Three Wyant College Students Named SPIE 2023 Optics and Photonics Education Scholarship Recipients
Three Wyant College students received 2023 Optics and Photonics Education Scholarships from SPIE. Rachel Turner, Jennifer Bragg, and Shriniketh Sreevatsan were among the 72 outstanding SPIE Student Members to be recognized. Below are excerpts from the SPIE press releases congratulating the students on their huge success in their educational careers and future opportunities. Read the full SPIE press releases.
Rachel Turner
Turner recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Optical Sciences and Engineering from the University of Arizona. She is now pursuing her Master of Science in Optical Sciences at the university’s Wyant College of Optical Sciences. She has been working in the Adaptive Optics Research Lab under Dr. Michael Hart, conducting research on adaptive optics systems which are used to correct wavefront aberrations induced by turbulence in the atmosphere. "Aside from my ongoing research, I have a strong interest in optics outreach and am passionate about sparking an interest in optics among younger generations of students," said Turner.
Jennifer Bragg
Bragg is a third-year graduate student in the Wyant College of Optical Sciences PhD program. She is working with Prof. Olivier Guyon on high contrast imaging at the Subaru Telescope located in Hilo, HI. In particular, her current research focuses on the investigation of new Deformable Mirror (DM) technologies. Bragg also enjoys surfing when she's not working or studying as well as taking care of her son and animals. "I enjoy many other science topics besides optics and really enjoy nature and the beauty that it brings into my life," said Bragg. "Having support from the Optics community is monumental in my situation, and the financial support I have received thus far has been a huge key to my success and longevity in the optics field."
Shriniketh Sreevatsan
Sreevatsan is a rising senior at the University of Arizona’s Wyant College of Optical Sciences (USA). His primary interests include AR, VR, holography, and machine learning. He is currently working on integrating digital holography with deep learning. Upon graduation, he intends to pursue a PhD and help expand the field of optics. “I am very humbled and honored to have received this scholarship," said Sreevatsan. "This will give me the financial freedom to pursue my goals and contribute to the field of optics.”