Student Spotlight: Short film encourages a shift in perspective about Down syndrome

Two RIT undergraduates have earned prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarships to support their research to find better medical treatments. Grace Perna, a third-year biotechnology major from Clifton Park, N.Y., and Eva Reilly, a second-year biochemistry major from Erie, Pa., both study in labs that aim to find better solutions for a range of diseases. The Goldwater Foundation awarded 1,350 students across 445 academic institutions this year after receiving more than 5,000 applications. The award gives support to outstanding undergraduate students interested in pursuing research careers in science, engineering, and mathematics. Perna is working in the lab of Lea Michel, professor in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science. She is currently researching extracellular vesicles and testing their antimicrobial efficacy. She is no stranger to research. Perna started her academic career at Binghamton University where she investigated dual-loading nanoparticles with antibiotics to try to better eradicate biofilms. Last summer, she received funding to conduct research in biocatalysis at California Institute of Technology. While she grew up wanting to be a lawyer, Perna shifted to science after being diagnosed with chronic illness in high school, as she wanted to understand her condition more and improve treatment methods. She originally majored in neuroscience before transferring to RIT in 2023 to pursue biotechnology. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in either biochemistry or immunology in the future. “I love the intersection between infectious disease and the immune system,” said Perna. “What I love most about RIT is my program’s ability to incorporate hands-on and laboratory approaches to learning while maintaining creative freedom.” Reilly credits excellent high school science teachers for getting her interested in biology and chemistry. Her two older sisters were RIT students (Erin with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 2020 and Emily with a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology in 2022), but she didn’t think she would follow them to Rochester. In the end, though, it was the right fit for her, too. In the lab of Suzanne O’Handley, associate professor in School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Reilly is currently researching enzymology and characterizing enzymes as potential novel antibiotic targets. Specifically, she is studying enzymes that are found in the bacteria that causes tuberculosis and leprosy. She also is a learning assistant, which has helped show her that she would like a career as a professor to continue teaching and conducting research after earning a Ph.D. As a student-athlete on the cross country and track and field teams and member of other student organizations, Reilly has learned how to manage her time while keeping her aspirations in sight. “The Goldwater application process really helped me narrow down my goals and understand what I want to do,” said Reilly. “It gives me more confidence that science is something that I can contribute to.” The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 in honor of its namesake who served as a soldier and statesman for more than 50 years. The organization aims to produce high-quality professionals in critical fields by providing scholarships to college sophomores and juniors working toward careers in research.

Creating a soft drink involves teamwork. A diverse set of skills, from packaging to product development, is essential for success in the consumer products industry. Anna Valentine ’17 (packaging science) is acquiring a rich package of skills in that industry as a principal scientist on the Research and Development (R&D) Breakthrough Development team at Keurig Dr Pepper, based in Frisco, Texas. “About a year ago, I transitioned into product development, where I now focus on the beverage inside the package. We research and create various product concepts, collaborating closely with our R&D peers to conduct consumer testing and technical validation before these products reach the market,” said Valentine, who has been with the company for seven years. “This position has allowed me to leverage my background in packaging, process, and strategic upfront thinking while gaining new knowledge around ingredients and beverage types.” Her journey to that world began as an RIT undergraduate, where Valentine combined her passion for math and art in a program that emphasizes building technical, communication, and design skills needed to produce a packaged product. This program also provided her with an understanding of logistical details related to manufacturing, transportation, and distribution. Her varied roles and responsibilities within Keurig Dr Pepper are taking advantage of that skillset. She started her career working on secondary and tertiary packaging, focusing on the design and assessment of Keurig K-Cup cartons. In 2018, Keurig Dr Pepper formed, and Valentine transitioned from her R&D role to supply chain and primary packaging. “It was a great experience to work directly with production lines and understand how the packages we create impact operations, line speeds, and change overs,” said Valentine. The experience was beneficial, allowing her to see how design choices affect down- stream processes and emphasizing the importance of bringing the full team together earlier to enable speed and success. Now as a principal scientist, Valentine does both packaging and product development. Packaging is more than a box or a bottle. Graduates can apply their skills in various industries, from food and beverage to healthcare or toys, she said. “I have peers at Keurig Dr Pepper working in materials science, sustainability, and packaging design and development. I have even ventured into product development. All of these roles are needed at companies.” In the next few years, Valentine hopes to add new leadership responsibilities that will further her role at Keurig Dr Pepper. “I believe that a key to success is maintaining a growth mindset and eagerly embracing new opportunities.”

