Hajim Spotlights : About Us : Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences : University of Rochester

Hajim Spotlights

Images of faculty and students

We’re spotlighting the students, staff, faculty, and alumni at the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences who are making the world ever better.

If you have a suggestion of a person who would make a great spotlight you can recommend a spotlight by emailing Hana Goldstein at hana.goldstein@rochester.edu.

Celebrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

portraits of faculty, staff and alumni

The Hajim School is committed to:

increasing the diversity of our students, staff, and faculty;
creating policies, programs, and opportunities to ensure that women and those traditionally underrepresented in engineering are treated equitably;
and, above all, supporting everyone with a spirit of genuine inclusivity.

Click here here to learn more about our committment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to find profiles of more than 50 Hajim School faculty, staff, and alumni who serve as role models, including those listed below.

Women Faculty in Engineering

Niaz Abdolrahim, mechanical engineering—Abdolrahim wanted to be an engineer since she was in high school. She was drawn to the idea of solving problems using math, and of designing new systems and engineering concepts.

Amy Lerner, biomedical engineering—Lerner began her career designing functional clothing for people with disabilities and parts of space suits for ILC Dover (supplying NASA) before turning to biomedical engineering.

Jennifer Hunter, ophthalmology, biomedical engineering, optics—Hunter has turned her interests in physics and visual science into a career studying retinal imaging, the process of taking digital images of the back of a person’s eye.

Jannick Rolland, optics— Rolland discovered her passion for technical design while watching a theatre production at age 16. Today, she is a leading expert in freeform optics and cofounder of the startup LighTopTech.

Jessica Shang, mechanical engineering—Shang’s childhood interests in tools, tinkering, and math and science have led her to a career in academia studying the fluid mechanics of biological phenomena.

Visit the Celebration 2020 website to see more profiles of Hajim School women faculty members, alumnae, and staff who have contributed to engineering and computer science.

Student Spotlights

Grand Challenges Scholars

grand challenges scholars engaged in activities

University of Rochester students are seeking recognition as Grand Challenges Scholars. The program asks students from any discipline to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing society.

Learn more here about the ways the University of Rochester is tailor made for Grand Challenges Scholars to tackle these challenges--and how students have taken full advantage!

Also check out these Q-and-A’s and profiles.

2022 Grand Challenges Scholars:

2021 Grand Challenges Scholars:

2020 Grand Challenges Scholars:

2019 Grand Challenges Scholars:

2018 Grand Challenges Scholars:

Outstanding Students

Collage of outstanding students

Each month, the Hajim School recognizes outstanding engineering and computer science students who make the most of the full spectrum of opportunities at the University of Rochester to pursue learning beyond the classroom.

Kate Korslund ’20, mechanical engineering
Supportive teammates, professors help her excel

Daniel Savage ’20 PhD MD, dual doctorates in optics and medicine
MD-PhD grad has a ‘rare combination of attributes’

Greg Hernandez ’20, audio and music engineering
Ready to ‘innovate, create, and change the world’

Tresa Elias ’20, biomedical engineering
A ‘rare gift’ for doing research

Caroline Cardinale ’21, mechanical engineering
Dyslexia did not deter this ‘fearless’ researcher

Ethan Fahnestock '21, interdepartmental engineering, physics
Goldwater scholar enjoys flexibility to pursue his passions

Doran Teverovsky ’20, optics
He makes optics look easy

Anindini Singh ’21, data science, economics
Persistence helps her master a ‘steep learning curve’

Francis Pellegrino ’22, optical engineering
A passion for entrepreneurship

Tram Nguyen ’22, biomedical engineering, economics
She would like to be an innovator like Elon Musk

collage of outstanding students

Dominick Harasimiuk ’21, computer science, financial economics
Eager to begin a career in finance and technology

Claire Wilson ’21, chemical engineering
‘A clear standout’

Marc Haddad ’21, mechanical engineering
‘I am ready to be many things’

Alyssa Ho ’21, optical engineering
Optics grad has her eyes on the stars

Onjen Bosic ’22, mechanical engineering
University aids his quest for ‘useful’ knowledge

Hristijan Stojkovic ’22, optical engineering
Orphan turned scholar learns the value of mentors

Tracey Moyston ‘22, biomedical engineering
Experiences here prepare her to be a role model

Kendra Watson ’22, chemical engineering
Enjoying an ‘absolutely fantastic’ time at Rochester

Muhammed El-Sayed ’22, electrical and computer engineering
He's found his niche at Studio X

Nicholas Achuthan ’23, optics
This is the ‘best possible place’ to study both piano and photons

Valerie Batista ‘23, computer science, music
Rochester’s flexibility helps her thrive

Savannah Schisler ‘22, mechanical engineering, physics and astronomy
This transfer student has set a high bar

Kelsey Lee ‘23, optical engineering, piano performance
She excels at both piano and optics

Student Internship Experiences

Class of 2020:

Undergraduate Research Fellows

The Engineering Research Fellows Program provides engineering undergraduates with an opportunity to participate in a research experience in the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences during the summer. Check out these 2018 Fellows:

Perla Aguilar is a mechanical engineering major who worked on analyzing satellite data taken from various organizations like NASA and the European Space Agency to study oceanic heat transport for her Xerox Fellowship Project.
Amro Bayoumy is a mechanical engineering major whose Engineering Research Fellowship project focused on improving wind farm efficiency.
Zachary Byron, an electrical and computer engineering major, taught robots to understand voice commands as part of his Engineering Research Fellowship.
Jordan Floyd, an electrical and computer engineering major, uses Java and Android Studio to help create an interactive healthcare app.
Gregory Hernandez, an audio and music engineering major, worked with Mark Bocko on designing flat-panel speakers for his Engineering Research Fellowship.
Beauclaire Mbanya is a chemical engineering major working on liquid metal batteries to help address the problem of energy storage in solar grids.