Wyant College of Optical Sciences News

IOPScience has recognized Prof. Judy Su with the 2023 JPhys Photonics Early Career Award. The award recognizes Prof. Su as an emerging leader and author of the best paper from the journal's emerging leader's issue. Prof. Su said of the award, "I am highly honored and it is indeed a privilege to receive such a distinguished award. I believe using microcavity frequency combs for biosensing will open up new dimensions and I hope that our paper contributes to this path. I deeply appreciate the diligence and creativity of students in my lab and the generous funding support from NIH and NSF in making continuing discovery possible."

On February 9, hundreds of people gathered on the University of Arizona campus to celebrate the amazing life of Dr. James C. Wyant, founding dean and professor emeritus. Speakers included Mrs. Tammy Wyant speaking on behalf of the Wyant family. From the University of Arizona, speakers included Dr. Robert Robbins, President, Dr. Tom Koch, dean, Wyant College of Optical Sciences and Dr. Bob Shannon, professor emeritus and former director of OSC. Speakers from Jim’s alma maters were Dr. Eric Kaler, President, Case Western Reserve University and Dr. Tom Brown, Director, The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester.

Robert Edmund, CEO (retired) of Edmund Optics, recently established the John P. Schaefer Graduate Student Scholarship in Optical Sciences. This scholarship is to recognize UA President Emeritus John Schaefer’s commitment to support optics education and to empower the next generation of optical scientists. A passion that Robert also adamantly holds.

Prof. Ron Liang's work into printing of 3D Infrared Optics has made innovations in the field recently. The group has achieved multi-material printing, for which they innovated a self-welding process that facilitates the creation of multi-element glass optics. Additionally, they have perfected a printing technique that allows for on-demand control of transparency. Find out more in this five-minute review.

Alumna and one-time assoc. professor for the College, Jennifer Turner-Valle, PhD (OSC 1998), found humor in life and provided warmth and support to friends and professional associates. Sadly, Jennifer passed away unexpectedly in August 2023 in Boulder, CO where she and her husband, Tim, resided. We offer our most sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. 

Jennifer was a valuable contributor to the fields of engineering and optics through her research, business management and teaching. She also often found herself in a mentor role, especially for women seeking a career in these fields. It is therefore only fitting that a scholarship endowment now bears her name as well as her passions.

Contributions to support the Jennifer Turner Advancing Women in Optics Graduate Student Scholarship may be made here. Please add the scholarship’s name in the “gift designation” portion – or contact Kaye Rowan, Executive Director of Development.

The University of Arizona Alumni Association has announced Dr. Kent B. Rochford as the 2024 Alumnus of the Year for the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. The Alumni of the Year ceremony is scheduled for February 22, 2024, at the University of Arizona.

Graduating students and their loved ones, along with Wyant College staff and faculty, gathered on Friday, Dec. 15 to celebrate the Wyant College of Optical Sciences' Winter Convocation. The intimate ceremony was followed by a light spread and cake in the Meinel 3rd floor lobby.

Congratulations to Prof. Judy Su on her invitation to participate in the 2nd National Academies US-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium in Rabat, Morocco, Jan. 16-18, 2024. Participation in the symposium is dictated by strict eligibility guidelines as well as a personal invitation to participate in the opportunity.

Prof. Matt Eichenfield and Prof. Travis Sawyer are acting as associate editors for two new journals, currently open for submissions. Biophotonics Discovery is dedicated to biology, healthy physiology, and pathophysiology based on the unique capabilities of novel and emerging biophotonic techniques. Optica Quantum is dedicated to high-impact results in quantum information science and technology (QIST), as enabled by optics and photonics. Learn more about the journals and how to submit.

Congratulations to Dr. Amit Ashok and Dr. Mark C. Phillips who were elected as 2024 Fellow Members of Optica. Fellow membership in Optica is limited to no more than ten percent of the membership and is reserved for members who have served with distinction in the advancement of optics and photonics.