
Donna Strickland appointed to Order of Canada
University of Rochester alumna Donna Strickland ’89 (PhD), who shared the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics, has been appointed to the Order of Canada for her “extraordinary contributions to the nation.”

Superhydrophobic metal that won’t sink
Inspired by diving bell spiders and rafts of fire ants, Rochester researchers have created a metallic structure that is so water repellent, it refuses to sink—no matter how often it is forced into water or how much it is damaged.

New training in AR/VR tech gives Rochester doctoral students an edge
A $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation will establish a structured, well-rounded training program for University scholars applying augmented and virtual reality in health, education, design, and other fields.

Nick Vamivakas named dean of graduate education and postdoctoral affairs
Vamivakas succeeds Melissa Sturge-Apple as dean of graduate education and postdoctoral affairs in Arts, Sciences, and Engineering.

Apollo astronauts’ back-up plans included a head butt
When Duncan Moore, Rochester professor of optical engineering, met the Apollo 11 astronauts during 30th anniversary celebrations in 1999 he had to ask: What would you have done if your radios failed during the historic moon walk?

Qiang Lin receives nation’s top honor for early-career investigators
Qiang Lin, an expert in integrated quantum photonics and nonlinear nanophotonics at the University of Rochester, is a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

David Williams steps down as AS&E dean for research
Dean for research in Arts, Sciences & Engineering since 2011, Williams stepped down on July 1 to return full time to his research.

Startups with University ties win big at Luminate competition
Ovitz and VPG Medical took home first and second prize in this year’s Luminate competition, the world’s largest startup accelerator program for optics, photonics, and imaging technologies.

Translating Nobel-worthy science for a broad audience
For their capstone project, a senior design team has built a demonstration model for museum audiences of the Nobel Prize-winning laser technology developed by Rochester alumna Donna Strickland ’89 (PhD).

Women of invention: How Rochester faculty find success as patent-holders
They create novel devices and develop new technologies with global impact. The University of Rochester ranks fourth among US universities in its percentage of international patent holders who are women. What brought these women to the University—and what enables them to thrive?