PhD Careers in Optics and Optical Engineering
Monday, June 2nd, 5:30 – 6:30 PM CST
(Virtual)
Are you a STEM PhD interested in applying your expertise to challenges in optics and photonics? Join us for a panel discussion with professionals working in optics and optical engineering across industries. Panelists will share insights into their roles, the technologies they work with, key skills for success. Join our panelists as they discuss what drew them to this field, the competencies required for success, and how you can prepare yourself to excel in this rapidly evolving industry.
Paul Lin, PhD
Senior Optical Engineer at Abbott
Dr. Lin is a Senior Optical Engineer at Abbott, specializing in optical system design, camera, imaging sensors, and image processing. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Washington University in St. Louis, where he worked in Dr. Culver’s lab in the Department of Radiology, developing novel brain imaging systems to map cerebral blood flow.
During his PhD, Paul did a 10-week internship at Turing Medical working on applying deep learning models to medical imaging, and he also joined The BALSA Group, a biotechnology and life science consulting group at WashU, for a year to gain some industrial experience. He is also passionate about community and collaborations, and he has been actively involved in multiple student and optics organizations over the years.
Shobhit Gupta, PhD
Quantum scientist, memQ
Dr. Gupta is a Quantum Scientist at memQ, working on photonic hardware technologies for interconnecting quantum processors. He earned his PhD in Physics from the University of Chicago, where he focused on spin-photon interfaces using rare-earth ions.
Shobhit holds an Integrated MSc in Physics from IIT Bombay, where he researched the GEM detector for CERN’s ALICE TPC upgrade.
