RIT professor helps to tackle energy access in rural Africa

Rochester Institute of Technology received a boost in funding recently, as a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of State will continue the work led by professors Clyde Eirikur Hull and Eric Williams with entrepreneurships based on circular economy principles in member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The circular economy refers to an industrial economy that focuses on reducing waste by reusing and recycling materials. It’s designed to keep products and resources in use for as long as possible through thoughtful design. ASEAN, or Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a political and economic union of 10 member states that promotes intergovernmental cooperation in a wide range of areas, including the economy, politics, and education. The member states include Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.   ‌ Photo provided by Clyde Hull RIT Professor Clyde Eirikur Hull takes a question from the audience during the Second Symposium on Accelerating Science, Technology, and Circular Innovation in Vientiane, Laos, this past July. The one-year extension, made possible through the U.S.-ASEAN Smart Cities Partnership under the leadership of Program Manager Helen Santiago Fink, aims to help organizations in ASEAN countries train entrepreneurs, businesses, and lawmakers to use sustainability science to identify profitable, eco-friendly opportunities. It focuses on developing innovative technologies and business models that strengthen local economies, foster ties with the U.S., and reduce environmental harm. By applying circular economy principles and leveraging the team’s expertise in innovation and technology management, the initiative collaborates with local partners and the State Department to deliver training that supports sustainable business growth and environmental preservation. The professors are joined by Israa Ameen Thiab, visiting assistant professor at Saunders and a Ph.D. candidate in RIT’s sustainability program; Mihloti Williams, senior program manager at the Competitive Sustainability Center at the Saunders College of Business; research program manager Khant Oak Soe ’23 (technology innovation management and entrepreneurship); and senior program specialist Rachel Spangler ’16 (metals and jewelry design). They will be continuing their circular economy education training with over 50 partners in the ASEAN region, which includes over 37 universities and 15 business incubators and non-profit organizations, while also lending financial support to new circular economy startup companies. In total, more than 100 teachers and nearly 1,000 students have been trained. Hull, professor of management in RIT’s Saunders College of Business, center director at the Competitive Sustainability Center and the grant’s principal investigator, was grateful for the creative solutions that his team has witnessed from within the region, from businesses finding solutions for food waste, to high-tech plastics recycling, and organic fertilizer stemming from local materials that originally went to waste stations. “A key lesson we’ve learned is the value of training diverse groups—ranging from those with no work experience or high school education to individuals with advanced degrees,” Hull said. “The people who do our training are starting an amazing array of circular businesses, which is both good for the environment and profits.” ‌ Photo provided by Clyde Hull RIT professor Eric Williams explains his research on use of end of first-use electronics and the effect of informal recycling in ASEAN member nations. Williams, professor of sustainability in Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS) and co-PI on the grant, focuses his research on the end of first-use electronics and how informal recycling practices impact ASEAN member nations. “We aim to reduce environmental harm from informal recycling in Asian nations by shifting materials to proper facilities, which are more efficient and environmentally sound,” Williams said. “This approach could yield a win-win-win: greater material recovery, less environmental damage, and improved economic benefits for those in the end-of-use chain, including the informal sector. While outcomes depend on policy and other factors, we’re working to nudge things in the right direction.” Their research abroad also comes stateside. Thiab recently led a circular economy entrepreneurship workshop at RIT’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship, bringing insight from practices in her native Jordan to local businesses. The workshop focused on transforming existing business ideas into circular business ventures that both enhance profitability and help reduce the amount of waste going into landfills. “It’s very exciting to see our work having an impact, making a difference in people’s lives, in the local economy, and for the environment,” Hull said. “Our students and the students of our partners create jobs for themselves and others where there were no jobs, and they make a profit reducing the flow of things into the landfill. That's a great reason to get out of bed in the morning.” Hull and Williams have established expertise in circular economy entrepreneurship, especially when applied in developing nations to benefit the local economy and environment.   