Graduate finishes BS degree through the ‘Roar to the Finish’ degree completion program

Using a non-traditional, micro-organism separation method, researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology discovered a faster technique that can be used to distinguish cells that are resistant to antibiotics or cancer. Alaleh Vaghef-Koodehi, a doctoral candidate in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering, led elements of the work to improve lab-on-chip devices, specifically an insulator-based electrokinetic system, a method that manipulates charged particles, such as microorganisms, through applied electrical capabilities. Lab-on-chip devices are small instruments that can analyze several biological samples through chemical and electrical methods. Their small size allows for portability, and continued advancements like the new work by Vaghef-Koodehi and RIT biomedical engineering faculty-researcher Blanca Lapizco-Encinas is a promising diagnostic tool for clinicians. Lapizco-Encinas and Vaghef-Koodehi have been at the forefront of improving lab-on-chip devices. Their most recent paper was detailed in the journal Electrophoresis. The article “Dielectrophoresis in Carcinoma Diagnosis: Recent Developments and Applications,” is one of several the researchers published about how lab-on-chip devices are becoming more sophisticated. The process, not widely researched until recently, is being seen as a reliable means to detect slight variations in microorganisms, which can improve response to diseases. “We hope lab-on-chip devices will be as common as things like pregnancy tests,” said Vaghef-Koodehi. “We are still in early stages in developing this important technology, but these separation techniques are already showing promise, especially in cases where it is critical to assess the fragile components first.” General findings by the research team include advances in distinguishing bio-particles based on variations in size, shape, and surface charge, enabling improved separation and characterization of microorganisms and other biological samples using electrokinetic techniques. Results are more accurate and can potentially decrease waiting time to determine possible healthcare interventions. Separation of similar microparticles by exploiting minute differences in the electrical charges in cell analysis is a means to quickly identify altered cells due to infection or mutations, for example. “Alaleh was one of the first to demonstrate and validate the use of specific, varied voltages to separate complex samples using nonlinear electrophoresis,” said Lapizco-Encinas, professor of biomedical engineering and director of the Microscale BioSeparations Laboratory in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering. “Traditional cell culturing is effective, but takes a long time, sometimes 24–36 hours. It means a patient may not have immediate treatment because you are still testing. The process developed by Alaleh enables faster and more reliable cell differentiation by leveraging significant changes in the electrical properties of biomarkers.” Vaghef-Koodehi was recognized for this work and received the Blue Fingers Student Award from the American Electrophoresis Society, during its fall conference. The award is given to the most outstanding student paper submitted by graduate and doctoral students. Vaghef-Koodehi, who has been studying at RIT since 2021, expects to defend her doctoral dissertation this summer and after graduation wants to continue work in the development of lab-on-chip devices. “I want to help people especially in countries where people may not have direct access to hospitals. By developing these systems and devices life will be easier for many people.”

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!”