Retirement
Professorships
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Three faculty members are installed to endowed positions
Richard Pifer looks back on 15 years with the University
Design Day
Honors
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Engineering students show off their senior projects
Faculty to be recognized for teaching excellence
University of Rochester Thursday May 15, 2014
The next issue of Currents will be published in September.
Vol. 41, No. 8
Send submissions by Sept. 5
www.rochester.edu/currents
to currents@rochester.edu.
Leadership changes announced Andrew Ainslie has been named the seventh dean of the Simon Business School, succeeding Dean Mark Zupan, whose term ends on June 30. Jamal Rossi has been named the Joan and Martin Messinger Dean of the Eastman School of Music, pending board approval. Joanna Olmsted has also announced that she will be leaving her position as dean of the School of Arts & Sciences on July 1 after two decades of University leadership. Read more on page 8.
J. ADAM FENSTER
Changes have been announced to three deanships at the University
Andrew Ainslie
David Williams named to National Academy of Sciences By Leonor Sierra
Vera Gorbunova to lead 5-year project on longevity The National Institute on Aging awards $9.5 million to investigate why certain rodent species live so long
lsierra@ur.rochester.edu
David Williams, one of the world’s leading experts on human vision, has been named a member of the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. The honor is one of the highest given to a scientist in the United States. Williams was one of 84 scientists selected for 2014. Williams has pioneered new technologies that are improving the eyesight of people around the globe, from the legally blind to those with 20/20 vision. He is the William G. Allyn Professor of Medical Optics, dean for research and director of the Center for Visual Science. “David’s election to the National Academy recognizes a remarkable record of truly brilliant contributions to our understanding of how we see,” says Peter Lennie, provost and the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences & Engineering. “His work ranges from fundamental discoveries about the organization of the photoreceptors in the eye, to the development of inventive techniques that greatly improve the outcomes from refractive surgery and greatly improve our prospects for understanding retinal disease.” “David Williams has been a force in the field of vision science, and his induction into the National Academy of Sciences is very
Jamal Rossi
By Peter Iglinski peter.iglinski@rochester.edu
David Williams
well deserved,” says Rob Clark, senior vice president for research and dean of the Hajim School. “His work and his mentorship of students and colleagues exemplify the high academic values that we strive for here at Rochester.” In 2012 Williams received the most prestigious award in the field of vision, the António Champalimaud Vision Award. He is the author of more than 100 papers, a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and recipient of the Friedenwald Award from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, among other honors. In 2003, his adaptive optics phoropter, which allows for more precise corrective lens prescriptions, was named one of R&D magazine’s top 100 inventions of the year. He joined the University in 1981 after earning a doctorate in psychology in 1979 from the University of California at San Diego. Currents 147 Wallis Hall Rochester, NY 14627
Vera Gorbunova, professor of biology, whose innovative research on DNA repair and the aging process has been internationally recognized, has been awarded a $9.5 million grant from the National Institute on Aging to study longevity. Gorbunova will lead a five-year project, which includes colleagues at Rochester, Harvard University, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, to explore the factors responsible for longevity in various rodent species, with the goal of developing treatments
to improve the aging process in people. “Professor Gorbunova has made tremendous strides with her research on the anti-cancer mechanisms of naked mole rats,” says President Joel Seligman. “We are extremely proud that she will now build on this groundbreaking work by leading colleagues at Harvard University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine to advance our understanding of problems associated with aging.” Researchers will focus on rodents because they are genetically similar to humans and have a diverse range of lifespans. Mice and rats, for example, typically
live two to four years, while naked mole rats, beavers, porcupines, and squirrels have lifespans in excess of 20 years. Naked mole rats, which have been known to live more than 30 years, are of special interest since they remain free of age-related problems and disease—including cancer—until the very end of their lives. “As people age, they are more likely to come down with a variety of diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis,” says Gorbunova. “By working together, researchers at the three institutions will be See “Gorbunova,” page 10
Commencement celebrates scholarship, achievement The University will recognize the achievements of about 3,000 graduates who have earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across all schools. Commencement ceremonies will also recognize the outstanding contributions of distinguished leaders and scholars who will receive honorary degrees, medals for exemplary service, and awards for scholarship and teaching. Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC’s nightly talk show, Hardball with Chris Matthews, will deliver the 164th Arts,
Sciences & Engineering commencement address on Sunday, May 18. During the 9 a.m. ceremony on the Eastman Quadrangle, Matthews will receive an honorary doctor of letters degree. Samuel Hope ’67E, formerly executive director of the National Association of Schools of Music, is the speaker at the Eastman School’s commencement, which begins at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, May 18, in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Other honorees include Barry Meyer ’64, longtime Warner Bros. Entertainment executive and
founder and chairman of North Ten Mile Associates, will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree. For nearly 14 years, he served as chairman and CEO of Warner Bros., leading one of the most successful collections of entertainment brands and companies in the world. A life trustee of the University, in 2004 Meyer delivered the Arts, Sciences & Engineering commencement address and received the Hutchison Medal, the highest award See “Commencement,” page 10
2 Currents | Thursday, May 15, 2014
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Taking a spin Carnival rides, food, music, and other activities drew students, faculty, and
J. ADAM FENSTER
staff out for Dandelion Day on April 25.
In Brief Mini-grants available for community-engaged learning In an effort to increase experiential learning opportunities for students, Arts, Sciences & Engineering will award 10 mini-grants (maximum value of $500 each) to instructors for courses offered in fall 2014 and spring 2015. The grants can cover, for instance, the cost of student transportation to sites off campus or costs associated with collaborating on projects with community organizations. All courses taught across the University to AS&E undergraduates are eligible. Applications must be submitted by Monday, June 2. Grant recipients will be notified by Friday, June 13. Learn more at www.rochester. edu/college/rccl/faculty/minigrants.html.
President Seligman issues diversity report In his eighth annual diversity report, President Joel Seligman discusses progress in the University’s diversity initiatives, including an increase in the proportion of faculty and staff who are women or who identify themselves as members of an underrepresented racial or ethnic minority group, and the diversity strategic plan for the next five years. “I am gratified to be associated with a University where a commitment to diversity
is consistently reflected in the decisions of our board and senior leadership,” Seligman says. Read the full report at www.rochester. edu/president/assets/pdf/ DiversityReport2014.pdf.
Best Translated Book Award winners announced Seiobo There Below, Laszlo Krasznahorkai’s follow-up to last year’s Best Translated Book Award winner, Satantango, won the 2014 Best Translated Book Award for Fiction, presented by Three Percent. The book was translated from the Hungarian by Ottilie Mulzet and published by New Directions. This year’s top poetry prize was awarded to The Guest in the Wood by Elisa Biagini, translated from the Italian by Diana Thow, Sarah Stickney, and Eugene Ostashevsky, and published by Chelsea Editions.
Genomics Research Center acquires new equipment With funding from the recent Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council award and the School of Medicine and Dentistry, the Genomics Research Center will purchase a new ABI QuantStudio 12K FLEX to replace the ABI 7900HT qPCR system. The center anticipates the transition to the QuantStudio
12K to occur in July. Current users are encouraged to finish ongoing projects on the 7900HT system. If you have any questions or concerns, contact John Ashton at john_ashton@urmc.rochester. edu.
Total Compensation Statement available on HRMS See the full value of your 2013 wages and benefits together in your Total Compensation Statement—now available on HRMS with your NetID login.
Sign up for parking notification emails Get parking-related notifications—including shuttle changes, holiday schedules, parking lot projects, and announcements— sent directly to your inbox. Sign up at www.rochester.edu/parking/ about/parkingmailinglist. Questions? Call 275-5953.
Fun Fitness Camp starts June 23 The URMC Fitness and Wellness Center hosts a day camp for children ages 7 to 12. The camp runs from 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. (7:45 a.m. drop-off option available for a nominal fee) June 23 to Aug. 22 and includes activities such as swimming, sports, games, crafts, plus a weekly theme and field trip. You can pick single days or full weeks as needed. Learn more at www.urmc.rochester.edu/fitness-wellness-center/programs/ youth.
Blood pressure challenge this month
Safety corner: ergonomic equipment
The University is participating in the second annual Community Blood Pressure Challenge. You can participate by having your blood pressure taken at least once and entering it at bpchallenge.org during the challenge (May 1 to 31). For every blood pressure reading taken, a $1 donation will be made to support ongoing blood pressure initiatives and community outreach, up to $50,000. Well-U is offering free blood pressure screenings throughout the challenge. Blood pressure kiosks are available in Cafe 601 and the Employee Pharmacy in the Medical Center for those who cannot attend a screening. Direct questions to well-u-info@rochester.edu.
The University’s Occupational Safety Unit provides a range of services to the University community, including individual ergonomic assessments, assistance with the evaluation and selection of ergonomic equipment, and ergonomic training. Learn more at www.safety.rochester.edu/safetyinfo/helpwithergoconcerns.html.
Warrior Walk honors cancer survivors Wilmot Cancer Center is sponsoring its second Warrior Walk in celebration of National Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday, June 1, on the River Campus. Participants can choose among a 13.1-mile walk beginning at 8 a.m.; a 13.1-mile run beginning at 10:30 a.m.; a 6.6-mile walk beginning at 10:30 a.m.; or a 1-mile walk beginning at noon. Register online by May 31 at 10 a.m., or June 1 on-site, 30 minutes prior to the start of each walk or run. The cost is $25, which is waived with $100 in pledges. For more information, visit: http:// teamraiser.rochester.edu/site/ TR?fr_id=1050&pg=entry.
