After obtaining his PhD from Yale in atomic physics, Dr. Vahid Sandoghdar is one of the pioneers of nano-optics, which merges various research methods to investigate the interaction of light and matter at the nanometer scale. He is the founder of the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, a joint research center that addresses questions in fundamental medical research with physical and mathematical methods.

Dr. Sandoghdar graciously gave us an informational talk about Graduate Programs at the Max-Plank Institute of Light in Germany, covering a broad spectrum of topics ranging from laser spectroscopy, quantum optics, nano-optics, fiber optics, nonlinear optics, and biophotonics. This was an amazing reminder that optics is being conducted worldwide and we have great opportunities to continue our education and research all over the world!

A big thank you to Navy veteran, pilot, and former test and evaluation manager at Northrop Grumman, Bob Rutherford, for enlightening us on the intricate operational mission requirements for modern military combat and for showing us how optics is an integral part of the solutions to these missions and the safety of our military. His background of over 40 years of engineering, business development, and program management in both industry and government led to some great conversations!

Matthew Noyes from JPL for gave a wonderful talk on what it takes prepare new technology for a space flight mission. We were fortunate to see some of the testbeds he has worked on, as well as learning how NASA’s Technology Readiness Level process works. We cannot wait to see some of that new technology be put into action in the future!

We had a blast learning about interview questions, resume building, and other key building blocks to help us reach our goals! A big thank you to Jeremy Govier from Edmund Optics for sharing his insights and providing a wonderful presentation and discussion. 

Thank you to our wonderful speakers, Eliana and Kris, for sharing their wonderful testimonies about their summers in Taiwan and Germany as study abroad students! UA Study Abroad is an opportunity that even Optics students get to participate in, gaining incredibly valuable research experience while exploring new parts of the world! SOCk would like to encourage everyone who is interested in study abroad to click the link https://international.arizona.edu/study-abroad/program-search and see what other areas in the world you can visit! As Kris mentioned, there are significant stipends that help cover much of the cost for our students, so don’t let finances deter you!

    

Students gathered to ask questions to our internship gurus about their strategies and techniques to present themselves to companies. Topics ranged from resumes and interview questions. Thank you to everyone who attended and presented!

 

Thanks to Colin Potter, a current graduate student here at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences pursuing his PhD/MD. Colin elucidated the different ways PhD/MDs are trying to change the world. In fact, Colin talked about he is creating a quick way to detect the SARs-COV-19 virus using a novel diffractive optical system faster than current standard testing. Thanks so much Colin!

Dr. Robert Kester (MS ’07), co-founder of Rebellion Photonics, returned to the Wyant College to host a conversation about his experience establishing, running, and scaling a startup. Students asked pressing questions about how they can be successful in their own entrepreneurial enterprises. Everyone gained insight into some of the challenges he faced during his time building Rebellion. Thank you Dr. Kester for your time!

Thanks to our panelists Greg Nero, Logan Pawlowski, and Trenton Brendel for your insightful advice and answers to our students’ most pressing questions about gaining and choosing internships. We are sure that your recommendations will help our students in the future. It goes a long way!

Jilian Nguyen, UA OpSci alumnus and a current camera hardware engineer at Apple, gave a virtual talk about her experience searching for, interviewing, and landing internships at a variety of tech companies. Topics ranged from what companies in optics want out of employees to how to maximize one’s experience at Wyant College of Optical Sciences.