April 6, 2026
Ģý photo / J. Adam Fenster
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
As part of ,Trustee Ria Nova ’98, a finance and investment industry executive, has committed $1 million to support scholarships and student success initiatives at the URochester. The gift will provide both immediate funding and permanent support for undergraduate students.
Her gift includes $400,000 to support the Ria & Josh Nova Endowed Scholarship as part of the Piaker Family Scholarship Challenge. Preference will be given to first-generation students with the greatest demonstrated financial need in the School of Arts & Sciences and the Hajim School. Her overall gift will also fund student success initiatives through the George Eastman Circle, the University’s leadership annual giving society.
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GRADUATE RESEARCH DAY
Ģý photo / Silka Houghton
More than 60 master’s and PhD students showcased their latest scientific advancements in last Thursday’s Graduate Research Day. Hosted by Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs, the event featured 10-minute research talks, professional development workshops, and a research poster symposium. Congratulations to the following Hajim students who were recognized at the event:
- Best Research Poster Award in the Engineering and Mathematics Category (tie): computer science PhD student Tariq Adnan for “Multimodal Remote Digital Phenotyping for Detecting and Tracking Early Parkinsonian Change in LRRK2 Carriers”
- Best Research Poster Award in the Engineering and Mathematics Category (tie): chemical engineering PhD student Swastik Paul for “Deciphering the Role of Cations in the CO oxidation reaction pathway”
- People’s Choice Poster Award: chemical engineering PhD student Eliya Tazreena Tashbib for “PRDM16 is required for normal nasal septal cartilage and bone development in mice”
SECOND COHORT OF BURGER CHEMICAL SUSTAINABILITY SCHOLARS ANNOUNCED
I’m pleased to share that a new cohort of undergraduate Ի students will gain crucial paid research experience through a scholars program established by a Rochester trustee. The second cohort of Barbara J. Burger Chemical Sustainability Scholars will conduct research at the forefront of sustainability under the guidance of Rochester faculty.
Established last year through a gift from Rochester Trustee Barbara J. Burger ’83, the program provides a pathway for exploring professional interests during a 15-month research project. The gift will support three cohorts of four students. This year’s scholars include:
- Grace Culligan ’28 (chemistry), who will study under the guidance of Assistant Professor
- Rhys Donnelly ’28 (chemistry), who will study under the guidance of , the Andrew S. Kende Professor in Synthetic Organic Chemistry
- Happiness Mwasomola ’28 (chemical engineering), who will study under the guidance of Assistant Professor
- Sarah Park ’29 (chemical engineering), who will study under the guidance of Associate Professor
Please join me in congratulating these students as they begin their research journeys!
EDGE CONSORTIUM SCHOLARS EXPLORE SEMICONDUCTOR INNOVATION IN VERMONT
The Hajim School was pleased to send five exceptional students on a trip to Burlington, Vermont for firsthand exposure to the cutting edge of semiconductor research and manufacturing through the . The featured visits to GlobalFoundries, one of the world’s leading semiconductor foundries; Marvell Technology; and two specialized semiconductor research laboratories at the University of Vermont.
The Ģý students who made the trip included Bereket Temesgen ’27 (engineering science), Gurami Mgebrishvili ’28 (electrical and computer engineering), Kareem Hassan ’28 (computer science), Asilbek Ismatilloev ’28 (computer science), and Will Knoff ’25 (electrical and computer engineering). They were joined by six additional students from five other universities. Together, they engaged with industry professionals and academic researchers to gain insight into the full semiconductor pipeline — from foundational university research to large-scale commercial fabrication. .
GOOD LUCK TO UROCHESTER STUDENTS IN THE RICE BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION
Please join me in wishing the best of luck to Chloe (Kaihua) Chen ’25 PhD (biomedical engineering), PhD student Isabelle Linares, and PhD student Kevin Ling, who will be amongst the 42 teams of student-led startups competing for $1 million in prizes at the April 9-11. The Hajim School and the Ain Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation funded their trip to pitch VivoFlux, a device that provides precise, accurate monitoring and control of flow rates during experiments.
NICK KOZIOL RECEIVES GWENNY AWARD
Congratulations to Nick Koziol, the business engagement and communications manager for the Center of Excellence in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, who was recognized by the Gwen M. Greene Center for Career Education & Connections during their annual Gwennies Awards. Nick received a campus partner award at the ceremony.
Nick was nominated for being “a tremendous advocate for fostering connections, advancing the Ģý Internship Programs initiative, and actively engaging the Greene Center in employer meetings and events. His impactful partnership has strengthened our ability to connect with small businesses and startups. As a result of Nick’s collaboration, students have secured internships that offer meaningful summer experiences centered on experiential learning, skill development, and professional growth.”
Well done!
2026 FINGER LAKES SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE
The Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences and the Center of Excellence in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence will host this year’s Finger Lakes Science and Technology Showcase on Thursday, April 23 at the Memorial Art Gallery. The Showcase brings together university researchers and industry professionals from the Finger Lakes region and throughout New York State for a dynamic, full-day event designed to spark meaningful interaction, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate innovation that drives regional economic growth.
The keynote address will be delivered by Barry Silverstein, the Director of the Center for eXtended Reality (CXR). New this year, the Finger Lakes Science & Technology Showcase will coincide with TechRochester’s Technology Woman of the Year. Visit the COE website to learn more and register.
PHELPS COLLOQUIUM: LIGHTING THE PATH FORWARD FEATURING DUSTIN FROULA
, the division director of plasma and ultrafast laser science and engineering at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) will speak as part of the Phelps Colloquium lecture series from 3-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23. Dustin’s talk will offer an inside look at LLE and its pioneering work with some of the most powerful lasers in the world. Dustin will highlight emerging technologies, including OMEGA Next and NSF OPAL, the world’s highest-power laser, and discuss how these advances are opening new possibilities in laser–plasma science. Register on the Office of the Provost website.
REMINDER—CLAUDE CODING: HOW EMPLOYERS ARE UTILIZING AI TOOLS
Join Ģý alum Sefik Emre Eskimez (’19 PhD), who is working at the forefront of AI, for a one-hour interactive session exploring how tools like Claude Code are changing the way engineers write code, solve problems, and collaborate. During this virtual event from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, you will see practical examples of AI-assisted coding in action and learn how AI is reshaping the skills employers look for in early-career engineers.
The session will also explore how entry-level engineering roles are evolving: which tasks are being automated, what new responsibilities are emerging, and how students can prepare now to stay competitive. Whether you’re curious about AI-assisted coding or thinking about your future in engineering, this session will offer insights and strategies to help you adapt and thrive.
Participants are encouraged to have Claude Coding on their computer during the session for interactive challenges. .
LATE NIGHT UNPLUGGED
Students are encouraged to put their phones down and plug into real life during a Late Night Unplugged event hosted by Student Activities at 9 p.m. on Friday, April 10 at the Ruth Merrill Center in Wilson Commons. There will be food, board games, and low-stress activities that make it easy to meet someone new, share a laugh, or just spend time together. Phones stay tucked away while you’re in the space, so the focus stays on conversation, community, and being present in the moment. Arrive solo or bring a friend, but come ready to build connections beyond the screen.
JOIN US IN LONDON AS WE LAUNCH THE FOR EVER BETTER CAMPAIGN
The University publicly launched —its largest and most ambitious fundraising and engagement initiative ever—last fall and now President Sarah Mangelsdorf is taking the campaign across the pond.
This summer, the University will host a campaign regional launch event in London on Wednesday, June 17. .
Have a great week!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
