College of Science News

WHAM-TV highlights RIT's role in the new NSF-funded STELLAR Engine, a regional innovation hub that will advance laser research, manufacturing, workforce development, and economic growth across the Rochester-Finger Lakes region.

PIC Magazine highlights RIT's role in the newly funded STELLAR initiative, emphasizing the university's expertise in photonic integrated circuits, semiconductor fabrication, optical manufacturing, and photonics education to advance next-generation laser technologies.

RIT is hosting four Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) program sites this summer, which are designed for students to develop a passion for research and receive guidance for pursuing graduate careers. The university has a longstanding history hosting REU sites, which are funded by grants from the National Science Foundation.

Rochester Beacon highlights RIT's role as a key partner in STELLAR, a new National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine that will strengthen laser research, manufacturing, workforce development, and regional economic growth.

Rochester Business Journal reports that RIT is helping launch STELLAR, a University of Rochester-led initiative backed by the National Science Foundation to expand the nation's laser research and innovation ecosystem.

WROC-TV highlights a regional coalition selected by the National Science Foundation to establish STELLAR, a national hub for laser innovation and workforce development. RIT is a key partner in the coalition.

WXXI News spotlights RIT's participation in the NSF-funded STELLAR initiative, a collaborative effort to position the Rochester region as a national leader in laser technologies and advanced manufacturing.

The National Science Foundation will award $15 million over the next two years to the Rochester/Finger Lakes region of New York to establish a national hub for laser science and development. RIT is a key partner in the initiative.

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, featured research by Don Figer, professor in the College of Science and director of RIT's Center for Detectors, on next-generation photon detectors designed to help future space telescopes search for habitable exoplanets.

RIT applied statistics grad David Foy '89 turned a childhood knack for numbers into a finance career that's reached the top financial seat at GEICO.

RIT Assistant Professor Elle Barnes is a 2026 Beckman Young Investigator Award recipient. The award provides research support to the most promising young faculty members in the early stages of their academic careers in chemical and life sciences.

The $24 million gift supports several strategic priorities, including the creation of a Harris-Pratt Directorship for the university's new artificial intelligence institute expected to launch in early 2027, expanded scholarship support, and strengthened endowments for three distinguished professorships.