Wyant College of Optical Sciences News

In this issue of Another Wavelength, we chat with first-generation PhD student, Paola Luna. She is currently in the 2nd year of her PhD program and is performing research with Cristian Panda, new assistant professor of optical sciences. Paola's story is one of persistence and resiliency. We'd like to celebrate National First Generation Student Day, November 8th, and commend her and all first-generation students for the accomplishments they have made, and the inspiration they offer.

A new award of $4.5M is set to fund CHIRP, the CHanneled Infrared Polarimeter, a compact tool that can provide scientists with extremely accurate data essential, and previously unattainable across all conditions, for long-term climate change modeling. Principal Investigator (PI) Meredith Kupinski, associate professor of optical sciences at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, and Science PI Sylvia Sullivan, assistant professor of chemical and environmental engineering at the College of Engineering, are leading the project as part of NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) Instrument Incubator Program (IIP). NASA Press Release. The Instrument Incubator Program funds novel instruments, like CHIRP, to launch new technologies for future Earth-observing missions focused on pursuing pressing Earth science phenomena.

Clarissa DeLeon, optical sciences PhD student advised by Associate Professor Meredith Kupinski, won a SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) best presentation award in the session Mechanical and Other Engineering, for her oral presentation titled "Mapping Sky Polarization Under Different Atmospheric Conditions," at the 2024 National Diversity in STEM (NiDSTEM) Conference, held in Phoenix from October 31 to November 2.

Associate Professor Euan McLeod was named in the Photonics100 List by Electro Optics, a company dedicated to providing uncompromised, informed commentary and analysis on topics of interest to the global photonics industry. "The Photonics100 celebrates the people who are pushing the photonics industry forward, whether as the inventors, manufacturers, or end users of technology."

The Wyant College Industrial Affiliates Showcase and Meeting took place Oct. 28 - 30 in Tucson, AZ. The event kicked off with a busy poster session and corporate showcase in the Student Union Grand Ballroom. The second day was filled with student and faculty presentations that outlined current Wyant College research. On the final day student interviews took place as well as lab tours and a pizza party.

A new era of scientific innovation began at the University of Arizona on Oct. 24 when a ribbon was cut in the lobby of the Grand Challenges Research Building. University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella said he expects the facility, also known as the GCRB, to play a pivotal role advancing fields such as optical sciences, health care and space exploration. Garimella and Cheu cut the ribbon on the GCRB alongside Thomas L. Koch, dean of the College of Optical Sciences; JP Roczniak, president and CEO of the University of Arizona Foundation; and Dr. Michael Dake, senior vice president for health sciences.

Tech Launch Arizona and the Wyant College of Optical Sciences had a great lunch with Faculty Innovation Ambassador Hong Hua on Friday, Oct. 11. There were amazing discussions about research, innovation and creating real-world impact! Hong led the conversation alongside Dean Tom Koch and TLA's Rakhi Gibbons and Rich Weite. Look for opportunities to connect with Hong or Rich if you have further questions, let's keep the conversation going! Rich will be hosting his next "Wednesday with Rich" on Nov. 6.

Beginning at SPIE Optics + Photonics 2025 will be a new biennial astronomy symposium on current and emerging applications for ground and space telescopes, and other optical technologies. To propose additional topics, contact Daewook Kim. Learn more and find updates on the SPIE website.

Researchers working with Jason Jones, John Paul Schaefer endowed chair in optical sciences and professor, have developed a breakthrough approach for optical atomic clocks. The new work significantly reduces the complexity of traditional designs while maintaining high accuracy and stability. By utilizing a single frequency comb laser, this new clock design eliminates the need for multiple complex laser systems, making it more practical for real-world applications.

From September 25-27, 2024, the Wyant College of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona hosted the XII Conference on Ultrafast Dynamics & Metastability and Ultrafast Bandgap Photonics at the Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club in Tucson. Organized by Rolf Binder, Wyant College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, and Michael Rafailov, University of Alberta, Canada, the conference brought together leading scientists and researchers from around the world.