New separation technique will improve lab-on-chip devices

When a mental health crisis in 2009 prevented Sarah Collins from finishing her bachelor’s degree from RIT, a college education felt far out of reach. An unexpected path led Collins back to RIT, and she graduated on May 9 from Roar to the Finish, a degree completion program in RIT’s School of Individualized Study (SOIS). “I knew that going back to school as an adult learner would be challenging,” but I was ready for it,” Collins said. “And I built momentum.” Collins, a senior technical copywriter and published poet, learned about SOIS and the degree completion program through a connection between the school and her employer, Partners & Napier, an advertising agency in Rochester, N.Y. Agency founder Sharon Napier, RIT alumna and Board of Trustees member, established The Napier Leadership Experience (TNLE), an annual fellowship program for 15 to 20 SOIS students. Collins leads a personal storytelling workshop during the daylong experience and gets to know each cohort. From the start, the students’ journeys and multi-disciplinary backgrounds felt familiar to her. Their stories, along with support from the SOIS staff, motivated Collins to finish her RIT education. She met with James Hall, dean of University Studies and executive director of SOIS, and Sydney Wyse, assistant director of non-traditional student outreach and, in January 2023, Collins started the degree completion program. “I saw myself in many of the students, and I could relate to the tension of knowing where you want to go with your career and figuring out how to get there,” Collins said. “SOIS filled that gap for me, and I received so much encouragement from everyone.” RIT is one of the few private institutions that has a formal degree completion program, according to Wyse. Since 2016, Roar to the Finish has helped nearly 150 returning students graduate with an RIT degree. Initiatives at public universities to increase the college-educated workforce inspired Hall to launch RIT’s degree completion program. “The reality is we want students to earn their RIT degree and become active alumni,” Hall said. “That’s really important, especially when students have invested so much time and money into the university without a degree to show for it or the benefits the credential can provide them.” While Collins discovered the degree completion program through her SOIS connections, many people first learn about it via an email from Wyse. She informs them of their eligibility, seven to 30 years after leaving RIT, and invites them to consider finishing their education. Wyse identifies potential candidates in good standing through collaboration with colleagues in the registrar’s office, Institutional Research, Data and Analytics, and throughout RIT’s nine colleges and two degree-granting institutes. Sometimes students hold onto Wyse’s message for years until they are ready to take action. “I’m still getting emails from students I contacted in 2018 and 2019, and who saved my email because they weren’t ready,” Wyse said. “Or, sometimes students will reply right away and the conversation drops off until they revisit it again.” She facilitates students’ return to RIT, in person or remotely, and encourages adult learners to consider pursuing a general BS degree if curricular changes make their original degree an impractical and costly option. Collins faced a similar decision when she considered her incomplete graphic design BFA degree. Not only had the field changed since 2009, but also, her professional focus had shifted toward copywriting. Wyse mapped a plan for her to finish the remaining requirements in a timely and cost-effective manner, and Collins followed it. While she continues to support the Napier Experience through her employer, as a new alumna, Collins is ready to give back to SOIS on a personal level. Already this semester, she started engaging with students in the classroom as a guest speaker, sharing tips about creating a personal brand and an online presence. “Talk about coming full circle at RIT and how beautiful that is,” Collins said. “I’m also still in touch with many of the Napier Fellows from previous years through LinkedIn. It’s really important to have that sense of continuity in community.”