Buoyed by a partnership between RIT and the Rochester Public Library, the Rochester History journal has a new look and a growing readership. The journal’s 21st-century makeover is turning heads and winning accolades and grant funding. While the first issue published 86 years ago, the journal’s 2023 redesign and digital presence led, this March, to a prestigious award from the Association of American Publishers. Rochester History won a Professional and Scholarly Excellence (PROSE) award for “Best New Journal in Humanities and Social Sciences.” ‌ RIT Tamar Carroll, RIT history professor, is on the editorial board of the scholarly journal. “Preserving and expanding the knowledge of local history was Rochester City Historian Blake McKelvey’s goal in founding Rochester History in 1939, and that continues to be our mission today,” said Tamar Carroll, professor and chair of RIT’s department of history and journal editorial board member. The peer-reviewed journal publishes in fall and spring on a wide variety of topics and perspectives related to Rochester, Monroe County, and Western New York. It is produced by the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County in partnership with RIT, published by the RIT Press, and digitally formatted by Mason Digital. RIT won grants to enhance the journal, including $5,000 from the J.M. McDonald Foundation and $20,000 from the Rochester Area Community Foundation’s Historic Preservation Fund. The financial support funds the digital edition and a marketing campaign to increase subscribers, according to Carroll. “Our goal is to have enough subscribers to make the journal break even with the costs of producing it.” The spring issue, edited by Christine Ridarsky, Rochester City Historian, and Rebecca Edwards, RIT professor of history, published April 15. A feature article, written by Edwards, highlights the deaf community in 19th-century New York told through the life of a Black deaf man. An essay in this issue addresses the challenges of writing historical sketches, such as Edwards’, when the public record is incomplete. The journal also includes book reviews and a feature essay about a rare photograph from the Rochester Public Library’s Local History Division of a Civil War solider wearing a Zouave uniform popularized by French-Algerian infantry. Edwards will present a live-streamed talk, “Exploring the Roots of Rochester’s Deaf Community,” at 1 p.m. on May 10 at the Central Public Library, Gleason Auditorium. ‌ Provided Will Rooney is a graduating senior and RIT history major. He is the research assistant for the spring issue. “It’s a reminder of the persistent discrimination that deaf/hard-of-hearing and disabled people have faced throughout history and the importance of public services for people with disabilities, educational opportunities, and efforts to combat stigma,” Carroll said. “And that is just as relevant today as it was in the 19th century.” Research assistant Will Rooney, a fourth-year history major and graduating senior from Fairfield, Conn., created a digital story map for Edwards’ article tracing the man’s travels throughout New York and interviewed the author for a podcast available on the digital edition. Rooney’s contribution to the journal has given him insights about how professional historians work. “It has really lifted the curtain and allowed me to see how academic writing gets published and the work that it takes to create a piece of professional history writing.” Among the book reviews is a critique of Tourists and Trade by Bruce Austin, the late RIT professor of communication and former RIT Press director, who initiated the collaboration between RIT and the Rochester Public Library to publish and expand the journal. A tribute for Austin is planned for the fall issue, according to Carroll. “Bruce saw an opportunity for RIT Press to help the library by offering services that the library didn’t have access to—professional design work, copy editing, and the opportunity to have a digital edition,” Carroll said. “Also, by involving the history department we are able to give students an opportunity to work on the journal, which is an amazing professional experiential learning opportunity for them.” Become a subscriber to Rochester History for $15.50 per year. (The digital edition of Rochester History can be read for free on the RIT campus.)

