Wyant College of Optical Sciences News

Researchers from the Computational 3D Imaging and Measurement (3DIM) Lab at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona have developed a novel method that significantly advances 3D imaging of specular surfaces. The approach integrates techniques known from high-precision optical 3D metrology and computer vision, effectively bridging the technology gap between both fields. With its broad potential impact, the novel solution could benefit applications ranging from industrial inspection and medical imaging to virtual reality and cultural heritage preservation.

Under the direction of Hillary Mathis, lab manager, the Wyant College of Optical Sciences teaching lab spaces have undergone a significant refresh and expansion, a great opportunity for enhancing hands-on learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Previously, some graduate lab classes had to share space, but now they each have their own dedicated rooms, ensuring greater accessibility and flexibility for students and instructors. In total, our teaching labs now include three undergraduate labs, one senior design lab, one instrumentation lab, and four graduate labs. We look forward to seeing students, teaching staff and faculty make full use of these upgraded spaces! Read more about the updates!

In celebration of Black History Month (Feb. 1 - Mar. 1), we highlight a few of the great Black Optical Scientists and Engineers who have helped shape history. Each of these inspiring innovators were shared over the course of the month on the college's social media pages.

Wyant College's 2025-2026 academic year departmental scholarships are now available for application.  The application deadline for all departmental scholarships is March 30, 2025, at 11:59pm.  If you will be an active student in a OSC undergraduate or graduate program next academic year (25-26), you are encouraged to apply! Questions? Email: grad-funding@optics.arizona.edu

The future of the super camera is here—and it’s only getting sharper. At The Camera Lab, led by David Brady, J.W. and H.M. Goodman Endowed Chair in Optical Sciences and professor of optical sciences, researchers are developing super cameras that push beyond conventional imaging limits. This revolution is moving toward terapixel per second capture rates. In 2012, Brady led the team that developed the world’s first gigapixel camera as principal investigator on the DARPA AWARE program. Today, he's taking the work to the next level, building a display that can keep up.

Inventing is core to the university's commitment to pursuing solutions to grand challenges. The National Academy of Inventors has named Professor Jennifer Barton, Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Chair of Biomedical Engineering and Director of the BIO5 Institute; and Associate Professor Euan McLeod as Senior Members of its newest cohort of 162 honorees from across the nation.

We are excited to welcome Ember Deitz Goldstein as the new Director of Development at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences! Ember brings a wealth of experience in university fundraising, having held leadership roles at Oberlin College, Boston University, and Harvard, as well as Columbia University, where she also earned her MBA. Read more about her background and experience. Please join us in welcoming Ember to the Wyant College of Optical Sciences! Feel free to reach out and introduce yourself—Ember looks forward to connecting with the college community!  Find Ember in Meinel 721 or reach her at embergoldstein@arizona.edu or 520-626-8754.

Two Wyant College of Optical Sciences Alumnae were included among the 2025 SPIE Society Award Recipients at the recent Photonics West Conference. Honoring transformative advancements in a variety of professional areas — including medicine, astronomy, lithography, optical metrology, optical design, and community leadership — the Society's awards recognize technical accomplishments as well as committed service to SPIE and support of its organizational mission. Jannick Rolland (OSC PhD 1990) received the 2025 SPIE A. E. Conrady Award in Optical Engineering and Katherine Creath (OSC PhD 1985) received the 2025 SPIE Chandra S. Vikram Award in Optical Metrology.

A team of students collaborating from the Takashima Advanced LIDAR and Display Lab and the Willomitzer Computational 3D Imaging and Measurement Lab have been awarded the Best Student Paper Award at the Emerging Digital Micromirror Device Based Systems and Applications XVII conference during SPIE Photonics West 2025. This is the third time students from the College have won this award for their work in LiDAR and AR displays, with previous wins in 2020 and 2022. Congratulations!

Congratulations to alumnus John R. Rogers (OSC PhD 1983) was elected as a 2025 Fellow Member of Optica. Rogers is currently working as a principal scientist with the Optical Solutions Group at Synopsys, Inc., an Industrial Affiliates Partner of the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. 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.