Rib Fest Supports Golisano Children’s Hospital Barbeque lovers and festival fans will fill the north side of Genesee Valley Park over Memorial Day weekend, May 23 to 26, for food and live music at this year’s Roc City Rib Fest. The seventh annual competition begins at 5 p.m. May 23 and includes more than 100 professional barbequers from across the country who compete to win $22,000 in prizes. One dollar of every $5 ticket benefits Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Currents | Thursday, May 15, 2014 3
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Richard Pifer to retire in May Faculty installed to endowed professorships Pifer has led Facilities and Services since 1999 Ron Kaniel, Joanna Wu, and Stephen Kates honored at recent ceremonies
By Sara Miller smiller@ur.rochester.edu
Richard Pifer, associate vice president for facilities and services, will retire this May after nearly 15 years at the University. Pifer came to the University in August 1999 and has since made significant contributions to the department and its services and has led several major initiatives. Facilities and Services encompasses the River Campus, Medical Center, Eastman School, the Memorial Art Gallery, and other properties totaling more than 12 million gross square feet of the University’s multisite campus. Facilities and Services is a large, complex piece of the institution, and, according to Pifer, utility infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and campus appearance have been consistently at or near the top of his priority list. Among the many improvements to the infrastructure is an expansion of the chilled water plant with the upgrade of 8,000 tons of chilling capacity—an improvement of fundamental importance to a stable, reliable utility system supporting health care, research, education, and residential life activities. The upgrade, which now allows the University to meet the cooling requirements of the Medical Center and the River Campus with limited redundancy for the first and only time since Pifer’s arrival, is part of the Utilities Master Plan developed under his leadership. Pifer also created a framework for efficient and cost-effective campus infrastructure planning. “We developed a system that provides a total facilities needs-summary for the campuses as they develop and implement their strategic plans,” says Pifer. “We know more about the condition of our facilities and are in a better position to advise the divisions about wise investments in the physical plant than ever before.” More visibly, higher standards for campus appearance have been established virtually every year since Pifer’s arrival. Among the enhancements are Wilson Boulevard’s tree-lined median and other campus roadway improvements, restored vistas to the
Richard Pifer
Genesee River, and thousands of square feet of crumbling asphalt walks replaced with concrete. Large segments of River Campus have been irrigated, and University gardens have been enlarged and improved. The result, says Pifer, is a softer, more inviting campus that assists in attracting and retaining high-quality students, staff, and faculty. Additionally, Facilities and Services has earned national recognition for excellence in grounds maintenance, as well as sustainability. Above all, Pifer says he is most proud of “the men and women in the department who quietly and professionally provide quality support around the clock, day in and day out.” “Richard has done a remarkable job in keeping our campuses safe, attractive, and operating with a high degree of reliability and efficiency,” says Ron Paprocki, senior vice president for administration and finance and CFO. “He also has played a pivotal role in representing the University to our surrounding neighborhoods.” With a home in Herndon, Va., Pifer says retirement will bring an end to the long, multi-state commute that he has done for years, and he’s going to take some time to figure out where and how to spend the next phase of his life. “I spent the first 24 years of my adult life as an infantry soldier and the next 23 plus years as a facilities guy. I was not sure what I would do when I left the Army, and I am not certain what my future will be. I do know that I want to spend more time with my wife and pursue hobbies for which I never had time.”
Ron Kaniel is the inaugural Jay S. and Jeanne P. Benet Professor of Finance at the Simon Business School. Kaniel’s research interests are in asset pricing, financial intermediation with a focus on portfolio delegation, and investments. Among other things, his scholarship has enhanced the understanding of how fund managers’ incentives influence investment decisions and how they affect security prices, the information contained in trading volume for predicting returns, and how herd behavior in financial markets can be rational. Kaniel has published articles in the Journal of Finance, Review of Financial Studies, and Journal of Financial Economics, among others. Kaniel earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science and a master’s in computer science from Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He received his PhD in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Kaniel joined Simon in 2011 from the Fuqua Business School at Duke University. The professorship was established through a $1.5 million commitment from Jay S. Benet ’76S (MBA), vice chairman and CFO of The Travelers Companies Inc., and his wife, Jeanne, in support of The Meliora Challenge. A longtime supporter of Simon Business School, Benet is an actively involved member of the school’s National Council and Executive Advisory Committee and is a charter member of the George Eastman Circle, the University’s leadership annual giving society. In recognition of his career accomplishments and his service to the University, he received the 2010 Distinguished Alumnus Award. Joanna Wu will be installed as the first Susanna and Evans Y. Lam Professor at the Simon School on May 15. Wu has been a faculty member at the University since 1999. Her research spans the areas of international financial reporting, the behavior of financial analysts, management compensation, voluntary disclosure, and mutual fund performance. Her work has been published in the Journal of Accounting and Economics, Journal
of Finance, Journal of Accounting Research, and Accounting Review, among others. Wu has been named to the Simon School Dean’s Teaching Honor Roll numerous times. She is an editor of the Journal of Accounting and Economics. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in international economics from Peking University in Beijing, China, Wu earned a master’s in economics and a doctorate in business administration from Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business. The Lam professorship was established through a $1.5 million gift from Hong Kong native and University Trustee Evans Lam ’83, ’84S (MBA) and his wife, Susanna. Lam is senior vice president of wealth management and senior portfolio manager at UBS Financial Services Inc. His wife, Susanna, is a certified public accountant and an accomplished Chinese opera singer and performer. Lam serves on the Simon School’s National Council and Executive Advisory Committee, is a member of the University’s Los Angeles Regional Cabinet, and with his wife, is a charter member of the George Eastman Circle. Lam was recognized with the David T. Kearns Medal of Distinction in 2012 and the John N. Wilder Award in 2010. Orthopaedic surgeon Stephen Kates ’89M (Res), director of the Geriatric Fracture Center, is the inaugural holder of the Hansjörg Wyss Professorship. Kates and the professorship’s creator, Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Hansjörg Wyss, were recognized by the University community on April 2. Kates has created an internationally renowned geriatric fracture care program at Highland Hospital and has developed a model of care for the aging population that is emulated across this country and in several others. He has lectured extensively on geriatric fractures, system improvement, infections, and osteoporosis in North America, Europe, and Asia. Wyss, born and raised in Bern, Switzerland, and now a resident of Wyoming, joined the Giving Pledge, a global initiative
Ron Kaniel
Joanna Wu
Stephen Kates
created by Warren Buffet and Bill Gates that encourages the world’s wealthiest individuals to commit to giving a majority of their wealth to philanthropy. His gift was made to support the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation’s clinical work and research related to geriatric fracture care, which is currently led by Kates in the department’s Center for Musculoskeletal Research.
Gifts from Wilmot Family, Foundation launch $30 million campaign for cancer research Citing a commitment to cancer research that spans three generations of Wilmot family members, Jonathan Friedberg, the Samuel E. Durand Chair and Wilmot Cancer Institute director, announced combined gifts totaling $4 million from the Wilmot family and the James P. Wilmot Foundation, to support cancer research as part of a new $30 million research-focused campaign at UR Medicine. “The Wilmot family’s commitment to cancer research is measured not simply in dollars, but in decades,” said Friedberg. “Their
sustained commitment to cancer research is advancing science, while at the same time elevating the level of cancer care available to the people of our region.” A portion of the Wilmot gift will be placed into an endowment that will fund the Wilmot Distinguished Professorship in Cancer Genomics, and the remaining portion will help to pay the start-up costs for setting up his or her laboratory. Last week, UR Medicine announced the creation of the Wilmot Cancer Institute, a new organizational structure for all of
its clinical and research programs in cancer, including its growing network of satellite locations throughout the region. In addition, it announced a $30 million campaign to support cancer research. The institute’s goal is to provide the highest level of care to individuals throughout western New York, by making the institute’s expertise and capabilities available to patients closer to home. Research—and bringing scientific discoveries directly to patients—is also an integral part of the institute’s mission.
With the Wilmot Cancer Center as its hub, the new institute encompasses seven satellite cancer treatment facilities and all cancer research activities at the University. “Wilmot has been thriving under Jonathan’s leadership, and it’s exciting to see so many important initiatives moving forward at a rapid pace,” says Bradford Berk, CEO of UR Medicine and University senior vice president for health sciences. “He truly understands and pushes the institute’s broad mission: to deliver exceptional care locally
and regionally and to be a leader in cancer research.” Philanthropists Richard Bell Sr. and Robert Kessler are leading the campaign. University Trustee Thomas Wilmot Sr. will serve as honorary chair of the campaign. Funds raised in the Wilmot campaign will be used to expand Wilmot’s research program by creating endowed professorships for cancer researchers, endowed program support for multidisciplinary research funding, and “seed grants” to allow researchers to explore new avenues of research.
4 Currents | Thursday, May 15, 2014
CARMALA GARZIONE
www.rochester.edu/currents
In Research
Rocks near Cerdas in the Altiplano plateau of Boliva contain ancient soils used to decipher the surface temperature and surface uplift history of the southern Altiplano.
Andes mountains formed by ‘growth spurts’ Scientists have long been trying to understand how the Andes and other broad, high-elevation mountain ranges were formed. New research by Carmala Garzione, professor of earth and environmental sciences, and colleagues sheds light on the mystery. In a paper published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Garzione explains that the Altiplano plateau in the central Andes—and most likely the entire mountain range—was formed through a series of rapid growth spurts. “This study provides increasing evidence that the plateau formed through periodic rapid pulses, not through a continuous, gradual uplift of the surface, as was traditionally thought,” says Garzione. “In geologic terms, rapid means rising one kilometer or more over several millions of years, which is very impressive.” It’s been understood that the Andes mountain range has been growing as the Nazca oceanic plate slips underneath the South American continental plate, causing the Earth’s crust to shorten and thicken. But that left two questions: how quickly have the Andes risen to their current height, and what was the actual process that enabled their rise? Garzione worked in the southern Altiplano, collecting climate records preserved in ancient soils at elevations close to sea level, where temperatures remained
The college players who participated in Jeffrey Bazarian’s study wore accelerometers mounted inside their helmets. Researchers were able to track every hit, from seemingly light blows in practice to the most dangerous type of hit—a bobble-head phenomenon known as rotational acceleration.
warm over the history of the Andes, and at high elevations where temperatures should have cooled as the mountains rose. She found that the southern Altiplano region rose by about 2.5 kilometers between 16 million and 9 million years ago, which is considered a rapid rate in geologic terms. “What we are learning is that the Altiplano plateau formed by pulses of rapid surface uplift over several million years, separated by long periods (several tens of million years) of stable elevations,” says Garzione. “We suspect this process is typical of other high-elevation ranges, but more research is needed before we know for certain.” Read more at www.rochester. edu/newscenter.
Off-season doesn’t allow brain to recover from football hits Six months off may not be long enough for the brains of football players to completely heal after a single season, putting them at even greater risk of head injury the next season. “I don’t want to be an alarmist, but this is something to be concerned about,” says Jeffrey Bazarian, associate professor of emergency medicine at the School of Medicine and Dentistry and lead author of the study, published in PLOS ONE. “At this point we don’t know the implications, but there is a valid concern that six months of no-contact rest may not be enough for some players,” he says.