Third-year marketing major Joshua Michaels wanted a place at RIT where he could perform and make music with other creatives like himself. “There is a lot of great music at RIT,” said Michaels, a Far Rockaway, N.Y., native. “But I noticed a real gap for students interested in making hip-hop and R&B—and I wanted to build a space for artists like me to grow and create community.” ‌ Provided Events like the Bars’N’Blues jam session, seen here, give students the opportunity to collaborate and build musical fellowship on campus. What started as a bold idea between a few students has grown into one of RIT’s most electrifying and purposeful communities. In just over a year, BARS—Black Artists and Records Society— has transformed into a full-fledged creative collective of over 150 members, amplifying the voices of hip-hop, R&B, and soul culture through artists, writers, and producers on campus. Michaels, along with Austin Coppedge, a fourth-year graphic design major from West Orange, N.J., and Scott Franco, a 2024 graduate of RIT’s marketing program, formed the initial group. Using a limited budget, the group utilized campus and local connections to coordinate events. “It was a lot of late nights going back and forth in our group chat together,” said Coppedge, the club’s co-vice president. “We had to get creative finding rooms to host workshops and make flyers from events. But from day one, we sold people a dream and eventually got people to buy in.” BARS has cultivated a dynamic space in a multitude of ways. The club has had a busy schedule over its first year, with notable events including production and engineering workshops, panels featuring local artists with ties to major musical acts to educate and inspire students, holiday-inspired events such as Stagefright, a spooky-themed open mic event designed to help artists overcome their fears, and tours of Rochester’s historic music scene in collaboration with RIT’s Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement. Two events stand out for the group. Last April, three months into its existence, BARS introduced Bars’n’Blues, a two-hour open jam session for musicians who want to make hip-hop and R&B music. The response was tremendous, with nearly 30 students improvising together to make music and share community. It became a pivotal moment for the club. "That night, something clicked," said Michaels. "We weren’t just a club anymore. We were a movement." ‌ Provided Members of BARS and a student group from an interactive music video experience class pose with music artist Chi TheRealest after an augmented reality concert on campus last spring. Another moment last spring was an augmented reality concert on campus, conceived from a project in the Interactive Music Video Experience class. Approached by a student group, BARS helped provide logistical support, marketing, and opening acts. Michaels, who performs under the stage name Jaykyss, opened with other RIT talents for accomplished music artist Chi TheRealist. “There’s a lot of things that go into a concert,” Michaels said. “Again, at that time we had no budget, no facilities, no operations. We barely had artists. But looking back, it was an amazing opportunity that fell into our hands. It solidified us.” To cap off this school year, the club is preparing for an upcoming spring concert, BARS Presents: The Underground. Showcasing original performances by RIT student rappers, singers, and instrumentalists, the event, which will be held at MAGIC Spell Studios, emphasizes authenticity over spectacle. “We’re the underground scene of RIT,” Michaels said. “We don’t have as much tech or instruments, but we’ve got a microphone and big speakers, and sometimes that’s all you need.” Members utilize BARS’ programing to build professional portfolios. For Coppedge, whose graphic contributions help shape the club’s visual identity, this experience is representative of RIT’s interdisciplinary spirit. “This was one of the first real projects that carried my name in a professional context,” Coppedge said. “It gives people the chance to see how we can link creative arts, music, and branding into something that shows that different majors can intertwine and really create something beautiful for the campus and community.” “At RIT, your dreams are obtainable,” said Steven Simmons, a fourth-year global business management major from Rochester and the club’s co-Vice President. “Anything is possible, but no one's going to grab your hand. You have to reach for it.”  

