February 2, 2026
Ģą˝´«Ă˝ photo / J. Adam Fenster
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
Researchers from the have developed a new process that turns ordinary metal tubes unsinkable—meaning they will stay afloat no matter how long they are forced into water or how heavily they are damaged. By etching the interior of aluminum tubes, a team led by Professor creates micro- and nano-pits on the surface that turn it superhydrophobic, repelling water and staying dry.
In a recent , they showed the tubes can withstand turbulent ocean conditions and be fastened together as rafts to form the basis of ships, buoys, and floating platforms, or be used to harvest water waves to generate electricity. The Prototype newsletter by Forbes . Read about this fascinating research at the News Center.
WHY IS SLEEP SO IMPORTANT?
In 2012, Ģą˝´«Ă˝ neuroscientist Maiken Nedergaard and her colleagues , a previously unknown network that clears toxic waste from the brain. Research on this system has since exploded, and today Maiken collaborates with Hajim School researchers including Professor from the to learn how to restore or enhance glymphatic function.
Read more about the glymphatic system and watch a fantastic Ever Wonder video at the News Center.
JOE EBERLY’S FAMILY ENDOWS PROFESSORSHIP AND RESEARCH FUND IN HIS MEMORY
Ģą˝´«Ă˝ photo / Will Yurman
Joe Eberly was a pioneering figure in optics and physics, and a beloved professor who served on the Ģą˝´«Ă˝ faculty for 60 years. Following Joe’s death in April 2025, Shirley and the couple’s three daughters—Becky, Ginny, and Lynn—sought a meaningful way to carry forward his legacy along with his intellectual curiosity, love of physics, and commitment to advancing knowledge.
As part of , the Eberly family established two funds in Joe’s memory: the Joseph H. Eberly Endowed Professorship in Physics and the Joseph H. Eberly Endowed Professorship Research Fund. Each gift was carefully designed to reflect the family’s shared values and to further strengthen the University’s commitment to science and research.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR GRADUATE RESEARCH DAY
The deadline to apply to present at Graduate Research Day is quickly approaching. Apply by Monday, February 9 to present at the event, which takes place on Thursday, April 2.
Graduate Research Day is an opportunity to showcase research by graduate students across the disciplines, including master’s and PhD candidates, in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and engineering. The event will begin with remarks by the Dean of Graduate Education & Postdoctoral Affairs, followed by 10-minute research talks, optional lunchtime professional development workshops, a research poster symposium in the afternoon, and will culminate with an informal awards ceremony and networking reception for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Learn more on the Graduate Research Day website.
A CELEBRATION FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
One semester down, more success to come. Congratulations to the Hajim School’s first-year students of the Class of 2029 for successfully completing their first semester at URochester.
All River Campus first-year students are invited to an event from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, in the Feldman Ballroom in Douglass Commons. To celebrate your accomplishments, there will be free food, music, Ģą˝´«Ă˝ swag, raffle prizes, games, and congratulatory remarks.
REGISTER FOR THE INTRO TO TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM
There is still time to register for the Intro to Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, an in-person, non-credit workshop series open to members of the Ģą˝´«Ă˝ community. The program introduces concepts like entrepreneurial mindset, opportunity identification, and value creation. Additional workshop topics include refining business ideas, developing competitive strategies, disruptive innovation, protecting intellectual property, crafting business plans, and boosting communication skills. The program will also feature special guest speakers, including startup founders and technology leaders!
The workshops take place from 5:15-6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting February 3 and ending March 5 in CSB 601. The deadline has been extended, but please complete this  to register your interest in attending these workshops. Email Dina Uzri for more information.
REMEMBERING DONNA MURA
I’m sad to share that our colleague , a development program associate in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Advancement, died on January 12. Donna worked hard behind-the-scenes to help the Hajim School with logistics for advancement visits and events, in coordinating stewardship reports and notes, supporting this newsletter, and a myriad of other tasks she so adeptly managed to support us. We are deeply grateful for all her efforts to support the University over the past 20 years. .
Take care.
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