Hull has decades of experience working with entrepreneurs through RIT’s Simone Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Venture Creations, and the aforementioned Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Competitive Sustainability Center. Williams was the recipient of a National Science Foundation grant to research international electronic waste, the results of which influenced the environmental standard for computers in the United States. In addition to the original grant from the State Department, the team has also received funding to help entrepreneurs in the Middle East form circular economy businesses. As part of the funding, the group will hold its third annual Symposium on Accelerating Science, Technology, and Circular Innovation in July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Imaging science Ph.D. student Mohammad Saif earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in his home country before enrolling at RIT in the fall of 2020. A research project during his undergraduate career drew his attention to imaging, and now he has focused his academic career in remote sensing. Opportunities outside of the lab and the field have helped him learn how to better communicate and discuss the impact of his work. What made you interested in the imaging science Ph.D. program? During my final years of undergraduate study, I worked on a project focused on detecting anemia using images of the human eye. This experience sparked my interest in imaging. Later on, a friend I collaborated with on that project began his Ph.D. here and encouraged me to apply here. What research are you currently working on? This program introduced me to the vast world of imaging and its diverse applications and processes. I got particularly interested in remote sensing, which deals with analyzing satellite/airborne or drone imagery. Jan van Aardt was leading a project that used drones to predict crop conditions, which immediately piqued my interest. This work not only offered the chance to collect and analyze drone imagery but also the opportunity to contribute to real-world issues of food security and sustainability. Inspired by its potential impact, I joined his group and now I spend my days analyzing table beet imagery. More specifically, my work involves capturing overhead drone images of table beets using hyperspectral, multispectral, and LiDAR imaging. LiDAR accurately maps the distances of objects, allowing us to generate precise 3D imagery. Multispectral imaging functions like a regular camera but includes additional channels beyond the standard red, green, and blue, capturing red-edge and near-infrared bands as well. Hyperspectral imaging, on the other hand, provides a continuous spectrum of colors, offering detailed insights beyond the limits of human vision. With this data, we’re able to predict the end-of-season harvest yield and assess disease severity in table beets. I also evaluate the performance of each imaging system, balancing cost with optimal results, which contributes to developing more efficient, precise crop management strategies. You participated in the Three Minute Thesis competition and presented at the Industrial Associates Symposium. How did these events help you as a Ph.D. student and in your academic career? I dive deep into the intricate details of my research, focusing on fine-tuning small components and getting fully immersed in the technical aspects. This can sometimes make it easy to lose sight of the bigger picture, as in why I’m doing this work in the first place. Preparing for this kind of event allowed me to take a step back, breathe, and see the larger purpose and impact of my work. This not only helped to communicate effectively with people outside my niche area but also reignited my motivation, giving me fresh perspective and enthusiasm as I returned to my daily work. Industrial Associates provided me with an opportunity to showcase my work in front of industry professionals. It also gave a platform to engage directly with companies and industry professionals, allowing me to explore the kind of projects they are pursuing and the technical skills they value. It introduced me to potential career paths and connected me with industry professionals. Overall, I’m incredibly grateful to RIT for providing these kinds of experiences that support growth beyond the lab or the research field. Opportunities like these challenge me to communicate effectively, keep me motivated, and allow me to build connections with the broader academic and professional communities. These events have helped me grow not only as a researcher but also as a professional, preparing me for a future where I can make meaningful contributions to my field.

