Track: Optics
Undergrad: Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA - Applied Physics (Math & Music minors)
Internship: Thermo Fisher Scientific
Current Job Title: PhD candidate at University of Arizona

How did you find yourself at Oregon and what about the program intrigued you?
What really hooked me was a presentation the program did in one of my senior-year physics classes. It was the Fall semester still, but I was already starting to feel the pressure of figuring out what to do after graduation (at one confused point I was debating going straight back to get a second Bachelor’s degree). The most intriguing thing about the UO program for me was the internship component; it seemed like the perfect combination of education and career development, all while lessening the financial impact of graduate studies. I was also excited about the possibility of finishing a Master’s degree in less than two years.

What was the intensive summer like for you?
While it was an exercise in grit for sure, I never felt completely overwhelmed. Throwing the professional development on top of the curriculum and labs really challenged me to grow my work ethic, but I’m glad I did because it was so beneficial. It really helped prepare me for all the aspects of working in industry that aren’t related to the scientific facts you know.
Getting to know my peers was maybe the best part of the whole program for me. They are all so driven, which inspired me to stay focused and motivated the whole way through. One of my close friends from the program reflected on how your graduate school classmates are your peers on a different level than most relationships you’ve had up until that point. I think the intensiveness of the summer only makes that bond stronger.

Where did you do your internship?
My internship was at Thermo Fisher Scientific up in Bothell, WA. Our site’s main focus is the design and manufacture of fluorescence microscopes for biomedical research applications. One of the best parts of it was the fact that my team had such diverse professional backgrounds; I got to work with and learn from mechanical, software, and electrical engineers in addition to the optical engineers I worked with most. That allowed me to work not just on optics, but to work within the broader field of engineering that encompasses developing products that are practical to manufacture. It gave me an appreciation for how much work goes into the things I use every day.

A typical day for me was very self-driven. I would meet with my manager every couple of days to discuss where my projects were at, but outside of that I was developing and testing theories, running experiments, communicating internally and externally with colleagues and business partners, and supporting manufacturing. I designed imaging systems, illumination systems, mechanical test fixtures, and software applications in addition to standardizing procedures for our quality control team (are parts within spec, is this lens aligned well enough, etc.).

Did you feel the program prepared you for the internship?  In what ways?
The most beneficial thing I got out of the program was the ability to analyze and approach problems in a pragmatic way. Lab assignments required you to fill in a lot of the blanks on your own, which is the way problems are presented in the real world. Getting in the habit of breaking down my goal into manageable chunks and working on those in a structured manner was invaluable to me as an intern. In addition to that, the exposure we got to so many different fields of study broadened my knowledge and helped me adjust to taking in information and applying it right away. There were tons of times during my internship where I needed to research an idea, design an experiment, and collect data all in one day, so that previous experience often came in handy.

How did your internship prepare you for your current position/career path?
I learned how important it is to be able to finish the job. Before my internship, I didn’t realize just how much work goes into making a product, and how often you’re forced out of your comfort zone to learn new things to help get you there. I decided early on to dedicate myself to building my engineering skills after seeing the opportunities it opened up, and my coworkers and managers were incredibly supportive of this (which helped a lot). Teaching myself turned out to be the best way to do this. In doing so I developed a real curiosity for optics and photonics, as well as the general know-how required to accomplish my goals, all of which has served me well at the start of my career.

How does your work or the work of your company serve the common good for society?
Our microscopes and accessories go into universities and research labs that work toward cures for diseases like cancer. Other sections of the company develop products that allow scientists to work toward more effective pharmaceuticals and drug-delivery systems, and to deepen our understanding of the electrophysiology of the human body. The cool thing about working for a large company with a good mission is the sheer magnitude of humanitarian efforts that are constantly going on.

What else would you like to share with students??
Your best tool for success in industry will be grit. Assignments will seem daunting, deadlines will creep up, and a lot of the time everyone else will make it look like it’s a walk in the park. But if you are willing to dedicate yourself to spending the time it takes to accomplish your goals, you’ll do just fine. That being said, know when to take a break. Finding that balance between work and play is very important, and will help you sustain your success for the long term.