National Technical Institute for the Deaf information and computing studies students solved a problem that has made an immediate impact at RIT Dining locations across campus. The initiative, begun nearly two years ago, has resulted in state-of-the-art, deaf-friendly point-of-sale systems that use interactive monitors for easy ordering and delivery of food and beverages. Previously, employees, who were often masked, used their voices to call out orders that were ready for pick up, without significant accommodations for deaf and hard-of-hearing customers. Prototype components for this project were developed through a mini grant offered by NTID. Students worked with Professor James Mallory, who helped them see how this idea could be transformed into a real-world application, as well as RIT food service managers, who were instrumental in the process. Using their knowledge from classroom instruction, the students figured out how the experimental process would flow, how to build their equipment and component list, and how to apply for the grant to acquire necessary funding, explained Mallory. Monitors and keypads connected to small controllers and scanners, along with technical know-how, helped them develop a prototype system. “By tackling real-world challenges, students gained hands-on experience in problem solving, prototyping, and technical development—skills essential in the IT workforce,” said Mallory. “They learned to secure funding, adapt to setbacks, and collaborate with stakeholders, mirroring the innovation and troubleshooting required in IT-focused careers. This project with RIT Dining strengthened their technical expertise and helped prepare them to create meaningful solutions in their future technical roles.” Luke Chrzan, a second-year motion picture science student from Middletown, N.J., is a regular customer at The College Grind. “It’s a lot easier for me to enter my order on the kiosk, which prints it out on paper, rather than trying to communicate by mouth or using sign language,” Chrzan said. “It’s not only efficient for us as students trying to hustle to classes, but for the employees who don’t have to slow down trying to figure out a customized order.” Melissa Xie, a second-year advertising and public relations major from Queens, N.Y., has worked at The College Grind for two semesters. “I believe these automated kiosks have been extremely beneficial for me as a student worker,” she said. “Having these kiosks allows for customers to order at their own pace as well as helps them visualize the drinks and foods they are ordering with the images the kiosk provides.” Five kiosks have been installed at three dining locations on campus.

Christopher Lewis and Drew Maywar, faculty members in RIT’s College of Engineering Technology (CET), have been named Russell C. MacCarthy Endowed Professors. Given to faculty to build academic and research relationships between the college and industrial communities, the distinction reflects CET’s faculty connections to industry and its preparation of the next generation of industry professionals. “When we celebrate faculty for research, teaching, and scholarship, it is not just one student who benefits, but a generation of students,” said Prabu David, RIT Provost. CET Dean S. Manian Ramkumar agreed. “We are able to recognize the accomplishments of two of our wonderful faculty, Christopher Lewis and Drew Maywar, because of the donors who invested in RIT in the name of Russell McCarthy. Today, this investment is building the foundation for the future.” CET is known for its connections to industry and applied learning. It’s growing research portfolio will add to that foundation as Lewis and Maywar have distinguished themselves with significant technological research, as inspiring teachers and mentors, and through collaborations with industry partners.  Lewis, an associate professor in CET’s manufacturing and mechanical engineering technology department, is a scientist with expertise in self-healing polymers, biodegradable plastics, shape memory and additive manufacturing. Prior to joining RIT, Lewis worked for 10 years in the plastics industry for Delphi Corp., General Motors and TE Connectivity. He has partnered with RIT peers as well as national companies and government agencies on manufacturing projects and new product research. His students—from undergraduate to doctoral students—participate on this work. “The endowed professorship will enable me to continue advancing research in polymers and soft matter, as well as foster collaboration across CET’s graduate programs,” said Lewis. “Students are the heart of my research, and seeing them achieve their dreams, that is my ultimate goal. I’m excited for what lies ahead.” Maywar, a professor in CET’s electrical and computer engineering technology department, also recognized the participation of students in his research advancing fiber optic networks and optical signal processing. Much of his research takes place locally and internationally. Prior to coming to RIT, Maywar was a Fulbright Scholar in the early 1990s at Osaka University, and served as a member of technical staff at Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies and as a laser system scientist at the University of Rochester’s Laser Energetics Laboratory. He recently returned from a sabbatical in Japan where he established a diabetes research program and global partnership with physicians and researchers at the Kagoshima University Hospital. Lucius and Fred Gordon, long-time supporters of RIT, established the professorship in 1979 to recognize friend and colleague Russell McCarthy’s industrial leadership. McCarthy was manager of the regional Industrial Management Council of Rochester, a position he held until his retirement in 1971. (This organization is now the Rochester Chamber of Commerce.) The endowed professorship supported the School of Applied Industrial Studies (SAIS), one of the earliest names of RIT’s current College of Engineering Technology. At the time, SAIS was based at RIT’s former West Main Street location.  Although much has changed since the establishment of the endowed professorship, the focus on contributions to industry has remained relevant.