Five people sit in the guest studio at the WXXI radio station.

Megan Mack / WXXI News

The NSF STELLAR Engine in the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region of New York, led by URochester, aims to make our region the nation’s leader in lasers. Kickstarted this summer with a two-year, $15 million grant from the National Science Foundation and matched by $16 million in New York State support over the next six years, the NSF STELLAR Engine is focused on accelerating laser technologies, education, business expansion and attraction, manufacturing, and workforce development.

Last week, the NSF STELLAR Engine leadership team spent an hour on WXXI’s Connections with Evan Dawson discussing their ambitious vision. Institute of Optics Director Tom Brown, STELLAR CEO Sujatha Ramanujan, Alexis Vogt ’00, ’08 PhD (optics) from MCC, and Leah George VanScott from Greater Rochester Enterprise joined the program.

Listen to the conversation or watch the video on the WXXI News website.

5 USES FOR A NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING TECHNOLOGY

An illustrated triptych featuring an eye in one panel, a smartphone in another, and a yellow heart with a white cross in it to illustrate the applications and uses of chriped pulse amplification laser technology.

University of Rochester illustration

Every time you pick up your smartphone, you are holding a product made possible, in part, by a Nobel Prize–winning technology developed at the University of Rochester. That invention is chirped pulse amplification (CPA), a technique that makes it possible to generate extremely powerful laser pulses lasting just a tiny fraction of a second.

Developed by Donna Strickland ’89 PhD (optics) and Gérard Mourou at URochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics, CPA revolutionized laser technology and opened the door to applications ranging from vision correction to the study of stars and nuclear fusion. A new video and accompanying News Center story provide a great explanation of how chirped pulse amplification has transformed everything from medical procedures to manufacturing.

OPTICS WEEK

A person speaks on a stage while a ballroom filled with people sitting at round tables listens.

Dustin Newman / University of Rochester

Last week, the Institute of Optics and various affiliated centers hosted academic researchers, industry executives, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders from across the globe for Optics Week. The events included the Center for Freeform Optics board meeting, Vision Meets Optics industry networking session and symposium hosted by the Center for eXtended Reality, the STELLAR Lasers workshop, the Institute of Optics Industrial Associates Symposium, and the Center for Visual Science retreat.

This was a massive undertaking, so thank you to everyone who helped make last week such an insightful and valuable gathering for the global optics community.

CELEBRATING OUR DISTINGUISHED FACULTY

Distinguished faculty from the Hajim School and School of Arts and Sciences gather in the Feldman Ballroom.

Matt Wittmeyer / University of Rochester

Last week, the Hajim School and School of Arts and Sciences held a joint celebration of our faculty who were newly appointed to distinguished professorships in 2026. Those we recognized from the Hajim School included:

Julie Bentley, the Rudolf and Hilda Kingslake Professor in Optical Engineering
Mark Bocko, the William F. May Professor of Engineering
Robert Boyd, the William F. Krupke Distinguished Professor in Optics
Thomas Brown, the Dr. James C. Wyant Professor in Optics
Regine Choe, the Marylou Ingram Professor in Biomedical Engineering
C.M. Downey, the James P. Wilmot Distinguished Assistant Professor
Chunlei Guo, the Joseph W. and Honmai Goodman Distinguished Professor
Marisol Herrera-Perez, the James P. Wilmot Distinguished Assistant Professor
Edmund Lalor, the Dean’s Professor in the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Darren Lipomi, the Arthur Gould Yates Professor of Engineering
Christopher Muir, the Mercer Brugler Distinguished Teaching Professor
James Zavislan, the Kidger-Moore Distinguished Professor in Optics
Yuhao Zhu, the Asaro Biggar Family Fellow in Data Science

During the event, we also presented Jim McGrath, the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Biomedical Engineering, with the Debra Haring Award for Excellence in Research. The honor recognizes one faculty member from each school whose research has had a transformational impact on their field, or whose body of work has changed their field in positive ways.

Please join me in congratulating these faculty for their achievements.

HAJIM STUDENTS THRIVE IN THE HEIST HACKATHON

Four student winners of the Heist Hackathon.

The Ain Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation brought together students across disciplines to tackle real-world challenges in agentic AI, health tech, and Sustainability.

