Arizona Photonics Days continues to be a standout event, and this year was no exception. The Wyant College of Optical Sciences was honored to participate on the final day, hosted at the Grand Challenges Research Building. Dean and Professor Tom Koch delivered an insightful talk and was honored with a special recognition for his outstanding contributions to the Optics Valley community. His leadership continues to inspire growth in our field. A big thank you to all those who took part in the tours of the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab and the GCRB. These tours provided an incredible behind-the-scenes look at the groundbreaking work happening in optics and photonics, sparking rich discussions and new ideas among attendees.

In this issue of Another Wavelength, we chat with Alia Nichols. Alia is currently a senior pursuing her BS in optical sciences and engineering. Meanwhile, she is representing the optical sciences students in the Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA). Alia is excited to offer all optical sciences students an opportunity to connect with student government to enact real change to campus for the good of all students! Read more about Alia and how she's working to represent you.

Wyant College of Optical Sciences, in collaboration with Nanoscribe, invites students worldwide to participate in the Optical Design Competition for 3D Printed Optical Systems. Open to individuals or teams of up to three, this competition challenges participants to create innovative designs using two-photon polymerization (2PP) printing technology. Winners will receive cash prizes, have their designs fabricated, and contribute to advancing optical research. Submissions are due May 1, 2025, with winners announced September 15, 2025.