March 3, 2025

Illustration of New York State with blue circuitry surrounded by yellow lines emanating from it to resemble a microchip while two bursts of light shine from the Rochester and Albany regions to represent the Empire AI Consortium.

칙뭣눈첵 illustration / Michael Osadciw

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced the혻칙뭣눈첵혻is joining other public and private research institutions in New York State in the혻. Aimed at accelerating the development of artificial intelligence centered in public interest, the consortium is launching a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence computing center in Upstate New York for use by member institutions to promote responsible research and development, create jobs, and advance AI for the public good.

We stand out among Empire AI consortium members as the only integrated health system. The혻혻has already been exploring and implementing forms of AI to support clinical operations and transform health care. We are also home to New York State�셲 only혻Center of Excellence in Data Science and AI, dedicated to supporting businesses in the state through the application of data science methods and tools that solve challenges and deliver critical insights.

This will help to keep the Hajim School at the forefront of research and education in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and high-performance computing. Learn more about the exciting new initiative at the News Center.

SUSANA MARCOS RECEIVES EDGAR D. TILLYER AWARD

Susana Marcos rests her arms on an optical bench in her lab.

칙뭣눈첵 photo / J. Adam Fenster

Congratulations to , the David R. Williams Director of the혻, the Nicholas George Professor in혻, and a professor of ophthalmology, who혻was selected as the 2025 by Optica.혻The award is presented to an individual who has performed distinguished work in the field of vision, including but not limited to the optics, physiology, anatomy, or psychology of the visual system.

Marcos was honored �쐄or contributions to our basic understanding of the effect of the eye’s optics on vision including the passage of light through the cornea and lens and into the photoreceptors where vision begins.�� She is a pioneer in the development of new techniques for the evaluation of the eye, including retinal imaging instruments, aberrometers, adaptive optics, anterior segment imaging of the eye and intraocular lens designs.

JENNIFER KRUSCHWITZ ELECTED AS OPTICA FELLOW

A graphic with a headshot of a woman, blue hexagonal shapes in the background, and text that says, "Jennifer Kruschwitz, Associate Professor of Instruction, Institute of Optics, Optica Fellow."

Optica�셲 board of directors also honored , an associate professor of instruction at the and senior scientist at the , by electing her a fellow member. Fellow membership in Optica is limited to no more than ten percent of the membership and is reserved for members who have served with distinction in the advancement of optics and photonics.

Kruschwitz was honored �쐄or significant and pioneering contributions in optics education, outreach, society service, and leadership.�� She has been instrumental in the development of the Institute of Optics�� , designed to accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals and remote learners from around the world.

HANNAH RICKERT ��25 WINS ABBVIE MIGRAINE CAREER CATALYST AWARD

A graphic with a headshot of a student, blue geometric shapes in the background, and text that says, "Hannah Rickert '25, Biomedical Engineering, ABBVIE Migraine Career Catalyst Award."

Congratulations to biomedical engineering student Hannah Rickert ��25, who is a winner of the first-ever AbbVie Migraine Career Catalyst Award contest. Hannah is among the 혻who received up to $2,500 to help support their career aspirations.

Winners were chosen based on short essay, video, and audio clip submissions highlighting their experiences living with migraine, their career aspirations, and how the award could help support their future success. Hannah stood out for her service in and as a coach for Transition Opportunities at the URochester, which is an inclusive college experience for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities age 18 to 22.

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA

Two photos side-by-side, the left featuring Mujdat Cetin presenting in front of an auditorium, the right featuring three people wearing hair nets and lab coats in a manufacturing facility.

Last week offered an important chance to connect with Hajim School alumni in the Philadelphia area. I had the pleasure of providing opening remarks during an Experience Rochester event featuring , the Robin and Tim Wentworth Director of the .혻Mujdat provided alumni a terrific outlook on the future of AI at the University and discussed how GIDS-AI has fostered groundbreaking interdisciplinary research, expanded learning opportunities, facilitated regional economic development through industry partnerships, and created avenues for community outreach and impact. Learn about future Experience Rochester events at the Advancement website.

While in the area, we also had a wonderful visit with mechanical engineering alumna Lisa Grenier ��86, the chief supply chain officer at Just Born Quality Confections. She introduced us to her organization�셲 leadership, and we got a tour of the executive offices and the manufacturing factory in Bethlehem, PA. We sampled their famous Peeps and Mike and Ike�셲 while learning about the production process and all that it entails. Thank you, Lisa!

INFORMATION SESSION FOR NOYCE SCHOLARSHIP

Hajim School students interested in a career in K-12 education are invited to attend an information session about a new scholarship program to support and prepare future K-12 teachers in computer science and the STEM disciplines. The is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The info session takes place from noon-1 p.m. today, March 3, in LeChase Hall room 285. .

COLLEGE PRIZE NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Nominations혻are now being accepted for the annual undergraduate student혻, which are coordinated by The혻College혻Center for Advising Services. Outstanding students in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Hajim School are recognized in a variety of ways each year, many of them receiving special혻prizes.

If you are interested in nominating a student, . If you do not already have access to the form, please혻email your access request and Active Directory ID to the prizes administrator. If you have any questions about this process, contact Vicki Mullen. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, March 21.

WADSWORTH C. SYKES FACULTY ENGINEERING AWARDS

Hajim School faculty are encouraged to apply for Wadsworth C. Sykes Faculty Engineering Awards, which fund development of an innovative curricular course or program in the Hajim school. Awards range from $2,500 to $30,000.혻To submit a proposal, by Friday, March 21. Questions can be emailed to Paul Funkenbusch.

Have a great week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman