Page 9 - Buzz Magazine - Issue 4 Fall 2022 | University of Rochester

industry, a field that has broad
applications related to energy,
manufacturing, transportation,
and medicine. There’s so much
potential with optics because,
look around, everything is
based on light and visuals.
The challenge is to maximize
practically unlimited potential.
Think about it: optics plays a
key role in everything from
building self-driving cars to
studying and understanding
diseases to creating clean
water systems for developing
countries.
BM: Its broad application.
When I came to the Institute
of Optics in 1967, I was excited
to see how optics was at the
foundation and the intersection
of many fields. As a graduate
student, I was part of an Photo by J. Adam Fenster
ecosystem that inspired us to
make a difference, to become optics class with Professor of my involvement with Industrial
entrepreneurs, and to solve real Julie Bentley—she’s an icon Associates, an all-day event in
world problems. I was in a very in the field, a lens design the fall and spring that immerses
distinctive cohort. expert, and a role model for all, students in research, lectures,
AV: Its potential. When I joined especially for women in science, and discussions with optics
MCC six years ago, the optical technology, engineering, and professionals as well as a career
technology program had just mathematics (STEM). fair. It’s all come full circle, too—I
five students. Today, we have BM: Professor Bob Hopkins’ got my first internship from an IA
115. The program is growing optics design courses 240 and event, and today I work for that
but doesn’t graduate enough 241. Those classes showed company, and I attend IA events
students to meet the regional me that what I was learning as a recruiter.
and global demand for highly could immediately relate to BM: I don’t have just one. The
skilled optics technicians. I something practical. Professor whole experience as a graduate
encourage anyone who is Hopkins became my role model student and then later as an
curious about our program and mentor. assistant professor and manager
to look into it. It attracts all of an optical fabrication and
types. For instance, I was AV: My first introductory optics testing facility at the institute were
at a fundraiser recently and class with Professor Turan important parts of my professional
met a DJ who is also an auto Erdogan. He is the reason I development. Each step in my
mechanic and a woodworker. I am in this career. He had this education and career helped lead
told him about this program, he remarkable way of distilling to the next one.
came for a tour, and now he is complex topics down in a way
enrolled as a student. that I understood and that AV: I did an honors research
inspired me.
project with Dr. Tom Foster
FAVORITE OPTICS at the Medical Center, which
CLASS? PIVOTAL COLLEGE showed me how much optics
CG: Optics 101 with Professor EXPERIENCE? can do to serve the medical
Tom Brown. Within a few weeks, CG: There are many, including industry. I also had two summer
I was all in—drawn to the being a Handler Scholar. I internships at Corning. And, my
field, the faculty, the institute, wouldn’t have been able to PhD work with Professor Tom
my cohort, everything. I also attend the University without Brown was instrumental in laying
really enjoyed my geometric it—I owe so much to the Handler the foundation for my career.
community. I’m also very proud
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