From Lake Ontario to Lake Huron, RIT School of Mathematical Sciences professor Matthew Hoffman is using mathematical models to help map and assess microplastic pollution in Georgian Bay.

RIT professor expands Great Lakes microplastics research to Georgian Bay

Rochester Institute of Technology Professor Matthew Hoffman is taking his mathematical models from Lake Ontario to Lake Huron to help map and assess microplastic pollution in Georgian Bay.

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The National Science Foundation (NSF) 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. www.rit.edu/news/rit-key...

RIT key partner in $15 million award to establish a national laser technology hub

Rochester Institute of Technology part of $15 million NSF Engine award to bolster region’s laser technology, manufacturing, education, and workforce.

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AI is smart, but your brain works smarter. Steve Liang is a master’s physics student at RIT working with the Xu Group on technology that helps computers learn and adapt more like people. #AI #physics #AItechnology

The MEGA Lab has been having a blast at #GARD2026 in Knoxville which just so happens to be placed next to the “Salamander Capital of the World” 💖 The week has been filled with great research, conversations, and so many #amphibians & #reptiles 🐸🦎🦠🌈🧬 #whyistherestillnosalamanderemoji

Nearly one year ago, the COSMOS-Web research team released the largest view ever of the universe. Now, scientists have released a map showing more detail on the density of galaxies in the universe. 🔭 #astronomy Read more: www.rit.edu/science/news...

✨ So proud of @ritscience.bsky.social MS student, Emma Thompson, for delivering a great flash talk about her research on #thermalecology & #microbiomes at #GARD2026! 🎉 🦠🐸 She impressed a large international audience of #herp disease experts. #proudmentor @gardconference.bsky.social

Congratulations to Anthony Vodacek, professor in RIT’s Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, on being named a 2026 Fulbright U.S. Scholar. His research will develop sensor networks to support lake monitoring across the African Great Lakes and advance sustainable regional development.

AI is transforming nearly every industry and RIT’s Dimah Dera, Frederick and Anna B. Wiedman II Professor is helping shape the future of intelligent sensing through adaptable and trustworthy #AI models. Her work recently earned support through a prestigious National #Science Foundation CAREER Award.

RIT Assistant Professor Ke Xu received an NSF CAREER Award to advance edge computing for AI, helping smart devices process information locally with greater speed and energy efficiency. Students will contribute to this interdisciplinary research in #AI, #physics, and #engineering.

#QuantumImaging has entered the X-ray era. Researchers demonstrated the first quantum imaging with X-rays using correlated “twin” photons, potentially enabling lower-dose imaging for biological materials. RIT Assistant Professor Raphael Abrahao co-authored the work. opg.optica.org/optica/fullt...

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Congratulations to the RIT Class of 2026! 🎓 From careers and graduate school to research and innovation, RIT Tigers are prepared to make an impact. Equipped with the skills to think critically, solve problems, communicate, and collaborate, they’re ready for what’s next.

From #Neurons to Next Steps: #RIT’s first #Neuroscience BS graduates! 🧠 Through hands-on research and close faculty mentorship, each developed their own path and is now preparing for what comes next. 🎓 Congrats to Miranda Garvey, Ella Mahnke, and Katherine Shomper! 🧪

From Neurons to Next Steps: RIT’s First Neuroscience BS Graduates

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Thrilled to share that I'm joining @ritscience.bsky.social as an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience this August! Godavarthi Lab will study how synapses establish and maintain their chemical identity with implications for autism and neuromuscular disease. godavarthilab.github.io #Neuroscience

Godavarthi Laboratory

We study how synapses establish and maintain their chemical identity — with implications for autism and neuromuscular disease.

godavarthilab.github.io

#RIT alum Kimberly Dautel ’23 uses #mathematical modeling at the #CDC to guide global #vaccination decisions and improve #publichealth worldwide. 📊🧪 She credits RIT for building her foundation in communication, problem solving, and real-world application.