Academic Convocation keynote speaker Astro Teller compared graduation to completing the “tutorial level” of life—where graduates have learned how to work the controls and are now heading into the game of life in exploration mode. ‌ Carlos Ortiz/RIT Astro Teller, entrepreneur, engineer, scientist, and ‘Captain of Moonshots’ at X Google’s Factory and innovation lab, addressed the graduates during Academic Convocation and encouraged them to capture the essence of The Fool, which is its potential. Emphasizing the power of a creative mindset over mastering the pursuit of excellence, he urged the Class of 2025 to embrace the journey ahead with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to be intentionally foolish. “The only thing on the door of my office is a poster of the tarot card ‘The Fool,’” said Teller, an entrepreneur, engineer, scientist, and “Captain of Moonshots” at X Google’s Factory and innovation lab. “The Fool is setting out on an adventure, looking up as he steps off of a literal cliff into the figurative unknown. The essence of The Fool is potential. Just like each of you in this moment.” More than 4,800 students are graduating from RIT this year, including those attending global campuses in Croatia, Dubai, Kosovo, and China. Individual college commencement ceremonies honoring the graduates will continue throughout the weekend. A hooding ceremony followed Academic Convocation on May 9 for 56 graduates earning Ph.D. degrees. Photo gallery See a photo gallery of the four honorary degree recipients. Four honorary degrees also were awarded at RIT’s commencement ceremony, which was the last one for retiring RIT President David Munson. Prabu David, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, served as master of ceremonies. Teller drew upon his experiences as Captain of Moonshots, which calls for him to teach people how to start new and audacious journeys and be willing to be exposed and connected to others. He offered advice to graduates, including having an attitude of openness, non-judgment, and lack of preconceptions. “Take advantage of your naïveté and switch fields, if necessary, to get this freshness back,” he said. “The beginner’s mindset is what unlocks creativity. Having a daily reminder to stay open, curious, lighthearted, and silly in my approach to even serious things keeps my beginner’s mind active and that does show up in how I brainstorm.” Munson, who will retire June 30 after leading the university for eight years, encouraged the graduates to serve, innovate, and stay connected as they move on to what’s next. ‌ Carlos Ortiz/RIT RIT President David Munson addressed the graduates at Academic Convocation. “What an honor it has been for me to serve as your president as we celebrate your achievements today,” he said. “I am amazed by your creativity and your devotion to your studies. I am touched by your kindness and care for one another. And I am thankful for the leadership and service you have offered to make our community a better place.” He went on to acknowledge the uncertain times facing both the nation and the field of higher education but stressed that RIT will continue to follow its core principles and defend its values and culture, while upholding freedom of speech, freedom to peacefully assemble, and academic freedom. He also highlighted the success stories among the graduates—from prestigious job offers and startup ventures to military and nonprofit service—while recognizing each student’s unique journey and reminding them of the broader purpose their education can serve. “It is my hope that you will serve the greater good because, from my vantage point, the world needs more RIT Tigers,” he added. “Success is not measured by material wealth or prestige. It is my hope that you wake up tomorrow not solely focused on how to earn a living. Rather, that you go out and do your best to enrich the world.” Looking ahead, Munson expressed his excitement for Bill Sanders, dean of Carnegie Mellon’s College of Engineering, who will serve as RIT’s next president starting July 1. Student Government President Alex Shuron, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major from Syracuse, N.Y., told the graduates to continue to be kind, curious, and resilient. ‌ Traci Westcott/RIT RIT graduates celebrate the conferral of degrees during the Academic Convocation on May 9. “It is your decision whether or not to carry out these requests,” Shuron said. “As a close friend has said to me many times, ‘Words don’t mean anything, actions prove intent.’ Continue to prove to the world your intent through actions, and you will be the change that you want to see.” While the overarching theme for this year’s Academic Convocation focused on remaining connected and resilient, Teller also encouraged graduates to take risks, imploring graduates to find their own way to make their vulnerability feel protective. “I challenge you to judge every unknown for its expected utility, not its risk, and take as many high, expected utility adventures as you can, no matter how risky they are,” he said. “If you want to help the world be meaningfully better and not just more of the same, you’ll need to take these same kinds of uncomfortable bets.” He encouraged graduates to see every challenge as an opportunity and a gift, be grateful, and to approach life not with fear, but with intention. “Don’t just go live your life. Go create it.” Read the speeches The full text of the speeches by President David Munson, keynote speaker Astro Teller, and Student Government President Alex Shuron are available.

Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology and University of Rochester recently connected their campuses with an experimental quantum communications network using two optical fibers. In a new paper published in Optica Quantum, scientists described the Rochester Quantum Network (RoQNET), which uses single photons to transmit information about 11 miles along fiber-optic lines at room temperature using optical wavelengths. Quantum communications networks have the potential to massively improve the security with which information is transmitted, making messages impossible to clone or intercept without detection. Quantum communication works with quantum bits, or qubits, that can be physically created using atoms, superconductors, and even in defects in materials like diamond. However, photons (individual particles of light) are the best type of qubit for long distance quantum communications. Photons are appealing for quantum communication in part because they could theoretically be transmitted over existing fiber-optic telecommunications lines that already crisscross the globe. In the future, many types of qubits will likely be utilized because qubit sources, like quantum dots or trapped ions, each have their own advantages for specific applications in quantum computing or different types of quantum sensing. However, photons are the most compatible with existing communications lines. The new paper published in Optica Quantum is focused on making quantum communication between different types of qubits in a network a reality. “Photons move at the speed of light and their wide range of wavelengths enable communication with different types of qubits,” said Stefan Preble, professor in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering. “Our focus is on distributed quantum entanglement, and RoQNET is a test bed for doing that.” Ultimately, the researchers want to connect RoQNET to other research facilities across New York state at Brookhaven National Lab, Stony Brook University, Air Force Research Laboratory, and New York University. “This is an exciting step creating quantum networks that would protect communications and empower new approaches to distributed computing and imaging,” said Nickolas Vamivakas, the Marie C. Wilson and Joseph C. Wilson Professor of Optical Physics, who led the University of Rochester’s efforts. “While other groups have developed experimental quantum networks, RoQNET is unique in its use of integrated quantum photonic chips for quantum light generation and solid-state based quantum memory nodes.” RIT microsystems engineering Ph.D. student Vijay Sundaram ’21 MS (physics) is the lead author on the paper. After taking a course in quantum, he realized that quantum optics was where he saw his future. Sundaram explained how quantum entanglement, or spooky action at a distance, is putting quantum at the forefront of new technology. “Quantum particles can be at either end of the universe and they’ll still be completely, perfectly correlated,” said Sundaram. “These experiments have been done using bulk optics and huge telescopes. We’re trying to put all of that onto a single microchip.” Co-authors on the paper include Evan Manfreda-Schulz, Thomas Palone, Venkatesh Deenadayalan, Mario Ciminelli, and Gregory Howland from RIT; Todd Hawthorne, Tony Roberts and Phil Battle from AdvR Inc.; Michael Fanto from the Air Force Research Laboratory; and Gerald Leake and Daniel Coleman from the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute. The research was supported by Air Force Research Laboratory.

When Paige Wright changed her major to photographic sciences, she thought photo microscopy was an appealing niche to pursue. However, ironically, her view of the field was narrow. She anticipated working behind a traditional microscope—and she certainly didn’t think scrubs would become part of her work tools—but enrolling in two ophthalmic imaging courses as a third-year student opened her eyes to a new career path. Ophthalmic photography is a highly specialized form of medical imaging dedicated to the study and documentation of disorders of the eyes. These visual records assist medical professionals in diagnosing ocular conditions and monitoring disease progressions and can support research and education. “I’m still using microscopes to make images, just in a different way than I thought,” said Wright, a fourth-year student from Wilmington, Del. “I’ve always had a fascination with eyes. For such a small part of your body, they are so important and play such a huge role in your everyday life.” After graduation, Wright will travel to New York City for an internship at Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York (VRMNY). As an ophthalmic photographer, she will work alongside accomplished doctors like Richard F. Spaide. Spaide is one of the most cited retina specialists in ophthalmological literature, having authored over 300 peer-reviewed articles on ophthalmology. Learning directly from an expert like Spaide was an opportunity Wright couldn’t pass on. “Dr. Spaide is a world-renowned retina specialist. Even though I had an internship last year at Flaum Eye Institute and felt confident I would get a job at home, I knew this experience would make me a more valuable candidate and could help me to get a job almost anywhere,” said Wright. The internship at VRMNY came to Wright through alumni connections. Sarah Armstrong ’05 (biomedical photographic communications) contacted Christye Sisson about the opportunity with Dr. Spaide during an ophthalmic imaging conference. Sisson, director of RIT’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, shared the opportunity with Nanette Salvaggio, who then encouraged Wright to apply. Salvaggio, director of the undergraduate photographic sciences program, met Wright during her first class at RIT, bright and early on a Monday morning. Salvaggio said watching Wright grow from a “reserved” first-year student into a highly accomplished graduate was rewarding. Specifically, she noted Wright’s “exemplary leadership, characterized by her proficiency, professionalism, and unwavering dedication.” “While we facilitated her introduction to Dr. Spaide, it was her composure and the extensive knowledge she acquired during her time with us that ultimately secured this remarkable opportunity,” said Salvaggio. “She serves as an inspiration to others, fostering a collaborative and productive learning environment.” Once Wright completes her summer internship, she plans to move back home to Delaware to seek a position at a hospital or large private practice. In the long term, she aspires to get more involved with research, potentially returning to academia to lead an ophthalmic imaging department.  

