André O. Hudson, PhD

Advice for PhD Students …

Bidding is open for our annual CHAIRity Auction! Talented artists from the RIT community painted 41 chairs and have designated their donations to various United Way agencies. You can check out this year’s chairs on the bidding site: rit.edu/chairity/.

Are you interested in being a @RITscience Learning Assistant in Fall 2026 Applications are open to be a Fall 2026 Learning Assistant! Get paid to support faculty and peers in the classroom and build your own knowledge along the way. Find out what an LA does at the upcoming Learning Assistant Info Session or review details on the LA Program website: rit.edu/learningassist… Application details can be found here: t.e2ma.net/message/02b56o…

This thematic review series of JBC honors the memory of Dr. William (Bill) Smith and celebrates his profound scientific contributions and outstanding service to the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). jbc.org/thematic-a-tri…

Please join me in congratulating our six @RITscience scholars who have been named the AY25–26 John Wiley Jones Scholars! Mallory Cooper, Miranda Garvey, Cooper O’Connell-Williams, Maleah Sena, Ellen Shepard, and Owen Williams We celebrate their outstanding academic achievements, but even more, we recognize the ways they go above and beyond in service to our college and the broader community. Their leadership, commitment, and impact truly set them apart. This recognition is well deserved. Well done! To learn more about the John Wiley Jones Scholarship and these exceptional scholars, visit: #award-recipients" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">rit.edu/science/john-w…

I owe so much of my scientific journey to a small, unassuming plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. This remarkable model organism was at the heart of my PhD work, where it served as a gateway to discovery. Through it, I uncovered novel pathways in amino acid metabolism and explored fundamental biological processes that extend far beyond a single species. What began as work in a simple plant opened doors to deeper insights into pathogenic bacteria, algae, and broader systems of life. Arabidopsis has an incredible way of reminding us that impact is not about size or complexity. It is about possibility. Its genetic tractability and elegance as a system have empowered generations of scientists to ask big questions and pursue meaningful answers. For me, it was more than just a model organism. It was a teacher, a platform for curiosity, and a catalyst for growth. Thank you, Arabidopsis thaliana. I owe a great deal of my success to you.

I am delighted to share the exciting news that Dr. Dimah Dera, PhD, Assistant Professor and Frederick and Anna B. Wiedman II Professor in the @RITscience Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, has received a prestigious NSF CAREER Award. Her award, titled “AdaptTrust: Adaptable, Trustworthy and Uncertainty-Aware Learning in Intelligent Sensing Technologies,” supports innovative research, teaching, training, and mentoring at the intersection of intelligent sensing, machine learning, and trust-aware systems. This work aims to advance the reliability and adaptability of sensing technologies in complex, real-world environments. The NSF CAREER Award is among the Foundation’s most competitive honors, recognizing early-career faculty who exemplify excellence in both research and education. Dr. Dera’s achievement reflects her outstanding scholarship, creativity, and deep commitment to impactful scientific discovery. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Dera on this well-deserved recognition and in celebrating this important milestone for her, the Center for Imaging Science, and the College of Science.

It's TONIGHT but it's not too late to register! Don't Miss the Fram Spring Lecture Series Critical Thinking Conversations: Learning and Professional Identity in the Age of AI March 19, 2026, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Live Zoom Webinar open to the RIT community and to the public. Register to receive your Zoom link here: rit.zoom.us/webinar/regist… #CriticalThinking #RITScience #RIT_LiberalArts #RIT_artdesign #RITtigers #RITimagingsci #AstrophysicsRIT

Thanks to my RIT colleague Jay Alan Jackson for visiting us today to demonstrate his peace drum instrument! #MusicIsLife

Check out our ChaiRITy auction to support our @RITtigers United Way Campaign! Bidding is underway! rit.edu/chairity/

We are fortunate & honored to be able to welcome Dr. Jemison as this year's Academic Convocation speaker. She will inspire our graduates as they move on to their next adventure, to grasp every opportunity that comes their way, & to continue to be difference-makers in our world.