Using Mathematical Modeling to Guide Global Health Decisions

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The MEGA Lab had a great time showing off our research on amphibian genomics and environmental microbiomes at #ImagineRIT! We spoke to over 400 people about the powerful integration of molecular biology and ecology/evolution research 🦠🔬🧬🐸🌎 @rittigers.bsky.social @ritscience.bsky.social

#Math you can hold. From differential #equations to discrete mathematics and combinatorics, Dr. Matt Coppenbarger brings concepts to life through creative, hands on approaches that keep students engaged and push their #problemsolving skills further.

Building smarter #antibiotics starts with understanding what holds #bacteria together. Meet Ellen Shepard, a #biochemistry student at #RIT who is researching how two proteins interact in hard-to-treat bacteria. 🧪

Capturing the true colors of artwork isn’t as simple as snapping a photo.| Meet Sahara Smith, a Ph.D. student in #colorscience at #RIT. Her research explores a low‑cost imaging method, #Dual‑RGB, that helps museums and #archives digitize artwork more accurately using accessible tools.

#RIT alum Tim Gross ’04 holds 171 U.S. #patents and serves as director of inorganic materials at #Corning Incorporated, leading the development of glass and ceramic #innovations used in products worldwide, including the strengthened glass designed to protect today’s smartphones.

Leading Materials Innovation at Corning, One Patent at a Time

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Oil plays a larger role in modern life than many people realize. In "The Conversation," Andre O. Hudson, dean of RIT’s College of Science, examines how #oil supports everyday products and how global tensions involving #Iran could affect supply chains far beyond #energy.

Oil isn’t just fuel: Iran conflict could disrupt markets for everything from plastics to fertilizers

Petrochemicals derived from oil and fossil fuels underlie the production of many consumer goods − and many you wouldn’t know from looking at the final product.

theconversation.com

We'll take "Amazing Students" for 100 💖

Elle Barnes@ecoevoelle.bsky.social · 6mo ago

As a fun lab meeting activity right before break, one of my students designed a @jeopardyofficial.bsky.social game about our lab! My favorite category was “slack quotes.” Feeling so lucky to have such amazing @ritscience.bsky.social students! 💖

#RIT research addresses real‑world challenges. 🌎 Imaging science Ph.D. student Sagar Lekhak authored an article for The Conversation exploring how #drones, advanced sensors, and #AI can advance safer #landmine detection.

Researchers are combining drones and AI to make removing land mines faster and safer

Using drones makes detecting land mines safer. Using AI to fuse data from multiple types of sensors on the drones makes it more efficient.

theconversation.com

#RIT researchers have published new research identifying a “smoking gun” for merging supermassive #blackholes. Their 3D simulations show a sharp jump in light and jet power at the moment of merger, caused by shocks, making these events easier to spot. A crucial step for #multimessengerastronomy.

Congrats to Jake Stevens ’19 (imaging science), recipient of the College of Science Emerging Leader Award! Jake is co-founder of Luminal, building #AI compiler tech to run models faster & more efficiently. He previously built and sold an e-commerce app and worked on Apple’s camera architecture team.

Congratulations to Dr. Grant Tremblay, Ph.D. ’11, recipient of the RIT Graduate School’s 2026 Distinguished #Alumni Award and a leader in #astrophysical research and outreach.

Congratulations to Dr. Micheline Lubin ’99 (#biology), recipient of the RIT Distinguished Alumni Award! A leader in #medicine and forensic #pathology, Dr. Lubin’s career exemplifies the excellence and impact of RIT alumni.

🎉 Congrats to Muhammad Akif Qadeer, #Ph.D. student in imaging science, on receiving the 2025 Harvey M. Pollicove Memorial #Scholarship from the Optica Foundation for exceptional promise in precision #optics and lens design. rit.edu/science/news/phd-student-recognized-work-optics

🎉 Congrats to Dr. Michael Zemcov, associate professor in the School of #Physics and Astronomy, named a 2025–2026 Trustees Scholarship Award recipient for his impactful work in experimental #astrophysics and #cosmology.

Imaging science #Ph.D. student Diane Knauf is shining new light on old images with help from a grant from the National Park Service. Her #research uses polarized imaging to document and measure silver mirroring in black-and-white photographs, giving #conservators a new way to track deterioration.

Imaging science Ph.D. student advances photo conservation

Imaging science Ph.D. student receives National Parks Service funding to use polarized imaging to study silver mirroring in historic photographs.

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