Over the course of the 10-day hackathon, 29 students worked in teams to turn complex problem statements into potential solutions, combining technical execution, creative thinking, and entrepreneurial vision. I’m happy to say that Hajim students were integral parts of all three of the hackathon winners. The Heist Hackathon winners were:

GRAND PRIZE: The Master Key—Team Lares
- Vault: Health Tech | Aging in Place and Elder Care Coordination
- Team members: Adam Awad, Mohammed Ghassat, Sami Ozdemir, and Omer Okutan
BEST ENTREPRENEURIAL VISION—Team MarketBite
- Vault: Sustainability | Reducing Food Waste to Optimize Cost, Water, and Carbon
- Team members: Mateo Santalucia, Jake Gates, Joseph Kaji, Markian Dwulit, and Sonia Irakoze
BEST TECHNICAL EXECUTION—Team North #2
- Vault: Health Tech | Aging in Place and Elder Care Coordination
- Team members: Muhammad Dunphy, Benjamin Mahmutovic, David Peng, Benjamin Hu, and Umar Dunphy

Well done!

5K AND CEREMONY HONORING UROCHESTER VETERANS

Participants in the Veterans Day 5K run around the track at Fauver Stadium while the leaders of the pack carry flags of the United States of America and its military branches.

Adrian Kraus/ University of Rochester

A veterans recognition ceremony and breakfast will be held on Tuesday, November 10, beginning at 7:30 a.m., in the Sarah Flaum Atrium at the School of Medicine & Dentistry. Hosted by the Office of University Engagement and Enrichment and the URochester Veterans Alliance, this event honors faculty, staff, students, alumni, and families who have served in the US Armed Forces. All are welcome to attend, but registration is required.

Then at 6 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, at Fauver Stadium, join the annual Veterans Day 5K hosted by the Veterans Alliance and the University’s NROTC unit. Participants are welcome to walk or run to honor those who have served and continue to serve the country. Dogs and strollers are welcome! Participation is free, and following the run, refreshments will be available. Register for the 5K.

ONEROCHESTER: FACULTY AND STAFF GIVING CAMPAIGN

Five people wearing OneRochester apparel stand on the steps of the Rush Rhees Library.

The OneRochester Faculty and Staff Giving Campaign offers those who work here a meaningful way to support the University through gifts of any amount to any department, school, or unit. Each purchase through this initiative includes a donation that supports the University or URochester Medicine. Through the OneRochester apparel campaign, a portion of each purchase includes a donation that supports the University and URochester Medicine, or associated school/unit. Donation amounts vary per item, ranging from $10-$25.

Explore the collection and shop at the OneRochester storefront.

DATA SCIENCE GRADUATE PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS

The Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence will offer informational sessions in November and December for the advanced certificate and master of science programs in Data Science, Data Science Genomics, and Healthcare Data Science & AI. If you know someone ready to return full-time to a master’s degree or who’s seeking part-time learning, register for an upcoming information session to find out why Rochester is a great place to study, how the data science curriculum is structured, and frequently asked questions about expenses and applying.

Data Science MS and Data Science Genomics MS (in-person programs): 7-8 p.m. on Monday, November 16. Register for the Zoom link.
Healthcare Data Science and AI MS and Advanced Certificate (online programs):7-8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18. Register for the Zoom link.
Healthcare Data Science and AI MS and Advanced Certificate (online programs): noon-1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16. Register for the Zoom link.
Data Science MS and Data Science Genomics MS (in-person programs): noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, December 17. Register for the Zoom link.

URochester employees and PhD candidates interested in starting the Data Science Advanced Certificate for spring 2027 should notify graduate coordinator Lisa Altman by Friday, November 20 of their intent to apply.

EDMUND OPTICS INFORMATION AND INTERVIEW SESSION

A black, white, and yellow graphic that says "Where will your degree take you?" promoting employment opportunities at Edmund Optics.

Edmund Optics will host an information session for students interested in careers with the company from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Monday, November 9, in Hutchison Hall 140. Interviews are available November 10 and 11 in Goergen 413. Learn about their grad level tuition reimbursement, career flexibility, global opportunities, and training and development.

HOLIDAY AND NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS FOR ALUMNI, FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS

An illustration of the Rush Rhees Library surrounded by fireworks.

From November through February, University of Rochester alumni, families, and friends are gathering in 23 regions around the world for our Holiday & New Year Celebrations. It’s a wonderful chance to reconnect, meet fellow URochester alumni near you, and celebrate the season together. Go to the alumni website to see a full list of events and to register.

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman