Pulse

The Graduate School Pulse.
News. Events. Resources.

November 12, 2026

Niagara Falls viewed from across the river under a blue sky.
 

Niagara Falls State Park. Photo by Elena Mpadanes, a PhD student in Cognitive Science. Submit your photo.

 
 
Upcoming events written on a blue background

Vignelli Center Lecture: What Does it Really Take to Build a Career in Design?

When: November 17, 2026, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Where: MAGIC Spell Studios, Wegmans Theater

Design leaders from across different disciplines share the stories behind their careers – the mentors who guided them, the challenges they faced, the risks they took, and the moments of luck that changed their direction. Learn about their personal experiences of recognizing opportunities, overcoming setbacks, and how a passion for design can turn into a life in design.

Learn more
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Three Minute Thesis Competition

When: November 19, 2026, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: RIT Performing Arts Center

Attend the 3MT, Three Minute Thesis Competition, and Watch RIT Doctoral Students Compete by Explaining Their Research in Just 3 Minutes!

Register here
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CHAI Seminar: Research Talk by Dr. Tirthankar Ghosal, ONRL Staff Scientist

When: November 23, 2026, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Where: Student Innovation Hall, Simone Center 1600 Atrium

Title: Has AI Taken the Epistemic Turn? From Hypothesis Generation to Autonomous Laboratories in the Genesis Era

Learn more
 
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News + Updates written on a yellow background
RIT alumnus Pano Spiliotis ’99, ’01 MBA is co-founder and CEO of the growing company Eoptic, which creates AI-enabled imaging systems.

RIT alumnus keeps the future in focus

Pano Spiliotis has always had an eye on the future. As co-founder and CEO of Eoptic, he is advancing imaging technology to meet the needs of security, space, industrial metrology, and medical industries while leading a company experiencing rapid growth.

Read full story by Mollie Radzinski >

Ester Chen, left, a computing and information sciences Ph.D. student, is working with Assistant Professor Ha-Kyung Hidy Kong to explore how AI and visualization can be used together to help researchers analyze qualitative data.

RIT professor rethinks AI’s role in qualitative research

Qualitative researchers face a daunting task. A single study can generate hundreds of pages of interview transcripts. Then, researchers must sift through mountains of information to identify meaningful patterns and draw connections. And all without overlooking important details or allowing personal biases to shape conclusions.

Read full story by Scott Bureau > 

 
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Resources written on a purple background

The Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) invites member institutions to submit nominations for its annual awards recognizing excellence in graduate education.

Nominations are welcome in the following categories:

Faculty Awards:

  • Graduate Teaching Awards (2): Recognizing excellence and innovation in graduate teaching at the master's and doctoral levels.
  • Geoffrey Marshall Mentoring Award: Honoring exceptional faculty mentorship and support of graduate students.

Graduate Student Awards

  • Outstanding Master's Thesis: Social Sciences and Education.
  • Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation: Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering.

Each award carries a $1,000 prize, and recipients are invited to be recognized at our annual meeting.

NAGS Awards Details & Eligibility

2026–27 Awards Nomination Form

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Promotional graphic titled "Thanksgiving Break Guide" directing to rit.edu/thanksgiving-break.

Thanksgiving Break Guide 

View the Thanksgiving Break Guide for information about campus programs, service schedules, and travel information.

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Promotional graphic titled "Tiger Co-Work Corner" directing to peer co-working hours in Monroe Hall.

Tiger Co-Work Corner

When: Monday - Friday, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Monroe Hall - 2080

Surround yourself with other productive Tigers and get your work done! Planning materials are provided onsite as a resource for support.

Learn more