“And the reality of high school, college, and professional athletics is that most players don’t actually rest during the off-season. They continue to train and push themselves and prepare for the next season.” Bazarian investigated the brains of 10 Rochester football players before the start of the 2011 season, at the conclusion of the season, and after six months of no-contact rest. All took part in daily practices and weekly games, but none of them suffered a concussion. Imaging scans showed changes consistent with mild brain injury in about half of the players six months after the season ended, despite the fact that no one had a concussion. Brain changes in the football players were compared to a control group of five college students who didn’t play contact sports. The new data also suggest that inflammation may be a key factor in whether players recovered within six months. Levels of inflammatory markers present in a player’s blood sample correlated with a lack of complete brain recovery. Read more at urmc. rochester.edu/news.
Crowdsourcing can deliver real-time support for physicians A new study shows that physicians can successfully harness the power of crowdsourcing to help diagnose and treat patients in real time. The pilot project, the results of which appear in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, could help providers make more informed decisions and improve the quality of care. The findings were the result of an eight-month field test of a mobile software application that involved 85 health care providers with UR Medicine. The project was led by Marc Halterman and Max Sims from the Department of Neurology, and Jeffrey Bigham
and Henry Kautz from the Department of Computer Science. The team developed an application called DocCHIRP for mobile and desktop use. Devices using the software were encrypted and password protected. The program allowed a provider to send inquiries to individual or groups of physicians and nurses that were part of the 85-person “crowd.” The questions could require either a written or an agree/disagree response. The most common inquiries were related to the effective use of medication, navigating complex medical decisions, guidance regarding standard of care, the selection and interpretation of diagnostic tests, and patient referrals. The fastest response time was 4 minutes and the median time it took for the first response to arrive was 19 minutes. Despite the fact that physicians have at their disposal a wealth of resources that enables them to research medical questions, the authors found that many providers feel that the opinion and guidance of trusted peers were as or more valuable. Read more at www.urmc. rochester.edu/Research/blog.
Drug improves vision in individuals with neurological disorder The drug acetazolamide, combined with a low-sodium weight reduction diet, improves vision in individuals with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), a condition brought about by abnormal pressure on the brain that is not the result of a tumor or other diseases. That’s according to a new study, which appears in the journal JAMA, coordinated by Karl Kieburtz and Michael McDermott from the Center for Human Experimental Therapeutics and also involved Steven Feldon with the Flaum Eye Institute. IIH is associated with obesity and, consequently, is on the rise.
Currents | Thursday, May 15, 2014 5
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An example of a collimated jet in space: images of the young stellar object HH 30, showing changes over a five-year period in the disk and jets of the newborn star, which is about
NASA AND A. WATSON (INSTITUTO DE ASTRONOMIA, UNAM, MEXICO)
half a million years old.
It is most prevalent in overweight women of child-bearing age. Most people with the condition suffer debilitating headaches and, because of pressure on the optic nerve, 86 percent experience visual loss, and 10 percent develop severe visual loss. While acetazolamide is commonly used to treat the condition, there has not been strong evidence to support its use. The researchers found that the participants who took acetazolamide experienced better vision, a reduction in swelling in their eyes, and a higher self-reported quality of life. Additionally, people on the drug also experienced a greater reduction in weight. Read more at www.urmc.rochester.edu/Research/blog.
Experiment on earth demonstrates effect observed in space Streaming jets of high-speed matter produce some of the most stunning objects seen in space. Astronomers have seen them shooting out of young stars just being formed, X-ray binary stars, and the supermassive black holes at the centers of large galaxies. Theoretical explanations for what causes those beam-like jets have been around for years, but now an experiment by French and American researchers using extremely high-powered lasers offers experimental verification of one proposed mechanism for creating them. “This research is an example of how laboratory experiments can be used to test mechanisms that may produce what we observe in space,” says Eric Blackman, professor of physics and astronomy and one of the coauthors. Blackman says that he and his collaborators wanted to recreate conditions in the lab that lead to jets in space becoming collimated—or beam-like—rather than diverging. Theory and computational simulations had suggested the possibility that jets might be created by “shock focused inertial confinement.” Blackman adds that the experiment “confirms that this particular mechanism is viable,
even though other effects are likely to also be taking place.” The research shows evidence of the “shocks” predicted by theory, and which give the mechanism its name. In the paper, published in Physical Review Letters, the researchers explain how they used the laser laboratory facility, LULI, at the Ecole Polytechnique in France, to recreate the space jets. Collaborators at the University of Chicago supplied a sophisticated computer code FLASH that they developed and adapted to help analyze the results. Read more at www.rochester. edu/newscenter.
Lower Hispanic participation in drug benefit may point to barriers Hispanic seniors are 35 percent less likely to have prescription drug coverage despite the existence of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan—also known as Part D—and the availability of assistance to help pay insurance
premiums. That is the finding of a study in the journal Health Affairs. “These results indicate that disparities in prescription drug coverage exist between Hispanic and white Medicare beneficiaries, despite the existence of a potentially universal entitlement program,” says Brian McGarry, a graduate student in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the School of Medicine and Dentistry. “This study suggests that, in spite of the overall success of the Part D program, future policies need to focus on the disproportionately low enrollment of vulnerable populations.” McGarry, Robert Strawderman, chair of the Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, and Yue Li, associate professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences, coauthored the study. The researchers used 2011 data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a new and highly detailed source of data about Medicare beneficiaries which includes information on demographic characteristics,
finances, and health. The researchers found that Hispanic seniors were 35 percent less likely than whites to have any form of drug coverage after controlling for demand for prescription drugs and ability to afford a plan. That is despite the fact that an estimated 65 percent of Hispanics without coverage were eligible to receive premium support. The general complexity of applying for premium subsidies and the financial skills required to accurately determine the value of drug coverage and choose from among a large number of plans may contribute to this phenomenon, the researchers say. Read more at urmc.rochester. edu/news.
Gene discovery links cancer cell ‘recycling’ system to potential new therapy Rochester scientists have discovered a gene with a critical link to pancreatic cancer, and further investigation in mice shows that by blocking the gene’s most important function, researchers can slow
the disease and extend survival. Published online in Cell Reports, the finding offers a potential new route to intrude on a cancer that usually strikes quickly, has been stubbornly resistant to targeted therapies, and has a low survival rate. Most recent improvements in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, in fact, are the result of using different combinations of older chemotherapy drugs. The research was led by Hartmut (Hucky) Land, chair of biomedical genetics at the School of Medicine and Dentistry and director of research at Wilmot Cancer Center, and Aram Hezel, associate professor of medicine. The work identifies a new target in the process of garbage recycling that occurs within the cancer cell called autophagy, which is critical to pancreatic cancer’s progression and growth. “What makes this an exciting opportunity is that the gene we’re studying is critical to the cancer cell’s machinery but it is not essential to the function of normal cells,” says Land. “By targeting these types of non-mutated genes that are highly specific to cancer, we are looking for more effective ways to intervene.” The study underlines Wilmot’s overall approach to cancer research. Rather than investigate single faulty genes linked to single subtypes of cancer, Rochester scientists have identified a larger network of approximately 100 non-mutated genes that cooperate and control the shared activities of many cancers. Read more at urmc.rochester. edu/news.
Making Headlines “Despite decades of effort by presidents and advocacy groups to promote minority and female candidates to the bench, our 1,355 sitting federal judges remain 81 percent white and 76 percent male.” —Maya Sen, assistant professor of political science, writes in a New York Times op-ed that appeared May 2.
“Racism is the American tragedy. And in recent years there has been a series of social dynamics that has been making things worse.” —University President Joel Seligman says in a Democrat and Chronicle article covering a racial equality panel hosted by the YWCA.
“We’re trying to improve our understanding of the Earth’s climate system by looking into the past—seeing how the temperature was changing, how greenhouse gases were changing.” —Vasilii Petrenko, assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences, told the Antarctic Sun. He is principal investigator on a three-year field project to mine tons of ice from a glacier in Antarctica.
“The concern is that a subsequent season will lead to cumulative brain injury. The concern is that it just adds up.” —Jeffrey Bazarian, associate professor of emergency medicine at the School of Medicine and Dentistry, tells USA Today. Bazarian is lead author of a study that indicates repeated blows to the head common in sports or combat cause structural damage to the brain.
6 Currents | Thursday, May 15, 2014
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The University of Rochester Celebrates Faculty and Student Honors 2013–14 The University of Rochester congratulates those faculty and students who have earned national recognition and teaching awards during the past academic year, through May 1, 2014.
