National conference celebrates interdisciplinary collaborations and research

Nathan Williams, assistant professor at the Golisano Institute of Sustainability, has long been fascinated with solving complex problems. Williams’ passion was in mathematics and physics, but his wanderlust landed him with the Peace Corps, traveling across the Atlantic Ocean to Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa. While teaching math and science in a remote, unelectrified village, Williams learned a valuable lesson in energy access. His curiosity pushed him to create his own sustainable solutions. He tinkered with solar panels and batteries and built a solar home system, eventually helping friends in the community with their own systems. The experience provided the lightbulb that powers his academic journey. “Those two years were a transformative experience, not just with electricity, but with life in general,” Williams said. “It got me interested in energy access and the importance of improving people’s quality of life. I started to ask myself, ‘How can I use my technical background and skills to address these sticky development problems?’” Williams’ collaborative work tackles the subject of energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2015, the United Nations established Sustainable Development Goal 7 to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. This goal, Williams believes, is especially vital for advancing quality of life in energy-limited regions. According to research from the International Energy Agency, the International Renewable Energy Agency, the United Nations Statistics Division, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization, 685 million people across the world live without electricity, with a majority located in the region that Williams and his colleagues focus on. “Professor Williams is committed to and excels in conducting research that explores sustainability issues in developing nations with a particular focus on African nations such as Kenya and Rwanda,” said Amit Batabyal, interim head of the Department of Sustainability and the Arthur J. Gosnell Professor of Economics in the College of Liberal Arts. “This work aligns well and is consistent with the sustainability department’s mission to provide a broad-based, systems perspective on sustainability challenges both in and outside the United States.” Williams is not one to take full credit for his work. His work integrates a collaborative approach, recruiting students from regions who bring invaluable local perspectives. These collaborations contribute to innovative solutions, blending data science with hands-on fieldwork to bridge information gaps in energy research across the continent. “I specifically recruit students from the region because they bring a perspective that I don’t have,” Williams said. “I see sort of a privilege that I have as a professor is helping them to get a voice and have a platform in this space, because sometimes the communities that are struggling with access challenges aren’t sufficiently represented in the solutions.” In 2022, Williams secured a Rockefeller Foundation grant to use data science and remote sensing to understand the role of infrastructure access in rural development. These funds helped alumni like Lefu Maqelepo ‘24 (sustainability), who explored the economic and operational challenges facing mini-grid systems. Maqelepo’s work supported a subsidy program pitch for mini grids in Sierra Leone. He currently works as an analyst at Massachusetts-based ISO New England, an independent, not-for-profit regional transmission organization. One of the projects that alumnus Fhazhil Wamalwa ’24 (sustainability) embarked upon focused on integrated planning for energy access and irrigation farming, a synergistic approach to fostering development in the most food-insecure region in the world. Wamalwa, who is from Kenya and was one of Williams’ first students, experienced the challenges of limited electricity access and food insecurity caused by several factors. “I deeply value the relevance of Dr. Williams’ work,” said Wamalwa, who is an assistant professor in electrical engineering at San Francisco State University. “His research addresses these critical issues and offers practical solutions aligned with the achievement of multiple sustainable development goals. It exemplifies the impactful and transformative work being done at RIT, positioning the university as a key contributor to addressing pressing global challenges in developing world.” Sustainability Ph.D. student Tunmise Raji examined how electrifying agriculture, especially for irrigation and processing, holds potential for economic upliftment in rural areas, where agriculture remains a primary occupation. Raji notes that Williams consistently pushed him to consider not just the technical solutions, but also its real-world impact. “Our work in Professor Williams’ labs stand out for its focus on not only the supply side of the energy access challenges in Africa but also the demand side, with the goal of empowering local communities to use electricity productively,” Raji said. “For example, his approach of combining satellite imagery analysis with on-the-ground fieldwork fundamentally bridges the data access gaps that researchers face when focusing on Africa. I believe these make our work particularly valuable for advancing universal access to electricity in the region." Williams views his work not as a standalone achievement but as part of a larger, collaborative effort to address significant global challenges in energy and sustainability. “I don’t want to put too much on myself that I’m somehow saving the world,” Williams said. “I have a small role to play, and I love what I do. It certainly is a privilege to be a part of that larger community that’s tackling important problems.”

