Greg Taylor is an optical metrology engineer with Amazon Lab 126. He joined the company after graduation from the University of Arizona Wyant College of Optical Sciences in 2022. While at the University of Arizona, Greg did research in Pierre Alexandre Blanche’s holography lab. Greg interned with Ball Aerospace (now BAE) and Georgia Tech Research Institute during his undergraduate studies. He came to the University of Arizona after being hired as Artist in Residence for the University of Arizona School of Dance. During this appointment, he integrated his understanding of optics and dance to create a novel virtual reality ballet.  Greg’s technical interests include illumination, metrology, optical alignment, machine vision, image processing, imaging, holography, and LIDAR. His projects at Amazon Lab126 involve the design, simulation, assembly, and testing of optical metrology systems.  Outside of work, Greg loves singing, social dancing, and surfing in San Diego. He is a proud Amazonian and Wildcat. Bear Down!

Talk Abstract: Optics at Amazon

“What does Amazon do that involves optics?” We get this question from almost all of you at Industrial Affiliates. Short answer — Amazon Lab126, Project Kuiper, Quantum Technologies at AWS, Amazon Robotics, and Prime Air all employ optical engineers. They invent and simplify to deliver results for customers. Come and dive deeper into the question at Community Speakers.

Last week, three of our current officers, and one former officer, were selected out of 100 students around the world to attend Optica’s Student Leadership Experience in Rochester, NY. They connected with chapters in India, Switzerland, Austria, Brazil, Germany, Florida, New York, and more, and met many motivated, young leaders. From practicing networking skills and learning techniques to leverage the full impact of our Student Optics Chapter, it was a deLIGHTful experience. Thank you, Optica, for the cornhole boards and Optics suitcase, and for empowering student leaders across the globe.

On September 25th, we hosted a Resume Workshop which was the first in a series of two events SOCk, WiO, and POW are hosting to help you get your resume cleaned up.  Our next resume event will be on October 2nd at 4:30pm at 1702 which is located just north of Meinel on Speedway.  This will be a more informal resume review session so bring a copy of your resume for your peers to review and enjoy some pizza!

On October 18th at 12pm, our Community Speakers Friday will be several short talks from our students who had summer internships this past year. This will be a fantastic opportunity for students to share their networking tips with their peers and show off what they worked on over the summer. Have an internship you would like to talk about? Sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrWnsdE2A3X5WFD3n_IDbK2JEuDpo8NLVtKLV28CW7iXqKjw/viewform

Finally, SOCk will be hosting the Industrial Affiliates Poster Session on October 22nd at 5pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to present your research to the affiliates and get some conversations started. SOCk will be printing posters for the first handful of students who sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsmatBI9KwpqTAeELn28pQW5swowwYsw0G36yBkLv7yPJbzg/viewform

Curious about who our affiliates are? Find the list here: https://www.optics.arizona.edu/outreach/industrial-affiliates

We hope to see you at some of these events!

(See Events page.)

The calendar will continue to be updated so check back for up-to-date details! Let us know if any questions.

Hi Everyone,

We know the website has been outdated for a while. As of 1/28/18, we are working on getting it updated and functional so that we can all use it again!

Hello everyone,

Work has begun planning for Laser Fun Day, and we need your help once again to run the event. Please sign up here to be an event volunteer! Volunteers will be fed lunch and receive a volunteer shirt, on top of the great perk of seeing kids smile at all the cool science we’ll show them. This is our 7th Laser Fun Day, and we’re going to have a great time. We once again have BAE Systems, SPIE, and OSA as event sponsors, so we’re well funded and ready to inspire the next generation of scientists. I hope to see you there!

If you’d like to join the planning committee itself, please email sock.outreach@optics.arizona.edu to learn about meeting times and how you can help. Thanks!

Hello everyone! Welcome to 2017 and a new semester.

On Friday, January 20th, we will have our first community speakers of the the semester. We’ve got a lot of announcements and important information to cover to get this semester on the road, including:

• Announcing the winner of the Fall VIP Series competition, and awarding the $250 prize
• Getting everyone pumped (optically, of course) for Laser Fun Day, which will be on March 25th this year!
• Showcasing plans for the major spring events, like our camping trip, the State of the College Address with Dean Koch, and other social and academic activities
• Giving updates on our grants awarded from SPIE and OSA, and the cool new projects that they enable us to do that we need your help with
• Finally, the wait is over, they’ve arrived……. SOCk socks are here! Many of you ordered them a while back, and they’ve finally come. For those of you who paid already (we have a list of your names), we’ll be distributing them. We have a limited number of additional SOCk socks, so come and get them while you can!

Thanks everyone! I hope to see you Friday at noon in 410/408.

Ben Cromey
SOCk President