Graduate student creates educational guide about chemotherapy side effects for Colorado children’s hospital

Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology developed new artificial intelligence techniques to extract and visualize information from standard-of-care biomedical data, providing a means for clinicians to better diagnose diseases and determine interventions. The new techniques could also improve image-guided therapies, including surgeries, and minimize invasive procedures because of these refined imaging details. “The future of medicine is not necessarily about acquiring more data but rather having access to effective tools to make use of the data, and this is where biomedical computing plays a critical role,” said Cristian Linte, professor of biomedical engineering in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering. “Imaging accounts for the majority of biomedical data has transformed diagnostic and interventional medicine from a subjective, perceptual skill based on physicians’ experience to an objective science driven by large-scale, heterogeneous data.” Computer-integrated diagnosis and therapy is an emerging field dedicated to improving disease detection and treatment. Linte and members of his research team, including Imaging science doctoral students Bipasha Kundu, Bidur Khanal, Zixin Yang, Nakul Poudel, and Richard Simon, detailed results of this work in several publications, including the April 2025 proceedings of SPIE Medical Imaging 2025. Biomedical visualization has evolved from anatomical drawings to a standard tool to aid diagnosis, plan treatment options, and monitor therapy. Before biomedical data can be visualized, the raw biomedical imaging data needs to be processed. Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into medical image analysis has led to significant advances, but several challenges still exist, Linte said.  AI models rely on large amounts of expert-annotated data for training, which requires time and expertise of clinicians to curate data. User variability also poses a significant barrier for accurate AI algorithm development. Internal operations and relevance of test data acquired for training of AI models are also not well understood, making predictions difficult to explain.  “Many physics-based biomedical models are hampered by their computational expense, which constitutes a major setback to clinical adoption, limiting their use as interactive simulation tools for therapy planning or monitoring,” Linte said.  “AI techniques, on the other hand, can learn from large patient-specific datasets, so combining data science with physics-based models has the potential to yield more accurate and more computationally efficient simulations.”  Researchers in Linte’s lab have effectively combined biomedical imaging, computing, modeling, and visualization for computer-integrated diagnosis and therapy. They contributed to the development and validation of robust AI computational imaging informatics tools to advance computer-integrated diagnosis and interventional data science by addressing a broad range of diseases, organ systems, and minimally invasive therapy applications.  “We believe that effective utilization of biomedical informatics to develop versatile biomedical computing and visualization tools will lead to solutions that enable more accurate and timely disease diagnosis and less invasive therapies. These tools will help lay a foundation for advances in computer-aided diagnosis and therapy across a wide spectrum of diseases and organ systems that can impact a larger patient population,” said Linte, who has a background in mechanical and biomedical engineering as well as imagining science. He teaches in RIT’s engineering college as well as the Chester F. Carlson Center, specifically in the areas of biomechanics and biomedical thermo-fluids and conducts research at the intersection of biomedical imaging, computing, and visualization. Research in Linte’s Biomedical Imaging, Modeling, Visualization and Image-guided Navigation Laboratory is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation. Its research focus remains on biomedical artificial intelligence tools for diagnostic and intervention data science. Most recently, he was awarded nearly $2.4 million by the NIH for a five-year competitive renewal of the research grant on Biomedical Computing and Visualization Tools for Computer-integrated Diagnostic and Therapeutic Data Science to support innovation, training, and mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students in the lab, many of whom have gone on to serve in prestigious national labs, hospitals, and research organizations. “Mentoring and training high caliber students who will join tomorrow’s biomedical and academic workforce constitutes by far the greatest impact of our careers as academics and scientists and we’re thrilled to see them succeed,” said Linte.

RIT’s worldwide reach continues to grow with a new global location in Tirana, Albania. The expansion was announced at a launch event in the capital city. RIT Tirana will feature two bachelor of science degrees, computing information technology and electrical engineering technology, when it hosts its first classes in fall 2025. The site evolved through a partnership between RIT Kosovo and the Harry Fultz Foundation. “This is not just the launch of a new location for RIT programs; it is the beginning of an exciting journey to provide transformative education and global opportunities for students in this region,” stated Kamal Shahrabi, president of RIT Kosovo. “Through our innovative programs, hands-on learning approach, and strong industry connections, we are equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-evolving global economy.” In addition to the main campus in Rochester and a growing presence in Los Angeles, RIT has international campuses in Dubai, Croatia, and Kosovo. Global education enriches the RIT community, creating a unified perspective on global challenges and opportunities. “We are delighted to add Albania to our constellation of global locations,” said James Myers, associate provost for International Education and Global Programs. “With 21,300 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, RIT is internationally recognized and ranked for its leadership in technology, the arts, and design. We are proud of more than 150,000 RIT alumni who come from more than 100 countries.” For more information on RIT’s international opportunities, go to the RIT global website.

