Recognition for Outstanding Students
May 14, 2019
The Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is honored to bestow these 2019 awards on outstanding students.
Charles L. Newton Prize
This prize is awarded to students who show special proficiency in some subject connected with engineering, and who has conducted research, given a presentation, or published a paper.
Jackson Abascal: computer science and math, from Wellington, FL
Jackson was published as a first author in a recent paper, has presented at multiple conferences, and is also completing a Math major. Jackson will be pursuing his PhD in Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University.
Andrew Howard: optical engineering, from Olympia, WA
Andrew is currently completing a manuscript for publication, and is also a recipient of the Robert L. Wells Prize. Andrew will be attending Stanford University in the fall to pursue his PhD in Applied Physics.
Chantelle Lim: biomedical engineering, from Pengang, Malaysia
Chantelle is a top student and has been included as a co-author in an upcoming paper. Chantelle will be pursuing her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the John Hopkins School of Medicine.
Reem Mislati: electrical and computer engineering, from Tripoli, Libya
Reem has been named a co-author on a recent paper published in a top journal, and has presented her research at a number of conferences. Reem will be going on to complete her PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Rochester.
Donald M. Barnard Prize
The winners of this prize have all been accepted into graduate programs at the University of Rochester. They show high achievement and good personal qualities.
Robert Crews: biomedical engineering, from Syracuse, NY
Robert has served as a TA for his junior and senior year and will be included as a co-author on an expected publication.
Mattie Eckerstrom: chemical engineering, from Chicago, IL
Mattie has excelled in her chemical engineering courses, and also dedicated herself to music as a member of Wind Symphony.
Muhammad Hadi: mechanical engineering, from Muscat, Oman
Muhammad is a Xerox Fellow and has completed significant work as an undergraduate researcher. Muhammad will be completing a Take-5 next year titled “Multimedia Journalism in Developing Country Dynamics.”
Tasneem Khan: electrical and computer engineering, from Lawrenceville, GA
Tasneem is deeply involved in research and has spent this past semester completing a Master’s level independent study.
Anna Olsen: biomedical engineering, from Westford, VT
Anna has made significant contributions to research as an undergraduate, while also balancing her time as a varsity athlete. Anna will be continuing at the University of Rochester as a Master’s student in the Center for Medical Technology and Innovation.
Jake Rosvold: optical engineering, from Delran, NJ
Jake was nominated for his impressive academic record and advanced abilities in Optics. Jake will be pursuing his Master’s in Optical Engineering at the University of Rochester.
Ben Schmitz: audio and music engineering, from Barre, MA
Ben is a talented student who has exhibited a profound understanding of programming. After graduation, Ben will be continuing on at the University of Rochester to pursue his Master’s in Electrical Engineering.
Tianyu Shou: electrical and computer engineering, from Zhejiang, China
Tianyu has shown true mastery of his coursework and has also dedicated himself to research as an undergraduate.
Richard Eisenberg Engineering Award
This award recognizes a hard working undergraduate with an interest in metallurgy.
Alec Tapia: mechanical engineering, from Kansas City, MO
As only a sophomore, Alec has impressed his professors with his high interest in materials and metallurgy. He has also undertaken independent projects which have exhibited his hardworking spirit and self-driven attitude.
Harold Hook Prize
This prize is awarded to the student who has demonstrated an above average interest in engineering, and who has conducted research, given a presentation or published a paper.
James Savino: chemical engineering, from Pleasant Valley, NY
James was nominated for his outstanding desire to learn and his commitment to mastering the fundamentals of chemical engineering. After graduation he will begin his PhD in Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State.
Seth Schaffer: mechanical engineering, from Merion Station, PA
Seth was nominated for his overwhelming passion for engineering, which he applies in and out of the classroom. He plans to begin working for IPG Photonics as a Mechanical Engineer after graduation.
Robert L. Wells Prize
This prize was established in 1984 and is given to a senior engineering student for demonstrated competence in both engineering and the humanities.
Andrew Howard: optical engineering, from Olympia, WA
Andrew is an outstanding, well-rounded student. He has completed a minor in Italian along with his engineering courses. Andrew is also a recipient of the Charles L. Newton Prize.