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.

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.”

RIT Ph.D. candidate Sai Sri Nidhi Munaganuru wants everyone to know the hidden power of carbon composite 3D printing. Her talk, “Can carbon composite 3D printing technology revolutionize the world?” took first place and the People’s Choice award at the 3MT Three Minute Thesis competition hosted by the RIT Graduate School. Munaganuru won $1,500 at the Nov. 4 event held at the MAGIC Center’s Wegmans Theater. She will represent RIT in the spring at the regional competition sponsored by the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools. Munaganuru, from Hyderabad, India, anticipates completing her Ph.D. this summer from RIT’s mechanical and industrial engineering program. Her work extends the capability of carbon fiber technology through a new manufacturing approach that could eliminate high production costs, waste, and dependence on skilled labor. Her research bypasses manufacturing obstacles through a series of innovations to produce woven carbon fiber materials. These lightweight carbon composite skins can add strength and durability to everything from airplane fuselages to automobiles to healthcare applications. Munaganuru arrived at RIT five years ago with degrees in aerospace engineering and a focus on the aerospace industry. The scope of her research at RIT’s AMPrint Center grew when she saw the potential impact 3D printed carbon composites could have across industries. “What keeps me motivated to do my research is its versatile nature,” Munaganuru said. “This composite material could be used to make many more products like customized prosthetics, UAV drones, and more. My faculty advisor, Dr. Denis Cormier, has been a great support throughout my time at RIT and has provided me with powerful insights that keep me engaged and motivated with my research.” Three components at the core of Munaganuru’s research include a five-axis 3D printer to improve rotational accessibility, software that analyzes non-planar or irregular surfaces and generates algorithms for the 3D printer, and a modified print head that can print and extrude finely sized carbon fibers. Her method eliminates post processing and enables customized production. Munaganuru presented her research last August at the International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium in Austin, Texas. The Three Minute Thesis competition helps Ph.D. students communicate their complex research in a succinct and accessible way. The University of Queensland in Australia established the competition in 2008. Today, more than 900 universities in 85 countries participate in the Three Minute Thesis. The full list of award winners and judges can be found on the RIT Graduate School website.

When walking into the workplace, one might assume that the staff would be as diverse as the local community it’s in. Chris Wairegi ’14 (cinematography and photography), a cinematographer based in Brooklyn, N.Y., found that this isn’t the case in the film industry. “I’ve worked jobs where there are at least 200 people on set and I’m the only Black woman. When I walk around New York City I pass every kind of person, so it’s surprising when that does not carry over into the workplace,” said Wairegi. “My dream of dreams is that the film and television industries reflect the world in which they operate.” Wairegi is the founder of 600 Black Women, a collective of motion picture filmmakers, still photographers, and publicists who are Black women, femmes, and gender expansive people in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 600 guild. When Wairegi was recruited for a job by a large television network, she was required to join the guild. After joining, another Black woman informed her that she was the fourth Black woman camera operator in the union. “I thought she was joking, but then I got onto set and every person I came across said that they’ve never seen a Black woman operator or had never seen Black women in the camera department at all,” she said. Wairegi explained that these comments weren’t meant to be negative, it was just a reflection of the industry. Of the over 10,000 current members of the union, only 108 of them are Black women, femmes, or nonbinary—and they are all members of 600 Black Women. Since its founding in 2022, the collective continues to grow and now hosts annual “camera cookouts,” where members meet for a series of workshops and networking on Juneteenth weekend. Wairegi said that professional networking is actually the least important opportunity that the group provides. She described the camaraderie between members as “part friendship, part mentorship, and part therapy.” “All of us at one time, in whatever industry you’re in, had someone who gave us an extra boost to help us achieve a goal. That’s what 600 Black Women is all about,” said Wairegi. “We benefit from each other by supporting each other. It’s a network of people who are dedicated to seeing you win.” When reflecting on the growth of 600 Black Women, Wairegi shared that she believes that everyone has the capability to make change happen and that it isn’t always as difficult as it may seem. “If there is something in your world that you’d like to change, you might be the person you’ve been waiting for,” she said.