Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics

Scenes from a Memorable Weekend

Credit: Columbia University

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Four people dressed in semi-formal attire posing for a photo

Three CEAA awards medals resting in red boxes atop a table — Reunion officially kicked off with the Engineering Dean’s Alumni Welcome Dinner and CEAA Awards Presentation.

An alum shares his Class Day photo with Dean Chang at the CEAA Awards Dinner reception.

John Szymanski receiving a pin in his jacket lapel from CEAA President Reid Ellison — At the pre-dinner reception, CEAA President Reid Ellison BS’08 presented the Crossed Hammer award to John Szymanski, Class of 1980, for distinguished service to the CEAA.

Zvi Galil standing at a podium and addressing a crowded banquet hall. — Computer scientist Zvi Galil, dean emeritus of Columbia Engineering, received the Michael Pupin Medal. (L to R: Galil, Shipman, Ellison, Pupin Committee Chair Melissa McInerney BS’02, MS’05; and Dean Chang)

Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang, Thomas Caulfield, Ana Rodriguez, and Reid Ellison posing for a photo — GlobalFoundries Executive Chairman to the board of directors Thomas Caulfied BS’82, MS’84, EngScD’86 received the Thomas Egleston Medal. (L to R: Dean Chang, Dr. Caulfield, Egleston Committee Chair Ana Rodriguez BS’86, MS’88; and Ellison)

Shih-Fu Chang, Savio Tung, Dan Libby, and Reid Ellison posing for a photo — Savio Tung BS’73, chairman of Investcorp Technology Partners, received the Samuel Johnson Medal. (L to R: Dean Chang, Tung, past President of CEAA Board of Managers Dan Libby BS’82, MS’84; and Ellison)

10 people posing for a photo at a dinner table adorned with flowers, candles, and drink glasses

Seven alums of Columbia's chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers posing for a photo — Alumni of Columbia’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers reconnected at the CEAA Awards Dinner. Pictured with Prof. Christine Hendon (far left).

Columbia Engineering alums eating finger food and conversing around a table — Alumni at the All Class Reception on Friday.

Five Columbia Engineering alums posing for a photo in front of a Columbia Engineering backdrop. Each of them holds up number signs to read "2000"

Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang standing at a podium in a crowded room — On Saturday, Dean Chang presented updates on the School at the Dean’s Breakfast and State of the Union address.

Four Columbia Engineering alumni sitting around a table and posing for a photo

Six people standing around a table with flowers and drink glasses

A big screen reads "The Class of 2035: Reimagining Education in the Age of AI" in front of a crowded auditorium — Attendees gathered for a discussion on preparing the next generation of learners in the age of AI with Vishal Mirsra, vice dean of computing and AI and professor of computer science, and Matthew Connelly, vice dean for AI initiatives.

Bonnie Silvera, Hardeep Johar, and Dan Libby posing for a photo in front of a window looking out at trees. Hardeep holds the Great Teacher Award trophy — Hardeep Johar, senior lecturer in industrial engineering and operations research, received the Great Teacher Award from the Society of Columbia Graduates. (L to R: CEAA Board member and Johnson Medal Committee Chair Bonnie Silvera BS’97, Johar, and Libby)

22 Columbia Engineering class of 1975 alums posing for a photo

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Michele Simoncelli

Assistant Professor of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics

Senior Design Expo in Action

Video: Jane Nisselson

Fresh from their win at the Millard Chan Tech Challenge, the team behind MilkShaker demonstrated a practical and science-backed solution to prevent mastitis, providing professional level care without sacrificing time or requiring special training. Another group of seniors in the Department of Mechanical Engineering showcased a prototype for the CareCruiser, a wheelchair-to-stroller attachment designed to give wheelchair-using parents and caregivers greater independence when navigating with strollers and carseats.

Several projects also tackled infrastructure design, including a civil engineering and engineering mechanics team that unveiled Rethinking Resilience. The project envisions a new sustainable, flood-resilient train station to replace the existing Ardsley-on-Hudson station along the MTA’s Metro-North Hudson Line.

And in the gaming arena, a team from the Department of Electrical Engineering demonstrated their physical tank game using modified remote-controlled cars. By reconfiguring the electronics of remote-controlled cars, the team enabled Bluetooth-based control of both the motors and onboard lasers. Players score by hitting opposing cars with laser pulses, while any car that gets hit is temporarily disabled with a five-second freeze penalty.

Dean Shih-Fu Chang greeted the students and commended them on their year-long efforts. “You all have started with an idea and brought it to life. That’s what engineers do! We bring ideas to life . . . Today’s showcase truly represents our Engineering for Humanity vision. This is a milestone in your Columbia experience and one I hope you remember for years to come.”

Each year, Columbia Engineering seniors work on a capstone project, aka Senior Design. They are challenged to solve real-world problems with innovative solutions, rooted in their foundational math, science and engineering courses.

Here’s a look at some of the students and their innovations at Senior Design Expo 2025.