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.”