The Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences (CEIS) at the University of Rochester is a New York State-designated Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) committed to driving economic growth through innovation and university-industry collaboration. Our mission is to foster partnerships between academic researchers and companies in New York State that lead to the development and commercialization of cutting-edge technologies.
By bridging the gap between discovery and industry application, we aim to accelerate the translation of research into real-world impact. Our efforts span a diverse range of scientific and technological fields—including optics, photonics, imaging, AI, and biomedical engineering—connecting industry needs with university expertise to solve complex challenges.Through funding support, technical matchmaking, and strategic outreach, CEIS continues to play a vital role in strengthening the innovation ecosystem across the Finger Lakes region and beyond.
Interested in a partnership? Contact us!
DoD NERC 25
CEIS is a proud Gold Sponsor of the Department of Defense Northeast Regional Council Conference at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center on August 12th and 13th, 2025. For more information, please view the event website.
Soundtrax Film Music Festival
CEIS is pleased to support the work of its director Mark Bocko in co-directing the Soundtrax Film Music Festival, taking place at a variety of performance spaces within the Eastman School of Music—including the historic Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre—in Rochester, NY on October 16th-18th, 2025.
"Soundtrax will entertain and engage audiences who love film and music and are intrigued by the magic of music in movies and media. Through concerts, conversations, and special events, Soundtrax explores how the artistry, science, and technology of music and sound elevate storytelling, the audience journey, and our visual experiences." To view the full schedule and purchase tickets, please visit the Soundtrax website.
New York State Innovation Summit
CEIS and Data Science & AI CoE will be hosting panel session on Intelligent Imaging at this year's NYS Innovation Summit. For more information and to get registered, visit the event website.
In 1992, CEIS was designated as a New York State Center for Advanced Technology (CAT). Since then, we have worked to support collaborative projects between private entities and university researchers. Over the last ten years we have supported nearly 300 projects in an incredibly diverse range of interests which have generated over $700 million in direct, measurable, economic impact, creating over 200 jobs and retaining another 239.
We are proud to announce that Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) has chosen to redesignate CEIS to continue as a CAT for another 10 years in our focus area of electronic imaging, optics, and phototonics. For more information, please view the Press Release.
This is a very exciting time for us, and we are happy to say that the future looks ever better here in Rochester. Check back to learn what projects will be funded in the Center’s new CAT cycle, as well as exciting developments in Rochester's Optics community.