Professor Nathan Cahill at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has been named a Rising Researcher by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, for his contributions to defense and security research. Cahill is the associate dean for industrial partnerships in the College of Science and an associate professor in RIT’s School of Mathematical Sciences. He directs the Image Computing and Analysis Lab at RIT, which focuses on the development of mathematical models and computational algorithms for the analysis of color, hyperspectral and medical imagery. Cahill is one of 10 early career professionals selected to receive the new award. The first cohort of SPIE Rising Researchers was chosen for their work in defense, commercial and scientific sensing, imaging and optics, or in product development. “I’m honored and humbled by this award,” Cahill said. “RIT has a strong reputation in the defense and security community, and many faculty and student researchers across various departments at RIT have long been working on tackling difficult problems in areas like remote sensing, machine learning and cybersecurity. The diversity of backgrounds, talents and ideas of the students and faculty I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with at RIT has made this recognition possible.”