National Faculty Awards Able Muse Press Poetry Book Award Melissa Balmain, Adjunct Instructor of English Academy of Eating Disorders Leadership Award Richard Kreipe, Dr. Elizabeth R. McAnarney Professor of Pediatrics Funded by Roger and Carolyn Friedlander American Academy of Arts and Letters Arts and Letters Award in Literature James Longenbach, Joseph Henry Gilmore Professor of English American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Visionary Timothy Quill, Georgia and Thomas Gosnell Distinguished Professor in Palliative Care American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Fellow Craig Sellers, Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow Karl Kieburtz, Robert J. Joynt Professor in Neurology; Director, Clinical and Translational Science Institute Xi-Cheng Zhang, M. Parker Givens Professor of Optics; Director, Institute of Optics American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Graduate Nursing Admissions Professionals Sandy J. Cody Service Award Elaine Andolina, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing; Director of Admissions, School of Nursing American Association of Teachers of Slavic and Eastern European Languages Best Scholarly Translation Kathleen Parthé, Professor of Modern Languages and Cultures American Council of Learned Societies Fellowship Shin-yi Chao, Associate Professor of Religion and Classics John Osburg, Assistant Professor of Anthropology Holly Watkins, Associate Professor of Musicology, Eastman School of Music Elya Zhang, Assistant Professor of History American Educational Research Association Secretary of the Fiscal Issues, Policy, and Education Finance Special Interest Group Karen DeAngelis, Associate Professor of Education Treasurer of the Politics of Education Special Interest Group Kara Finnigan, Associate Professor, Warner School of Education American Geophysical Union Fellow Cindy Ebinger, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences American Mathematical Society Fellow Alex Iosevich, Professor of Mathematics American Physical Society Fellow Suxing Hu, Senior Scientist, Laboratory for Laser Energetics American Political Science Association Richard F. Fenno Jr. Prize for Best Book in Legislative Politics Lynda Powell, Professor of Political Science
American Professional Society On the Abuse of Children Outstanding Research Career Achievement Award Sheree Toth, Professor of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology, Executive Director, Mt. Hope Family Center American Psychological Association Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award Richard Aslin, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences American Public Health Association Arthur J. Viseltear Award Theodore Brown, Charles and Dale Phelps Professor of History American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists Foundation 2013 Pharmacy Residency Excellence Award—New Preceptor Award Nicole Acquisto, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for Emergency Medicine, Department of Pharmacy Association for Computing Machinery Fellow Henry Kautz, Chair and Professor of Computer Science Association for Humanistic Counseling Lifetime Achievement Award Howard Kirschenbaum, Professor Emeritus, Warner School of Education Association of Women in Mathematics Ruth Michler Memorial Prize Sema Salur, Associate Professor of Mathematics Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses March of Dimes Comerford Freda “Saving Babies, Together” Award Susan Groth, Associate Professor, School of Nursing Associations de Prévoyance Santé Allianz Longevity Research Prize Vera Gorbunova, Professor of Biology Biomedical Engineering Society Distinguished Service Award Richard Waugh, Chair and Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics; Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology Brain and Behavior Research Foundation NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Award Benjamin Hayden, Assistant Professor of Brain and Cognitive Sciences Clinical Reproductive Scientist Research Training Scholars Program 2013–14 CREST Scholar Wendy Vitek, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Director, Fertility Preservation Program, Strong Fertility Center Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program Community Engagement Key Function Committee Cochair Nancy Bennett, Director, Center for Community Health Consumer Electronics Association Hall of Fame Ching Tang, Professor of Chemical Engineering Council of Academic Family Medicine Chair Thomas Campbell, William Rocktaschel Professor and Chair, Department of Family Medicine Eduard Rhein Foundation Eduard Rhein Award Ching Tang, Professor of Chemical Engineering
Foundation for High Energy Accelerator Science Suwa Prize Kevin McFarland, Professor of Physics and Astronomy Fulbright Program Fellowship Cindy Ebinger, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Fusion Power Associates Board of Directors 2013 Leadership Award David Meyerhofer, Deputy Director, Experimental Division Director, and Associate Director for Science, Laboratory for Laser Energetics; Professor of Mechanical Engineering and of Physics and Astronomy International Book Industry’s Excellence Awards Literary Translation Initiative Award University of Rochester’s Best Translated Book Award, launched by Three Percent International College of Dentists Honorary Fellow Aliakbar Bahreman, Clinical Professor, Eastman Institute for Oral Health International Economics and Finance Society Distinguished Fellow Ronald Jones, Xerox Professor of Economics International Society of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves 2014 Kenneth J. Button Prize Xi-Cheng Zhang, M. Parker Givens Professor of Optics; Director, Institute of Optics; Ching Tang, Professor of Chemical Engineering International Society for Self and Identity Lifetime Career Award Edward Deci, Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology Richard Ryan, Professor of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology International Union of Pure and Applied Physics Young Scientist Prize in Quantum Electronics Nick Vamivakas, Assistant Professor of Optics Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research Prince Hitachi Prize Vera Gorbunova, Professor of Biology Kavil Foundation Fellow Daniel Weix, Assistant Professor of Chemistry NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Faculty Fellow Logan Hazen, Assistant Professor, Warner School of Education National Academies of Practice Distinguished Practitioner and Fellow Tobie Olsan, Professor of Clinical Nursing National Academy of Sciences Member David Williams, Dean for Research, Arts, Sciences & Engineering; William G. Allyn Chair of Medical Optics; Director, Center for Visual Science National Association for Geriatric Education and National Association of Geriatric Education Centers President Thomas Caprio, Assistant Professor, School of Medicine and Dentistry National Council of Teachers of English—Assembly for Research Secretary Jayne Lammers, Assistant Professor, Warner School of Education
National Science Foundation Career Award Sina Ghaemmaghami, Assistant Professor of Biology Faculty Early Career Development Program Grant Qiang Lin, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and of Optics New York Public Library Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers 2014–15 Fellowship Kenneth Gross, Alan F. Hilfiker Distinguished Professor of English Optical Society of America 2014 David Richardson Medal Jannick Rolland, Brian J. Thompson Professor of Optical Engineering; Director, Hopkins Center for Optical Design and Engineering Fellow Chunlei Guo, Professor of Optics Jonathan Zuegel, Senior Scientist, Laboratory for Laser Energetics Orthopaedic Research Society Distinguished Investigator Award Regis O’Keefe, Marjorie Strong Wehle Professor of Orthopaedics; Chair of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Packard Foundation Fellow Vasilli Petrenko, Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Percussive Arts Society 2013 Lifetime Achievement in Education Award Ruth Cahn, Jack Frank Instructor of Percussion, Eastman Community Music School Poetry International C. P. Cavafy Award Jennifer Grotz, Associate Professor of English Polish Physics Society Marian Smoluchowski Medal Douglas Cline, Professor of Physics and Astronomy Royal Academy of Music Honorary Member Steven Doane, Professor of Violoncello, Eastman School of Music Royal College of Physicians Fellow Robert McCann, Professor of Medicine; Chief of Medicine, Highland Hospital Royal Institute of Philosophy Honorary Professorship Randall Curren, Professor of Philosophy Sloan Consortium Sloan-C Fellow Eric Fredericksen, Visiting Assistant Professor, Warner School of Education Society for Personality and Social Psychology Carol and Ed Diener Award in Personality Psychology Andrew Elliott, Professor of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology Society of Teachers of Family Medicine 2013 Curtis G. Hames Research Award Kevin Fiscella, Professor of Family Medicine SPIE—International Society for Optics and Photonics Fellow Xi-Cheng Zhang, M. Parker Givens Professor of Optics; Director, Institute of Optics Robert Boyd, Professor of Optics and of Physics Tetrahedron Publications Young Investigator Award Rudi Fasan, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Triological Society Career Scientist Award Benjamin Crane, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology University of Northern Colorado Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award Richard Killmer, Professor of Oboe, Eastman School of Music Vision Sciences Society Elsevier/VSS Young Investigator Award Duje Tadin, Associate Professor of Brain and Cognitive Sciences Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin Fellow Jack Werren, Nathaniel and Helen Wisch Professor of Biology
Faculty Teaching Awards Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching William Marvin, Associate Professor of Music Theory, Eastman School of Music Eisenhart Award for Excellence in Teaching Eastman School of Music (2012–13) Chien-Kwan Lin, Associate Professor of Saxophone G. Graydon Curtis ’58 and Jane W. Curtis Award for Nontenured Faculty Teaching Excellence Elizabeth Colantoni, Assistant Professor of Classics Vasilii Petrenko, Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Goergen Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Bonnie Meguid, Associate Professor of Political Science Anne Meredith, Senior Lecturer, Department of Religion and Classics John Michael, Professor of English and of Visual and Cultural Studies Lifetime Achievement Award in Graduate Education Douglas Turner, Professor of Chemistry William H. Riker University Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching Eric Phizicky, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics
University Awards Charles Force Hutchison and Marjorie Smith Hutchison Medal Harriet Kitzman, Loretta C. Ford Professor of Nursing; Senior Associate Dean for Research, School of Nursing Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences Lifetime Achievement Award Riccardo Betti, Robert L. McCrory Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Professor of Physics and Astronomy; Assistant Director for Academic Affairs, Laboratory for Laser Energetics Meliora Award Nora Dimmock, Director, Digital Humanities Center David Long, Lean Performance Improvement Manager, Strong Memorial Hospital Messinger Libraries Recognition Award Nora Dimmock, Director, Digital Humanities Center Presidential Diversity Award John Cullen, Research Associate Professor, Department of Surgery Office of Minority Student Affairs Susan B. Anthony Center for Women’s Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award Jane Possee, Associate Director of Athletics
Currents | Thursday, May 15, 2014 7
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American Psychiatric Nurses Association Student Scholarships Jennifer Schneider, Graduate Student, School of Nursing
Meg Quigley Vilvalde Competition and Bassoon Symposium First Place Ivy Ringel ’16E, Hillsborough, N.C.; Bassoon
American Society of Hematology Minority Medical Student Award Physician-Researcher Initiative Fellow Lauren Patrick ’16M (MD)
MTNA National Performance Competition First Place, Chamber Music Wind Finja Quartet Ainsley Kilgo ’15E, Fairfax, Va.; Alto Saxophone Daniel Stenziano ’15E, Wayland, N.Y.; Baritone Saxophone Tyler Wiessner ’15E, Ellicott City, Md.; Tenor Saxophone Kevin Zhao ’15E, Beijing; Soprano Saxophone First Place, Piano Senior Performance Yiou Li ’17E, Nanyang, China; Piano Third Place, Piano Young Artist Performance Thomas Steigerwald ’15E, Uvalde, Texas; Piano
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation/ Acls Dissertation Completion Fellowship Iskandar Zulkarnain, Graduate Student, Visual and Cultural Studies
Cynthia Ebinger, professor of earth and environmental sciences, was named a fellow of the American Geophysical Union for her “fundamental work on the evolution of continental rifts toward seafloor spreading in East Africa and Afar.” Ebinger was also awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for research in Peru.
