Malik Jett wants to study neuroscience and eventually go to medical school. The Rochester Prep High School senior recently gained hands-on skills in RIT’s microbiology lab that will prepare him for his college journey. Jett was part of a team of Rochester Prep students who spent the last four months studying bacteria for potential antibiotic properties. He shared his findings at the RIT and Rochester Prep Capstone Experience held on Feb. 4 in the Wegmans Theater in MAGIC. Jett is one of 24 Rochester Prep seniors who participated in the annual research program that pairs student teams with faculty mentors. Students visited the RIT campus weekly from September through January to work on their projects. While Jett’s team focused on bacteria, other students learned to build a small self-driving car with Dimah Dera, assistant professor in the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science; manufacture harbor seal whisker sensors with Qian Xue, associate professor of mechanical engineering; and test the strengthening effect of shampoo on hair follicles with Amy Engelbrecht-Wiggans, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. Jett and his team worked with André Hudson, RIT dean of the College of Science, and Danae Rodriguez, postdoctoral researcher. Although speaking to a large audience was, at first, “nerve-wracking,” Jett was confident in his scientific experience. “I actually conducted research, and I have something to show,” Jett said. Public speaking is the added bonus for students participating in the capstone experience, said Donna Burnette, executive director of RIT’s K-12 University Center, which administers the RIT-Rochester Prep Partnership. “There’s a maturity that comes with being able to reflect upon your experience to figure out what you gained from it and what you learned, whether it be a positive or a negative,” Burnette said. “To be able to talk about their reflections puts them a step ahead when they go to college.” The partnership allows students to stretch their skills while they preview the college experience. RIT’s K-12 University Center staff works closely with Rochester Prep administration to identify students for the capstone program. During the spring of their junior year, the students sample different academic experiences at RIT before they start their capstone project the following fall. This academic year marks a milestone for the partnership and its 10th year anniversary of educating students. The partnership with RIT formed in 2013 under the leadership of RIT Board of Trustee member Ron Zarrella to prepare high school students for college, and the school opened in 2014. “Not only do Rochester Prep High School students get the opportunity to be on the RIT campus, but they also get opportunities to evolve and discover new versions of themselves,” said Edward Eckert, principal of Rochester Prep High School. This year’s seventh annual capstone experience is an example of the progress made over the last decade, Burnette said. “Every year we make tweaks based on the experience and feedback from the students and faculty,” Burnette said. “We’re really growing into something that’s been institutionalized, something that we look forward to, and that we’re happy to be here to celebrate.”

The Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS) at Rochester Institute of Technology has partnered with Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Switzerland to launch a dual-degree master’s program. The collaboration aims to equip students with interdisciplinary expertise and cross-cultural experiences to address global environmental challenges. The two-year program, the first of its kind at GIS, will allow students to earn a Master of Science in sustainable systems from RIT and a Master of Science in circular economy management from ZHAW. The inaugural class will include up to three students from each institution. Participants will alternate between RIT’s Henrietta campus and ZHAW’s Winterthur campus. The curriculum focuses on sustainability science and circular economy principles while fostering connections between U.S. and Swiss academic and professional networks. All courses will be taught in English, and students will follow the academic standards and tuition policies of their home and host universities. Both institutions will assist students with visa requirements, housing, and other logistics to comply with U.S. and European Union regulations. “This partnership between RIT and ZHAW exemplifies the global collaboration necessary to tackle pressing sustainability challenges,” said Nabil Nasr, associate provost of Academic Affairs and director of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT. “Combining our expertise in sustainable systems and circular economy management will empower students with the knowledge and skills to innovate and lead in a rapidly evolving world.” “This dual master’s program will offer students on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean an opportunity to study and understand how the myriad sustainability challenges affecting our planet are dealt with by professionals,” added Amit Batabyal, head of the Department of Sustainability. “At the same time, the program ought to enhance the employability of these MS/MSc graduates in both the United States and in Europe.” The program is set to launch in fall 2025.

