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06 December 2023
Optica Foundation Announces 2024 Ambassadors
Ambassadors connect with students and their peers worldwide, building the next generation of leaders in our community.
WASHINGTON – The Optica Foundation announces ten exceptional early-career members who will serve as the 2024 class of Optica Ambassadors. Following a competitive application process, Ambassadors are chosen for their outstanding dedication to Optica and the optics community. These emerging leaders are set to provide guidance and advice to a global community of young optics and photonics researchers.
“Since 2016, our dedicated Ambassadors have offered career guidance, shared invaluable technical expertise, and extended mentorship to our student members,” said Eric Mazur, 2024 Optica Foundation President. “Rooted in our fundamental principles of integrity, inclusivity, impact, and innovation, this program is designed to instill and fortify our core values in the upcoming cohort of scientists, engineers, and corporate trailblazers.”
Supported by the Foundation's annual fund, Ambassadors engage with student chapters, offering training and sharing insights through webinars and meetings. Their role extends to nurturing young researchers, fostering a lifelong sense of belonging and purpose in the field of optics and photonics. They are instrumental in advocating for a diverse and inclusive photonics ecosystem, bridging academic and industrial spheres.
“As an Ambassador, I embraced the ability to be a link between Optica and students around the world,” said 2023 Ambassador Mateusz Szatkowski, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Poland. “Following the challenges of the pandemic, my class worked to reengage and reinvigorate the community, and I cannot wait to see what this new class will accomplish!”
The 2023 Optica Ambassadors are:
- Angeles Camacho Rosales, Coractive, Canada
- George Dwapanyin, University of St Andrews, United Kingdom
- Katarzyna Komolibus, Tyndall National Institute, Ireland
- An Pan, Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
- Ana Karen Reyes, Universidad Tecnologica de Tulancingo, Mexico
- Ritu Raj Singh, Netaji Subhas University of Technology, India
- Chiara Trovatello, Columbia University, United States
- Ahmet Turnali, Corning Inc, United States
- Gavrielle Untracht, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
- Yating Wan, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia
Optica Foundation
Established in 2002, the Optica Foundation carries out charitable activities in support of the society’s student and early career members. We cultivate the next generation of leaders and innovators as they navigate advanced degree programs and become active members of research, engineering and business communities worldwide. The foundation also works to secure the endowments for Optica’s awards and honors programs. The foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. For more information, visit optica.org/foundation.
About Optica
Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, is the society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in the field. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Optica's renowned publications, meetings, online resources and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical and educational achievement. Discover more at: Optica.org
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