Witmer Award for Distinguished Service Shirley Brignall, Administrative Assistant, Department of Physics and Astronomy Kelly Luther, Director of Social Work and Patient and Family Services, Strong Memorial Hospital Suzanne O’Brien, Associate Dean of the College Marjorie Searl, Chief Curator, Memorial Art Gallery Staff Community Service Award Kim Robinson, HR Assistant, Strong Staffing
National Student Awards All-American Honors Neil Cordell ’16, York, UK; Political Science; First Team, Squash Mario Yanez Tapia ’17, Aguascalientes, Mexico; Business; First Team, Squash Ryosei Kobayashi ’17, Yokohamashi, Japan; Business; First Team, Squash Danielle Neu ’17, Hammondsport, N.Y.; Chemical Engineering; Honorable Mention, Diving Lauren Bailey ’16, Ossining, N.Y.; Chemical Engineering; Honorable Mention, Swimming Vicky Luan ’16, Surrey, British Columbia; Film and Media Studies; Honorable Mention, Swimming Khamai Simpson ’16, Cutler Bay, Fla.; Health, Behavior, and Society; Honorable Mention, Swimming Emily Simon ’17, Olean, N.Y.; Biology; Honorable Mention, Swimming Karen Meess ’14, Hamburg, N.Y.; Biomedical Engineering; Honorable Mention, Swimming Alex Veech ’17, Binghamton, N.Y.; Psychology; Honorable Mention, Swimming Aetna Foundation/National Healthcare Leadership Program David Paul, Doctoral Student, School of Medicine and Dentistry Alpha Omega Alpha Carolyn Kuckein Research Fellowship Corey Walker ’14M (MD) American Association of Neurologic Surgeons Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation Summer Fellowship Joshua Haswell ’17M (MD) American Council of Engineering Companies of New York Scholarship Koji Muto ’15, Hamden, Conn.; Mechanical Engineering American Council of Teachers of Russian National Postsecondary Essay Contest, Gold Medal Oleg Didovets ’14, Webster, N.Y.; Chemistry American Federation for Aging Research Medical Student Training in Aging Research Award Andrew Portuguese ’17M (MD) Erica Lash ’17M (MD)
Aspen Peay State University Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts 2013 Young Composer’s Competition Christopher Chandler, Doctoral Student, Eastman School of Music Association of Counselor Education and Supervision Emerging Leaders Fellow Atiya Smith, Doctoral Student, Warner School of Education DAAD-RISE (German Academic Exchange Service-Research Internships in Science and Engineering) Corey Garyn ’15, Newtown, Pa., Cell and Developmental Biology Austin Mottola ’15, Katonah, N.Y., Biochemistry Seth Schober ’16, Sutton, Alaska, Electrical and Computer Engineering Natalie Tjota ’16, Federal Way, Wash., Biomedical Engineering Steven Torrisi ’16, Tivoli, N.Y., Physics Davis Projects for Peace Fellowship John Dawson ’13, ’14 (T5), Pittsford, N.Y., Molecular Genetics Katherine Wegman ’15, Pittsford, N.Y., Anthropology and Biology Downbeat Student Music Awards Large Jazz Ensemble, Outstanding Undergraduate College Performance Eastman Chamber Jazz Ensemble Original Composition for Large Ensemble, Graduate College (for “West Point”) Michael Conrad ’13E (MM) Finnish Academy of Science And Letters Graduate Study Grant Aku Antikainen, Doctoral Student, Optics 2014 Research Grant Philip Pierick, Doctoral Student, Eastman School of Music Fulbright Program Scholarship Savannah Benton ’14, Los Angeles; International Relations Anisha Gundewar ’14, Marlborough, Mass.; Health, Behavior, and Society Philip Pierick, Doctoral Student, Eastman School of Music, Iowa City; Saxophone Erin Slocum ’12, Rochester; Brain and Cognitive Sciences Shyam Venkateswaran ’14, Manhasset Hils, N.Y.; Biology Simone Zehren ’14, Washington, D.C.; Archaelogy, Technology, and Historical Structures Alternates Mandy Brefo ’14, Arlington, Texas; Anthropology and Political Science Nicholas Giangreco ’14, Williamsville, N.Y.; Biochemistry Fulbright UK Summer Institute Scholarship Leah Schwartz ’17, Cranford, N.J.; Anthropology Goldwater Scholarship Honorable Mention Molly Finn ’16, Marshalltown, Iowa; Physics and Astronomy Brian McDonald ’16, Carmel, Ind.; Mathematics Hertz Fellowship Finalist Catherine E. Lambert ’13, ’14 (T5), Elmira, N.Y.; Geological Sciences/ English HIV Vaccine Trials Network Research and Mentorship Program Scholar Oluchi Iheagwara ’17M (MD) Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Medical Fellow James Bates ’15M (MD) Medical Research Fellow at Janelia Benjamin Cocanougher ’15M (MD) Year Fellows Program Jeffrey Zimering ’16M (MD)
Timothy Quill, the Georgia and Thomas Gosnell Distinguished Professor of Palliative Care, was recognized as one of the 30 most influential leaders in hospice and palliative medicine by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. The organization recognized Quill for his efforts to advance the medical specialty.
Humanity in Action Foundation Fellowship Lendsey Achudi ’14, Western Province, Kenya; International Relations Jonathan R. Johnson ’14, Beverly Hills, Fla.; Anthropology and Political Science IBM PhD Fellowship Xiaochen Guo, Doctoral Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering Iberdrola USA Foundation Energy and Environment Scholarship Samuel Steven, Graduate Student, Optics and Technical Entrepreneurship and Management Samuel Sowden Garcia, Graduate Student, Chemical Engineering Jose Alberto Medina Jimena, Graduate Student, Chemical Engineering Fellowship Chantal Gaudet, Graduate Student, Chemical Engineering IEEE Power And Energy Society Scholarship Plus Initiative award Jeremy Warner ’15, Riverhead, N.Y.; Electrical and Computer Engineering International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Quarterfinals Winner Quarterfinals Award for Outstanding Arrangement Semifinals Second Place Semifinals Award for Outstanding Choreography YellowJackets Quarterfinals Award for Outstanding Arrangement Tom Downey, Midnight Ramblers; Selkirk, N.Y.; Environmental Sciences Institute for International Education Gilman International Scholarship Jasré Ellis ’15, Raleigh, N.C.; Japanese and Psychology Johnson Truong ’15, Rochester; Chemistry Breanna Madrazo ’15, Torrance, Calif.; Financial Economics Jenny Quintero ’16, Houston; Biomedical Engineering Catherine Sbeglia ’15, Sunnyside, N.Y.; English and Film and Media Studies Jack Kent Cooke Foundation 2013 Graduate Arts Award Erika Pinkerton, Master’s Student, Eastman School of Music Jazz Education Network Conference 2014 Mary Jo Papich Cofounder Women in Jazz Scholarship Alexa Tarantino ’14E, West Hartford, Conn.; Jazz Saxophone Kelly Services Kelly Future Engineers Scholarship Koji Muto ’15, Hamden, Conn.; Mechanical Engineering Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers KPCB Engineering Fellow Dan Hassin ’16, Millburn, N.J.; Computer Science
NASA Space Technology Research Fellowship Alex Iaccetta, Doctoral Student, Optics National Health Service Corps Scholarship Jared Lunkenheimer ’14M (MD) National Hispanic Health Foundation Student Scholarship Program Nallely Saldana-Ruiz ’15M (MD) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Summer Fellowship Sarah Ackroyd ’16M (MD) Medical Student Research Award Pooja Prasad ’17M (MD) National Institute of Mental Health F30 Fellowship Daniel Marker, Doctoral Student, School of Medicine and Dentistry Medical Research Michael Feldman ’15M (MD) Medical Students’ Sustained Training and Research Experience in Aging and Mental Health Nicholas David ’17M (MD) National Science Foundation East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes Fellowship Daniel Marnell, Doctoral Student, Biomedical Engineering National Science Foundation Research Fellowship Amanda Chen ’14, Danville, Calif.; Biomedical Engineering Graduate Research Fellowship Alyssa Kersey, Graduate Student, Brain and Cognitive Sciences Sarah Koopman, Graduate Student, Brain and Cognitive Sciences Nicole Peltier, Graduate Student, Brain and Cognitive Sciences Alena Stasenko, Graduate Student, Brain and Cognitive Sciences National Trumpet Competition 2014 BlackBurn Trumpets Graduate Division, First Place James Peyden Shelton, Doctoral Student, Eastman School of Music North American Saxophone Alliance Collegiate Solo Competition First Prize Myles Boothroyd, Master’s Student, Eastman School of Music Third Prize Jonathan Wintringham, Master’s Student, Eastman School of Music Oleh Krysa International Violin Competition First Prize Da Sol Jeong ’14E, Thornhill, Ontario Markiyan Melnychenko, Master’s Student, Eastman School of Music Orthopaedic Research Society Orthopaedic Video Competion, First Place (2013), Second Place (2014) Youssef Farhat, MD/PhD Student Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans Fellow Ryaan Ahmed, Master’s Student, Eastman School of Music Percussive Arts Society International Convention 2013 Percussion Ensemble Competition Winner Eastman Percussion Ensemble Rotary International Global Grant Scholar Jordan Shapiro ’14, Bennington, Vt.; International Relations and History
Ching Tang, professor of chemical engineering, was inducted into the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame, which credits Tang and Steven Van Slyke for their “pioneering work” that led to OLED displays. The Eduard Rhein Foundation of Germany also recognized Tang for “inventing the first highly efficient organic light-emitting diode and further contributions to the development of organic semiconductor devices.” The International Society of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves also awarded Tang its 2014 Kenneth J. Button Prize for his contributions to the science of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration 2014 Dissertation Award Deborah Hudson, Doctoral Student, Warner School of Education U.S. State Department Critical Language Scholarships Daniel Webb ’14, Lexinton, Ky.; Spanish and Russian Westfield International Organ Competition First Prize Malcolm Matthews, Master’s Student, Eastman School of Music Whitaker International Program Scholarship Grants Echoe Bouta, Doctoral Student, Biomedical Engineering Jason Inzana, Doctoral Student, Biomedical Engineering Amanda Chen ’14, Danville, Calif.; Biomedical Engineering
University Student Awards Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student David de Jong, Doctoral Student, Psychology Meredith Martin, Doctoral Student, Psychology William Spaniel, Doctoral Student, Political Science Fred Moolekamp, Doctoral Student, Physics Nikolaus Wasmoen, Doctoral Student, English Matt Bayne, Doctoral Student, English Sarah Fuchs Sampson, Doctoral Student, Eastman School of Musci Student Employee of the Year Award Wilson Commons Emi Hitomi ’14 (Wilson Commons), Beachwood, Ohio; Neuroscience
8 Currents | Thursday, May 15, 2014
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Leadership changes announced Andrew Ainslie named Simon Business School dean
“I am delighted that Andrew Ainslie has accepted this appointment. He has had an outstanding career at UCLA Anderson School of Management,” President Joel Seligman says. “He will be an outstanding dean. He is a creative and dynamic leader in business education.” Ainslie has been senior associate dean, full-time MBA program, at UCLA Anderson School of Management since 2010, where he is responsible for admissions, student services, and career placement. “The Simon Business School has an incredible history,” Ainslie says. “It has been at the forefront of an analytic, rigorous approach to business from its inception, and today the business community is just beginning to understand the importance of that
approach. I am delighted to take on this opportunity.” During his tenure as associate dean for the full-time MBA program at Anderson, the school has increased its admissions more than 60 percent, increased placements more than 20 percent, and revised its curriculum. “Andrew Ainslie has had practical experience in multiple phases of business. His emphasis is on faculty quality, admissions, and career placement. He should be a great fit for Simon,” says Ed Hajim, chair of the University’s Board of Trustees. Ainslie has been associate professor of marketing at Anderson since 2005; he was assistant professor of marketing there from 2000 to 2005. From 1997 through 2000 he was assistant professor of marketing at Cornell University’s
Johnson Graduate School of Management. Before beginning his academic career, Ainslie had a 10-year career in business, including as an electrical engineer for AECI (South Africa), sales and marketing for Hewlett Packard (South Africa), corporate finance with Standard Merchant Bank, and marketing and development for Compustat. “Andrew Ainslie impressed us with his leadership experience, his commitment to the research mission, and his farsighted approach to the challenges facing all MBA programs,” says Trustee Janice Willett ’78 (MBA), chair of the Trustees and Friends Advisory Committee for the search. Ainslie received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Cape Town
“We conducted an extensive national search. I want to thank two outstanding committees: the search committee and the trustees and friends advisory committee, as well as the many others who interviewed the finalists,” Seligman says. The search committee consisted of Joel Seligman (chair), James Brickley, Robert Clark, Paul Ellickson, Phillip Lederer, Robert Novy-Marx, Michael Raith, Abraham (Avi) Seidmann, Greg Shaffer, Toni Whited, Joanna Wu, Jerold Zimmerman, and Lamar Murphy (staff to the committee). The trustees and friends advisory committee members included Janice Willett (chair), Peter Simon, Mark Ain, Mike Ryan, Evans Lam, Ron Fielding, and Colleen Wegman.
in 1983 and an MBA in marketing from Cape Town in 1990. He received a PhD in marketing and statistics from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1998. “Mark Zupan leaves an inspiring legacy,” Seligman says. “Under his leadership, Simon has reversed the decline in MBA enrollment, created several successful new master’s programs, and met its targets for endowment draw for several years running. It is a significant record of achievement. Mark deserves our gratitude for a job well done.” Zupan, dean since 2004, plans a sabbatical, after which he will become the John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economics and Public Policy and director of the Bradley Policy Research Center at Simon.
