Preparing the Next Generation of Photonics Professionals | Boston Photonics Day 2023
Yesterday marked the inaugural Boston Photonics Day event, hosted by the SPIE/OPTICA Student Chapter at the Boston University Photonics Center, with support from the Photonics Center. The event set out to not only inform the next generation of photonics professionals, but nurture them, creating a community through which industry developments and opportunities might flourish.
Following an opening remark from Photonics Center director Thomas Bifano, Xiaowei Ge, president of the SPIE/OPTICA Student Chapter, stood amongst her peers and introduced a keynote speaker from Brown University, Dr. Daniel M. Mittleman. Mittleman spoke on the multimodal nature of “Near-field terahertz networking” and the looming need for wireless systems to kick off the event.
“This event exceeded all expectations,” Ge shared in a LinkedIn post, “creating an environment of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and industry advancement with over a hundred attendees and a half from Greater Boston Area universities and institutions, such as Harvard, MIT, MGH, Tufts, NEU, and Brown University.”
Following Dr. Mittleman’s keynote were a variety of presentations, with speakers ranging from professionals in the academic and research fields, to OPTICA ambassadors, to BU alumni, each providing a new insight into how today’s BU students seeking a career in photonics and optics can forge their own path forward. One such example was BU alumnus Peng Li, who used his Ph.D. journal to demonstrate job preparation strategies for students studying optics and photonics.
“I was impressed by this student-led event,” expressed Dr. Bifano. “I especially appreciate its deliberate emphasis on career opportunities in the optics/photonics field, highlighting local optics-focused companies, the Business Innovation Center, and Photonics Center alumni. Hearing encouraging words and success stories from those alumni, some of whom graduated more than two decades ago, reinforced my belief that the Photonics Center’s most profound mission is to support its extraordinary community of students.”
Following several presentations and a lunch break, students engaged in a poster session, during which time several student researchers showcased their work in the field of optics and photonics to fellow students, faculty members, and professionals of the field. Afterward, alumni seminars and a panel discussion took place to answer the questions of current Boston University students.
The event culminated in the optics & photonics fair and reception on the 7th floor atrium, where all attendants and speakers were able to preview some of the latest technological advancements in the field, as supplied by the several Boston-based companies such as THORlabs and PlenOptika.
“We’re immensely proud of the collaborative spirit and knowledge exchange that took place throughout the day,” Ge said. “Boston Photonics Day has served as a platform for forging meaningful connections, gaining industry insights, and advancing the field of photonics.”
When asked about what goals the student chapter has for next year, Ge had this to say: “We could expand the content to diversify the event by introducing workshops, hands-on demonstrations, and more technical sessions. [And] we hope to attract a wider array of industry partners and sponsors to the event. This will allow students to engage with a broader range of companies, potentially leading to internship and job opportunities.”
“While conceived and led by students, the event’s smooth operation and engaging activities were enabled by substantial support from Photonics Center staff,” Dr. Bifano explained. “We look forward to working with our student leaders to consider sponsoring future events.”