[Photobears] Marina S. Leite Research and Career Seminar

[Chaoying Gu]

Hi Everyone,

UCB's Photobears is excited to invite you to an upcoming joint seminar featuring Prof. Marina S. Leite, Professor at UC Davis and 2026 IEEE Photonics Society Distinguished Lecturer. She will first dive into her research on optical materials, including ultra-high temperature photonics, the development of transient photonic devices, and metal alloys for spectrum control, followed by a valuable session on career development and navigating the global research landscape.

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Time: Friday, April 3rd, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Soda 510.
Please [RSVP] by April 1st. Lunch will be provided.

Title: Advanced photonic materials for sustainability & Photonics research across borders

Abstract:

Part 1: Advanced photonic materials for sustainability In this talk, I will provide a comprehensive overview of our research on developing novel materials for photonics while combining experimental and computational tools. First, I will discuss our progress towards discovering new optical emitters for thermophotovoltaics that operate >1,500 °C. Second, I will share how we established a field termed ‘transient photonics’, where we developed optical devices that vanish in water after stable operation. Third, I will present how the alloying of metals can be effectively used to engineer the electromagnetic spectrum, relevant for photo-catalysis. An outlook of potential research directions in photonics with burgeoning materials will be presented.

Part 2: Photonics research across borders: opportunities and challenges of globalization The unavoidable globalization of our society is currently also echoed in research. In this talk, I will provide my perspective of working in four countries (three continents) while performing research in both academia and national laboratories and collaborating with industries. I will present suggestions on how to (i) quickly adjust to different working cultures, (ii) navigate language barriers to effectively communicate, and (iii) foster knowledge when exchanging ideas while pondering the ascending interdependence of countries. Junior investigators in photonics are living in exciting times to advance innovation and can excel upon adjusting themselves to the current, global landscape in research.

Bio: Prof. Marina S. Leite is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Davis. She is a UC Davis Chancellor's Fellow, an Optica Fellow, an SPIE Fellow, and an Associate Editor for APL Materials. She is currently serving as an awardee of the 2026 IEEE Photonics Society Distinguished Lecturer Program.

We hope to see you there!

Best,

Chaoying

[Chaoying Gu]

REMINDER this is happening THIS FRIDAY! [RSVP] today to secure your lunch. 

[Chaoying Gu]

REMINDER that this is happening today in one hour! See you all at 11:00 AM in Soda 510.

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