Jamal Rossi appointed Joan and Martin Messsinger Dean of the Eastman School of Music Jamal Rossi came to Eastman in 2005 as senior associate dean. He served as executive associate dean at Eastman from 2007 until September of 2013, when he was appointed dean of the school following the illness and resignation at that time of former Messinger Dean Douglas Lowry. “Jamal Rossi’s appointment comes at the conclusion of an international search by a faculty committee chaired by Provost Peter Lennie” President Joel Seligman says. “Jamal was selected because of an outstanding track record of accomplishment, including his leadership of the Eastman Theatre renovation and expansion project, his indisputable ability to lead the school, and his determination to work with the faculty, staff, alumni ,and students to craft a new strategic plan that will take Eastman to a new level of even greater accomplishment as the nation’s leading school of music.”
Rossi has served in leadership roles in music for more than two decades, has spearheaded significant collaborative educational and community initiatives, and has wide-ranging experience in academic scholarship and leadership, teaching, performance, recording, and fundraising. “It has been a privilege to serve my colleagues and students at the Eastman School of Music these past nine years, and it is an even greater privilege to be asked to serve as Eastman’s dean,” Rossi says. “Eastman’s rich history includes the creation of innovative models for music education, a focus on comprehensive education to prepare students for meaningful lives as outstanding musicians and leaders, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. With its superb faculty and staff, its talented and motivated students and accomplished alumni, and a commitment to making a difference in the world through music,
Eastman is uniquely positioned to help shape the future of music. It is the greatest honor to be asked to help lead it to that future.” As executive associate dean, Rossi was responsible for Eastman’s academic programs and personnel, including faculty hiring and promotions, and for academic and student affairs and enrollment management, among other duties. From 2006 to 2010 he supervised all aspects of the award-winning $47 million project to renovate Eastman Theatre and construct the Eastman East Wing. He oversaw a review of the undergraduate curriculum and led the school’s recent reaccreditation review by the National Association of Schools of Music. He also founded RocMusic, a collaborative partnership of arts and education institutions in Rochester to establish a free after-school music program for Rochester inner-city students. “Jamal Rossi has proved over
Before joining Eastman, where he is a saxophonist and professor of woodwinds, Rossi was the dean of the School of Music at the University of South Carolina in Columbia for five years. Previously, Rossi served as assistant dean and then as associate dean of the School of Music at Ithaca College between 1989 and 2000. Rossi earned his bachelor of music degree at Ithaca College in 1980, his master of music degree at the University of Michigan in 1982, and his doctor of musical arts at Eastman in 1987. The search committee consisted of Christopher Azzara; Paul Burgett; Jeff Campbell; Douglas Humpherys; Chien-Kwan Lin; Patrick Macey; Elizabeth Marvin; Honey Meconi; Carol Rodland; Reinhild Steingrover; Robert Swensen; William Weinert; David Ying; Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon; and Alan Czaplicki (staff to the committee).
the years that he has the vision, skills, and commitment to serve as an outstanding leader of a school that is one of the most outstanding of the musical world,” said Ed Hajim ’58, chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees. “We are fortunate that he is willing to now do that at the highest level.” “The deanship of the Eastman School of Music is a key position in the music world, and the search for a new dean produced for us a remarkable pool of candidates from around the world,” says Lennie, who chaired the dean search committee. “But none of the other candidates could offer Jamal Rossi’s combination of vision, unwavering commitment to the highest musical and academic values, deep and broad knowledge of the Eastman community and its mission, and the personal integrity and commitment that have earned him the greatest respect from the Eastman faculty.”
“Joanna has contributed immeasurably to the progress that has been made in strengthening arts, sciences, and engineering, and we are hugely in her debt,” says Peter Lennie, provost and the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences & Engineering. “In every dimension of our activities, Joanna’s distinctive attributes— incisive thinking, unflinching integrity, great personal humility, and unfailing generosity—have moved us powerfully forward and have earned the respect and affection of all those who have worked with her.” In the coming weeks, Lennie will announce transitional leadership for Arts & Sciences as well as a committee to lead a national search for Olmsted’s successor. “Joanna has been an exemplary dean, and her influence extends far beyond Arts & Sciences,” says
President Joel Seligman. “She has been a particularly valuable advisor in fostering collaborations among all of our schools. I will really miss her.” Olmsted juggles one of the largest portfolios among the University’s deans, working closely with chairs and faculty from 18 departments and 12 programs in the humanities and the arts, social sciences, and natural and physical sciences. She is admired by colleagues for her broad interest in and genuine respect for research across all disciplines. “She embraces the whole University,” says Richard Feldman, dean of the College. Olmsted’s legacy is perhaps most strongly reflected in the University’s core strength: the high caliber of the faculty she has helped recruit and retain over the years. “Joanna meets all candidates and works tirelessly with
departments to help them hire the strongest faculty. Her involvement has often been crucial to the success we have enjoyed,” says Lennie. Olmsted’s wisdom and comprehensive understanding of the University are a godsend for newcomers, says Rob Clark, senior vice president for research and dean of the Hajim School, who arrived from Duke University in 2008. “If I need to come in and talk about an issue, she always has an open door.” Olmsted joined the Department of Biology in 1975 after completing a postdoctoral appointment at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and her doctorate at Yale University. In 1995, she was appointed the inaugural associate dean of faculty, later serving as dean of faculty development and interim vice provost and dean of faculty,
before becoming dean of Arts & Sciences in 2007. Olmsted’s scientific grounding shines through in her leadership style, say colleagues. “She always approaches issues from an impartial, calm, analytical perspective,” says Lamar Murphy, University general secretary and the president’s chief of staff. “Joanna defines precisely what the goal is, and from the goal, she finds the right strategy. In a quiet but powerful way, she has made immensely valuable contributions to the University. She is a wonderful colleague and has earned the trust and respect of faculty and staff throughout the institution.” As a successful researcher at a time when few women made it into the ranks of faculty, and now as one of the University’s most respected administrators, Olmsted has helped to open doors for women, adds Murphy.
BRANDON VICK
Joanna Olmsted steps down as dean of Arts & Sciences
Joanna Olmsted
Her example of excellence and unfailing high standards are an inspiration to both women and men, she says. Above all, Olmsted “has made the University a much better place for faculty and students,” says Lennie.
Currents | Thursday, May 15, 2014 9
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Bridging Fellowships allow faculty to pursue fields outside their areas of expertise
Eastman School announces new concert season
By Leonor Sierra
By Helene Snihur
From philosophy to physics lsierra@ur.rochester.edu
Common sense tells us that causes always precede their effects. But Alyssa Ney knows that in the world described by Einstein’s general theory of relativity, causation no longer appears straightforward and intuitive. Now, thanks to an innovative fellowship based in the provost’s office, the associate professor of philosophy is spending the entire semester exploring the subtleties of those concepts as a visiting member of the Department of Physics. A program known as the Bridging Fellowship has, since 1980, allowed Rochester faculty members to spend a semester in a different department— sometimes even at a different school within the University—and pursue intellectual pursuits in fields other than their own. Studying physics is not new for Ney. She holds a BS degree in physics and philosophy, and the philosophy of physics and metaphysics are her areas of research. Until now, much of Ney’s work has focused on the counterintuitive area of quantum mechanics; she recently edited a book on the subject, The Wave Function, and has published several papers on how quantum theory forces us to revise a common sense picture of the world. As part of her fellowship she is attending classes and discussing with faculty members in the physics department topics such as the standard model of physics, which describes subatomic particles, and is also studying general relativity.
“This fellowship has given me time that I wouldn’t have otherwise had to struggle through textbooks and articles,” says Ney. “And everyone in the physics department has been so friendly and welcoming. I’ve learned so much, especially from my classes with Regina Demina and Andrew Jordan.” “Bridging Fellowships have a long history within the University of opening up new and interesting opportunities for our faculty,” says Peter Lennie, provost and Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences & Engineering. “Alyssa’s project perfectly exemplifies the benefits of the fellowship, both to the individual and to the University.” Many Bridging Fellowships have led to ongoing collaborations, books on related topics, and even new courses. Mark Bocko, Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Electrical and Computing Engineering, headed to the Eastman School for his Bridging Fellowship. A dedicated amateur bassoonist, Bocko spent his time studying music theory with Dave Headlam, professor of music theory. Bocko’s fellowship and his interaction with Headlam led to a new major in audio and music engineering last year. This May, a student will graduate with this major for the first time. Astrophysicist Adam Frank’s book The Constant Fire—Beyond the Science versus Religion Debate grew out of his Bridging Fellowship, spent in the Department of Religion and Classics. In
the book, Frank delves into the history of science and religion and also examines current issues to explore the intersection among science, myth, and religion. Claudia Schaefer, the Rush Rhees Chair and professor of Spanish and comparative literature and of film and media studies, was interested in learning how Spanish culture in the 19th and early 20th centuries assimilated innovations in science in sometimes unexpected ways. During her fellowship in 2010, Schaefer attended a class jointly taught by Brad Weslake, assistant professor of philosophy, and Allen Orr, University Professor and the Shirley Cox Kearns Professor of Biology on Darwin and Religion. Discussing the course, Schaefer said that it made her rethink the work she was proposing by “opening my eyes to all the places one can find science, such as new photographic methods and the science of cultural geography.” This realization led to a collaboration with Weslake on a humanities project on “Observation.” Schaefer also has a book coming out later this year entitled Lens, Laboratory, Landscape: Observing Modern Spain. Other Bridging Fellowships have included English scholar Jeffrey Tucker exploring visual arts and culture in preparation for a course on comic books and illustrated novels and music educator Donna Brink Fox studying organizations and entrepreneurs with a view to applying it to musicians.
