Congratulations Dr. Travis Sawyer, assistant professor at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, on being named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar, supporting international research and academic exchange.

Judith Su has been named a recipient of the 2026 Convergence Award: Excellence in Research and Creative Activity in the category of Applied Research and Engineering, one of the University of Arizona’s highest honors recognizing research excellence.

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.

Founded in 1982, Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions is the world’s leading supplier of real time contamination monitoring systems and airborne particle counters. Lighthouse offers the most complete line of contamination monitoring solutions available that include Airborne Particle Counters, Microbial Samplers, and Liquid Particle Counters, as well as Temperature / Humidity sensors. Recently added production of air purification products, manufacturing of personal protective equipment. These solutions are now found in semiconductor, pharmaceutical, data storage, biotechnology, aerospace, and defense industry plants worldwide.

Founded in 1982, Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions is the world’s leading supplier of real time contamination monitoring systems and airborne particle counters. Lighthouse offers the most complete line of contamination monitoring solutions available that include Airborne Particle Counters, Microbial Samplers, and Liquid Particle Counters, as well as Temperature / Humidity sensors. Recently added production of air purification products, manufacturing of personal protective equipment. These solutions are now found in semiconductor, pharmaceutical, data storage, biotechnology, aerospace, and defense industry plants worldwide.

University students are invited to participate in the Robert S. Hilbert Memorial Optical Design Competition, proudly supported by Keysight Technologies. This annual competition recognizes excellence in optical design and honors the legacy of Robert S. Hilbert, whose career exemplified innovation, technical excellence, and a deep commitment to optics education.

Every year the Optica Foundation and the previous year's Optics Ambassadors select ten new exceptional early-career members to serve as that year's class of Optics Ambassadors. This year's class includes Wyant College Assistant Professor, Travis Sawyer. Congratulations, Dr. Sawyer on this amazing honor and opportunity!