Photo Spotlights

Ray Ptucha, assistant professor of computer engineering in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering and an RIT alumnus, demonstrates his autonomous wheelchair driven by a skeleton at the seventh annual Graduate Education Week and Symposium on Feb. 27. Ptucha performs research on autonomous systems and human-computer interaction. The event’s keynote speaker, Ptucha specializes in machine learning, computer vision, robotics and embedded control.

Claire Benson, a third-year advertising and public relations major, tests out the newly launched College of Liberal Arts Navigator, a digital advising tool, at the Major, Minor and Immersion Fair on Feb. 26. The computer program was created to connect students from all disciplines with minors and immersions that meet their interests.

Walid Yaqoobi from Kabul, Afghanistan, left, and David Narvaez from Panama co-founded RIT’s newest club on campus: the RIT Fulbright Scholars Association. The club boasts 33 international students from around the globe who have “become like a family,” said Yaqoobi. To read more, go to rit.edu/news/athenaeum_story.php?id=51207.

RIT Bhangra entertained the audience with dance during Global Union’s Unification on Saturday. A main event for FreezeFest weekend, Unification features many international student clubs performing music, dance and skits. Global Union is a student organization that represents international students and cultural organizations at RIT.

Students lined up to test offerings from local food trucks. The event was part of FreezeFest, a student festival celebrating winter in Rochester.

Students from Phi Kappa Psi competed in a winter obstacle course on Feb. 21 during FreezeFest weekend. The Winter Warrior event tested participants’ strength, conditioning and teamwork and was sponsored by Phi Kappa Psi and Sigma Chi. Other highlights from the sixth annual winter festival included comedian Bo Burnham, Olympic curling, ice carving, frozen food trucks and a 5K run/walk.

Owners with their certified therapy dogs provided a welcome break for RIT students in the Fireside Lounge Feb.19. Here, a goldendoodle, Tucker, gets some love from Emily Scialabba, a first-year student in the film and animation program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences. The event was sponsored by the Center for Student Wellness as a stress reduction activity. Research indicates that pet therapy improves psychological well-being and self-esteem. Their next visit is March 19, 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Gabrielle Gaustad, center, an assistant professor in the Golisano Institute for Sustainability, meets with graduate students Berlyn Hubler, left, and Michele Bustamante to discuss NSF research related to the scarcity of materials for clean energy systems. To read more, go to rit.edu/news/story.php?id=51225.

The Rochester-Finger Lakes Middle and High School Art Exhibition in Bevier Gallery is hosted by RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences. The show runs through Feb. 23.

Joe Hamilton, ’91, shopcraft manager, has worked on 100 sets for NTID Theatre since 1996 and teaches 20-30 students each semester about set design and construction.

Undergraduate research in RIT’s College of Science gives students experience in all disciplines. Lauren Heese, in professor Hans Schmitthenner’s chemistry lab, synthesizes targeted molecular imaging agents to illuminate cancer cells. Their research is part of Schmitthenner’s NIH-funded study to develop methods for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer.

RIT’s National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) hosted Open Mic Night on Feb. 13. From left, College of Imaging Arts & Sciences students Carly Kraft and Steph Kotula performed during the annual fundraiser.