Students around the world will be crossing the stage to become RIT alumni as the global campuses celebrate their 2025 spring commencement ceremonies. A highlight of the celebrations will be RIT Kosovo honorary commencement speaker Drena Kusari Berisha, vice president and general manager at Microsoft. Kusari Berisha received her master’s degree from Harvard Business School and held executive roles at Goldman Sachs, Lyft, and Bumble before joining Microsoft. RIT Kosovo’s commencement, featuring nearly 150 graduates, is May 21. RIT Dubai will be graduating more than 300 students on May 20. The growing campus located in the Silicon Oasis is currently in phase two of new construction projects. The building growth will enable campus enrollment to reach 4,000 students once it is completed in 2027. In Croatia, graduates will be recognized on May 22 in Zagreb and May 24 in Dubrovnik. Nearly 200 students across the two campuses will receive degrees. Upwards of 650 graduating students from RIT’s global campuses are part of the more than 4,800 students at all degree levels earning diplomas this spring. The new class will join more than 150,000 RIT alumni across the globe. “Congratulations to all our students receiving diplomas this spring,” said James Myers, associate provost for International Education and Global Programs. “The growing number of graduates at our global campuses is a testament to RIT’s reputation on the world stage.” For more information on RIT’s 2025 spring commencement, go to the commencement website.

Hockey is constantly evolving, expanding into new communities and welcoming new voices. RIT alumna Julia Takatsuka ’18 (graphic design) is helping lead that change from one of the NHL’s youngest outposts: her native Pacific Northwest. Takatsuka coaches for the Seattle Kraken’s Youth Hockey Association, a USA Hockey-sanctioned league growing the game in Washington state. She also serves as the Goalie Development Coordinator for USA Hockey’s Pacific District, representing the Pacific Northwest and identifying emerging goaltenders with national potential. Takatsuka stands at the forefront of an innovative grassroots approach to goaltender development, helping to reshape how the league, and the sport, thinks about coaching. Takatsuka’s unique path to the NHL dekes tradition: she didn’t play pro or college hockey, nor did she come up through elite coaching networks. For her, preparation consistently met unique opportunities. Growing up, she played the position competitively and attended USA Hockey select camps. But when Division I hockey didn’t feel like the right fit, Takatsuka felt like she was left with two options: play college hockey or attend a school with a great design program. She focused on education and enrolled at RIT. It was a decision that would subtly shape her future behind the bench. ‌ Provided Julia Takatsuka ’18, left, has been with the Seattle Kraken since the team’s NHL debut in 2021. Over four years, she has helped grow the organization’s youth program to include more than 50 goaltenders across multiple age levels. “RIT helped me to think outside the box,” Takatsuka said. “I found myself in that creative sense, and it helped me as I got into coaching.” She stayed active on campus as a two-year member of the RIT Crew team, found a home with a local women’s ice hockey team, and honed her design skills. Returning to Washington after graduation, she realized that hockey still had a significant hold on her. Coaching hadn’t been on her radar, but a chance pairing with a local goalie coach changed that. “I never thought I’d coach,” Takatsuka admitted. “I didn’t want to work with kids at the time. I got pulled in and paired with a goalie coach, and suddenly I was using all these tools I’d learned in design to connect with kids, meeting them where they are, and helping them embrace all the boring aspects of training. It all fell into place.” Her ability to connect with younger and marginalized players caught the attention of hockey leaders as she moved up the ladder. By 2020, she had become the Female Goaltending Development Coordinator for Western Washington. As Takatsuka was building connections and knowledge in the hockey world, the NHL awarded Seattle an expansion franchise with the Seattle Kraken in 2021. Takatsuka stepped into a rare opportunity: to build a goaltending model from the ground up. “I felt like I was in the right place at the right time,” Takatsuka said. She saw a better way to make the goaltending position accessible and appealing to young players, including providing “quick change” gear for beginners and allowing them to try the position without a large upfront investment. She is also educating individuals off ice as well, incorporating a three-pillar education system for players, coaches, and parents, so everyone involved better understands what goalies need to thrive. The program’s success was evident, expanding from six teams to 37 in four years, with over 50 goalies having their own equipment. Takatsuka runs weekly goalie clinics, with many traveling from neighboring states like Alaska, Idaho, and Oregon. In 2024, she became one of 30 individuals to earn gold level training from USA Hockey, and that June, presented her thesis at the inaugural USA Hockey National Goaltending Symposium. Her work has received national attention, drawing features from the NHL and USA Hockey. She still laces up the pads in adult leagues and participates in community events like the annual Seattle Pride Classic, where she receives strong support from the young athletes she coaches. “They love to come out and make signs and support,” Takatsuka said. “They’re like, ‘you’re so good,’ and I’m like ‘I’m so bad!’ But it’s great to see them.” As a queer woman in a male-dominated coaching world, Takatsuka doesn’t seek the spotlight but recognizes the power of visibility as she helps redefine what success looks like in the crease. “For a while, I tried to not think about it in that way,” Takatsuka said. “For me it’s just trying to help grow the knowledge of the position and the game and be a good role model for them.”

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.”

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.”