Faculty News

Jennifer Kehlet Barton, director of the BIO5 Institute, Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and professor of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona, has officially commenced her role as the 2024 President of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. This pivotal appointment solidifies Barton's standing as a trailblazer in her field and marks a significant milestone for the university.

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.

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.

The Wyant College of Optical Sciences is pleased to welcome Prof. Felipe Guzmán back, now, as the inaugural holder of the Jack Lee Jewell Endowed Chair in Optical Sciences. Prof. Guzmán has worked to advance the state-of-the-art research in novel optomechanical inertial sensors, precision laser interferometry, and optical technologies for ground and space applications. His research spans gravitational-wave astrophysics, geosciences, navigation, and precision metrology.

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.

Longtime Arizona academic leader and business owner, James C. Wyant, founding dean and namesake of the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, passed away Friday, Dec. 8, in Tucson, after a valiant battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He was 80 years old.

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.

Prof. Judy Su’s work into FLOWER (frequency locked optical whispering evanescent resonator) is unlocking new possibilities for early detection of ovarian cancer before symptoms have even presented—meaning that many women can begin to receive treatment before the cancer has become severe. In Su’s recent paper, “An Integrated Approach to Protein Discovery and Detection From Complex Biofluids” Prof. Su discusses how the technology can sample items from the vaginal environment (a tampon, even) to detect proximal sources for tumor detection.