May 18, 2026
Photo by Gary Kong / Ģý
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
After a whirlwind Commencement Weekend, hundreds of new Hajim School alumni are now crisscrossing the globe to begin positions in industry, further their education with advanced degrees, embark on Fulbright exchanges, and so much more.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Commencement Weekend a special experience, from family members who travelled long distances to volunteers who served as ushers and guides. Putting together a celebration of this caliber takes a village, and I am thankful for all the hard work the community put in to make this a memorable weekend for our graduates. Relive the experience through photos and videos posted on the University’s social media channels.
While campus is a little quieter now, a busy summer lies ahead. Students from across the country will come to campus for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) run by the and , groups like the will host meetings that bring global experts to discuss the latest advances in their field, high school students will get a taste of higher education through , and of course, construction will be underway to improve the campus experience.
Best wishes to everyone as we turn the page from spring to summer!
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Commencement festivities began on Thursday with the induction of new engineers into the Meliora Link of the . This year, 137 new alumni accepted the “Obligation of an Engineer” during a ceremony at Strong Auditorium.
During the Friday Senior Awards ceremony, we recognized students with the following annual Hajim School prizes:
- ճCharles L. Newton Prizerecognizes engineering students who show a special proficiency in an engineering subject and have conducted research, given a presentation or published a paper.
- Sreejato Chatterjee (data science)
- ճDonald M. Barnard Prizeis awarded to junior or senior engineering students on the basis of personal qualification and achievement.
- Jack Collings (chemical engineering)
- Simon Solop (chemical engineering)
- Kai Hua Liu (biomedical engineering)
- Weronika Kierzenka (biomedical engineering)
- Lorraine Tshamekang (chemical engineering)
- Brayden Hirotsu (biomedical engineering)
- Andy Feng Chen (computer science)
- Quang Nguyen (electrical and computer engineering
- Maia Nguyen (optical engineering)
- Charlotte Cook (biomedical engineering)
- ճRichard Eisenberg Engineering Awardrecognizes hard-working undergraduates with an interest in materials science.
- Steven Zhang (mechanical engineering)
- The Harold Hook Prize is presented to a student who has demonstrated outstanding interest in engineering.
- Annika Deans (biomedical engineering)
- Emily DeVeyra (optics)
- The Lisa Norwood Student Endowment Fund Prize recognizes students who have shown commitment and service to the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences by building community and belonging.
- Courtney Palmeri (chemical engineering)
- ճTau Beta Pi Prizeis awarded to a senior who, through academic achievement, proven leadership, and character has excelled and inspired fellow students.
- Kyra McCracken (biomedical engineering)
- Martin Trpceski (electrical and computer engineering)
- Nyasha Gwaza (electrical and computer engineering)
- The work to address one of 14 grand challenges established by the National Academy of Engineering that engineers face to make progress toward a better world.
- Claire English (computational biology and statistics)
- Shailey Guddeti (cell and developmental biology)
- Nyasha Gwaza (electrical and computer engineering)
- Weronika Kierzenka (biomedical engineering)
- Kathryn Lambright (biomedical engineering)
- Nyaradzo Mararanje (computer science)
- Abobakar Sediq Miakhel (physics and mechanical engineering)
- Zhi Qu (computational biology)
- Lizmairi Vargas Santa (business)
- The Outstanding Dissertation Award, presented by Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs, is awarded by a panel of faculty reviewers as a testament to the exceptional quality, rigor, and impact of scholarship in pursuit of a PhD.
- Alanna Klose (materials science)
- Isabelle Linares (biomedical engineering)
FACULTY AND STAFF AWARDS
During Commencement Weekend, we also celebrated several outstanding faculty and staff members who have had a profound impact advancing the Hajim School’s mission. Here are the individuals recognized with annual awards from the Hajim School and the University:
- ʰǴڱǰ ’81, ’88 PhD from the , known by his peers as a true “engineer’s engineer,” received the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. This is the Hajim School’s top annual faculty award and recognizes faculty for outstanding achievements in research, teaching, and leadership over the course of their career.
- Professor from the was recognized for his exceptional contributions in research, teaching, mentorship, and service with the 2026 Edmund A. Hajim Outstanding Faculty Award.
- Evelyn Goldman, the assistant chair for the , was presented the 2026 Edmund A. Hajim Outstanding Staff Award for her selfless leadership, integrity, and tireless dedication.
- Jodyi Wren, the associate dean and director of the , received the University’s Distinguished Contributions to Undergraduate Learning Award for her more than 20 years transforming career exploration, preparation, and launch strategies for students.
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2026 FULBRIGHT WINNERS
I’m pleased to share that two Hajim School students are among the University’s 12 students who won Fulbright US Student Program awards thanks to support from the Student Fellowships Office.
Sponsored by the Department of State since 1946, this prestigious program aims to promote mutual understanding and peace between the United States and other nations through educational and cultural exchange. Recipients conduct research, pursue advanced studies, and assist in teaching English communication skills and American culture abroad, while also participating in a wide range of self-initiated community engagement endeavors in their host countries.
Marcos Ibáñez Matles ’26 (electrical and computer engineering and computer science) won a study/research award to pursue the MSc in Microelectronics and Chip Design at the Technical University of Munich. Kathryn Lambright ’26 (biomedical engineering) will travel to Tampere University in Finland to pursue a master’s degree in biomedical science and engineering with a specialization in biomedical micro- and nano-devices.
Learn more about the Fulbright winners at the Student Fellowships Office website.
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FUND CALL FOR PRE-PROPOSAL APPLICATIONS
Ģý’s Technology Development Fund (TDF) will begin accepting pre-proposal applications for its 24th round of funding starting June 1. The fund supports University researchers who wish to further the process of translating their research into commercial opportunities. Awards can range from $40,000 to $100,000 to support projects of approximately one year in duration. Faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, students, and employees of the University who have submitted (or who will submit by June 30, 2026) an invention disclosure to the UR Ventures Office are encouraged to apply.
The deadline for submitting pre-proposal applications for consideration of funding this cycle is June 30, 2026. The pre-proposal application form and frequently asked questions can be found on the UR Ventures website.
INSTITUTE OF OPTICS SUMMER SHORT COURSES
The Institute of Optics is offering its Summer Short Course Series from May 25 through June 19, featuring 11 courses covering a wide range of topics in optics for industry professionals. Course formats vary, with some running just three hours a day for three days, while others span a week or longer. Most courses are offered virtually for added flexibility, and Ģý alumni receive a 20 percent discount. and email Dustin Newman for discount codes or additional information.
NEWLY FUNDED RESEARCH
Congratulations to Distinguished Professor from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who received a $150,000 award with Era73 Technologies Inc. through the for a project titled “Superconducting Accelerator Prototypes for Data Center Application.”
MEMORIAL DAY
Next Monday, the University will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. The next edition of Hajim Highlights will come out on Monday, June 1.
Have a great week!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