Yiting Zhang: audio and music engineering, from Wuxi, China
Yiting has pursued her passions in technology and music by minoring in math and music alongside her major in AME. Yiting will be pursuing her Master’s degree in Music Technology at Georgia Institute of Technology next year.
Oliver Xu: computer science and music, from Livonia, MI
Oliver is a top student. He is pursuing a dual degree with the Eastman School of Music and plans to continue his training in percussion performance in graduate school.
Tau Beta Pi Prize
This prize was established in 1959 by a gift from the Tau Beta Pi Association Alumnus Chapter. This prize is awarded to a senior who, through academic achievement, proven leadership and character has excelled and inspired fellow students.
Chantelle Lim: biiomedical engineering, from Pengang, Malaysia
Chantelle has stood out amongst her peers as a leader and a role model. She is also a recipient of the Charles L. Newton Prize.
National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges Scholars
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Grand Challenges are inspired by14 broad problems facing society in sustainability, health, security, and knowledge. Hajim School Grand Challenges Scholars design a personalized program that explores a selected Grand Challenge. These seniors are our inaugural class of Grand Challenges Scholars.
Beatriz Gil Gonzalez: political science and economics, from Barcelona, Spain
Beatriz pursued the challenge of “Restoring and Improving Urban Infrastructure”. After graduation, she will be moving to San Francisco to work at Deloitte as a Business Analyst in Strategy and Operations.
Emma Luke: biiomedical engineering, from Berkley, MA
Emma tackled the grand challenge of “Providing Access to Clean Water.” She will be going on to complete her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Utah after graduation.
Syed Muhammad Miqdad: chemical engineering, from Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Syed pursued the challenge of “Providing Access to Clean Water.” He has been accepted to the TEAM program to continue his studies in engineering.
Nicole Naselaris: optical engineering, from Rochester, NY
Nicole’s grand challenge was to “Enhance Virtual Reality.” She has accepted a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Galicia, Spain for next year. She plans to return for a graduate degree in Optics.
Haley Wohlever: mechanical engineering, from Barrington, MA
Haley pursued the challenge of “Providing Access to Clean Water,” and she will be attending UC Berkley as a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering.
Michael Woodbury: BNS, from Greenwich, CT
Michael’s grand challenge was to “Advance Health Informatics.” After graduation he intends to pursue medical school.
Jing Tian Ngiaw: BM, from Kampung Kemayan, Malaysia
Jing Tian tackled the grand challenge of “Advancing Personal Learning.” She is interested in studying music education or arts administration after graduation.
Departmental awards
Biomedical Engineering:
- Faculty Award for Undergraduate Service: Chantelle Lim
- Faculty Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research: Grace Weyand
- Faculty Award for Teaching Assistant: Jamie King
Chemical Engineering:
- Donald F. Othmer Award: Nikolas Angyal and William Funkenbusch
- Albert K Ackoff Award: Nikolas Angyal
- Shelby A. Miller Prize: Sarah Makuc, Catherine Barton, Siri Chillara and Bradley Porceng
- American Chemical Society Award: Amanda Forti
- Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, Fall 2019: Sarah Makuc
Computer Science:
- Outstanding Teaching Assistant: Po-Chun Chiu
- Excellence in Undergraduate Research: Jackson Abascal
- Entrepreneurship Award: Fernando Parnes
- UR WIC (Women in Computing) Award: Maisha Idris
- Most Valuable Programmer: Jackson Abascal, Zachary Polansky
- Outstanding senior: Po-Chun Chiu
Electrical and Computer Engineering:
- AME (audio and music engineering) faculty prize: Xufan Hu
- ECE faculty prize: Kelly Cheung
Mechanical Engineering:
- Outstanding senior: John 'Jack' Billings, Rebecca Toro Garza
- Emil L. Kuichling Prize: Katherine Korslund
- Teaching Service Award: Kaven Marte
- Helmut Weymann Prize: Desmond Wentling
Institute of Optics:
- Fujimara Prize: Doran Teverovsky
- Kevin Thompson Prize: Max Bruggeman
- Britton Award: Megan Frost
- Sommargren Research Award: Dylan Beckman, Nicole Naselaris