II-VI Foundation Gives UA College of Optical Sciences Award for Graduate Research

Tucson, Ariz.—The University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences has received grants totaling more than $85,000 from the II-VI Foundation through their 2012-2013 Block-Gift Program to support graduate-level research.

“We are very fortunate that the II-VI Foundation has chosen to support several of our graduate students in recent years. This support provides them with outstanding latitude to refine and extend concepts that they will subsequently apply to real-world challenges,” said Thomas L. Koch, dean.

“The foundation demonstrates a remarkable and admirable commitment to supporting individuals, including students like ours, who have dedicated themselves to bringing us a more promising tomorrow,” he added.

Professor of optical sciences Tom D. Milster was awarded one of the II-VI Foundation’s 21 grants for the submission "Hi-Resolution Evanescent Polarization Imaging for Nondestructive Readout of Surface and Subsurface Damage."

This is Milster’s second consecutive multiyear award for graduate-level research through the Block-Gift Program.

“I am very grateful for support from the II-VI Foundation, for both our previous work and for the new work,” said Milster. “The foundation sponsors student-centered research in order to prepare the next generation of leaders in research and industrial development communities — aims that match well with my research program.”

Victor E. Densmore III, the M.S. in Optical Sciences student who will perform the project’s research in nanomicroscopy, said, “As a first-generation college student, struggles abound, but a few distinct events have altered my life’s path. Most notable is when professor Tom Milster first invited me into his labs. Now, the II-VI Foundation’s generous support provides the impetus for my research.

“The II-VI Foundation’s mission really resonates with me; I know I will be actively promoting education in the science, technology, engineering and math fields when I have advanced in my career.”

The II-VI Foundation recently sponsored a conference, hosted at the University of Arizona, on the synthesis and characterization of nanotech materials for optical and electronic applications. Densmore and Milster were presenters. Other participating schools included Texas A&M University, the University of Virginia and Rice University.  

About the II-VI Foundation

The II-VI Foundation’s mission is “to encourage and enable students to pursue a career in engineering, science and/or mathematics while maintain a standard of excellence in that pursuit.” All programs funded by the foundation are designed to meet this mission. They include: 2nd to 5th grade Camp Invention programs, 6th to 9th grade Summer Science Splash Camp, 5th through 12th grade Calcu-Solve mathematics competitions, targeted scholarships for students in college or university, undergraduate research programs as well as the Block-Gift initiative which it partners with the University of Arizona. The overarching goal is to increase and improve the pool of high-quality engineers and scientists seeking to take on the complicated technical problems that face our nation and the world.

To learn more details about the II-VI Foundation, visit www.ii-vifoundation.com.