September 22, 2025

A person in protective gear works inside a high-tech laser research facility with glowing panels and precision equipment.

University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

I’m pleased to share that a Rochester and Finger Lakes region coalition led by the University of Rochester advanced to the final stage of the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program. The STELLAR (Science, Technology and Engineering of Laser and Laser Applications Research) project aims to progress the region as a national leader in laser technologies, education, company creation, manufacturing, and workforce development.

Led by Tom Brown, the director of the Institute of Optics, and Jonathan Zuegel, laser and materials technology division director and a distinguished scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, this initiative also brings in key partners including Monroe Community College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Nextcorps, Luminate, Greater Rochester Enterprise, AmeriCOM, and New York State.

During the next stage, NSF will conduct in-depth in-person interviews and due diligence with the finalist teams to further assess risks, resources, and a given team’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances. The role of the NSF Engines applicants’ partners will be a key component of the selection process at this stage.

Congratulations to everyone involved. Read more at the News Center.

MY ROCHESTER STORY: BENJAMIN CASTANEDA ’09 (PHD)

A blue and yellow graphic featuring a medium shot of Benjamin Castañeda with text that says "My Rochester Story."

Professor Benjamín Castañeda from the Department of Biomedical Engineering has dedicated his career to providing rural areas access to medical technology. When he returned to Peru after completing his PhD here in 2009, he found rural clinics without trained technicians or funding. Now back at Rochester as a professor, he’s developing biomedical technology for global health including an ultrasound system anyone can learn in 20 minutes—bringing life-saving care to the people who need it most.

Watch this inspiring video chronicling his work.

PREVIEW OF SOUNDTRAX MUSIC FESTIVAL

An orchestra on the stage of Eastman Theatre with text overlaid that says "Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester presents Soundtrax Film Music Festival October 16-18, 2025."

Featured guests, innovative programs, and film-focused concerts shape the Soundtrax Film Music Festival, the first film-music festival in North America. The inaugural event unfolds over three days, October 16–18, right here in Rochester — the birthplace of motion picture film.

Soundtrax brings together film and music fans with industry professionals — including Academy and Emmy Award-winning composers, video game music pioneers, and innovative leaders in sound from Apple, Sony, Adobe, and Dolby.

Distinguished Professor Mark Bocko, director of the audio and music engineering program and co-chair of Soundtrax, helped provide a preview of what to expect during the festival. Watch the video.

JUNIYALI NAURIYAL ’22 (PHD) PROFILED BY ENGINEERING.COM

A medium shot of Juniyali Nauriyal.

Photonect

Engineering.com recently published a fantastic profile of optics alumna Juniyali Nauriyal ’22 (PhD). Charting her path from growing up in Dehradun, India to becoming the founder and CEO of Photonect Interconnect Solutions, her story serves as inspiration for us all. Read the profile.

UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES ‘FOR EVER BETTER’ CAMPAIGN

An aerial shot of the Rush Rhees tower during a sunset.

During Meliora Weekend, the University publicly launched For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester, its largest and most ambitious fundraising and engagement initiative ever. The $1.75 billion campaign will raise critical funds and deepen connections across alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the broader community, amplifying Rochester’s impact worldwide. Learn more about the campaign.

STUDENTS: APPLY FOR ROCHESTER ENGINEERING SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIPS

Hajim School students are encouraged to apply for the Rochester Engineering Society’s 2025 engineering scholarships. We typically have a strong showing, including six awardees earlier this year. The interview period is open now through December 5 and students can apply on the Rochester Engineering Society website.

UPCOMING I-CORPS COURSES

Hajim School researchers are encouraged to explore several upcoming offerings through NSF I-Corps, which prepares scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the laboratory to increase the economic and societal impact of NSF-funded and other basic research projects:

I-Corps Regional Course for Startups hosted by West Virginia University from October 20 to November 19. This course is designed for startup teams affiliated with business incubators. Applications close on Wednesday, September 24. Apply here.
I-Corps Regional Course hosted by Dartmouth College from November 12 to December 15. This course is for tech innovators in all STEM Fields. Applications close on Wednesday, October 15. Apply here.

NEWLY FUNDED RESEARCH

A composite with headshots of Kimberley Boster, Douglas Kelley, and Jannick Rolland.

Congratulations to the following faculty who recently secured funding for new sponsored research projects:

Assistant Professor of Research Kimberly Boster and Professor Douglas Kelly from the Department of Mechanical Engineering along with Assistant Professor Ting Du from the Department of Neurology received $299,000 from the National Science Foundation for a project titled “Taming eMB: Leveraging artificial intelligence velocimetry to solve mysteries of cerebrospinal fluid flow in the brain.”
Jannick Rolland, the Brian J. Thompson Professor of Optical Engineering, received $61,201 through a subaward with Spectral Sciences, Inc. sponsored by the Department of Defense for a project titled “Zernike Polynomials via Phase Recovery.”

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman