shared values as “One University.”
The Hajim School staff members and partners recognized in April and May include Lindsay Anderson (Conference and Events Office), Adriana Cabiedes Garza (Department of Mechanical Engineering), Benjamin Campanis (Facilities), Nicholas Chodak (GEPA), Kai Davies (Institute of Optics), Valerie Lind (Facilities), Marylou Luciano (Institute of Optics), Jacqueline Nickel (Facilities), Vongprachanh Phonethepswath (Facilities), and Margaret Urzetta (Center for Emerging & Innovative Sciences). Recognize a colleague today.
Have a great week!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
