March 30, 2026
Ģý photo / J. Adam Fenster
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
Lasers have opened new avenues for scientific discovery and everyday applications from scanners at the grocery store to corrective eye surgery. Conventional lasers control photons—individual particles of light—but over the past 20 years, scientists have invented lasers that control other fundamental particles, including phonons—individual particles of vibration or sound. Controlling phonons could open even more possibilities with lasers, such as taking advantage of unique quantum properties like entanglement.
A team led by , the Marie C. Wilson and Joseph C. Wilson Professor of Optical Physics at URochester, developed a new squeezed phonon laser that provides precise control over phonons at the nanoscale. This could give new insights into the nature of gravity, particle acceleration, and quantum physics. Read about this exciting new advancement at the News Center.
WONDERFUL COMBINATIONS
At the URochester, there’s no need to “pick a lane.” Here, art meets analytics, science meets soul, and curiosity leads to unexpected outcomes. It’s a home where thinkers and doers, scholars and starters, healers and leaders come together to create a world that’s ever better.
The University beautifully captured this sentiment in a new video featuring an original score composed by the Eastman School of Music’s Mark Watters and performed live by the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra. !
UROCHESTER AMONG THE TOP 100 WORLDWIDE UNIVERSITIES GRANTED U.S. UTILITY PATENTS
Ģý photo / J. Adam Fenster
Ģý is gaining global recognition as a hotbed for innovation. The National Academy of Inventors recently named the Ģý among the . Released annually since 2013, the ranking showcases the crucial role patents play in moving university innovation from bench to market, as well as the important role academic institutions play in the innovation ecosystem at large.
Ģý had 40 patents granted during the 2025 calendar year, and I’m proud to say the Hajim School plays a large role in our ranking on this list. Eight of the 11 Ģý faculty who have been named to the National Academy of Inventors have a primary appointment in the Hajim School, including the late Kevin Parker, Wayne Knox, Jim Zavislan, Jannick Rolland, Duncan Moore, David Williams, Jiebo Luo, and Eby Friedman.
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BAJA SAE TEAM UNVEILS 2026 CAR
Ģý photo / Gary Kong
Yellowjacket Racing, Ģý’s student-led Baja SAE team, unveiled their 2026 car on Friday during a ceremony at Rettner Hall. The students have put countless hours of work into creating this impressive vehicle that will be put to test against more than 100 teams from other universities at the this summer in nearby Palmyra.
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IN THE NEWS: STEPHEN LIM ’27 AND WALTER MCDONALD ‘27
This fall, entrepreneurial Hajim School students Stephen Lim ’27 (Ի) and Walter McDonald ’27 (Ի) launched , which started as an artificial intelligence receptionist service and has expanded to help small businesses implement AI in various ways. The duo and one of their clients were recently interviewed by News 10 WHEC for a great look at how they are creating their own opportunities in an uncertain job market. .
SHOWCASING ACCESSIBILITY TECHNOLOGY AT THE DEAF DAY OF PLAY
For the third year in a row, the Strong National Museum of Play’s annual featured innovations from the laboratory of , an assistant professor of at and the Biggar Family Fellow in Data Science at the . Zhen and her students demonstrated their latest AI-powered technologies aimed at helping hearing families learn ASL together with their Deaf and hard-of-hearing children in a playful and accessible way.
Learn more about the empowering technology they are creating at the News Center.
EVER BETTER GRADUATE MENTORS
Congratulations to several Hajim School members and partners who were recognized as Ever Better Graduate Mentors through the Graduate Mentorship Recognition Program. This initiative, organized by the Office of Graduate Education & Postdoctoral Affairs for the School of Arts & Sciences and the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, celebrates mentors who have gone above and beyond in supporting graduate students’ academic and professional development.
- Director for Regulatory Support Services
- Assistant Professor from the Department of Chemical and Sustainability Engineering
- Professor from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- , the Albert Arendt Hopeman Professor of Engineering
- Professor from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Their dedication, guidance, and support make a lasting difference in the graduate student experience at the URochester. Please join me in congratulating all who were recognized!
GRADUATE RESEARCH DAY
Speaking of graduate students, the latest research by master’s and PhD students in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering will be on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 2 during Graduate Research Day.
The annual event will include 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. Visit the GEPA website for details including the full program, research abstracts, and times and locations for specific events.
UPCOMING FULBRIGHT INFORMATION SESSIONS
Students who are interested in teaching English, conducting research, or doing graduate coursework abroad after graduation should join the Fellowships Office to learn the basics of the Fulbright US Student Program. This State Department-sponsored opportunity lets U.S. citizens serve as cultural ambassadors abroad.
Current juniors, seniors, grad students, and alumni are eligible to apply, but any interested students may attend these sessions. Questions can be sent to fellowships@rochester.edu. All in-person sessions will be held in the Career Center Conference Room, Dewey Hall Room 4-200.
- 5-6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1 (in person)—Fulbright 101: Preparing to Apply for 2027-28 Student Grants, All Your Questions Answered
- 1-2 p.m. on Friday, April 3 (in person)—Fulbright Grants & International Graduate Study
- 4-5 p.m. on Monday, April 6 (virtual)—Fulbright Study/Research Awards: What can you do and how do you develop a competitive proposal. .
- 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8 (in person)—Fulbright ETA Awards: Teach English Conversation & US Culture Abroad: How to select a country and what makes a competitive candidacy
- 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14 (in person)—Fulbright Study/Research Awards: What can you do and how do you develop a competitive proposal
- 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 16 (virtual)—Fulbright ETA Awards: Teach English Conversation & US Culture Abroad: How to select a country and what makes a competitive candidacy. .
Have a great week!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