The @RITscience is pleased to host Dr. Bill Freeman, Thomas and Gerd Perkins Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as part of the College of Science Distinguished Speaker Series. The Support Zipper and Its Applications to Portable Structures and Robotics Date: March 18, 2026 Time: 2:00–3:00 PM Location: Thomas Gosnell Hall, Room A300 Learn more: rit.edu/events/cos-bil…

RIT research could slow fibrosis disease progression rit.edu/news/rit-resea… via @RITTigers #RIT

At the @RITtigers, @RITscience, we believe that science and discovery have their greatest impact when they are accessible and understood. That’s why we are excited to launch our new Science Communication Internship starting in Fall 2026. Strong communication is an essential, yet often overlooked, step of the scientific method. After data are collected and conclusions are drawn, science still needs to be shared, discussed, and understood. Translating complex ideas into clear and engaging stories helps connect research with society, inform decision-making, and inspire the next generation of scientists. This new paid internship supports COS scholars who are interested and passionate about science communication. Interns will work alongside communications professionals and gain experience observing and participating in the entire process, from identifying research stories and conducting interviews to writing, editing, and publishing content, including social media. They will help develop research features and short articles, collaborate with faculty, student researchers, and staff, and help share the incredible work happening across the college. Along the way, interns will build a portfolio of publishable work that can support future opportunities, including graduate school, fellowships, and careers in science communication and media. Huge thank you to our colleagues in Marketing and Communications, especially Mollie Radzinski and Bob @BobFinnerty, for supporting this initiative! Learn more and apply here: rit.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eg…

Fifteen years ago, the American Statistical Association (ASA) DataFest began with just 30 students at the University of California, Los Angeles taking on a 48-hour data challenge using real L.A.P.D. data. Today, it has grown into a nationwide event sponsored by the ASA, engaging more than 2,000 students across leading colleges and universities. At the @RITscience, ASA DataFest is a 3-day, high-energy competition where undergraduate teams work with large, complex datasets from real-world organizations. It’s an opportunity to tackle meaningful data challenges, collaborate with peers, and build valuable analytical and professional skills. Dates: March 27–29, 2026 Gosnell Hall – Auditorium 1250 Thanks and kudos to Dr. Ernest Fokoue and colleagues for organizing! Learn more and register: rit.edu/science/datafe…

Congrats to this @RITtigers ... a National champion! RIT's Harkless wins 285 lb. National Championship ritathletics.com/news/2026/3/13… @NCAAWrestling @NCAA

Welcome back! I hope you all had a nice spring break! Check out what we have in store This Week in the @RITscience t.e2ma.net/message/ke2s6o…

Welcome back, @RITscience Scholars! We hope you had a restful and enjoyable Spring Break. As we head into the final stretch of the semester, we’re wishing you all the best as you finish the semester and the academic year on a strong note. Stay focused, take care of yourselves, and keep pushing forward. You’ve got this! It’s also a great time to start planning for next academic year. Here are 3 ways to Roar this week: 1) Meet with your academic advisor If you haven’t already met with your academic advisor this semester, now is the time. This meeting is required before you can register for fall courses. Your advisor can help you stay on track for graduation, identify backup courses if something fills up, and answer any questions you may have. 2) Build your shopping cart in SIS Your shopping cart opens Monday, March 16. Log into SIS and start adding the fall courses you’re interested in. Building and validating your cart ahead of time makes registration much easier when your enrollment appointment begins, you’ll just need to submit. 3) Check your Academic Advising Report (AAR) Be sure to review your Academic Advising Report in SIS to confirm you’re meeting your major requirements and staying on track toward graduation. Your advisor can help you interpret it and plan next steps. For more details and helpful resources, check out: t.e2ma.net/message/wntl6o… Let’s finish the semester strong!

My annual warning! André cares and loves you all!

Cheers to all for a great Pi Day!