As an interdisciplinary artist and researcher, Carlos Castellanos is encouraging the arts community to play a core role in developing artificial intelligence (AI). “Right now, AI systems are simply not built to have reciprocal interplay with their environments and thus they demonstrate little interest in emergence, adaptation, or developing mutually productive relationships with the natural world,” said Castellanos, an assistant professor in RIT’s School of Interactive Games and Media. “I wanted to present at a2ru to challenge prevailing AI ontologies and introduce arts-based models of ecological AI.” ‌ Elizabeth Lamark Lillian-Yvonne Bertram, from the University of Maryland, speaks about the creativity and limits of large language models at the a2ru panel “Highlighting Those Making Steps Towards Change.” Castellanos was joined by over 170 other higher education professionals from across the country at the 2024 a2ru National Conference, which was hosted by RIT in the Student Hall for Exploration and Development (SHED) Nov. 14-16. The conference’s theme, “Generate | Integrate: Technology, the Arts & Design,” encouraged attendees to celebrate and explore the role of technology within the arts and design fields. RIT President David Munson helped kick off the event with a welcome address, stating that the conference was well timed amidst “seismic shifts” that affect education, research, and the creative practice of craft. “As the arts and higher education wrestle with the rapid emergence of AI, human-machine interaction, and immersive technologies ranging from virtual reality to extended reality, we prompt you to take a more holistic and serious look at these issues to chart a collective way forward,” said Munson. The a2ru national conference is an opportunity for practitioners and researchers from across higher education to share innovations and perspectives in the arts. The organization advances the full range of arts- and design-integrative research, curricula, programs, and creative practice to acknowledge, articulate, and expand the vital role of higher education in our global society. In partnership with an international network of leading higher education institutions, allies, and partners, a2ru envisions a world in which universities—students, faculty, and leaders—explore, embed, and integrate the arts in everyday practice and research. “Each year, a2ru brings together a dynamic, international group of creative thinkers, innovators, and makers who bridge the arts with other disciplines. At their home institution, they may feel like they are one of only a few doing this challenging work but, at our conference, they find a community of like-minded individuals,” said Maryrose Flannigan, executive director of a2ru. “Over the course of three days, our members formed new research partnerships, brainstormed collaborative projects, and gathered inspiration for new programs. Those long-lasting and powerful connections start here.” Samantha Lazar, curator of academic programming at Dartmouth College’s Hopkins Center for the Arts, said she attends the conference every year. This year, Lazar was gathering inspiration for a new arts integration initiative she’s developing at Dartmouth. “At my college, we are striving to fundamentally blend the arts with other disciplines and make them a core part of every student’s education, not just an add-on,” said Lazar. “Arts integration expands ways of thinking and creates new avenues for creativity and innovation—it can really nourish the creative side of you.” ‌ Elizabeth Lamark Kelly Hurlburt, a senior staff designer at Adobe and 2017 RIT alumna, gave a keynote talk on empowering users to stay creative and in control of AI. RIT alumna Kelly Hurlburt ’17 (new media design) gave one of two keynote presentations during the conference. Hurlburt works as a senior staff designer at Adobe and was the lead designer of Firefly, Adobe’s generative AI model. During her keynote, she shared her own insights about the intersection of technology and design. “The best innovations come from a deep empathy with the people we’re building for. We want to push creative tools forward, and we recognize the unique role each discipline has to play in this shared goal,” said Hurlburt. Hurlburt also shared reflections on AI’s evolution in the creative industry so far, drawing from both her personal experience and professional observations. She offered new perspectives on the topic of “tech inevitability,” and underscored the importance of starting from real user needs when developing new technologies. She added, “I hope skeptical creatives walk away feeling more excited about generative AI. But, more importantly, I hope technology builders will recognize their agency. Innovation isn’t some mystical, uncontrollable force. Innovation is shaped by our choices, both individually and collectively. We have the power to design experiences that solve meaningful problems and empower the people who use our tools.”

