2026

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Optics at the University of Rochester, and plan to continue lifelong learning in this field. As an artist and someone who appreciates the physical beauty of the world, understanding how light shapes our knowledge of nature is something I want to explore further. Optics and photonics is at the intersection between design and fundamental science, requiring both application and creation of new knowledge and technology.

I was initially drawn to the Cardenas Lab because of my interest in nano-optics. Designing devices that can control light at the nanoscale in order to accomplish feats that conventional devices can’t achieve is exciting to me. The work done by this group is very versatile and can contribute to the advancement of other fields such as biomedical, astronomy, and communications.

I did research with this group over the summer after my sophomore year and worked on testing hands-on photonic education (HOPE) kits developed by AIM Photonics. The HOPE kits were intended to remove barriers in learning the fundamentals of photonics by providing the materials and skills to those who do not have access to state-of-the-art technologies or means for testing. Being able to teach and learn from these workshops inspired me to think about ways to bring people to the field and how my own actions contribute to fostering a welcoming environment for education.

At first, I struggled adjusting to academia. During my undergrad, I was nervous reaching out for help and pursuing research because I felt like I didn’t belong in a prestigious academic community. Upon entering the Institute of Optics, it felt like my peers had already formed connections, while I was still at the starting point. However, I felt supported by Professor Cardenas and encouraged to take the initiative in my own learning. He is a very understanding professor who pushes students to think harder and grow as responsible engineers. While I found his course in integrated photonics to be challenging, it was extremely rewarding to me and I am thankful for receiving the tools needed for tackling real-world problems. Through working with the Cardenas Lab, I learned to be resilient and gained the courage to pursue what interests me despite the uncertainties that may arise. The group members are very welcoming and knowledgeable, and I’m thankful for all the help they have given me.  

I am truly grateful for my time working with the Cardenas Lab and learning more about integrated photonics. I’m excited to continue my journey as a PhD student in Optics at the University of Rochester, and I hope to one day support students the same way this group has supported me.