Wyant College of Optical Sciences News

Thanks to the participation of our Industrial Affiliates Partners, the Fall 2026 Industrial Affiliates Meeting provided students with direct access to the professionals and organizations shaping the future of optics and photonics. From networking and lab tours to research discussions and presentations, the event created meaningful connections that support student success and strengthen our community.

Optical Sciences Ph.D. student Yanzhao (Alex) Lu was recognized in the 2026 Robert S. Hilbert Memorial Optical Design Competition for his project, Design of a Compact and High-Efficiency LCoS Light Engine for Head-mounted Displays.

The Wyant College of Optical Sciences is pleased to welcome seven new Industrial Affiliates Partners.

In this issue of Another Wavelength, we chat with optical sciences and engineering student Anwar Gatto. A member of the Class of 2028, Anwar is pursuing a BS in Optical Sciences and Engineering with minors in Mathematics and Materials Science. He shares his academic journey and summer experiences as a student of the Wyant College of Optical Sciences and intern of Corning Advanced Optics.

Congratulations to Wyant College of Optical Sciences students who have achieved excellence in their undergraduate degree programs for the previous academic year. On October 2nd, 2026 the College hosted an Honors Convocation to recognize these students during the U of A Family Weekend.

Congratulations to our faculty and staff members being recognized at this year's University Service Awards. We are grateful for your dedication and many years of service to the University of Arizona and the Wyant College of Optical Sciences.

The University of Arizona Alumni Association has announced John R. Rogers, MS ’81; PhD ’83, as the 2027 Alumnus of the Year for the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. The College recognizes Rogers as someone who reflects its own excellence and values through his professional accomplishments, service to the optics community, and continued commitment to the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. He, along with other university alumni, will be celebrated at the Alumni of the Year Awards Ceremony on March 4, 2027.

From industry internships and national laboratories to research experiences and professional development programs, Optical Sciences students spent the summer developing technical skills, building professional networks, and exploring career opportunities across the optics and photonics community.

These experiences provide valuable hands-on training while helping students prepare for future careers in industry, academia, and research.

Applications are now being accepted for the external 2027-2028 ARCS Foundation Graduate Scholarship. We highly encourage eligible students to apply. OSC has had at least two award recipients per academic year for the last several years. Please see below for scholarship details, including eligibility and application instructions.

Dr. Leilei Peng and collaborators at the University of Arizona and Stanford University have developed a breakthrough imaging technique that captures brain activity in 3D at 100 volumes per second while maintaining sub-micron resolution. Called dual-view Bessel two-photon projection microscopy (dv-B2PM), the technology provides an unprecedented view of how neurons process and transmit information.