Tunmise Raji came to RIT with a vision to harness technology for global good. He’s leaving prepared to advance energy solutions for underserved communities. Raji, a Ph.D. candidate at Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS), is one of 56 people who will be honored at Commencement on May 9 in the doctoral hooding ceremony. A native of Nigeria, Raji grew up in a nation known for power insecurity. In some areas, frequent power outages due to aging and overstressed infrastructure and a shortage in supply result in residents going weeks without having access to electricity, a common challenge in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. After studying electrical engineering abroad, Raji completed his master’s degree at Carnegie Mellon in 2019, where he studied under Professor Nathan Williams. After earning his master’s degree, Raji worked in Uganda for two years, developing renewable energy projects aimed at electrifying small villages across East Africa. He was eventually invited to apply for a new Ph.D. opportunity in GIS by Williams, who joined RIT in 2020. “From taking his class, I knew we had a shared interest in Sub-Saharan Africa and data-driven research, so it felt like the perfect opportunity,” Raji said. Raji’s research focuses on using sustainable infrastructure development to drive progress in the Global South. In one recent study with Williams and fellow Ph.D. student Courage Ekoh, he examined the Nigerian energy landscape, advocating for a hybrid approach that blends centralized grid and off-grid sustainable solutions to create a more resilient, inclusive power system. Raji credits much of his growth to the mentorship and diverse learning environment within GIS. Along with the direct impact that Williams made on him, he also highlighted the impact of Professor Callie Babbitt’s classes, which emphasized the three interconnected legs of sustainability—environmental, economic, and social. “Being in GIS, you’re able to interact with people from all walks of life,” Raji said. “It really helps you to put your research in the right perspective. It’s not siloed in one particular field, but actually more applicable to the rest of the world.” Outside of the classroom, Raji has attended and presented at conferences in Morocco and China, organized a two-week training on remote sensing for the National Institute of Statistics in Rwanda, and landed a pair of fellowships through the Environmental Defense Fund. In those fellowships, he helped develop a transportation electrification plan in Durham, N.C., and examined strategies with Element Fleet Management to shift the company’s fleet from internal combustion engines to electric fleets. He plans to continue that momentum beyond graduation. “Tunmise has been such a pleasure to work with,” Williams said. “He is full of ideas and so driven by curiosity. He really made my job as an adviser easy. It is fantastic to see our students not just pushing scientific boundaries but also using their skills to benefit the global community more directly.”  

Billions of Apple devices are used in the world daily, and it’s important for their quality to be consistent. Graduating color science master’s student Andrea Avendano Martinez will be helping do just that as a camera color science engineer for Apple in Cupertino, Calif., starting this June. “Essentially, I will be making sure that for all the camera modules that they manufacture, the color quality and the color capacity are the same,” explained Avendano Martinez. Avendano Martinez feels well prepared to enter the workforce thanks to the connections she’s made with many RIT alumni who are working in the same industry. The Munsell Color Science Laboratory is one of the oldest research centers on campus and hosts the only color science Ph.D. program in the United States. “RIT’s color science is unique in the world in its focus on human color perception and application to modern technologies,” said Michael Murdoch, head of the Integrated Sciences Academy. “The Munsell Color Science Laboratory has a long history of research and application to display systems, including modern high dynamic range televisions and augmented reality systems. Contributions over the years include calibration methods, tone-mapping operators, perceptual image quality scales, and models of spatial color differences, transparency, and brightness.” Avendano Martinez credits the reputation of the program in helping her land a job with Apple. “These companies are looking specifically at the Munsell Color Lab and getting students from these labs because the quality of the education is so high. They already know they are getting good color scientists,” said Avendano Martinez. “They prepared me super well. Getting recognized by these companies is amazing and great to be a part of.” Avendano Martinez came to RIT from Gurnee, Ill., as an undergraduate student to study motion picture science, which was a perfect blend of her interests in creative filmmaking and STEM skills. After graduating in 2022, she did two internships at Dolby. She learned about opportunities with that company after hearing an alumnus speak to a student organization. In her first internship she worked with Dolby Vision for content creation where she helped showcase new technologies. Her second was more focused on color science. “I was a color and vision science engineer and I made my own research project,” said Avendano Martinez. “It was like a mini thesis, and I was able to present my project at a conference. That experience led me to get a master’s degree. Now that I’m ending my time here at RIT, I’m excited for this new chapter and what other opportunities it may bring!”