Engineering students showcase projects Biomedical engineering seniors Casey Dahlbeck and Max Winkelman, part of the team behind Project Hemo-Box, presented their project at Hajim School Design Day earlier this month. Their project involved redesigning a blood transport container for the Medical Center’s blood bank. Other innovations showcased at Design Day included medical devices, a small wind turbine, a
BRANDON VICK
motion-sensing robot, and a redesigned lava lamp.
hsnihur@esm.rochester.edu
Renowned guest artists, ranging from musical theater and television stars Jason Alexander and Bernadette Peters to the classical music world’s Emerson and Dover String Quartets, will appear on Eastman School stages during the 2014–15 concert season. Alexander and Peters are among the headliners for Eastman Presents, a new series of monthly concerts that premieres Oct. 17 and features international artists from a variety of musical genres. In addition to the two singer-actors, the series brings the Vienna Boys Choir, pianist Peter Serkin (as guest soloist with the Eastman Philharmonia under conductor Neil Varon), the Kodo Drummers, and Cuban jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval to Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. The new season of the Eastman-Ranlet Series kicks off Sunday, Oct. 5, with the Dover String Quartet, Grand Prize winners of the 2013 Banff International String Quartet Competition. The Emerson String Quartet brings a three-decade list of achievements and awards to its series performance next February. In addition, the Ying Quartet, Eastman’s lauded and Grammy Award–winning quartet-inresidence, will play their traditional fall and spring series concerts in November and February. German violinist Christian Tetzlaff opens the Kilbourn Concert Series Sept. 16, after
appearing with his quartet in the series last year. Rounding out the Kilbourn schedule is the Toronto-based Gryphon Trio, one of the world’s preeminent piano trios with a repertoire ranging from European classicism to modern-day multimedia, in November; the March 2015 appearance of Third Coast Percussion, a new music group that gained national attention for its blend of rock music energy and classical chamber precision; and award-winning mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, who has performed in opera and as a recitalist around the world. She’ll be joined in March 2015 by Warren Jones, Musical America’s 2010 “Collaborative Pianist of the Year.” Season subscription sales for Eastman Presents, EastmanRanlet, and Kilbourn Concert series can be purchased at the Eastman Theatre Box Office, 433 East Main St., in the Eastman East Wing; by phone, 454-2100; fax, 454-7885; or online at eastmantheatre.org. The subscription packages for the six Eastman Presents performances range from $106 to $408. Subscription packages for the Eastman-Ranlet or the Kilbourn series range from $55 to $80. The cost a subscription for both the Eastman-Ranlet and Kilbourn series ranges from $94 to $140. Subscription packages for the Eastman-Ranlet and Kilbourn series carry a discount with University ID and subscription renewals.
10 Currents | Thursday, May 15, 2014
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Classifieds 3 Bedroom House Brighton Available from August 25th, 2014 until February 21st, 2015; 3 Bedrooms, 1 1/2 Baths, Washer/Dryer; Fully furnished with large fenced-in backyard; $1250/month, phone, internet, lawn care and snow removal included; Located in Brighton near Indian Landing School (Penfield School District) Email john.osburg@rochester or call John at 585-730-1158 if interested or for more pictures $1,250 josburg@z.rochester.edu Two housemates looking for a third There is a bedroom opening up in a very nice three bedroom house on Crittenden Blvd right across from the hospital. There are currently two third year Med Students living in it and they are looking for a third. It is a large and generous house; the bedroom is also large and generous. It has off street parking with a long driveway and two car garage; laundry facilities included, two full baths, beautiful large kitchen, big living room. Finished attic and a full basement. Share of the rent is: $500.00 plus a third of utilities. Water included, and house has wireless access. Pictures available. Please contact: Bob Good: bob_good@urmc.rochester.edu, or 585.275.2781. Available August 1st. One year lease (renewable). Access to a large garden of farmfresh vegetables, spices, fruits, flowers included. Landlords have good references.” $500 plus a third of utilities bob_good@urmc.rochester.edu 3bdrm, 1.5 bath, Hamlin, NY 1520 sq. ft vinyl sided SplitLevel on a 95 x 251 foot lot, large eat-in kitchen, all appliances including washer , dryer, riding lawn mower and snowblower. Finished family room, call Anne 585-733-1521 $114, 900 anne_clevenger@urmc.rochester.edu Brighton Townhouse 10 Min. from UR/URMC Newly Remodeled: 3 Bedrooms Townhouse, 1 1/2 Bathrooms, Patio, Basement. Stove, Refrigerator, Dish Washer, Built-In Microwave oven. Central Air, Washer and Dryer. Parking Adjacent to Unit Entrance. Water, Trash collection, Snow removal, Lawn care all included. Near JCC. 10 Minutes drive from U. of R. and Strong Medical Ctr. No Pets. Call Dana 585-381-8265. $1,250 ysha@pas.rochester.edu
Apartment sublet, East Ave/Park Ave/Penfield Road Single female is spending the summer in Rochester. Looking for a large studio/one bedroom furnished appt. No pets involved. Must be first or second floor or have elevator. Primarily interested in East Ave/Park Ave/Penfield Road area. Price: Negotiable ppate@uhs.rochester.edu Honeoye Lake – 1,025 sq ft MLS # 244270. Charming year round home on Honeoye with 55ft of level lake front. Large entry way that leads to the quaint covered side porch. Newer carpet throughout. Kitchen opened up to allow more fantastic water views and to dining area. Vinyl siding, newer roof, electric and windows. Nicely landscaped yard and one car detached garage. $199,400. kaec@ur.rochester.edu Corona 12 foot tree trimer $40 dharper@mail.rochester.edu 16 foot ladder $80. dharper@mail.rochester.edu Sunny Health & Fitness Anti-Burst Gym Ball–75cm This is a brand new ball; I ordered it for my mom, based on her approximate measurements of the one she used for physical therapy. Of course, a 75cm ball is WAY too big for a little 4´11˝ lady! I paid $16.19 + tax two weeks ago, and it’s now up to $17.09 on Amazon. Rather than pay return shipping or have the hassle of returning it, I’m offering it for an even $15.00 to the first taker. These balls are really durable and great for exercise routines, especially if your back bothers you. The 75cm (approximately 30″ across) is intended for someone about 6′ tall. It comes with a foot pump that pumps it up quickly. (Ignore Amazon’s negative ratings saying this isn’t 75cm; trust me, it is when it is pumped up!) MY LOSS IS YOUR GAIN. Call me at 273.3383 any afternoon. $15 ccassano@warner.rochester.edu
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Student teams honored in statewide competition Ovitz and SmartDialysis were named winners at the New York Business Plan Competition finals last month. Ovitz—including Joung Yoon (Felix) Kim ’14, Pedro Vallejo-Ramirez ‘16, Samuel Stevens ‘13, and Len Zheleznyak ‘05, ‘06 (MS), ‘14 (PhD)—was awarded second place and $5,000 in the biotechnology/health care category. SmartDialysis—including Christopher Wong ‘16, doctoral candidate Aizhong Zhang ‘14 (MS), Li (Adam) Deng ‘14 (MS), Bowei Zhang ‘14 (MS), doctoral candidate Steven Gilmer ‘11, ‘13 (MS), and doctoral ceived the Rookie of the Year award in the biotechnology/health care category. Pictured, from left: Deng, Kim, Vallejo-Ramirez, Gillmer, Aizhong Zhang, and Bowei Zhang.
CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
candidate Kenneth Goodfellow—re-
Commencement Continued from page 1
presented to alumni for their career achievements and service. Harriet Kitzman ’61W (MS), ’84N (PhD), a nurse and internationally recognized scientist who has demonstrated the value of early and sustained home-based nursing intervention for high-risk mothers and their children, will receive the Charles Force Hutchison and Marjorie Smith Hutchison Medal, which recognizes alumni for outstanding achievement and notable service. Kitzman is professor of nursing and pediatrics at Rochester and serves as senior associate dean for research, as well as director of the Center for Research Implementation and Translation. She has held the Loretta C. Ford Professorship during her 45 years on the faculty. Hutchison Medal recipient Robert Rich Jr. ’69S (MBA), chairman of Rich Products Corporation, will be the keynote speaker during the Simon Business School commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 8. As chairman of Rich Products Corporation, he led the company to more than $3 billion in worldwide sales revenue, earning the distinction as a dynamic business
leader. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards for his business, community, and professional sports endeavors. Yuh-geng Tsay ’77 (PhD), retired senior vice president of Thermo Fisher Scientific, will be awarded the Rochester Distinguished Scholar Award. Tsay is considered one of the nation’s foremost organic/bioanalytical chemists. He has helped refine clinicians’ understanding of the value and applicability of immunoassays. Over the past five decades, Tsay has helped influence diagnostic medicine, introducing new analytical methods and improving existing clinical tests that pinpoint the presence of small molecules, such as drugs like cocaine, and macromolecules such as viruses, bacteria, and allergens. Thanks to Tsay’s work as a chemist and entrepreneur, physicians can more accurately diagnose patients, and hospitals can better ensure the safety of those they treat. Several teaching awards will also be presented during commencement ceremonies. Read more about the recipients on page 12. Visit www.rochester.edu/ commencement for details and updates.
Commencement 2014 schedule Friday, May 16 School of Nursing, 1 p.m., Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4 p.m. Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Saturday, May 17 Doctoral Degrees, 9:30 a.m., Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. School of Medicine and Dentistry Master’s Degrees, 12:15 p.m., Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. Warner School, 2:30 p.m., Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Sunday, May 18 Arts, Sciences & Engineering 9 a.m., Eastman Quadrangle, River Campus Eastman School 11:15 a.m., Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre Sunday, June 8 Simon School, 10 a.m., Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.