Kelly Norris Martin has been named dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Rochester Institute of Technology. Martin, who has been a faculty member in the college for over a decade, has served as interim dean of the college since April 2023. She was selected as dean after a national search and will assume the role on Dec. 1. “I am delighted that Dr. Martin will serve as the next dean of the College of Liberal Arts,” said Prabu David, provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs. “She has strengthened the college during her tenure as interim dean and with a clear vision championed for the humanities, social sciences, and performing arts at RIT.” Since joining RIT’s faculty in 2011, Martin has served in several roles within the college including as the associate dean for Faculty and Staff Affairs, the director of the School of Communication, and the co-founder of RIT’s Expressive Communication Center. Martin received the Eisenhart Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2013 and, in 2019, she received the RIT Innovative Teaching with Technology Award. “Watching my colleagues and our students grow, explore, and find their passions during my time at RIT has been incredibly rewarding. Serving as interim dean gave me even greater insight to the power, creativity, and capability of our talented community,” said Martin. “It’s an honor to lead a community like ours. I look forward to continuing to support and uplift the work of our faculty, staff, and students so they can continue to drive change and our liberal arts mission both on campus and beyond.” Martin studies workforce and communication education and visual communication methods. She is currently a principal investigator (PI) on a Teagle Foundation and National Endowment for the Humanities Cornerstone Implementation grant and has a served as PI on an Engineering Information Foundation grant and co-PI on two National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded projects examining the skills that help U.S. college students succeed and increase employer competitiveness. She also served as a mentor for an NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program for eight years. Martin currently serves as editor of the Graphic Design Archives Chapbook Series with RIT Press and she has published work in leading journals in her field including Communication Education, American Educational Research Journal, Visual Communication Quarterly, Physical Review Physics Education Research, and Design Issues. Martin earned her Ph.D. in communication, rhetoric, and digital media at North Carolina State University, where she developed a schema that graphically maps hierarchical relationships of visual research methods. Her program also awarded her the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017.

Bob Mather ’74 will forever remember the summer of 1970. He was attending a visual performance in American Sign Language at RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf and Sue Mozzer ’74 was signing. “I’ll never forget her smile,” Bob said. “That’s when I fell in love.” ‌ Provided The Mathers were engaged in 1973 Although he wouldn’t get that first date with Sue until years later, the two eventually made their way to the altar and are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year. During his first few months at NTID, Bob changed his major twice before committing to the social work program. Sue was also enrolled in the social work program. Coincidence? Not according to Sue. “I was really independent and wanted to focus on my studies,” she said. “My best friend tried to set us up several times, but I wasn’t interested. After Bob transferred into social work, we hung out as friends and study partners for nearly three years.” The turning point came when Bob planned a surprise birthday party for Sue. “We graduated with our bachelor’s degrees in 1974 and got married later that summer,” said Sue. “The rest is history.” Sue arrived at NTID two years after the college began its operations; Bob came the following year. They witnessed the growing pains of bringing together deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students. Sue learned from her hearing brother, Dick, who also attended RIT, that many of the university’s hearing students were upset about the benefits deaf students received. These benefits included vocational services for reducing tuition and the cost of books. “Growing up, Dick was not encouraged to learn sign language,” said Sue. “We had a typical sibling relationship mixed with rivalry and some shared activities and used gestures for communication.” Sue was dedicated to promoting Deaf culture and combating negative stereotypes about deaf people on campus. She organized a “Listen to the Deaf Week” event in Rochester, aimed at raising awareness and fostering understanding. She also distributed colorful pins featuring the ASL sign for “I love you,” helping to introduce this sign to more people. Her efforts led to increased awareness and appreciation of Deaf culture among hearing students. “People often ask what NTID means to me,” said Sue. “NTID provided a connection to my brother. NTID is where we could talk with each other using sign language.” After graduating, Bob continued on to law school with Sue as his confidante. “There were many times when others doubted me. I wondered whether I could really become an attorney. But Sue was always in my corner and so positive. After I finished law school, it was my turn to support Sue as she completed her master’s and doctoral degrees in linguistics,” said Bob. The Mathers, who live in Maryland, have two grown children. Their daughter, Roberta, an NTID alumna, was recently promoted to chief communications officer for the International Labor Affairs Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor, and their granddaughter, Savannah, is attending NTID this fall. Sue’s brother also met his wife, Sharon, at RIT. They, too, are celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary. Reflecting back at his time at NTID, Bob is grateful for the opportunities. “At one point, deaf people were told that we could do some things, but not all things. But, at NTID, we were encouraged to grow, and we were suddenly given opportunities to dream. There were no limitations, and the world opened up for us.”