|
| |
Optics Valley FOCUS
August 2025
| Optics Valley is a Committee of the Arizona Technology Council | | |
Greetings!
From high-profile leadership appointments at SPIE to a new voice for optics in Congress, we’ve got big wins and exciting developments for the Arizona optics and photonics community!
This month’s newsletter brings you exciting opportunities to engage, including the announcement of Arizona Photonics Days 2026, local leaders celebrating SPIE election wins, and a key supporter championing photonics on Capitol Hill. Plus, learn about our new members and upcoming events, all designed to help you connect, showcase your expertise, and grow your impact in our rapidly growing optics and photonics ecosystem.
Be part of FOCUS. Send your member news submissions, comments and suggestions to focus@opticsvalleyaz.org.
| | |
Arizona Photonics Days 2026: Registration, Sponsorship, and Call for Presentations Open
You are invited to join us for Arizona Photonics Days 2026, hosted this year at the beautiful Grand Challenges Research Building on the University of Arizona campus from Jan 14 - 16. This premier industry networking and research gathering will feature six technical tracks covering the latest applications in optics and photonics, alongside an expanded exhibitor area. Arizona Photonics Days presents an excellent opportunity to engage with the wider Arizona optics and photonics ecosystem all in one convenient location.
Take advantage of early-bird pricing by registering today, or elevate your brand by becoming an event sponsor for higher visibility among global leaders, innovators, and decision-makers. Researchers and professionals are also invited to submit papers to showcase their expertise and contribute to dynamic technical discussions.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of photonics in Arizona!
| | |
Optics Valley and Arizona Represented
in Recent SPIE Elections
Kate Medicus, CEO and owner of Ruda Optical in Tucson, Arizona, is a newly elected Director for SPIE and will serve a three-year term from 2026 - 2028. Kate is a precision metrology expert whose career spans advanced manufacturing, optical metrology, and small business leadership. She leads Ruda Optical, a Woman Owned Small Business known for their expertise in custom high precision optical systems design, assembly, and testing. An active advocate for the optics and photonics community, Kate is deeply involved with SPIE and Optics Valley, where she promotes knowledge-sharing, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and industry growth.
Kyle Myers, University of Arizona Optical Sciences alumna, and Founder and Principal of Puente Solutions, has been elected to serve as the 2026 Vice President. Her areas of technical research across her career in government, industry, and academia have included medical imaging and biomedical optics; signal processing and AI/ML; vision science and perception; and technical translation from ideation to market authorization. She will join the SPIE presidential chain and serve as the Society’s president in 2028.
| | |
Congressman Juan Ciscomani joins
Congressional Optics + Photonics Caucus
| | We’re excited to share that Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-6) has joined the bipartisan Congressional Optics and Photonics Caucus! This caucus works to advance the use of light-based technologies through investments and policies, as well as raise awareness of how optics and photonics improves the everyday lives of Americans and is critical to maintaining the U.S. as a leader in global innovation. Congressman Ciscomani’s involvement is a big win for Southern Arizona, bringing national attention to our region’s world-class optics and photonics community. | | |
Manny Teran, CEO of IRLabs, Featured in
Recent TechFocus Podcast
Check out the recent Arizona Technology Council TechFocus podcast that highlights Arizona Technology Council and Optics Valley Member, Manny Teran. Manny is an award-winning business leader, engineer, and entrepreneur with deep expertise in innovation, technology commercialization, sales, and marketing. IRLabs specializes in the design and manufacture of custom cryogenic systems, infrared detectors, and cryostats for use in scientific research, astronomy, and industrial applications.
| | RTX Joint MEOS / MRFS Symposium Supplier Showcase | | Join for this year’s Supplier Showcase Event on Sept 30, 2025 at the Desert Diamond Conference Center hosted by the RTX Multifunction Electro-Optical Systems (MEOS) / Multifunction RF Systems (MRFS) Technology Network. As an exhibitor at the symposium, you will have the opportunity to showcase your company's offerings, products and services and connect with an audience of world class defense and aerospace professionals. If interested in participating, contact the Symposium Supplier Event Lead, Mary Germaine, at mary.a.germaine@rtx.com. For more background on the overall symposium, contact richard.gaughan@rtx.com. | | |
SPIE Prism Award 2026 Applications Are Open -
Showcase Your Innovation!
| | The SPIE Prism Awards, the "Oscars of Photonics", are now accepting applications for 2026. This prestigious international competition honors the best new products and groundbreaking technologies in optics and photonics. We encourage all companies in Optics Valley to take this opportunity to shine on the global stage. Winners receive global recognition, industry credibility, and visibility among top decision-makers and investors. Deadline to apply is Sept 3, 2025. | | |
Ansys Optics Simulation - User Group Meeting
Join the industry experts at PADT, Ansys, and Optics Valley for a series of presentations covering various topics relating to optics simulation with Ansys.
Meeting will be held on Wed. Sept 10, 11am - 1:30pm, at the U of A Grand Challenges Research Building, 1st Floor, 750 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719
| | Welcome New Optics Valley Members! | | | | The Southwest Center for Optics and Photonics (SCOP) is a non-profit organization founded in 2024 promoting optics in Tucson and the greater Southwest. They strive to bring optics outreach to high schoolers and teachers, and are working to create an optics technician training program in collaboration with PCC to supply local optics businesses with a well-trained workforce. Find out more about their events and mission on their website. | | | | Critical Infrastructure Investments, Inc is a Tucson-based patient capital investment firm focused on maturing technologies in the advanced technology sectors of photonics, electrooptics, AI/ML, quantum sensing/communications/processing/crypto, advanced materials and sensors, digital manufacturing, autonomy, cybersecurity, etc for Department of Defense and supporting critical infrastructure customers. | | |
Other Items of Interest:
| | |
Our mission is to catalyze, convene and connect optics, photonics, astronomy and the supporting business interests throughout Arizona. Let us know how we can help your company grow.
Thank you,
| | |
Optics Valley FOCUS Newsletter Sign Up
If you know others who might be interested in Optics Valley news and events, please feel free to share. If you received your FOCUS newsletter secondhand, please use the link above to sign up.
FOCUS is a summary of business news and events for the optics, photonics and astronomy sectors in Arizona. Please send your submissions for recommended inclusion to focus@opticsvalleyaz.org.
| | | | |
