Associate Professor, Institute of Optics, Univ. of Rochester Optical
Design Consultant, Bentley Optical Design
Country of birth: USA
Country of residence: USA
Educational background: BS, MS, and PhD in optics, Univ. of Rochester
A typical work day.
At the University, I develop and teach courses in optical design, geometrical optics, aberration theory, and tolerancing for both undergraduate and graduate students. For several of the classes (in lieu of exams), I require the students to complete both individual and group design projects that are based on real-world problems. I spend a significant amount of time mentoring the students with their projects from start to finish. In my spare time, I've started my own optical design consulting company and spend time traveling to customers, understanding their problems, developing a set of specifications, and ultimately finding a good optical design solution.
What I enjoy most.
I've had the opportunity to travel all over the USA, Europe, Asia, Iceland, and Japan-places that most people only dream of visiting. I've met and taught students from around the world, all with their own unique life stories.
Words of wisdom.
Three things. 1. Build up a group of friends and colleagues in college and keep in touch with them once you graduate. This becomes the foundation of a very important network of contacts that you will need and use later in your career. 2. The best way to learn something is to try to teach it to someone else. 3. You can do anything as long as you're willing to take that first step and ask someone how.