Professor Tae (Tom) Oh sees international cooperation as a key to addressing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century—especially in artificial intelligence (AI). Since being named the 53rd president of the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) in 2023, he is helping to foster that collaborative environment. Oh, a professor in RIT’s School of Information, leads the nonprofit professional organization with more than 7,000 registered members. The KSEA aims to promote science and technology, foster global collaboration, and help Korean-American scientists and engineers develop their full career potential. Oh was born in Korea and moved to the United States when he was 11 years old. Overcoming culture and language challenges, he describes himself as a member of the 1.5 generation—immigrants who entered a new country before becoming adults. As an undergraduate student studying electrical engineering at Texas Tech University, he joined the KSEA. “I have gained many mentors through KSEA, which played a pivotal role in guiding me toward earning my Ph.D. and becoming a professor,” said Oh. “I ran for president to give back to this incredible organization that has given me so much.” ‌ Supplied photo Oh, right, was interviewed by a reporter at the Korean Broadcasting System's KBS World Radio. As KSEA president, Oh has met with Korean diplomats, top officials, and presidents of top universities from Korea and science and technology research institutes and agencies. He said that Korea is looking for high impact collaborators and KSEA can foster that channel between Korea and the U.S., working with organizations including the National Science Foundation, the National Research Foundation of Korea, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Korea’s Research Institutes. “Korea and the U.S. have a strong partnership, and collaboration between the two fosters innovation and growth,” said Oh. “Embracing global connections allows us to stay competitive and benefit from diverse perspectives.”   KSEA also runs an annual conference that brings together a diverse array of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs from both Korea and the U.S. The U.S.-Korea Conference 2024 showcased groundbreaking research, fostered international collaborations, and highlighted the pivotal role of AI in shaping the future. “In light of the dynamic changes brought by AI, it is imperative for scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to converge, exchange knowledge, and prepare for the future,” said Oh. KSEA has 70 local chapters, 16 technical groups, and 35 affiliated professional societies across the U.S. The organization hosts research collaboration workshops, regional conferences, career development activities, sponsors scholarships for high school students, and runs a national math and science contest for high school students. Oh noted that KSEA members now come from all different generations—1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations. He also remarked that member’s cultural relationships with Korea differ—especially with the more recent international spread of Korean culture and companies. At RIT, Oh is an adviser for RIT’s Korean International Student Association and the Korean Student Association at RIT. Oh worked for several telecommunications and defense companies for 18 years before joining RIT. His research focuses on vehicular/drone area networks, Internet of Things, security, and human computer interaction.

RIT students will have a chance to show their talents and compete for cash prizes during Ovation: RIT Performing Arts Showcase, from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7 in Ingle Auditorium in the Student Alumni Union. Ovation will feature 14 acts of dance, vocal and instrumental music. The first-place act will win $1,000, with a $500 prize awarded to the second-place act. RIT President David Munson and his wife, Nancy, will emcee the competition, which will feature judges from RIT and the community. The judges and their biographies can be found on the event website. “Nancy and I know our students are bright, but the number of students who also have talents in the arts is phenomenal,” Munson said. “We enjoy watching and hearing them perform at every opportunity we have and are delighted RIT allows them to continue their passions in performing arts.” The performers come from diverse backgrounds, representing majors from nearly every college at RIT. They include:“Death By Glamour,” video game tune arranged by Miles Davenport and Roman Barnes “Blissful Hour,” marimba percussion, by Alex Negrini  RIT AIM Medley Showcase, jazz fusion  Yo-yo performance, by Max Gonzaga  “Black Chrome,” original rap by The Crown Kid Steven Simmons  Currents n Sync,” tap dance by Hannah Boettcher and Yasmin Khan.  AFro Dance Club, dance by the AFro Dance Club Choreography Team “Flamenco Farruca,” solo Flamenco guitar by Miles Rothman  “Astonishing” from Little Women, sung by Alison Maselek  WADAIKO, Japanese drumming and dancing group  Vocal Accent, a cappella group  Rachmaninoff’s “Bells of Moscow,” piano piece by Jonah Cousins The Jive, an RIT jazz combo “Spinning,” performed by Courtyard, a slow indie rock, chamber rock, and chamber pop band Last year’s winner, a rocking cello duet now named “Double Stop!” featuring Brandon Faunce and Gavin Palmer, along with guest Charles DiGiovanni, will perform during the judges’ deliberation. Ovation is free and open to the RIT community.