Gorbunova Continued from page 1
better equipped to make progress in countering age-related health problems in people.” The work done by Gorbunova and her research partner, Andrei Seluanov, assistant professor of biology, has largely focused on DNA repair and cancer resistance in naked mole rats in order to better understand the mechanisms responsible for longevity. In papers published last year, they identified a chemical that triggers the anticancer response in the naked mole rat
and attributed the rodent’s longevity to a process that results in nearly perfect protein synthesis. Gorbunova says the University will serve as an ideal center for the research project, given the advances already made by her lab and its catalog of tissue and cell samples from 18 rodent species. “Research grants of this magnitude are extremely difficult to get,” says Gorbunova. “We were successful because of the unique expertise found at the three institutions and the need to study the issues related to aging.”
Vera Gorbunova
Currents | Thursday, May 15, 2014 11
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Summer
Events
For more events, visit the University Events Calendar at www.rochester.edu/calendar.
Exhibits
Through May 23 Cultivating Color: 19th-century Fruit and Flower Plates Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, Rush Rhees Library. Through May 23 Digital Page Reference Department, Rush Rhees Library. Through June 8 Matisse as Printmaker: Works from the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation Grand Gallery, Memorial Art Gallery.
Eastman Community Music School: New Horizons Concert/Symphonic Bands Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. 7 p.m.
July 15 Eastman Summer Sing: Mozart— Requiem Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 7:30 p.m.
May 20 Eastman Community Music School Spring Festival: Eastman Youth Chamber/Youth String Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 7 p.m.
July 22 Eastman Summer Sing: Poulenc Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 7:30 p.m.
May 21 Eastman Community Music School: New Horizons String Orchestra/ Symphony Orchestra Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. 7 pm.
Through June 8 Alexander Matisse: New Ceramics Grand Gallery, Memorial Art Gallery.
Eastman Community Music School Spring Festival: Young Children’s Choir, Children’s Choir, and Youth Chamber Singers Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 7 p.m.
Through July 11 Acquiring Minds: Building Special Collections 2009–2014 Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, Rush Rhees Library.
May 22 Eastman Community Music School Spring Festival: Nights of Jazz Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 4:30 p.m.
Through Aug. 15 Bring Back These Colors with Honor: The University of Rochester and the Civil War Great Hall, Rush Rhees Library. May 16 through Aug. 17 Visions in Black and White: The Graphic Work of Max Klinger Lockhart Gallery, Memorial Art Gallery. July 13 through Sept. 21 6th Rochester Biennial Grand Gallery, Memorial Art Gallery. Through Sept. 12 Beyond Rochester’s ’64 Riots: 60 Years Seeking to Make One City Out of Two Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, Rush Rhees Library.
Music May 17 Jessie Kneisel Lieder Competition Winner’s Concert Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 8 p.m. May 18, 25; June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; July 6, 13, 20, 27, Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Going for Baroque Fountain Court, Memorial Art Gallery. 1 and 3 p.m. May 19 Eastman Community Music School: Trumpet Ensemble Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 6 p.m.
May 23 Eastman Community Music School Spring Festival: Nights of Jazz Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 4 p.m. May 24 Eastman Community Music School: Chamber Music Concert Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 1 p.m. Eastman Community Music School: Adieu Recital Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 4 p.m.
July 29 Eastman Summer Sing: Brahms Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 7:30 p.m.
Special Events June 13–14 Art & Treasure Sale Memorial Art Gallery. 10 a.m. June 15 Art & Treasure Sale Memorial Art Gallery. Noon to 3 p.m. June 19 Art and Story Stroll Memorial Art Gallery. 11 a.m. June 27 Stem Cell Symposium Class of ’62 Auditorium and Flaum Atrium, Medical Center. 8 p.m. May 30 Genetics Day Class of ’62 Auditorium and Flaum Atrium, Medical Center. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 31 Devour Rochester Memorial Art Gallery. 2 to 9 p.m.
May 28 Eastman Community Music School Spring Festival: Drum Joy and Rhythm Adventure Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 7 p.m.
Talks
May 29 New Horizons Vintage Jazz Ensemble and New Horizons Big Band Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 7 p.m.
June 1 What’s Up: Modern Painting Memorial Art Gallery. 2 p.m.
May 30 Eastman Community Music School Spring Festival: Chamber Singers Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School. 7:30 p.m. July 7, 14, 21, 28 Hopeman Memorial Carillon Summer Concerts Eastman Quadrangle, River Campus. 7 p.m. July 8 Eastman Summer Sing: Bach— Mass in B-minor Hatch Recital Hall, Eastman School. 7:30 p.m.
Hopeman Memorial Carillon Summer Recitals Top: Stop by the Eastman Quadrangle Monday evenings in July (7, 14, 21, 28) for concerts featuring the familiar sound of the bells.
6th Rochester Biennial Middle: Crucible #14 (2012) by Richard Hirsch is among the items on exhibit at the 6th Rochester Biennial at the Memorial Art Gallery from July 13 to Sept. 21.
Visions in Black and White: The Graphic Work of Max Klinger Bottom: The exhibition runs May 16 through Aug. 17 at the Memorial Art Gallery.
May 25 Lecture: Plein Air Painting Memorial Art Gallery. 2 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27 Summer in the City Series Location TBA. Noon. June 10 Healthbites: Keep Your Couple Relationship Healthy 3-6408 (K307), Medical Center. Noon.
Film May 16 Alternative Music Film Festival Memorial Art Gallery. 7 p.m. June 13 Alternative Music Film Festival Memorial Art Gallery. 7 p.m.
12 Currents | Thursday, May 15, 2014
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2014 faculty teaching awards
Douglas Turner
Eric Phizicky
William Marvin ’02E (PhD)
Elizabeth Colantoni
Lifetime Achievement Award in Graduate Education
William H. Riker University Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching
Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
G. Graydon Curtis ’58 and Jane W. Curtis Award for Nontenured Faculty Teaching Excellence
For more than 35 years, Douglas Turner, professor of chemistry, has been a world leader in understanding the structure of RNA. He has an active research program in the area of chemical, structural, and computational studies of RNA and has authored more than 200 publications, which have been cited more than 15,000 times. He joined the chemistry faculty in 1975. Together with his collaborators, Turner has discovered many of the fundamental principles that determine RNA structure. The principles are used in almost every RNA structure prediction algorithm. His research has helped advance methods for predicting both structure and RNA-RNA interactions from sequence. These methods are widely used by biochemists and biologists. Turner trains his students to think deeply about their research and involves them in projects as true equals. He played a key role in establishing the biological chemistry cluster and provided leadership as cluster chair for the first eight years. Turner’s work has been recognized with Sloan and Guggenheim Fellowships, election as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, selection by the American Chemical Society as a Gordon Hammes Lecturer, and continuous funding of an NIH grant that started in 1976. He teaches courses from firstyear chemistry to graduate-level laboratories, as well as serves on several NIH Study Sections, the advisory board of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry in Poznan, Poland, and the editorial board of the Biophysical Journal. He holds a PhD in physical chemistry from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from Harvard.
Eric Phizicky is professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the School of Medicine and Dentistry. His fascination with genetics, biochemistry, and functional genomics has transformed the field of transfer RNA (tRNA) research. He has served as either director or codirector of the biochemistry PhD program since 1995. During this time, he has developed a rigorous course curriculum, set up the current system for carrying out qualifying exams, and instituted a student seminar course in which every student in the program participates and presents an annual seminar. Phizicky has served on more than 130 thesis advisory committees, a testament to his dedication to the mentoring of all students, regardless of the lab in which they are doing their doctoral research. He has received the departmental teaching award six times and the University Alumni Award for Excellence in Graduate Education during his tenure at the University. He holds a PhD in biochemistry from Cornell University and a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from McGill University. He is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Microbiology.
William Marvin ’02E (PhD) is associate professor of music theory at the Eastman School of Music. He joined the Eastman faculty in 2002 after having taught music theory and aural skills at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. Marvin’s work in theory has focused on problems of tonality according to Schenkerian definitions. His published work can be found at Music Theory Online, Journal of Musicology, Intégral, Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy, Theory and Practice, Nineteenth-Century Music Review, and in several books. Marvin is president of the Music Theory Society of New York State. From 1997 through 2001, Marvin worked individually with blind students, teaching aural skills and overseeing the rehearsal and performance of an ensemble work for 12 student performers, written by a blind composer and taught completely without notation. He oversees the undergraduate aural musicianship curriculum at Eastman. His curriculum emphasizes immediate recognition, apprehension, and expressive performance of musical material as heard and seen. His reputation as an outstanding theory teacher has been longstanding among undergraduate students. Marvin completed his PhD in music theory at Eastman in 2002. He received his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton.
Elizabeth Colantoni and Vasilli Petrenko are each receiving the G. Graydon Curtis ’58 and Jane W. Curtis Award for Nontenured Faculty Teaching Excellence. Colantoni is an assistant professor of classics who joined the University faculty in 2008. In her first two and a half years at Rochester, Colantoni introduced 12 new courses. She teaches a range of courses on the archaeology, history, and literature of the classical world. Colantoni’s primary area of research is ancient Roman religion, in particular studying physical evidence for ancient religious practices. She is director of the University’s archaeological excavations at the San Martino site in Torano di Borgorose, Rieti, Italy. She and the students she supervises on the excavation project in the summer have recovered pre-Roman and Roman artifacts and have found archaeological evidence that will help determine the sixth-century border between what remained of the Roman Empire and Lombard incursions. As part of the archaeological project, Colantoni teaches a course on field methods in archaeology, and last summer she added a new course on the ancient Roman aqueduct in Arezzo, Italy. Colantoni holds a PhD and master’s degree in classical art and archaeology from the University of Michigan; a master’s degree in Latin, also from Michigan; a master’s degree in anthropology from Florida State University; and a bachelor’s degree in classics and French from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Petrenko is assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. His primary area of research is natural and anthropogenic climate and environmental change, particularly from the perspective of atmospheric composition and
Vasilli Petrenko
chemistry. In his research, Petrenko uses records from ancient glacial ice to answer questions about the Earth’s climate system. Petrenko’s work is highly relevant to the understanding of modern global warming and projections of future warming associated with greenhouse gas emissions. He was a 2013 recipient of a Packard Foundation Fellowship, which provides the nation’s most promising early career scientists and engineers with flexible funding to explore new frontiers in their fields of study. He teaches a wide range of classes, including Introduction to Climate Change—an advanced undergraduate core class on atmospheric geochemistry—and focused graduate and advanced undergraduate level courses on paleoclimate and ice core records. He engages students in hands-on learning, using computer models to help understand various aspects of the climate system. Petrenko holds a PhD in earth sciences from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, a master’s degree in education with an individualized focus on science teaching from Harvard University, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of New Hampshire.
University of Rochester
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